Michael Stuart: Random Rumblings

Melnyk needs to sell the team to competent owner(s). The marketing should be revamped and this brand will thrive - not just survive. Bring Alfie back into organization, lock up and market your new young wave Tkachuk, Chabot, Stutzle/Byfield, Drysdale/Raymond

Boro confirms he's not coming back.

Borowiecki: 'End of chapter' with Senators
Mark Borowiecki confirmed Thursday that his time with the Ottawa Senators is at an end, 12 years after he was first drafted by the franchise. “I think this is the right move for both sides,” Borowiecki told Postmedia on Thursday.
TSN.ca Staff



confirmed Thursday that his time with the Ottawa Senators is at an end, 12 years after he was first drafted by the franchise.

“I think this is the right move for both sides,” Borowiecki told Postmedia on Thursday. “We both kind of agreed mutually this might be the best path forward. That’s just my focus right now and what’s going to happen Oct. 9.”


The 31-year-old's comments came one day after his agent, Steve Bartlett, told The Athletic it was "highly likely" the veteran defenceman would test free agency.

Borowiecki, who made his debut with the team during the 2011-12 season, posted a career-high seven goals and 18 points in 53 games this season while playing on an expiring deal.

“It’s been almost a decade in this organization … it’s been almost nine seasons,” Borowiecki said. “I think about what I was like when I first turned pro and how much I’ve matured and how much I’ve grown as a person and a player.

“For sure, it’s the end of chapter and one that’s got a lot of positive memories for me. By no means am I trying to come across as ungrateful or not thankful for what’s happened here for me, but it’s the right time for me. I kind of took a bet on myself this year and I don’t know if the organization wanted to see that bet as well and how that turned out.

“In years past, I wouldn’t have been willing to take that bet on myself. I would have shied away from it and not been confident.”

While the 31-year-old was sidelined from Feb. 13 onward with a torn ligament in his ankle, Senators general manager Pierre Dorion told the Ottawa Sun in February that he first informed Borowiecki in December that he would not be traded at the deadline despite his expiring contract status. Dorion told TSN Radio 1200 Ottawa later that week that the team intended to keep Borowiecki in nation's capital for the remainder of his career.

"We hope to make a Senator for life," Dorion said on Feb. 27.

A fifth-round pick of the Senators in 2008, Borowiecki is a veteran of 375 NHL games. He has 15 goals and 51 points over his career.

Borowiecki is coming off a two-year, $2.4 million contract signed with the Senators in 2017.

For me, the end started when Borowiecki did that horrendous Melnyk interview, while somehow resisting the urge to put Melnyk through the wall like Terry Tate, office linebacker.

That said, does anyone really want to see Borowiecki taking ice time from Chabot, Wolanin, or Brannstrom at LHD in 2020/21? If not, then you're talking about Borowiecki signing on as nothing more than a 7th d-man on a non-playoff team, which I can understand him being reluctant to accept - especially if this is potentially his last major NHL contract. I mean, I liked Borowiecki well enough - but signing players to multi-million dollar contracts on the basis of sentimentality makes no sense.

Rather have Boro then see Rielly or Zaitsev or Hainsey in our line up everyday 🤦‍♂️

As of now this is our defence

Chabot Zaitsev
Wolanin Reilly
Brannstrom Zub
Jarros

🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

Seeing Boro leave if tough. I'd rather have Boro then Zaitsev, but here we are. I loved his development in Ottawa but let another team overpay for him. I'd love to see him prove that point of view wrong but Ottawa isn't the place for him to do it. Get a great deal and get the fat stacks he deserves and walk into the sunset in a few years. He's right up there with Phillips and Neil for community involvement and just being a nice guy.

That jersey leak looks, underwhelming. Logo is way too small and the red stripes make it look like a practice jersey. Hopefully the real thing is more fined tuned.

The coaches pay, well, colour me unsurprised. Will be interesting to see how Melnyk survives if next season does not have any ticket revenue. Melnyk is probably in worse shape than most owners but 50% of the teams will probably be feeling a massive pinch. May not be great news for the NHL.

Rather have Boro then see Rielly or Zaitsev or Hainsey in our line up everyday
- Rpm1971

Right... except Zaitsev and Hainsey can both play the RHD position, which is something Borowiecki can't. The spot that Borowiecki would be taking in the everyday lineup is from Chabot, Wolanin, or Brannstrom.

Seeing Boro leave if tough. I'd rather have Boro then Zaitsev, but here we are. I loved his development in Ottawa but let another team overpay for him. I'd love to see him prove that point of view wrong but Ottawa isn't the place for him to do it. Get a great deal and get the fat stacks he deserves and walk into the sunset in a few years. He's right up there with Phillips and Neil for community involvement and just being a nice guy.

That jersey leak looks, underwhelming. Logo is way too small and the red stripes make it look like a practice jersey. Hopefully the real thing is more fined tuned.

The coaches pay, well, colour me unsurprised. Will be interesting to see how Melnyk survives if next season does not have any ticket revenue. Melnyk is probably in worse shape than most owners but 50% of the teams will probably be feeling a massive pinch. May not be great news for the NHL.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Be very interesting how this effects all the major sports leagues.

Is there any language in the CBA regarding this sort of scenario leading massive revenue problems (war, pandemic)?

I read that multiple teams would have issue making it work if they had no revenue at the gate.

A really nice story here about Quinton Byfield, for those who aren't as familiar with him beyond the stats. It's an especially important read for those who have suggested that his quiet manner is reflective of some kind of laziness or lack of determination. For additional reference, I've added their detailed draft profile for Byfield as well.

https://www.silversevense...tors-nhl-entry-draft-2020

Draft Profile
https://www.silversevense...d-ottawa-senators-ohl-nhl

Melnyk needs to sell the team to competent owner(s). The marketing should be revamped and this brand will thrive - not just survive. Bring Alfie back into organization, lock up and market your new young wave Tkachuk, Chabot, Stutzle/Byfield, Drysdale/Raymond
- AlfieisKing

Not sure how many people are lining up to buy pro sports teams atm @ full value. Until this pandemic ends its not looking good for the future of any pro sports.

Right... except Zaitsev and Hainsey can both play the RHD position, which is something Borowiecki can't. The spot that Borowiecki would be taking in the everyday lineup is from Chabot, Wolanin, or Brannstrom.
- khawk

I think post was the sentiment that Boro is a better d-men than any of those guys.

You are probably right, but it's worth noting Branstrom can play (and has had success and prefers) the right side, so there could have been something there if Boro was retained.

Bottom line, Boro was going to cost too much for the Sens to make it worth-while signing him.

A really nice story here about Quinton Byfield, for those who aren't as familiar with him beyond the stats. It's an especially important read for those who have suggested that his quiet manner is reflective of some kind of laziness or lack of determination. For additional reference, I've added their detailed draft profile for Byfield as well.

https://www.silversevense...tors-nhl-entry-draft-2020

Draft Profile
https://www.silversevense...d-ottawa-senators-ohl-nhl
- khawk

Really enjoyed this - thanks for sharing.

Be very interesting how this effects all the major sports leagues.

Is there any language in the CBA regarding this sort of scenario leading massive revenue problems (war, pandemic)?

I read that multiple teams would have issue making it work if they had no revenue at the gate.
- david22

I'd go a step further and bet that it's not just multiple teams, but a vast majority of teams.

Right... except Zaitsev and Hainsey can both play the RHD position, which is something Borowiecki can't. The spot that Borowiecki would be taking in the everyday lineup is from Chabot, Wolanin, or Brannstrom.
- khawk

this, this right here.

boro is a great guy, but signing a guy to a long term deal (which is what he surely wants) for a guy who's had one good year and has otherwise been a borderline NHLer AT BEST, would be a mistake.

people used to rip this team on this board when they would sign guys cuz they were "good local boys who everyone liked" or they were "loyal", despite the fact that they weren't very good at hockey......now the team finally doesn't make that mistake and people are still angry.

Really enjoyed this - thanks for sharing.
- Michael Stuart

Definitely they were worth reading, thanks!

Byefield would be a great addition at 3 but I see him going number 2. LA has a history of taking the big players so I think they will choose him. Stutzle is a great consolation prize if this happens.

The second article is very interesting, everyone knows Byefield is one of the youngest players in this years draft and compare his stats to Lafrenier at the same age. What is interesting is the other young top prospects, the Russian goalie, Askarov and Jake Sanderson are younger than Byefield. Goalies are a crapshoot but stud defensemen are not. I will be shocked if Drysdale is picked ahead of Sanderson who is the flavor of the month on NHl talk shows.

A really nice story here about Quinton Byfield, for those who aren't as familiar with him beyond the stats. It's an especially important read for those who have suggested that his quiet manner is reflective of some kind of laziness or lack of determination. For additional reference, I've added their detailed draft profile for Byfield as well.

https://www.silversevense...tors-nhl-entry-draft-2020

Draft Profile
https://www.silversevense...d-ottawa-senators-ohl-nhl
- khawk

Great read, thanks!! I've wanted Byfield since the draft lottery. A center with his size and speed is rare!!

this, this right here.

boro is a great guy, but signing a guy to a long term deal (which is what he surely wants) for a guy who's had one good year and has otherwise been a borderline NHLer AT BEST, would be a mistake.

people used to rip this team on this board when they would sign guys cuz they were "good local boys who everyone liked" or they were "loyal", despite the fact that they weren't very good at hockey......now the team finally doesn't make that mistake and people are still angry.
- sensarmy_11

I understand what your saying but I agree with the earlier post

Boro at 1.1-1.3m is > Zaitsev at 4.5 or Rielly at 1.5

I understand what your saying but I agree with the earlier post

Boro at 1.1-1.3m is > Zaitsev at 4.5 or Rielly at 1.5
- AlfieisKing

boro doesn't play the same side as those guys......they can't sign boro to take the place of those guys. as stated, if you sign boro he takes the place of Chabot, Brannstrom, or Wolanin

boro doesn't play the same side as those guys......they can't sign boro to take the place of those guys. as stated, if you sign boro he takes the place of Chabot, Brannstrom, or Wolanin
- sensarmy_11

Brannstrom can play right side and get rid of Rielly just saying
But I get why 🤙 They won’t
So we get rid of our gritty players and we will be like the leafs as soft as a soup sandwich 🤦‍♂️😂

Brannstrom can play right side and get rid of Rielly just saying
But I get why 🤙 They won’t
So we get rid of our gritty players and we will be like the leafs as soft as a soup sandwich 🤦‍♂️😂
- Rpm1971

So you want to move your top defensive prospect to his off side, potentially jeopardizing his development, just so you can keep a guy who is really nothing more than a #6-7 dman, pretty much only because he’s a “good guy”

So you want to move your top defensive prospect to his off side, potentially jeopardizing his development, just so you can keep a guy who is really nothing more than a #6-7 dman, pretty much only because he’s a “good guy”
- sensarmy_11

But Brannstrom said he prefers to play the right side and as I said Up there 👆 I totally get why they moved on
But still rather Boro then Reilly 😂😂

So you want to move your top defensive prospect to his off side, potentially jeopardizing his development, just so you can keep a guy who is really nothing more than a #6-7 dman, pretty much only because he’s a “good guy”
- sensarmy_11

It's easy to look at shot handleness and say what side a player should play but when in actuality, it's been well documented that Branstrom has played and prefers the right side. If anything, putting him on the left side, hurts his development. I get the Sens probably want him on the left side as that is the natural position, but his pedigree is what it is. He may end up playing on the right side with or without Boro in the lineup.

I am all for moving on from Boro but the "taking ice time away from other left hand shots" argument is thin.

This is about money and moving with the rebuild.

So you want to move your top defensive prospect to his off side, potentially jeopardizing his development, just so you can keep a guy who is really nothing more than a #6-7 dman, pretty much only because he’s a “good guy”
- sensarmy_11

Boro RIGHT NOW is better than every d-man outside Chabot and Zaitsev; Boro is better defensively than Zaitsev most nights.

Also Brannstrom wanted to play the right side but management / the team was pushing him to play LD

Why the hell aren't the Sens signing a guy like Joel.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...urricanes-5th-round-pick/

Perfect vet D-man to come in with Hainsey and Boro out the door