Kevin Francis: Sens gameday vs. Sharks!!

Looking forward to this evening's game.

Looking forward to this evening's game.
- HoweHatrick

Former captain's with 67s and Sens are paired together on the blueline in Middleton and Karlsson!

I will be posting in the comment section during the game tonight. Should be a good one!

Not sure what people are more excited about, to see Brady's debut or to see the attendance.

I know I am interested to see:
- Karlsson as it sounds like he has played very well in the early goings of the season for San Jose.
-Matt Murray. Goaltending has been strong without him so far. Healthy competition is never a bad thing. I expect a decent season debut.
-Stu's first goal. He's due.

Not sure what people are more excited about, to see Brady's debut or to see the attendance.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

My short list would include...
- will Norris, Batherson, and Stutzle provide more actual production
- Murray's play (I'm concerned, but he did get better as last year progressed)
- 2nd/3rd D-pairing musical chairs (make lemonade, or cost them the game)

I've also been seeing an increasing number of underwhelming trade rumors involving Brannstrom... and getting the sense that some people on here should be bracing for serious frustration.

My short list would include...
- will Norris, Batherson, and Stutzle provide more actual production
- Murray's play (I'm concerned, but he did get better as last year progressed)
- 2nd/3rd D-pairing musical chairs (make lemonade, or cost them the game)

I've also been seeing an increasing number of underwhelming trade rumors involving Brannstrom... and getting the sense that some people on here should be bracing for serious frustration.
- khawk

It will be interesting to see if Branstrom goes the way of Logan Brown. It's quite puzzling given the poor bottom 4 D on this team that he would not be able to crack the lineup.

It will be interesting to see if Branstrom goes the way of Logan Brown. It's quite puzzling given the poor bottom 4 D on this team that he would not be able to crack the lineup.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Have to think him beign the key peice of the Stone trade will make it a lot harder to trade him. But his value has to be dropping fast.

It will be interesting to see if Branstrom goes the way of Logan Brown. It's quite puzzling given the poor bottom 4 D on this team that he would not be able to crack the lineup.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

You mean the bottom-4D to which they've systematically added Del Zotto, Mete, and Holden over the past 6 months, despite already having Zaitsev and Brown? Depth is one thing, but that's more of a self-inflicted administrative screw job. Not to mention that they actively dismantled the Brannstrom-Zub pairing in the process, which looked promising at the end of last year.

I mean, I get that Sanderson is the long-term plan on the 2nd pairing, but you have to wonder if adding Mete was actually such a good idea, if that waiver move has effectively cost them Brannstrom because they didn't leave enough NHL roster space to allow him to develop properly.

I believe in DJ, I really do. But the one thing I’ve always questioned is his lineup choices. He always preaches that the best players will be in the lineup, and it doesn’t matter what your name or draft position is. Yet, as pointed out in the blog, Kelly is out and Sanford remains in.

I’m honestly starting to wonder if Dorion tells him what to do sometimes. “Listen, we traded Logan Brown away, so we NEED to keep Sanford in the lineup to sell it to the fans.” Maybe I’m a conspiracy nut, but it honestly makes more sense than the notion that DJ thinks Sanford has played better than Kelly.

The same can be said of Josh Brown. He’s been a liability, even on his best shifts. I’m not saying Del Zotto or Mete have been a whole lot better, but at least those two can make a pass when needed.

Smith continues to puzzle the fans with this type of stuff. Remember last season when he refused to take Paquette out of the lineup? Was that another instance of Dorion pressuring him to dress Cedric to save face?

I’ve watched both of the Sharks games and they’ve looked good. Granted they played 2 struggling teams. But they’ve played with poise, passion, and urgency, something that the Habs were lacking. Looking forward to this matchup. It will be interesting to see if they can sustain this against the Sens.

I believe in DJ, I really do. But the one thing I’ve always questioned is his lineup choices. He always preaches that the best players will be in the lineup, and it doesn’t matter what your name or draft position is. Yet, as pointed out in the blog, Kelly is out and Sanford remains in.

I’m honestly starting to wonder if Dorion tells him what to do sometimes. “Listen, we traded Logan Brown away, so we NEED to keep Sanford in the lineup to sell it to the fans.” Maybe I’m a conspiracy nut, but it honestly makes more sense than the notion that DJ thinks Sanford has played better than Kelly.

The same can be said of Josh Brown. He’s been a liability, even on his best shifts. I’m not saying Del Zotto or Mete have been a whole lot better, but at least those two can make a pass when needed.

Smith continues to puzzle the fans with this type of stuff. Remember last season when he refused to take Paquette out of the lineup? Was that another instance of Dorion pressuring him to dress Cedric to save face?
- PavohnDatsvares

I often feel the same way, but it seems like every coach does this. I mostly only watch Sens games, but I've heard it said about the Leafs I think too, at least in the past?

Has the ever been a coach who fans said played the kids too much?

Not sure what people are more excited about, to see Brady's debut or to see the attendance.

I know I am interested to see:
- Karlsson as it sounds like he has played very well in the early goings of the season for San Jose.
-Matt Murray. Goaltending has been strong without him so far. Healthy competition is never a bad thing. I expect a decent season debut.
-Stu's first goal. He's due.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I like all 3!

Man, Schieffle now out with covid tonight, to go with Wheeler. Lets not forget MacKinnon is out for the Avs too with it......man! Jeff Carter in Pitt....holy jumpins!

My short list would include...
- will Norris, Batherson, and Stutzle provide more actual production
- Murray's play (I'm concerned, but he did get better as last year progressed)
- 2nd/3rd D-pairing musical chairs (make lemonade, or cost them the game)

I've also been seeing an increasing number of underwhelming trade rumors involving Brannstrom... and getting the sense that some people on here should be bracing for serious frustration.
- khawk

I think at this point, if the coaching staff is going to continue to play the likes of Brown, etc....get what you can for Brannstrom now before he has no value at all, like Logan Brown!

I’ve watched both of the Sharks games and they’ve looked good. Granted they played 2 struggling teams. But they’ve played with poise, passion, and urgency, something that the Habs were lacking. Looking forward to this matchup. It will be interesting to see if they can sustain this against the Sens.
- Minnyhock

Sharks on a tough roadie, lets see how they do on it. Then we will have a better idea of who they are.

You mean the bottom-4D to which they've systematically added Del Zotto, Mete, and Holden over the past 6 months, despite already having Zaitsev and Brown? Depth is one thing, but that's more of a self-inflicted administrative screw job. Not to mention that they actively dismantled the Brannstrom-Zub pairing in the process, which looked promising at the end of last year.

I mean, I get that Sanderson is the long-term plan on the 2nd pairing, but you have to wonder if adding Mete was actually such a good idea, if that waiver move has effectively cost them Brannstrom because they didn't leave enough NHL roster space to allow him to develop properly.
- khawk

Even the Holden-Brannstrom pairing was solid in the pre-season! I don't get what this coaching staff is doing.

I believe in DJ, I really do. But the one thing I’ve always questioned is his lineup choices. He always preaches that the best players will be in the lineup, and it doesn’t matter what your name or draft position is. Yet, as pointed out in the blog, Kelly is out and Sanford remains in.

I’m honestly starting to wonder if Dorion tells him what to do sometimes. “Listen, we traded Logan Brown away, so we NEED to keep Sanford in the lineup to sell it to the fans.” Maybe I’m a conspiracy nut, but it honestly makes more sense than the notion that DJ thinks Sanford has played better than Kelly.

The same can be said of Josh Brown. He’s been a liability, even on his best shifts. I’m not saying Del Zotto or Mete have been a whole lot better, but at least those two can make a pass when needed.

Smith continues to puzzle the fans with this type of stuff. Remember last season when he refused to take Paquette out of the lineup? Was that another instance of Dorion pressuring him to dress Cedric to save face?
- PavohnDatsvares

Your points on Brown and Sanford are well taken. I think a lot of fans feel the same way as you do on this topic. Dorion has to be in DJ's ear, like you said the Paquette thing last year too. It's a bad pattern that's for sure!

If Pinto is out for any extended period of time, with Colin White gone, man.....Dorion will be in panic mode after tonight! Clark Bishop is 6 weeks away too with his injury.

If Pinto is out for any extended period of time, with Colin White gone, man.....Dorion will be in panic mode after tonight! Clark Bishop is 6 weeks away too with his injury.
- Kevin Francis

oh ya hes gonna panic, bad trade incoming

2nd SOG by Ottawa ends up the net!

2nd SOG by Ottawa ends up the net!
- Kevin Francis

now they going on PP

I'm still not huge fan of those offside callenges when its that close, even if it benefits the Sens.

I'm still not huge fan of those offside callenges when its that close, even if it benefits the Sens.
- david22

I hear ya, but it's now part of the game as they say. Replay in all sports is here to stay.

now they going on PP
- Mithos

I thought Ottawa would play with more urgency out of the gate tonight.