Michael Stuart: Preaching Patience

I'd like to see Brown get a full season with the big club next year. Wherever he may slot in the depth chart with white and Tierney, and possibly norris.

Hes 22, theyve been very patient. His agent seems to think too much so.

With the draft picks coming in, there be much less pressure on him and he can play in a 2nd line role, which is probably better suited to his skill set.

I'd like to see Brown get a full season with the big club next year. Wherever he may slot in the depth chart with white and Tierney, and possibly norris.

Hes 22, theyve been very patient. His agent seems to think too much so.

With the draft picks coming in, there be much less pressure on him and he can play in a 2nd line role, which is probably better suited to his skill set.
- david22

Yeah, I'd like to see him get a shot too. If it works out, that's good news for both parties. If not, at least we know.

I've thought Brown looked good in his time with the big club. the "finish" wasn't there, but that was likely attributable to nerves....but the vision was there, the passing, slick hands. i'm not sure he'll be a #1 center, but he has the tools to be a legit #2 IMO.

I'd like to see all the young guys get an actual shot, I really do think the Sens have a very bright future with all these top level prospects. However, I think if they need time to develop into superstars then give them time.

Confidence plays such a huge role in athletes. If they lose that, it can ruin their careers.

I say we stay the course, keep developing, bring them up when they are ready and start slowly building to a cup contending team, while filling more prospects and and making some trades to improve our team without giving up our future.

Seravelli said DJ Smith was cut to 50 % because of pandemic but now after the league involvement, he s now paid .

I've thought Brown looked good in his time with the big club. the "finish" wasn't there, but that was likely attributable to nerves....but the vision was there, the passing, slick hands. i'm not sure he'll be a #1 center, but he has the tools to be a legit #2 IMO.
- sensarmy_11

I'm not entirely sold on Brown, but at the same time I think some people have unrealistic expectations out of young players. Brown didn't set the world on fire, but I would agree that he also didn't look out of place - especially in terms of keeping pace with the NHL game. And if you consider what the likes of Stone, Hoffman, and Dzingel did as young players when they had call-up opportunities early in their career, the scoring output for Brown was right in line with that general standard.

Brown - 29GP, 1G, 8A, 9Pts
Stone - 23GP, 4G, 4A, 8Pts
Hoffman - 29GP, 3G, 3A, 6Pts
Dzingel - 30GP, 3G, 6A, 9Pts

That said, I'm concerned that Brown is either a #2C who gets a fair bit of PP time and plays regularly with a dedicated sniper (e.g. Duclair), or he basically winds up not playing in the NHL. Players like Norris and White strikes me as considerably more versatile players, who might wind up getting a lot more NHL opportunity simply because of their ability to play up and down the lineup. Then again, there's a wide-open hole for an effective #2C on the team right now, and it may well be Brown's job to lose.

I'm not entirely sold on Brown, but at the same time I think some people have unrealistic expectations out of young players. Brown didn't set the world on fire, but I would agree that he also didn't look out of place - especially in terms of keeping pace with the NHL game. And if you consider what the likes of Stone, Hoffman, and Dzingel did as young players when they had call-up opportunities early in their career, the scoring output for Brown was right in line with that general standard.

Brown - 29GP, 1G, 8A, 9Pts
Stone - 23GP, 4G, 4A, 8Pts
Hoffman - 29GP, 3G, 3A, 6Pts
Dzingel - 30GP, 3G, 6A, 9Pts

That said, I'm concerned that Brown is either a #2C who gets a fair bit of PP time and plays regularly with a dedicated sniper (e.g. Duclair), or he basically winds up not playing in the NHL. Players like Norris and White strikes me as considerably more versatile players, who might wind up getting a lot more NHL opportunity simply because of their ability to play up and down the lineup. Then again, there's a wide-open hole for an effective #2C on the team right now, and it may well be Brown's job to lose.
- khawk

I'd honestly be pretty excited if Brown can find his ceiling as a 2nd line center.

If things pan out

Byfiled
Brown

would be a pretty excellent one two punch for center depth of size and skill.

Honestly, while a little slower than we'd all like Brown is doing just fine. If the kid can stay healthy there's as real chance the guy can be a #1C in the league. Maybe a Thorton lite. He's a beast in the AHL.

Keep him in the system. Maybe playing with someone like Brady will show him how to have a mean streak. That size is daunting for defenders. He's a cerebral player with a lot to offer. Let him evolve.

Honestly, while a little slower than we'd all like Brown is doing just fine. If the kid can stay healthy there's as real chance the guy can be a #1C in the league. Maybe a Thorton lite. He's a beast in the AHL.

Keep him in the system. Maybe playing with someone like Brady will show him how to have a mean streak. That size is daunting for defenders. He's a cerebral player with a lot to offer. Let him evolve.
- MarkStoned

The takes here are always so much more reasonable than on Twitter haha. Agree completely.

Michael has presented the issues really well.

I like the way they have handled the development of Brady Tkachuk. He is a big raw kid that needs to play against tough competition. I also like the accelerated development they have followed with Chabot moving him into the #1 and challenging him early in his career. He showed enough to justify 8yrs @ $8m. I think Tkachuk has shown enough to justify a long term big dollar commitment by the Sens.

Most players require a longer term development. But when a kid is ready he needs to be pushed to greater challenges.

Norris won the AHL rookie award, he led Belleville in scoring and was near the top of AHL scoring. You can"t send a kid like this back down. You risk regression in his overall development, he needs to be challenged.

This is my concern with the "patience" model. I don't think there is any benefit in having a kid like Byfield (6'4" with likely playing weight of 220 lbs.) being sent back down to play against 170 lbs kids. He is better to play protected minutes in the NHL.

I also believe Rossi is NHL ready and has the smarts to play effectively in the Sens line up. So, damn the patience, full speed ahead.

Honestly, while a little slower than we'd all like Brown is doing just fine. If the kid can stay healthy there's as real chance the guy can be a #1C in the league. Maybe a Thorton lite. He's a beast in the AHL.

Keep him in the system. Maybe playing with someone like Brady will show him how to have a mean streak. That size is daunting for defenders. He's a cerebral player with a lot to offer. Let him evolve.
- MarkStoned

I totally agree Brown tore up the AHL and is the Sens #1 prospect at center. He was ready for the NHL last year. Right now there's no one in the system better than him. And I would even include this year's draft choices because they're all wet dreams until they prove themselves.

Since he's so young I'd like Byfield back in the O, but agree it may not be challenging
enough for him. Could he go to Europe for a year? Not sure how the rules work for that type of thing?

Since he's so young I'd like Byfield back in the O, but agree it may not be challenging
enough for him. Could he go to Europe for a year? Not sure how the rules work for that type of thing?
- flyer4ever75

Because of Covid, I am not sure if the old rules will still apply.

NHL teams are obliged to send junior aged kids back to their junior team if they do not make the NHL roster. Once a kid has been sent back to junior he cannot be recalled during that season. I believe there is an exceptional option that allows for a junior player to be called up because of injury issues on the NHL roster. However, I don't think this option is used anymore, perhaps it no longer exists?

Assuming things remain consistant and the Ilses pick is 28th, would people still want to trade up, or would the preference be to stand pat?

Looks like a guy like Baron or Gunler could still be on the board depending on the list you're using.

Assuming things remain consistant and the Ilses pick is 28th, would people still want to trade up, or would the preference be to stand pat?
Looks like a guy like Baron or Gunler could still be on the board depending on the list you're using.
- david22

Dorion should certainly be looking to trade up, if there's a clear fit. One of the better options might be the Oilers, who have just one pick in the first 4 rounds of the draft, and might be open to moving the #14 pick for the NYI 1st, plus one of the 2nd Round Picks. It might even include a player swap, if Puljujarvi has taxed their patience too much, and they want to add some affordable young depth, or maybe a legitimate #3C like Tierney as part of the deal. There's no question that picking at #14 could land a very good supporting talent like Mercer/Jarvis, or possibly even someone like Lundell/Quinn if one of them should slip a bit from the top-12.

Another trade option I could definitely see Dorion moving on would be to take on Loui Eriksson from the Canucks... especially after his $3M signing bonus for 2020/21 is paid out, which would leave just $5M of actual dollars owing in spite of the $6Mx2Yrs cap hit. The obvious targets in such a trade would be the likes of Virtanen or Demko, but it depends on how intent Benning is on re-signing all of Toffoli, Markstrom, and Tanev.

Regarding Ceci I think the Senators mishandled him badly. He was a very effective offensive defenseman for the 67’s but it was obvious from the start he was out of his element playing a defensive position against the other teams best forwards. He lost his confidence being outplayed every game. I think he would have fared a lot better if he was allowed to play to his strengths.

Curtis Lazer was disappointment to be lent to Team Canada for the World Juniors. He went and excelled mainly because he played with Conner McDavid. That success resulted in him making the Senators roster but he was ineligible to be sent back to the juniors after burning off the 15 game limit. Unfortunately he didn’t do so well playing against men and the Sens were stuck with him for the entire season. Lazar should have been sent to the minors in his second season but wasn’t, he also lost his confidence as a result. On a positive note I was at the game when he ate the hamburger after a Hamburgerler win, that was awesome!

Assuming things remain consistant and the Ilses pick is 28th, would people still want to trade up, or would the preference be to stand pat?

Looks like a guy like Baron or Gunler could still be on the board depending on the list you're using.
- david22

Definitely be interested in trading the 22nd overall pick for 28th and 33rd picks.

Regarding Ceci I think the Senators mishandled him badly. He was a very effective offensive defenseman for the 67’s but it was obvious from the start he was out of his element playing a defensive position against the other teams best forwards. He lost his confidence being outplayed every game. I think he would have fared a lot better if he was allowed to play to his strengths.

Curtis Lazer was disappointment to be lent to Team Canada for the World Juniors. He went and excelled mainly because he played with Conner McDavid. That success resulted in him making the Senators roster but he was ineligible to be sent back to the juniors after burning off the 15 game limit. Unfortunately he didn’t do so well playing against men and the Sens were stuck with him for the entire season. Lazar should have been sent to the minors in his second season but wasn’t, he also lost his confidence as a result. On a positive note I was at the game when he ate the hamburger after a Hamburgerler win, that was awesome!
- Barrykerr1

Ceci's issues have always been his complete lack of hockey IQ...at both ends of the ice. he wasn't rushed to the NHL at all, played an extra year in jr, played almost 2 years in the AHL, and started slowly in the NHL.

He also almost never was used in a "play against the other teams best players" role, except on the PK. He was pretty much stapled to the 2nd pairing most of his time in Ottawa, usually playing against 2nd and 3rd lines.

Ceci was not mishandled by the team, he was given EVERY chance to succeed and he failed because he (frank)ING SUCKS.

the only mistake the Sens made with Ceci, other than not trading him earlier, was drafting him in the first place.

Definitely be interested in trading the 22nd overall pick for 28th and 33rd picks.
- jimbro83

that's too much to give up to move up only 6 spots.....especially in a draft where there's pretty much nothing separating pick 22 from 28.

i'd include the 28th and our 3rd (so the 64th pick I believe), but not more than that.

only way i'd include the 33rd pick is if we were moving into the top 15

that's too much to give up to move up only 6 spots.....especially in a draft where there's pretty much nothing separating pick 22 from 28.

i'd include the 28th and our 3rd (so the 64th pick I believe), but not more than that.

only way i'd include the 33rd pick is if we were moving into the top 15
- sensarmy_11

I think it depends on who is there though. If it’s the Rangers turn at 22, and somebody Ottawa loves is still sitting there, they may be willing to pay up considering they have so many picks. Maybe one of Ottawa’s other second rounders. Not the 3rd.

I think it depends on who is there though. If it’s the Rangers turn at 22, and somebody Ottawa loves is still sitting there, they may be willing to pay up considering they have so many picks. Maybe one of Ottawa’s other second rounders. Not the 3rd.
- jimbro83

if there's a player they desperately want that's there, maybe the lowest 2nd rd pick would get it done ( I think it's the Dallas one maybe), but no chance Dorion would give up his own 2nd to move up 6 spots

if there's a player they desperately want that's there, maybe the lowest 2nd rd pick would get it done ( I think it's the Dallas one maybe), but no chance Dorion would give up his own 2nd to move up 6 spots
- sensarmy_11

there actually a good comparison and it happened with the Rangers and Ottawa ironically enough in 2018


Ottawa was picking 22nd, Rangers 26th

Rangers traded 26th and 48th overall to 22nd and took K'Andre Miller

Ottawa took Jacob Bernard-Docker and Jonny Tychonick with those picks

there actually a good comparison and it happened with the Rangers and Ottawa ironically enough in 2018


Ottawa was picking 22nd, Rangers 26th

Rangers traded 26th and 48th overall to 22nd and took K'Andre Miller

Ottawa took Jacob Bernard-Docker and Jonny Tychonick with those picks
- jimbro83

makes sense, I think 48th would be around where the CBJ pick would be......if the right player is there I could see Dorion do it.

that being said, i'd rather him trade the NYI 1st and our 2nd to move closer to the 12-15 range....grab some like Quinn, Sanderson, Mercer, etc

makes sense, I think 48th would be around where the CBJ pick would be......if the right player is there I could see Dorion do it.

that being said, i'd rather him trade the NYI 1st and our 2nd to move closer to the 12-15 range....grab some like Quinn, Sanderson, Mercer, etc
- sensarmy_11

yeah, definitely could see that, I also see them highly interested in Askarov