Michael Stuart: Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down: Senators Sunk by Bubble Demko

Honestly great game by the sens showing a lot of growth and what they can be like with good goaltending future looks promising.....with that being said would Jonathan Toews be someone that would be a good fit with the sens? You know with him being a center and having a tone of experience, if so what do you think it would take to get him?

Jonathon Toews???? Why... They don't need him. Get someone for half the price who can skate.

Sens will get another good player. Hopefully they make some noise next season. Get a goalchie coach to straighten out Murray.

Joey Daccord is much better than OK! He deserves to play the most games going forward as he has been solid or better in most every game played, giving the team the opportunity to win.

I would like to see the team win at least half of the remaining games. The better you play, the tougher other teams play you, which is best for player development.

Wolanin has looked better in recent games too.

Jonathon Toews???? Why... They don't need him. Get someone for half the price who can skate.

Sens will get another good player. Hopefully they make some noise next season. Get a goalchie coach to straighten out Murray.
- MisterBrown

I agree his cap hit is a lot, but I disagree on him being a slow skater he a really good player who can play both ends of the ice, who coming of 80/60 point season, he only 32 years old with two years remaining after this year and he has a ton of experience who I think could help out this team a lot but that’s what I think

Daccord was alright but always frustrating to lose a game where you dominated and the other goalie was just a little more stellar, even if there were 4 or 5 posts. Give Daccord another handful of games before calling him the number 1 goalie. In my opinion, he looked a little less confident and comfy in goal as previous games, but still solid.

Nice to see a little accountability for Chabot in your blog. I haven’t really been impressed with his game for the majority of the year. He is no longer a prospect. He is an $8 million centrepiece to this team. Time to start playing like it. His offense has not been top notch and the powerplay does not run with him smoothly. This team has struggled to set up all year. That is largely on him and possibly coaching. The powerplay has only started to look ok with the emergence of Batherson and Stu. He’s getting points here and there but def not “wow” moments.

His defence continues to be a suspect and cannot be trusted in OT in 3 on 3 situations. He was the main cause of an open lane leading to the breakaway with a weird lazy change while in the neutral zone, without the puck. I feel he has gotten a bit of a free pass this year given the team situation, but he needs to improve with an 8 mill price tag.

Batherson and Stu are really coming into their own. I have also been impressed with Norris the last handful of games. Seems to skating a little harder and willing to hit here and there.

The Canucks are a terrible hockey team. The execution is amateur, no puck management, extremely soft, bad reads and they made the Sens look like Stanley cup champions. Let's not get carried away. They still couldn't beat them but it's great for boosting stats and entertain the fans.

Daccord was alright but always frustrating to lose a game where you dominated and the other goalie was just a little more stellar, even if there were 4 or 5 posts. Give Daccord another handful of games before calling him the number 1 goalie. In my opinion, he looked a little less confident and comfy in goal as previous games, but still solid.

Nice to see a little accountability for Chabot in your blog. I haven’t really been impressed with his game for the majority of the year. He is no longer a prospect. He is an $8 million centrepiece to this team. Time to start playing like it. His offense has not been top notch and the powerplay does not run with him smoothly. This team has struggled to set up all year. That is largely on him and possibly coaching. The powerplay has only started to look ok with the emergence of Batherson and Stu. He’s getting points here and there but def not “wow” moments.

His defence continues to be a suspect and cannot be trusted in OT in 3 on 3 situations. He was the main cause of an open lane leading to the breakaway with a weird lazy change while in the neutral zone, without the puck. I feel he has gotten a bit of a free pass this year given the team situation, but he needs to improve with an 8 mill price tag.

Batherson and Stu are really coming into their own. I have also been impressed with Norris the last handful of games. Seems to skating a little harder and willing to hit here and there.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I've noticed a few games where he has not been top notch, but overall he is the only top 2 d man on the team and no one can move the puck like him (remember when he was out of the lineup? Horrorshow). I think he looks pretty effortless out there sometimes because he is that good a skater (his corsi for was like 70% or something yesterday??). Wait until he gets a few good depth pieces behind him and the D on a whole will be better, minutes reduced, etc.

3 on 3 is a crapshoot. It can go either way. Chabot was gassed and stayed out on an extended shift, but Brady got walked and could have been harder on his stick. I will take the OT loss all day if they played well in the game.

Agree with Norris- he is smooth and looks to be picking up the game defensively as well. Good on faceoffs. Could have won it in OT if he got a better shot off

Agree on Chabbot.
Takes ALOT of penalties, though not recently as the team has figured out how to stop taking them.

Gudbrandson still looks horrendous. He needs a sit in the press box.

Jonathan Toews eh? Lets find out if he has Lime disease first. There's something wrong with him and Im not sure any of the reports can be trusted.

Agree on Chabbot.
Takes ALOT of penalties, though not recently as the team has figured out how to stop taking them.

Gudbrandson still looks horrendous. He needs a sit in the press box.

Jonathan Toews eh? Lets find out if he has Lime disease first. There's something wrong with him and Im not sure any of the reports can be trusted.
- Octavarium

Gudbranson tries to act like a mobile d man- he does cutbacks in the d zone and does not move the biscuit fast enough (Zub is a great example of doing it properly). Too many unforced turnovers- I like the physicality, but he is beginning to lose his man too often. I would almost put Coburn in over him, almost. I am more concerned with getting Brannstrom reps at his point

Daccord was alright but always frustrating to lose a game where you dominated and the other goalie was just a little more stellar, even if there were 4 or 5 posts. Give Daccord another handful of games before calling him the number 1 goalie. In my opinion, he looked a little less confident and comfy in goal as previous games, but still solid.

Nice to see a little accountability for Chabot in your blog. I haven’t really been impressed with his game for the majority of the year. He is no longer a prospect. He is an $8 million centrepiece to this team. Time to start playing like it. His offense has not been top notch and the powerplay does not run with him smoothly. This team has struggled to set up all year. That is largely on him and possibly coaching. The powerplay has only started to look ok with the emergence of Batherson and Stu. He’s getting points here and there but def not “wow” moments.

His defence continues to be a suspect and cannot be trusted in OT in 3 on 3 situations. He was the main cause of an open lane leading to the breakaway with a weird lazy change while in the neutral zone, without the puck. I feel he has gotten a bit of a free pass this year given the team situation, but he needs to improve with an 8 mill price tag.

Batherson and Stu are really coming into their own. I have also been impressed with Norris the last handful of games. Seems to skating a little harder and willing to hit here and there.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

You’re being a little harsh on Chabot

1. He’s tied for 7th in the league for dman scoring......not sure what more you expect from him offensively.

2. His defence has been suspect, but so has everyone else’s. and it doesn’t help when every turnover ends up in the back of the net cuz you’re goalies are unable to bail out their teammates. Chabot should definitely take some blame, but he’s no worse than any other high end PMD trying to make plays, the rest of them just have goalies who bail them out on occasion, so it doesn’t look so bad.

3. The OT mishap yesterday is 100% on the coach. He left him on the ice WAAAAYYYY too long, and it’s not like they didn’t have the opportunity to change. There were 1-2 whistles where the coach could have made a change and didn’t.

You’re being a little harsh on Chabot

1. He’s tied for 7th in the league for dman scoring......not sure what more you expect from him offensively.

2. His defence has been suspect, but so has everyone else’s. and it doesn’t help when every turnover ends up in the back of the net cuz you’re goalies are unable to bail out their teammates. Chabot should definitely take some blame, but he’s no worse than any other high end PMD trying to make plays, the rest of them just have goalies who bail them out on occasion, so it doesn’t look so bad.

3. The OT mishap yesterday is 100% on the coach. He left him on the ice WAAAAYYYY too long, and it’s not like they didn’t have the opportunity to change. There were 1-2 whistles where the coach could have made a change and didn’t.
- sensarmy_11

I agree 100% on Chabot. I thought he played an exceptional game, despite a couple of gaffs. This guy is so smooth and makes everyone around him so much better.

Put Chabot on a team that has peek performing forwards (eg., Edmonton) and you would see just how immensely talented that he is. Chabot will the #1 Dman for Canada at the upcoming Olympics. Folks will say..."duh, How did that happen?"

But you need to understand that when I guy logs upwards of 30 minutes in some games there are going to be gaffs. We need to assume that by the time the Sens have become a serious contenders they will have adequate defensive relief for Chabot and he will no longer need to log the excessive minutes.

So, Zub is looking very good and seems to be improving with every game.

As I said, I loved Chabot's game last night. I think the Sens total game looked as good as it did because of him.

I can see what people are saying re: Chabot, but the minutes asked of him, and the lack of quality support makes it really hard to evaluate. If they had a competent RHD partner for him like Bernard-Docker, and a reliable 2nd pairing built around Sanderson, I'm not sure you'd see the same kinds of tough line match-ups, or the occasional reluctance to jump up into the play. The fact that he's a top-10 scoring d-man, and playing over 25min/GP is evidence that he's not exactly underperforming against his contract.

Silver Seven Sens just released their forward grades for the 1st half...
https://www.silversevense...-grades-forwards-sens-nhl

Some of these strike me as a bit rosy for a draft-lottery team (e.g. A- for White, Paul, Norris, B for Brown, B- for Dadonov), but it's hard to dispute with the likes of Tkachuk, Stutzle, and Batherson getting top grades. I'd also suggest that Dzingel merits a shout-out with maybe a B-, for making a virtually seamless transition back into the lineup.

You’re being a little harsh on Chabot

1. He’s tied for 7th in the league for dman scoring......not sure what more you expect from him offensively.

2. His defence has been suspect, but so has everyone else’s. and it doesn’t help when every turnover ends up in the back of the net cuz you’re goalies are unable to bail out their teammates. Chabot should definitely take some blame, but he’s no worse than any other high end PMD trying to make plays, the rest of them just have goalies who bail them out on occasion, so it doesn’t look so bad.

3. The OT mishap yesterday is 100% on the coach. He left him on the ice WAAAAYYYY too long, and it’s not like they didn’t have the opportunity to change. There were 1-2 whistles where the coach could have made a change and didn’t.
- sensarmy_11

I honestly cannot remember many “impressive” points or players, if that makes sense. Considering he is getting 8 million, I expect some plays created out of nothing. Especially on the PP. This is even more important if he is not going to play well defensively. He will always get some points due to ice time and quality of teammates on the back end.

Considering the amount of flak most defenders on this team get, he has been getting a free ride. Slowly, there has been some accountability going his way of late. This is not necessarily a bad thing.

Regarding the 3 on 3, sure the coach is to blame as well, but it was an extremely weird occurrence given the circumstance. I don’t think I have seen too many defenders just leave the ice in front of the attacking team like that before.

Remember, he is getting $8 million. Maybe we were way too spoiled with a prime Erik Karlsson. Maybe I am being harsh, but can people say he is playing satisfactory for a $8 million d-man? That is an interesting question. Many folks are putting him on the 2022 Canadian Olympic team. Personally, he does not look like that level of d-man yet.

Zub has been this teams most valuable defencemen so far in my opinion.

I can see what people are saying re: Chabot, but the minutes asked of him, and the lack of quality support makes it really hard to evaluate. If they had a competent RHD partner for him like Bernard-Docker, and a reliable 2nd pairing built around Sanderson, I'm not sure you'd see the same kinds of tough line match-ups, or the occasional reluctance to jump up into the play. The fact that he's a top-10 scoring d-man, and playing over 25min/GP is evidence that he's not exactly underperforming against his contract.

Silver Seven Sens just released their forward grades for the 1st half...
https://www.silversevense...-grades-forwards-sens-nhl

Some of these strike me as a bit rosy for a draft-lottery team (e.g. A- for White, Paul, Norris, B for Brown, B- for Dadonov), but it's hard to dispute with the likes of Tkachuk, Stutzle, and Batherson getting top grades. I'd also suggest that Dzingel merits a shout-out with maybe a B-, for making a virtually seamless transition back into the lineup.
- khawk

Most of those grades were a joke.

However, they nailed Stu, Bath, and Tkachuk who we should be most concerned with.

Daccord was alright but always frustrating to lose a game where you dominated and the other goalie was just a little more stellar, even if there were 4 or 5 posts. Give Daccord another handful of games before calling him the number 1 goalie. In my opinion, he looked a little less confident and comfy in goal as previous games, but still solid.

Nice to see a little accountability for Chabot in your blog. I haven’t really been impressed with his game for the majority of the year. He is no longer a prospect. He is an $8 million centrepiece to this team. Time to start playing like it. His offense has not been top notch and the powerplay does not run with him smoothly. This team has struggled to set up all year. That is largely on him and possibly coaching. The powerplay has only started to look ok with the emergence of Batherson and Stu. He’s getting points here and there but def not “wow” moments.

His defence continues to be a suspect and cannot be trusted in OT in 3 on 3 situations. He was the main cause of an open lane leading to the breakaway with a weird lazy change while in the neutral zone, without the puck. I feel he has gotten a bit of a free pass this year given the team situation, but he needs to improve with an 8 mill price tag.

Batherson and Stu are really coming into their own. I have also been impressed with Norris the last handful of games. Seems to skating a little harder and willing to hit here and there.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I agree with you on Chabot. Chabot needs to improve his defensive play.
As for Daccord, you are right in saying that he is not a #1 goalie. That said, it is refreshing to see consistent, competent goaltending.

The Canucks are a terrible hockey team. The execution is amateur, no puck management, extremely soft, bad reads and they made the Sens look like Stanley cup champions. Let's not get carried away. They still couldn't beat them but it's great for boosting stats and entertain the fans.

Go back to bed gramps. The Canucks aren't winning a Stanley Cup anytime soon, but they OWN the Sens. The Canucks played a terrible game last night and still won. They'll be better tomorrow, and keep the season sweep alive.

Canucks 2021 record 4-0 vs Sens (you did pick up 1 loser point, last night)
19-5 Goal differential vs Sens
Canucks are light years better.

I've heard enough of this "Bubble Demko" poop. His name is Thatcher Demko and he's just plain good at goaltending. You won the shots on goal stat, but clearly aren't concerned with taking quality shots.

Rule of thumb: If he sees the shot, he's going to stop it. If you have a quality scoring chance, or a good screen, you need to make good on it. Posts and crossbars don't count.

I can see what people are saying re: Chabot, but the minutes asked of him, and the lack of quality support makes it really hard to evaluate. If they had a competent RHD partner for him like Bernard-Docker, and a reliable 2nd pairing built around Sanderson, I'm not sure you'd see the same kinds of tough line match-ups, or the occasional reluctance to jump up into the play. The fact that he's a top-10 scoring d-man, and playing over 25min/GP is evidence that he's not exactly underperforming against his contract.

Silver Seven Sens just released their forward grades for the 1st half...
https://www.silversevense...-grades-forwards-sens-nhl

Some of these strike me as a bit rosy for a draft-lottery team (e.g. A- for White, Paul, Norris, B for Brown, B- for Dadonov), but it's hard to dispute with the likes of Tkachuk, Stutzle, and Batherson getting top grades. I'd also suggest that Dzingel merits a shout-out with maybe a B-, for making a virtually seamless transition back into the lineup.
- khawk

Will Dzingel be traded at the deadline, or is he a player they want to hold onto (he'd have to be protected)

Will Dzingel be traded at the deadline, or is he a player they want to hold onto (he'd have to be protected)
- david22

I thought he was a UFA. The Sens have no control unless they can sign him to a new deal.

Go back to bed gramps. The Canucks aren't winning a Stanley Cup anytime soon, but they OWN the Sens. The Canucks played a terrible game last night and still won. They'll be better tomorrow, and keep the season sweep alive.

Canucks 2021 record 4-0 vs Sens (you did pick up 1 loser point, last night)
19-5 Goal differential vs Sens
Canucks are light years better.

I've heard enough of this "Bubble Demko" poop. His name is Thatcher Demko and he's just plain good at goaltending. You won the shots on goal stat, but clearly aren't concerned with taking quality shots.

Rule of thumb: If he sees the shot, he's going to stop it. If you have a quality scoring chance, or a good screen, you need to make good on it. Posts and crossbars don't count.
- Nelson19777

while i'm in no way saying Ottawa is a better team, you should own the fact that the canucks don't own ottawa, Demko (pretty much all by himself) owns ottawa.

if you judge the games solely on the skaters (and i know that's just part of it) ottawa has been the better team in pretty much every game these 2 have played.

the difference is that Demko has stopped just about everything, and in the 3 games in Van, our goalies literally stopped nothing.

Will Dzingel be traded at the deadline, or is he a player they want to hold onto (he'd have to be protected)
- david22

They're not going to get anything close to a pair of 2nd round picks and Duclair, especially after mediocre performances with both Columbus and Carolina... so there may not be much point in trading him. Plus, both Formenton and Abramov are making it awfully easy to justify leaving them in the AHL next year. Given that, you might see them leave Dzingel exposed as an impending UFA, and then re-sign him just after the expansion draft. People might groan, but at least he's a player who has no issue with playing in Ottawa, could be signed affordably, and tends to play his best hockey in a Senators uniform.

while i'm in no way saying Ottawa is a better team....

Good because they are not. My response was to gramps asserting they are. Ottawa has a bright future, but we have to face the fact that, the better "team" just doesn't lose 4 out of 4 games.

...,you should own the fact that the canucks don't own ottawa, Demko (pretty much all by himself) owns ottawa.

Demko is a great goalie, but he's not winning a Vezina any time soon. His numbers against Ottawa are better than against anyone else. Coincidence? Doubt it. Holtby also stopped 35 shot in his 4-1 win and he's been terrible for 2 seasons. Ottawa's lack of quality shots or ability to finish on quality shots is really the difference.

if you judge the games solely on the skaters (and i know that's just part of it) ottawa has been the better team in pretty much every game these 2 have played.

How specifically? Low danger outside shots? Shots without traffic? Unsuccessfully odd man chances?

You can't judge a team based on one aspect. So, I won't.

the difference is that Demko has stopped just about everything, and in the 3 games in Van, our goalies literally stopped nothing.

By hanging all of your loses on your goaltending, you are ignoring the weaknesses of your "team defense" and your offence's ability to create/finish quality chances. Hockey is a team game, goalies need a team with structure to succeed.

Good because they are not. My response was to gramps asserting they are. Ottawa has a bright future, but we have to face the fact that, the better "team" just doesn't lose 4 out of 4 games.



Demko is a great goalie, but he's not winning a Vezina any time soon. His numbers against Ottawa are better than against anyone else. Coincidence? Doubt it. Holtby also stopped 35 shot in his 4-1 win and he's been terrible for 2 seasons. Ottawa's lack of quality shots or ability to finish on quality shots is really the difference.



How specifically? Low danger outside shots? Shots without traffic? Unsuccessfully odd man chances?

You can't judge a team based on one aspect. So, I won't.



By hanging all of your loses on your goaltending, you are ignoring the weaknesses of your "team defense" and your offence's ability to create/finish quality chances. Hockey is a team game, goalies need a team with structure to succeed.
- Nelson19777

Vancouver is a rebuilding team but they appear to be on the verge of stalling out. Perhaps another Buffalo. They should be able to defeat the Sens easily but struggled mightily in the last game. Full credit to Demko for the victory.

Too many good things happening for the Sens. Not a time to be distracted by sideline fluff coming from disappointed Canuck fans.

This is not a year for Sens fans to worry about game results. Watch each shift separately for the growth of individual players.

Vancouver is a rebuilding team but they appear to be on the verge of stalling out. Perhaps another Buffalo. They should be able to defeat the Sens easily but struggled mightily in the last game. Full credit to Demko for the victory.

Too many good things happening for the Sens. Not a time to be distracted by sideline fluff coming from disappointed Canuck fans.

This is not a year for Sens fans to worry about game results. Watch each shift separately for the growth of individual players.
- spatso

Vancouver isn't taking next step forward like they would have hoped, but I don't think they'll ever become another Buffalo, mainly due to Demko.

So, with last nights big win, is UND's hockey season officially done? What does this mean for Sanderson, Pinto, JBD?