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Forums :: Blog World :: Sens Writer: Senators’ wild card hopes end with dramatic loss to Panthers
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Sens Writer
Location: Vancouver, BC
Joined: 08.19.2013

Apr 8 @ 8:38 PM ET
Sens Writer: Senators’ wild card hopes end with dramatic loss to Panthers
Sens Writer
Location: Vancouver, BC
Joined: 08.19.2013

Apr 8 @ 8:44 PM ET
Apologies for the late posting of this blog - I couldn't access the posting area yesterday, and the site was down for quite a while earlier today.
spatso
Ottawa Senators
Location: jensen beach, FL
Joined: 02.19.2007

Apr 9 @ 6:04 AM ET
Thanks for the blog. We all appreciate your stepping up and giving us something to chew on as we play out the last few games of the season. I would be very happy if you continue with the same arrangement through the sale of the club, the draft and free agency.
spatso
Ottawa Senators
Location: jensen beach, FL
Joined: 02.19.2007

Apr 9 @ 6:28 AM ET
So, Sens have 83 points. 10 up from last year with 4 points still on the table. A 10 point improvement is actually very good. We went into the season with most of us hoping to be relevant in the second half of the season. We were.

Overall, except for goaltending and injuries, hard to be unhappy with the progress the team has made this year.

I believe the odds still slightly favour a change of both GM and coach before the beginning of next season. But, the longer we go without new ownership being announced the more likely Dorion and Smith get one more year.

Can't help but notice the Devils great regular season. They accomplished a huge jump forward despite Lindy Ruff being the "consensus" worst coach in the NHL.

This season coming to an end. But great hope for future.

I will be disappointed if they fail to make playoffs next year.
GrimmdaGoalie
Ottawa Senators
Location: Ottawa, ON
Joined: 01.07.2016

Apr 9 @ 10:33 AM ET
I wonder deeply about how much a coaching change would help this team. That, and a true #1 goalie. The defense has sorted itself out especially if they resign Brannstrom and Hamonic cheaply. Top 6 is set. Might want to address issues with bottom 6, like figure out what is going on with Joseph and improve that 4th line. Need more goals from bottom 6.

But all things considered, improvement from one year to the next is always good.
Whatisavailable
Ottawa Senators
Joined: 08.20.2021

Apr 9 @ 1:15 PM ET
I wonder deeply about how much a coaching change would help this team. That, and a true #1 goalie. The defense has sorted itself out especially if they resign Brannstrom and Hamonic cheaply. Top 6 is set. Might want to address issues with bottom 6, like figure out what is going on with Joseph and improve that 4th line. Need more goals from bottom 6.

But all things considered, improvement from one year to the next is always good.

- GrimmdaGoalie

There's nothing wrong with Joseph. He played four seasons with Tampa before coming to Ottawa and this is exactly the way he played for them. What's wrong is a GM who thought it was a great idea to trade Nick Paul for him and then give him a four year contract for 3 million per. There's no fixing that kind of incompetence.

Dorion then proceeded to completely gut the middle six by trading Brown for a 2024 second round pick.

The ownership then finished the job by not signing Formenton and letting him leave for Europe. The fans and many of the contributors to this thread are largely responsible for that since they don't believe in the basic legal tenet that a man is innocent until proven guilty. Even if no charges are ever laid against him those same people will make sure he never plays for Ottawa again just because they are so pure that allegations are more than enough for them.

The middle 6 is now a disaster and it would take money to find and add the caliber of players necessary to fill in the middle 6 and make the Sens true contenders. It will take more than money to get a true number one goalie without which they might very well miss the playoffs again next year. There quite possibly won't be any money because this fool of a GM will give it to DeBrincat and lots of fans and contributors to this thread will cheer loudly.

To make matters worse either in exchange for a true number one goalie or because they decided to bridge guys like Sanderson they will need to move out guys like Pinto or Batherson or maybe even Chabot in a year or two because they won't be able to fit them in under the cap. (the boys at the TSN morning show will continue their relentless campaign against Chabot all through next season but in a way that will make it seem that they had nothing to do with running him out of town)

The other possibility is that whoever is in charge neither extends nor qualifies DeBrincat and tells him to take a hike. That would save this team but is extremely unlikely because this fan base thinks that DeBrincat at 8+ million a year would a steal and even if he didn't want to stay in Ottawa they could easily trade him for a few picks including a first. Unbelievably delusional!

I'm betting that Dorion and Smith get to stay another year (maybe because Bettman successfully delays the sale of the team?) and that by the time they are shown the door Dorion will have so much damaged the team that they will never challenge for the Cup but will instead perennially challenge for a wild card spot. Another of those middle of the pack teams that never fulfilled their promise because of really bad management decisions stretching over years.
Canada Cup
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: “Give me Point, Cirelli and Paul all day against anybody.” Mr. Cooper , ON
Joined: 07.06.2007

Apr 9 @ 4:55 PM ET
There's nothing wrong with Joseph. He played four seasons with Tampa before coming to Ottawa and this is exactly the way he played for them. What's wrong is a GM who thought it was a great idea to trade Nick Paul for him and then give him a four year contract for 3 million per. There's no fixing that kind of incompetence.

Dorion then proceeded to completely gut the middle six by trading Brown for a 2024 second round pick.

The ownership then finished the job by not signing Formenton and letting him leave for Europe. The fans and many of the contributors to this thread are largely responsible for that since they don't believe in the basic legal tenet that a man is innocent until proven guilty. Even if no charges are ever laid against him those same people will make sure he never plays for Ottawa again just because they are so pure that allegations are more than enough for them.

The middle 6 is now a disaster and it would take money to find and add the caliber of players necessary to fill in the middle 6 and make the Sens true contenders. It will take more than money to get a true number one goalie without which they might very well miss the playoffs again next year. There quite possibly won't be any money because this fool of a GM will give it to DeBrincat and lots of fans and contributors to this thread will cheer loudly.

To make matters worse either in exchange for a true number one goalie or because they decided to bridge guys like Sanderson they will need to move out guys like Pinto or Batherson or maybe even Chabot in a year or two because they won't be able to fit them in under the cap. (the boys at the TSN morning show will continue their relentless campaign against Chabot all through next season but in a way that will make it seem that they had nothing to do with running him out of town)

The other possibility is that whoever is in charge neither extends nor qualifies DeBrincat and tells him to take a hike. That would save this team but is extremely unlikely because this fan base thinks that DeBrincat at 8+ million a year would a steal and even if he didn't want to stay in Ottawa they could easily trade him for a few picks including a first. Unbelievably delusional!

I'm betting that Dorion and Smith get to stay another year (maybe because Bettman successfully delays the sale of the team?) and that by the time they are shown the door Dorion will have so much damaged the team that they will never challenge for the Cup but will instead perennially challenge for a wild card spot. Another of those middle of the pack teams that never fulfilled their promise because of really bad management decisions stretching over years.

- Whatisavailable

There is no legal tenet that requires fans, coaches or GMs to believe that someone is innocent until proven guilty. That concept applies to criminal courts where the burden of proof rests with the prosecution. The Sens had every right not to sign him and other teams had no obligation to trade for him.
spazzbot
Location: Maple Zombie
Joined: 02.14.2013

Apr 9 @ 5:55 PM ET
They are 6.14% better ( may rise slightly with 2 more wins) then last season. Not a huge jump considering the additions. Disappointing. They should have been a playoff team. Meaningful is worthless.

They need to remove dorion on Friday ( wont happen), leave dj and see how the season starts.

#1 focus - goalie, they will have to sell the future farm.
#2 sign debrincat to 8.2 x6 or package him in for the goalie.
Whatisavailable
Ottawa Senators
Joined: 08.20.2021

Apr 9 @ 7:26 PM ET
There is no legal tenet that requires fans, coaches or GMs to believe that someone is innocent until proven guilty. That concept applies to criminal courts where the burden of proof rests with the prosecution. The Sens had every right not to sign him and other teams had no obligation to trade for him.
- Canada Cup

Like I said, just the allegations are more than enough for the pure and self righteous. Proof! We don't need no stinkin' proof!
spazzbot
Location: Maple Zombie
Joined: 02.14.2013

Apr 9 @ 8:04 PM ET
Like I said, just the allegations are more than enough for the pure and self righteous.
- Whatisavailable


Its dellusional to think anything that gets typed here has any effect on the Senators organization decision making.
But if it does, then this team will never make the playoffs again.
Whatisavailable
Ottawa Senators
Joined: 08.20.2021

Apr 9 @ 8:52 PM ET
Its dellusional to think anything that gets typed here has any effect on the Senators organization decision making.
But if it does, then this team will never make the playoffs again.

- spazzbot

It's not just what gets typed up in here, but what gets typed up in here tends to be an indication of a general consensus in the public at large and that sentiment is totally shaped by the media. If the media says "Proof! We don't need no stinkin' proof!" then that's what the average fan will say and that's what the average employee earning a living in the NHL will say and that's what all your podcasters will say. Go against the flow at your own peril.

The media has been acting like a megaphone for the 24/7 rage machine for some time now and I don't see that getting any better any time soon. As a matter of fact it is rapidly getting much worse. Formenton will never play in Ottawa again. Proof! We don't need no stinkin' proof!
spatso
Ottawa Senators
Location: jensen beach, FL
Joined: 02.19.2007

Apr 10 @ 7:40 AM ET
They are 6.14% better ( may rise slightly with 2 more wins) then last season. Not a huge jump considering the additions. Disappointing. They should have been a playoff team. Meaningful is worthless.

They need to remove dorion on Friday ( wont happen), leave dj and see how the season starts.

#1 focus - goalie, they will have to sell the future farm.
#2 sign debrincat to 8.2 x6 or package him in for the goalie.

- spazzbot


13.7% increase over last year. Potential to go to 19.2% increase in points over last year. It really is a significant improvement. Incremental improvement is really important. Numbers get interpreted much differently if your goal is to make playoffs or go deep in playoffs or win a championships.
spatso
Ottawa Senators
Location: jensen beach, FL
Joined: 02.19.2007

Apr 10 @ 7:49 AM ET
It's not just what gets typed up in here, but what gets typed up in here tends to be an indication of a general consensus in the public at large and that sentiment is totally shaped by the media. If the media says "Proof! We don't need no stinkin' proof!" then that's what the average fan will say and that's what the average employee earning a living in the NHL will say and that's what all your podcasters will say. Go against the flow at your own peril.

The media has been acting like a megaphone for the 24/7 rage machine for some time now and I don't see that getting any better any time soon. As a matter of fact it is rapidly getting much worse. Formenton will never play in Ottawa again. Proof! We don't need no stinkin' proof!

- Whatisavailable


Formenton is not an easy outcome to predict.

If, you are the new owner. If you just invested $950m to purchase the team.

Is this an issue you want framed in a question you have to deal with at your very first press conference. Probably not!
spazzbot
Location: Maple Zombie
Joined: 02.14.2013

Apr 10 @ 8:24 AM ET
13.7% increase over last year. Potential to go to 19.2% increase in points over last year. It really is a significant improvement. Incremental improvement is really important. Numbers get interpreted much differently if your goal is to make playoffs or go deep in playoffs or win a championships.
- spatso


My math likely flawed , but to calculate the percentage of win % increase. Since at this time 5 more wins.

5÷82×100 = 6.09 % increase in winning percentage.

If they win the last 2 it jumps to 8.53% increase. A bit more respectable.

It would be interesting to calculate the +,- percentage difference. Too many numbers for me to input.
GrimmdaGoalie
Ottawa Senators
Location: Ottawa, ON
Joined: 01.07.2016

Apr 10 @ 8:34 AM ET
Mendes over at the Athletic had some pretty interesting math in one of his stories.

If the Sens have better goaltending, like a .913 save percentage, it would equal 3 to 4 wins. Which means they are battling for a playoff spot this year.

And historically, when the Sens get better than average goaltending, they tend to battle for a playoff spot.

Now I wonder how many more games would a better coach win us?
spazzbot
Location: Maple Zombie
Joined: 02.14.2013

Apr 10 @ 8:46 AM ET
It's not just what gets typed up in here, but what gets typed up in here tends to be an indication of a general consensus in the public at large and that sentiment is totally shaped by the media. If the media says "Proof! We don't need no stinkin' proof!" then that's what the average fan will say and that's what the average employee earning a living in the NHL will say and that's what all your podcasters will say. Go against the flow at your own peril.

The media has been acting like a megaphone for the 24/7 rage machine for some time now and I don't see that getting any better any time soon. As a matter of fact it is rapidly getting much worse. Formenton will never play in Ottawa again. Proof! We don't need no stinkin' proof!

- Whatisavailable


Last summer there were 2 players singled out. Yet only 1 had any action taken against. Leads me to believe decisions were made based on inside info and not social boards or media. Saying that, imo. the other player seemed like he had a mental burden all season, and imo will likely be traded this summer.
PrinceLH
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Belleville, ON
Joined: 07.06.2007

Apr 10 @ 11:18 AM ET
They are 6.14% better ( may rise slightly with 2 more wins) then last season. Not a huge jump considering the additions. Disappointing. They should have been a playoff team. Meaningful is worthless.

They need to remove dorion on Friday ( wont happen), leave dj and see how the season starts.

#1 focus - goalie, they will have to sell the future farm.
#2 sign debrincat to 8.2 x6 or package him in for the goalie.

- spazzbot


The Sens made great strides this year. A coaching change is needed and maybe a better strength and conditioning coach. So many injuries to the back end. The only other piece of observation that I can give is how much stronger the Atlantic division is this year. Boston is having a runaway season, the Leafs and Lightning are still elite teams. Florida retooled and seem destined to get in on the wildcard and may be a team to provide a major upset in round 1. You can also see the Habs, Wings and Sabres as improved and pushing for playoff spots next spring. So are the Sens, with the proper moves. They're young and coming. Don't despair, better days are ahead.
Canada Cup
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: “Give me Point, Cirelli and Paul all day against anybody.” Mr. Cooper , ON
Joined: 07.06.2007

Apr 10 @ 12:37 PM ET
Like I said, just the allegations are more than enough for the pure and self righteous. Proof! We don't need no stinkin' proof!
- Whatisavailable

And you said that there is a legal tenet that only exists in your mind. People are free to come to their own opinions about things. The opinions in here don’t matter. The opinion of his employer does matter. Presumably, they have access to more information.

I only posted to correct your error. I don’t know anything about the guy and don’t have an opinion about whether he was part of the rape. But it seems like you came to a conclusion without proof. Weird, huh.
Whatisavailable
Ottawa Senators
Joined: 08.20.2021

Apr 10 @ 12:56 PM ET
And you said that there is a legal tenet that only exists in your mind. People are free to come to their own opinions about things. The opinions in here don’t matter. The opinion of his employer does matter. Presumably, they have access to more information.

I only posted to correct your error. I don’t know anything about the guy and don’t have an opinion about whether he was part of the rape. But it seems like you came to a conclusion without proof. Weird, huh.

- Canada Cup

On the contrary I didn't come to any conclusion. How could I? I don't even know if there actually was a rape and neither do you. Maybe other people have access to more information. I don't know. The point I was making is that it really doesn't matter if there was a rape or not or if Formenton had anything to do with any rape if a rape is what happened. Formenton will never play in Ottawa again because the virtue signaling, 24/7 rage machine doesn't care if Formenton is guilty of anything or not. All they needed were the allegations and Formenton's goose was cooked. I find the rise of the witch hunters disturbing.

I'm pretty sure you don't care either. You will read what I post looking to see if I forgot to dot an "I" or cross a "t" and you will pounce in order to display your brilliance for all to see.
Whatisavailable
Ottawa Senators
Joined: 08.20.2021

Apr 10 @ 1:13 PM ET
The Sens made great strides this year. A coaching change is needed and maybe a better strength and conditioning coach. So many injuries to the back end. The only other piece of observation that I can give is how much stronger the Atlantic division is this year. Boston is having a runaway season, the Leafs and Lightning are still elite teams. Florida retooled and seem destined to get in on the wildcard and may be a team to provide a major upset in round 1. You can also see the Habs, Wings and Sabres as improved and pushing for playoff spots next spring. So are the Sens, with the proper moves. They're young and coming. Don't despair, better days are ahead.
- PrinceLH

The Giroux addition was great and luckily he wanted to come to Ottawa. So did Chychrun and fortunately Armstrong overplayed his hand and stubbornly doubled down until there was no one left but Ottawa. Another piece of luck. Sanderson was a really pleasant surprise playing as well as he did in his rookie season. Individual players, most notably Tkachuk and Stutzle got better. If only Dorion had just left the middle six alone this team would be solidly in the playoffs today and if somebody, anybody in the Sens organization could have made an intelligent goalie acquisition this team would be scaring a lot of people.
spatso
Ottawa Senators
Location: jensen beach, FL
Joined: 02.19.2007

Apr 10 @ 5:40 PM ET
The Giroux addition was great and luckily he wanted to come to Ottawa. So did Chychrun and fortunately Armstrong overplayed his hand and stubbornly doubled down until there was no one left but Ottawa. Another piece of luck. Sanderson was a really pleasant surprise playing as well as he did in his rookie season. Individual players, most notably Tkachuk and Stutzle got better. If only Dorion had just left the middle six alone this team would be solidly in the playoffs today and if somebody, anybody in the Sens organization could have made an intelligent goalie acquisition this team would be scaring a lot of people.
- Whatisavailable


You could be right. I liked Nick Paul and Connor Brown and I am not sure what Dorion was trying to avoid in moving them out last summer. I assume he was thinking Giroux and DeBrincat type players would be signed and he envisioned their signings as the direct cost replacement for the players moved out.

I am sure if he had a do over he would probably try to keep them both.


spatso
Ottawa Senators
Location: jensen beach, FL
Joined: 02.19.2007

Apr 10 @ 9:13 PM ET
I fear if the Sens don't bring Smith back the players will regress. Young guys like Smith a lot. I think the exception would be if new ownership changes the GM and the new GM brings in a new coach as all new GMs do.

If the Sens were to hire a new head coach my first choice remains Chris Kelly. Smart, smart hockey mind.
Sens Writer
Location: Vancouver, BC
Joined: 08.19.2013

Apr 10 @ 11:28 PM ET
Dorion says the team plans to make a QO to DeBrincat, even if they don't have a long-term deal negotiated...
https://www.tsn.ca/pierre...an-t-be-reached-1.1943901

That said, my understanding is that it doesn't necessarily mean that DeBrincat will accept the offer... it just means they retain his RFA rights, and continue to try to work towards a longer-term deal beyond the early off-season.

Brace yourselves for the rants.

Sens Writer
Location: Vancouver, BC
Joined: 08.19.2013

Apr 10 @ 11:34 PM ET
Awesome to see Giroux hit the 1,000 point mark in a Senators uniform... definitely a silver lining to the disappointment of the team missing the playoff cut. It's hard to imagine Giroux having done more this season, and hopefully he's just as inspired next season to help lead this team into the playoff picture.
spatso
Ottawa Senators
Location: jensen beach, FL
Joined: 02.19.2007

Apr 11 @ 5:38 AM ET
Awesome to see Giroux hit the 1,000 point mark in a Senators uniform... definitely a silver lining to the disappointment of the team missing the playoff cut. It's hard to imagine Giroux having done more this season, and hopefully he's just as inspired next season to help lead this team into the playoff picture.
- khawk


I was not a fan of the signing of Giroux. Clearly, it has tuned out to be an inspired move.

Stutzle has a shot at 40 goals and 90 points. I think Giroux helped him take another step forward this year.

I think I heard last night was another sell out.

The best news of the season is the fans have their team back and they love this team.

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