Sens Writer: So, You’re Saying There’s a Chance

Chychrun hurt already lol. No one saw that coming.

The team is definitely on the rise but the numbers don’t lie. Good but not good enough yet to be a playoff team.
Take Matt Murray back for Brady?😌

Great blog.
The entire line of Pinto, Batherson, DeBrincat needs to sit and watch a game.
That Devil's game was winnable or at least loser-point-able.

We've been over it. Zero D structure. Coach will be fired, and never coach in the NHL again.

Good food for thought in this blog.

I don't see DJ being a simple hockey decision.

I would be surprised if new ownership continues with Dorion as GM. Most often, when any large business is sold it is almost always an automatic to change the operational management. Ownership wants their own guy making the long term investment decisions.

Is the timing (new ownership just before the draft) a complicating factor? Probably not since Sens do not have a #1.

A new GM always gets the right to name his own coach. So, if Dorion goes, so does DJ.

The only exception I would see is if the team appoints a President of Hockey OPS who would decide to keep on Dorion and by extension DJ.

If I had to bet on an outcome, I am guessing both Dorion and DJ will not be at this year's draft.

I think we will get more insight this Saturday when Eliot Friedman reveals in his 32 thoughts that the Kimmel Brothers from Pittsburgh are the likely bid winners for the Sens and Brian Burke is the leading candidate to take on the role of President and GM for the new ownership group.

Fans across the Atlantic Division would cheer in unison if the Sens hired Maurice to destroy this blossoming young squad.

Fans across the Atlantic Division would cheer in unison if the Sens hired Maurice to destroy this blossoming young squad.
- AdamFrench

The Sens have tried hiring newer coaches with varying degrees of success. Personally, I’d like to see them break away from that mold to get a guy little legitimate experience. Once you choose that prerequisite, the list is admittedly a little thin, so they might need to go for a guy with some experience and maybe pull out a Jim Montgomery-like situation that has happened with the bruins.

Who would you target to get the Sens to the next level?

Thanks much for your contributions Gord! They've been excellent, kudos.

I suspect interested ownership groups have hired some shadow scout support in anticipation of the draft, but will likely let the existing scouting group work the table at the draft. Despite not all the moves working out, Dorion has been reasonably successful with his scouting and aggressive in his attempts to improve the on ice product, which I suspect will not go unnoticed by prospective buyers. No doubt new buyers likely might see new faces at the wheel, but I'd bet Dorion has a longer leash than DJ. There is zero chance that DJ keeps his job if Dorion loses his.

The Sens have tried hiring newer coaches with varying degrees of success. Personally, I’d like to see them break away from that mold to get a guy with legitimate experience. Once you choose that prerequisite, the list is admittedly a little thin, so they might need to go for a guy with some experience and maybe pull out a Jim Montgomery-like situation that has happened with the bruins.

Who would you target to get the Sens to the next level?
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I'd say Coach Q would work with their grit+skill and top-4 d pretty well...but you know.

Speaking of coaches... Has there been any more info about Mann?

Speaking of coaches... Has there been any more info about Mann?
- PogBoi

Who knows. You can find the rumours out there.
Whatever the reason, the fact there hasn't been a big stink from Mann suggests there's some validity to the rationale behind the decision.

Beautiful move and set up by Chabot for the Tkachuk goal.

This is going to be such an awesome team next year.

Even Brannstrom is looking good. I never liked him and I still don't know if he'll survive Kleven but he's showing some promise on the right side which he always said he preferred but was never allowed to play. I don't know. Who knows? The guy has game and I like that.

Beautiful move and set up by Chabot for the Tkachuk goal.

This is going to be such an awesome team next year.

Even Brannstrom is looking good. I never liked him and I still don't know if he'll survive Kleven but he's showing some promise on the right side which he always said he preferred but was never allowed to play. I don't know. Who knows? The guy has game and I like that.
- Whatisavailable

Agree 100%
Brannstrom is playing much better. I would play him a lot and maybe even with Kleven!

If Drake Batherson and Tim Stutzle (or another player with equal playmaking ability) played with DeBrincat all year - there's no reason to think he couldn't score 40-50. He has a great release, but much like Dany Heatley, he will need someone to set him up like Patrik Kane did for him in Chicago. Sadly he's going to demand wayyy too much. IMO he's not worth more than 7m on a long term deal ATM. William Nylander (7) and Andrei Svechnikov (7.75) Jason Robertson (7.75).... those are good comparable in terms of the range he should receive. He is a 30-34 goal scorer right now, not a 40 goal scorer - until he hits it again

With that said, active players with 200 goals or more, DeBrincat would fit in nicely in terms of goals/game. He is just behind Sebastian Aho (13th) and ahead of John Tavares (14th) averaging 34 goals per 82 game season.

https://www.quanthockey.c...als-per-game-leaders.html

I surprise myself by how much love I am feeling for Hamonic. He is a nice fit with Sanderson, adds a physical edge and gives and takes a lot of punishment in front of his own net. Also has a good reputation in the dressing room. Not all vets can play with the kids. I would be okay if they could resign him for the right $000 and term.

Harder for me to find a fit for Brannstrom. I like size and grit.

Fair deal for Alex DeBrincat?

8 years @8.25M
Years 1: 10 Million
Years 2-4: 9 Million
Years 4-6: 8 Million
Years 7-8: 7 Million

Chabot is so good.

He has benefitted so much by Sanderson taking some of the load.

Fair deal for Alex DeBrincat?

8 years @8.25M
Years 1: 10 Million
Years 2-4: 9 Million
Years 4-6: 8 Million
Years 7-8: 7 Million
- AlfieisKing

Numbers look right. But, still want to stay open to idea of flipping assets to add one more power forward (Pierre Luc Dubois). I think we can begin to dream about the players needed for the Sens to become top contenders.

Fair deal for Alex DeBrincat?

8 years @8.25M
Years 1: 10 Million
Years 2-4: 9 Million
Years 4-6: 8 Million
Years 7-8: 7 Million
- AlfieisKing

Only way I’d be ok keeping Cat is 5yrs for 8.2m
Year 1 9mill (QO)
Year 2 8.5m
Year 3 8m
Year 4 8m
Year 5 7.5m
Might be something he would go for 🤔

Joseph comes to Ottawa, plays 11 games, 4 goals and 8 assists. Better than a PPG player. What a steal to sign him up for 3 million per. (sarcasm alert)



DeBrincat finally scores a couple of goals. Sign him up for 8 million plus! What a steal! (sarcasm alert)

Offer Sanderson 5.5 x 3 and low ball Pinto and get rid of Chabot. The brain trust is at work in overdrive I see.



I sure do hope the new owners at least have the good sense to hire competent hockey people to take this team forward.

Joseph comes to Ottawa, plays 11 games, 4 goals and 8 assists. Better than a PPG player. What a steal to sign him up for 3 million per.



DeBrincat finally scores a couple of goals. Sign him up for 8 million plus! What a steal! Offer Sanderson 5.5 x 3 and low ball Pinto and get rid of Chabot. The brain trust is at work in overdrive I see.



I sure do hope the new owners at least have the good sense to hire competent hockey people to take this team forward.
- Whatisavailable

I hear what you’re saying
So tell me who would ya get to replace Debrincat
Don’t say oh top 6 with a good contract lol
I’m fine getting rid of him cause I know Norris coming back next year
I like Grieg but he’s not a top 6 right now
All our top 6 are making 7.5 or more with the exception of Batherson
So even if we get rid of Debrincat still gotta find someone to replace him which is gonna cost 6
Million plus lol

Fair deal for Alex DeBrincat?

8 years @8.25M
Years 1: 10 Million
Years 2-4: 9 Million
Years 4-6: 8 Million
Years 7-8: 7 Million
- AlfieisKing

There's just too many question marks for me to sign him long term right now. I'd rather they just moved him and got some assets back, maybe dive into FA, it's not like you're going to pay more that way.

In a perfect world, I'd give him the one year deal and move him at the deadline, but that would be difficult if he has a similar year, but the Sens are in the playoff mix. I don't know what to make of this guy and it worries me, 8mil is quite the handcuff for 8 years if he doesn't score 40 next year.

Only way I’d be ok keeping Cat is 5yrs for 8.2m
Year 1 9mill (QO)
Year 2 8.5m
Year 3 8m
Year 4 8m
Year 5 7.5m
Might be something he would go for 🤔
- sens4life1971

Whatever he's signed to, he shouldn't be the highest paid player on this team right now.

Joseph comes to Ottawa, plays 11 games, 4 goals and 8 assists. Better than a PPG player. What a steal to sign him up for 3 million per. (sarcasm alert)



DeBrincat finally scores a couple of goals. Sign him up for 8 million plus! What a steal! (sarcasm alert)

Offer Sanderson 5.5 x 3 and low ball Pinto and get rid of Chabot. The brain trust is at work in overdrive I see.



I sure do hope the new owners at least have the good sense to hire competent hockey people to take this team forward.
- Whatisavailable

Not sure how those two are related. Joseph was a fringe 3rd liner who went on a hot streak, DeBrincat has been one of the top goal scorers in the NHL the past 5 years

If a player making 3M a year scores 30 points, which is just about where Joseph lands, it's not a bad contract and certainly not an anchor. $100k a point is more or less what you want to see. It's not a *great* contract, but it's not anything to melt down over.