Michael Stuart: Turning Something into Nothing... into Something?

Brannstrom, Thomson, JBD, Sanderson and Kleven are serious assets. Chabot is gifted and Zub will be a very good player for the Sens.

Yes, the Sens did bring in some veteran defenders with one year left on their contracts. Clearly none of them are going to be around next year.

It makes no sense to compare Wolanin with our one year pylons. Wolanin, on the other hand, needs a new deal and the Sens clearly do not have an interest. He did not lose his spot on the roster because of the pylons. He simply does not fit into the depth chart beyond this year.

Assuming that Sanderson stays in NODAK, i'd love to pick up Ghost.

pick him up, trade Reilly, and then pair him with Zub. that's not a half bad 2nd pairing.

if he comes close to returning to form, ottawa is laughing......if not, it's only 2 years at a pretty low cap hit.

I would not go near Ghost.
To me he represents another asset mismanaged. He's what Thomas Chabbot will turn into in a couple years if you don't surround him with the right pieces. His D play suffers, he tries to do too much offensively, numbers slip, he plays too many minutes...and whammo you'd rather not be having that contract or player around.

I've said my piece on Wolanin.
To listen to Dean Brown tear him down (albeit politely) on the radio yesterday was a farce. And then in the same breath turn around and say this is a development year. I grabbed a stack of papers and threw them in air. D men develop slower. This is the year to let him get back his confidence after the shoulder injury. He clearly is worried about getting hit. Im done with DJ. No fans in the stands to worry about....lose hockey games!!!!---teach lessons. He isn't getting it.

I would not go near Ghost.
To me he represents another asset mismanaged. He's what Thomas Chabbot will turn into in a couple years if you don't surround him with the right pieces. His D play suffers, he tries to do too much offensively, numbers slip, he plays too many minutes...and whammo you'd rather not be having that contract or player around.

I've said my piece on Wolanin.
To listen to Dean Brown tear him down (albeit politely) on the radio yesterday was a farce. And then in the same breath turn around and say this is a development year. I grabbed a stack of papers and threw them in air. D men develop slower. This is the year to let him get back his confidence after the shoulder injury. He clearly is worried about getting hit. Im done with DJ. No fans in the stands to worry about....lose hockey games!!!!---teach lessons. He isn't getting it.
- Octavarium

I mean Wolanin has been horrible this year. He hasn't run away with it, and has been outplayed by Reilly, Zub, and Brannstrom. He can't defend, and I would argue people don't understand the value of having an older veteran (s) in the lineup (ex. Gudbranson). You can't run with just young guys- NHL has never worked like that. Dorion has had questionable pro scouting moves, but lets not put Wolanin on a pedestal and overvalue him.

I mean Wolanin has been horrible this year. He hasn't run away with it, and has been outplayed by Reilly, Zub, and Brannstrom. He can't defend, and I would argue people don't understand the value of having an older veteran (s) in the lineup (ex. Gudbranson). You can't run with just young guys- NHL has never worked like that. Dorion has had questionable pro scouting moves, but lets not put Wolanin on a pedestal and overvalue him.
- AlexProScout

the absolute best ottawa has played all season has been with Gudbrandson out of the lineup.....just sayin

How long do guys stay as prospects? Wolanin just turned 26. He should be entering his prime. Not scrapping to make the top 6 d-men on the worst defence in the NHL. With the new crop of prospects coming, the writing was on the wall. It's too bad his injury set him back, but you have to cut ties with middling guys in rebuilds. It's inevitable. Balcers was not the first and Wolanin won't be the last.

As for the trade itself, file that into the 'meh' column. Does not impact this roster significantly. Fans who hated the waiver move should be pleased that Dorion at least got something at the end of the day.

As for Ghostisbere, hard pass, in my opinion. I did really like the guy a couple of seasons ago. But his contract lasts until the end of the 2023 season. Just clogs a spot from a youngster from the crop we all brag about.

the absolute best ottawa has played all season has been with Gudbrandson out of the lineup.....just sayin
- sensarmy_11

Hopefully Dorion does not extend him beyond this season. If I had to choose between Cobrun, Gudbransson, or Brown, I would take a fork in the eye and then choose Gudbransson. But that's as endearing to his game as it is going to get.

Hopefully Dorion does not extend him beyond this season. If I had to choose between Cobrun, Gudbransson, or Brown, I would take a fork in the eye and then choose Gudbransson. But that's as endearing to his game as it is going to get.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I’d take brown, and I don’t think it’s even close.

Smith can't accept the fact that most offensive D are mediocre defensively. Ottawa had 3 of them, Chabot, Brannstrom and Wolanin. So now they got rid of (I don't call that a trade) Wolanin without giving him a real chance. When you insert one of these offensive Ds in your lineup you have to adopt a balanced approach. These players will make defensive mistakes but will create offense and puck possession. Wolanin will play in the NHL for the Kings and he'll still be mediocre defensively. Now Smith is doing the same with Brannstrom. The balanced approach applies to ALL POSITIONS and it's your job as a coach to find a fit for these creative players. Let's face it, the Sens can't score, so maybe some of these players would help.

the absolute best ottawa has played all season has been with Gudbrandson out of the lineup.....just sayin
- sensarmy_11

They still struggled mightily in the d zone. Goaltending has been much better that has helped. Regardless, the coach, players, and gm have all sung the praises of the veteran D they have brought in- it is a trend through the NHL that has been around forever.

How long do guys stay as prospects? Wolanin just turned 26. He should be entering his prime. Not scrapping to make the top 6 d-men on the worst defence in the NHL. With the new crop of prospects coming, the writing was on the wall. It's too bad his injury set him back, but you have to cut ties with middling guys in rebuilds. It's inevitable. Balcers was not the first and Wolanin won't be the last.

As for the trade itself, file that into the 'meh' column. Does not impact this roster significantly. Fans who hated the waiver move should be pleased that Dorion at least got something at the end of the day.

As for Ghostisbere, hard pass, in my opinion. I did really like the guy a couple of seasons ago. But his contract lasts until the end of the 2023 season. Just clogs a spot from a youngster from the crop we all brag about.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

maybe not the same situation, but Justin Holl just became a regular for the leafs last season at 28..but def an outlier

I dont think there is a specific age for Dmen to be NHL players.
on the other hand, Dermott has been getting time since he was 21 and lots of leaf fans done think he is a NHL D

Great article in the Athletic today on best course for Sanderson next season, looking at past highly touted prospects in the College system.

Some very good players played two seasons of College hockey before turning pro: Makar and Werenski to name two.

Not a perfect indication of what's best for Sanderson, but interesting none the less.

I like the idea of Sanderson spending one more year at North Dakota. As Berry, the coach of the UND hockey team stated, the extra year would provide an opportunity for Sanderson to be the team leader, while he also continues to refine his hockey game.

I prefer him being at UND next year than an Ottawa team that obviously has a couple of steps to take before being competitive for making the playoffs.

maybe not the same situation, but Justin Holl just became a regular for the leafs last season at 28..but def an outlier

I dont think there is a specific age for Dmen to be NHL players.
on the other hand, Dermott has been getting time since he was 21 and lots of leaf fans done think he is a NHL D
- senstroll

Wolanin was a bit different also, as he played his entire NCAA career. his first pro season was when he was 23 or 24, and he lost an entire season to injury.

by comparison, wolanin only has about 15 more pro games played than formenton

Great article in the Athletic today on best course for Sanderson next season, looking at past highly touted prospects in the College system.

Some very good players played two seasons of College hockey before turning pro: Makar and Werenski to name two.

Not a perfect indication of what's best for Sanderson, but interesting none the less.
- david22

i think he'll stay at NODAK.....

the chance at another WJC, as well as the chance at redemption after a disappointing end to his season........plus he likely would be in Belleville anyways, so why not just stay at NODAK.

i think he'll stay at NODAK.....

the chance at another WJC, as well as the chance at redemption after a disappointing end to his season........plus he likely would be in Belleville anyways, so why not just stay at NODAK.
- sensarmy_11

Well, from his perspective there's getting to sign an entry level contract sooner, and getting the money that comes with it.

The AHL is likely the higher level development league, so there may be a plateau for him at the College level.

The article pointed out though that isn't the case for many great players (albeit more offensviely minded ones), so it could be better for him long term.

Well, from his perspective there's getting to sign an entry level contract sooner, and getting the money that comes with it.

The AHL is likely the higher level development league, so there may be a plateau for him at the College level.

The article pointed out though that isn't the case for many great players (albeit more offensviely minded ones), so it could be better for him long term.
- david22

There's also the issue that despite all of what he's done in the NCAA/WJC this year, he's still only 18yo until July. To have a chance to come back as a clear-cut leader for both UND and the USA WJC team is not something to pass on lightly. Personally, I think he'll stay another year - in part due to the likely competition next year among JBD, Brannstrom, and Thomson for roster spots - but he's still likely the best of the four, and looks every bit the part as a future bedrock D-man.

JBD signs!

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...-docker-entry-level-deal/

JBD signs!
https://www.sportsnet.ca/...-docker-entry-level-deal/
- david22

Awesome... JBD likely isn't more than a #3/#4 kind of D-man, but he should be an incredibly valuable player as a regular RHD partner for either Chabot or Sanderson.

Awesome... JBD likely isn't more than a #3/#4 kind of D-man, but he should be an incredibly valuable player as a regular RHD partner for either Chabot or Sanderson.
- khawk

that will be his value....he won't be a flashy high-end guy, but he could provide stability for players like that.

that will be his value....he won't be a flashy high-end guy, but he could provide stability for players like that.
- sensarmy_11

I think, ideally speaking:

Chabot JBD
Sanderson Brannstrom / Thomson

Pinto sign. Come tomorrow at Ottawa with JBD