Michael Stuart: Senators Clear Space on the Blue Line with Two Trades

I would like to see Pierre Dorion put in a claim on Mete he is only making 735k and rfa next year.
I can't see buffalo passing on him though.

Personally, I like the asset management here of getting a solid return for Reilly, and something in return for Coburn before the end of season. In terms of coverage for the rest of this year, the smart play might be to claim Vatanen... they need another D-man they can trust with significant minutes, who can play the LHD side. Mete could have some remaining upside, but he's a natural RHD, and right now that means limited impact with the likes of Zaitsev, Gudbranson, Zub, and Bernard-Docker all playing the RHD side.

Well done. I will be surprised if Gudbranson is not moved before deadline as well.

Give the kids the ice time.

If I am a contending team, the Sens player that I am chasing is Connor Brown (pay attention Montreal and Edmonton). He is playing outstanding hockey and does so much at both ends of the ice. In the right situation he could be a playoff difference maker.

So far, I am most impressed by the Leafs getting Foligno. He is not Kadri, but he will bring some heart to a team desperately in need of finding some playoff character.

Personally, I like the asset management here of getting a solid return for Reilly, and something in return for Coburn before the end of season. In terms of coverage for the rest of this year, the smart play might be to claim Vatanen... they need another D-man they can trust with significant minutes, who can play the LHD side. Mete could have some remaining upside, but he's a natural RHD, and right now that means limited impact with the likes of Zaitsev, Gudbranson, Zub, and Bernard-Docker all playing the RHD side.
- khawk

Mete is a LHD. He's been playing on the right side by default.

i can't believe someone actually gave up an asset for Cobourn..

i can't believe someone actually gave up an asset for Cobourn..
- sensarmy_11

Dorion's best trade ever?

Dorion's best trade ever?
- david22

maybe.....i figured we'd have to give up a 5th just to get someone to take him.

Well done. I will be surprised if Gudbranson is not moved before deadline as well.

Give the kids the ice time.

If I am a contending team, the Sens player that I am chasing is Connor Brown (pay attention Montreal and Edmonton). He is playing outstanding hockey and does so much at both ends of the ice. In the right situation he could be a playoff difference maker.
- spatso

I'm afraid we will resign Gudbranson if he doesn't get traded now, for his leadership qualities...

Somehow this coach will find a reason to play Gudbrandson on two different D pairs so that younger defensemen don't get into the line up.

He has to go today.

Bummer about Reilley going but he wasn't really a long term plan guy.
What are people's thoughts on going and getting Dougie Hamilton in the off season?

I'm afraid we will resign Gudbranson if he doesn't get traded now, for his leadership qualities...
- DutchSenators

i would say the chances of that are almost zero.......the fact that he's barely played in the last month is a pretty good indication of how the team feels about him

Somehow this coach will find a reason to play Gudbrandson on two different D pairs so that younger defensemen don't get into the line up.

He has to go today.

Bummer about Reilley going but he wasn't really a long term plan guy.
What are people's thoughts on going and getting Dougie Hamilton in the off season?
- Octavarium

coach has been much better with Gudbrandson the last month.

he's only played in 5 games since March 15, and was under 14 mins of ice time in all but 1 of those games.

coach has been much better with Gudbrandson the last month.

he's only played in 5 games since March 15, and was under 14 mins of ice time in all but 1 of those games.
- sensarmy_11

Maybe the reason for this was to showcase the other defence like Cobourne 🤷‍♂️
I know you hate him but need guys like that or players gonna run at our young core can’t expect Brady to be sheriff 🤷‍♂️

Maybe the reason for this was to showcase the other defence like Cobourne 🤷‍♂️
I know you hate him but need guys like that or players gonna run at our young core can’t expect Brady to be sheriff 🤷‍♂️
- sens4life1971

gudbrandson hasn't made a difference at all in that respect.......teams have been taking runs at stu, branny, norris, etc, with gudbrandson in the lineup.

I'm impressed the Sens got any pick for Coburn. No offense to Coburn, who seems to be a genuinely nice guy and a great locker room presence, but he's not the player he used to be. Getting a pick for a pylon is a win.

I'm impressed the Sens got any pick for Coburn. No offense to Coburn, who seems to be a genuinely nice guy and a great locker room presence, but he's not the player he used to be. Getting a pick for a pylon is a win.
- GalacticStone

considering you guys had to give up a 2nd just to get rid of him, acquiring a pick for him is a big win

I'm impressed the Sens got any pick for Coburn. No offense to Coburn, who seems to be a genuinely nice guy and a great locker room presence, but he's not the player he used to be. Getting a pick for a pylon is a win.
- GalacticStone

They were saying on the radio he likely wont even slot into the Isles top 6, but will be there for depth if anyone gets injured.

Good trade for sure. Now we see if Dzingel gets traded. What's his value this time around? I certainly wouldn't expect as one sided a trade as last time.

Dzingel for a 1st

Dzingel for a 1st
- MisterBrown

BOOM


Mette claimed.

I like that.

BOOM


Mette claimed.

I like that.
- Octavarium

I honestly know nothing about him, but people seem happy with this. He could play tonight apparently.

BOOM
Mette claimed.
I like that.
- Octavarium

Well, I'm glad they claimed one of Mete/Vatanen... seems like he's more of a natural LHD than I'd originally suggested, so hopefully there's no significant barrier to actually playing him right away (instead of this somehow being manipulated to rationalize a ton of minutes for Josh Brown). I think people generally like this move because it's a younger skill player being added... who's roughly as unlike Gudbranson/Coburn as humanly possible, plus no assets given up in the process. In that sense, well played... however it kind of feels like they just added a slightly older version of Brannstrom, who's trending the wrong way and may result in some conflict between them for minutes.

Regardless, it's probably not a bad idea to see how he fits with this group, and in many ways it balances out the Wolanin trade (plus several RFA years in the process). It also feels like this is the first real evidence of Dorion capitalizing on the coming expansion draft. The fact that Mete has to be protected may have played some role in him being waived, and most teams have at least 3 d-men they're already planning to protect. The Senators are unusually well positioned in this regard, and could even absorb one more eligible D-man (assuming they're willing to leave Zaitsev exposed).

Adding Mete sort of cancels out the Reilly move, so people that were anxious to see Branstrom get more ice time, may have to watch Mete instead. Personally, I do not mind the move. Free look at the guy. He was highly regarded a year or two ago before breaking his foot.

Does make me wonder the plan with Branstrom. Especially since it looks like Bernard-Docker will get some NHL reps (cancels out Corburn). They have difference shots, but a numbers-wise, things are still tricky.

Wonder is Dorion can get a suitor for Gudbransson. If a team took Coburn for 7th, surely Gudbransson can garner something similar?

Adding Mete sort of cancels out the Reilly move, so people that were anxious to see Branstrom get more ice time, may have to watch Mete instead. Personally, I do not mind the move. Free look at the guy. He was highly regarded a year or two ago before breaking his foot.

Does make me wonder the plan with Branstrom. Especially since it looks like Bernard-Docker will get some NHL reps (cancels out Corburn). They have difference shots, but a numbers-wise, things are still tricky.

Wonder is Dorion can get a suitor for Gudbransson. If a team took Coburn for 7th, surely Gudbransson can garner something similar?
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

i don't think Mete will come in and take that top 4 role from Brannstrom........i think Branny will be given every opportunity to take that #2 LHD spot (with Zub) and only if he poops the bed will Mete be given that spot.............

.........but with DJ, who the hell knows. if Mete was a bigger body, all around type player, i'd be more worried as that seems to be "DJ's type", but Mete is essentially Brannstrom, but older with a seemingly lower ceiling. both small (5'9, 185lbs), PMDs