Sens Writer: Senators Win Their First Preseason Game

I watched bits and pieces.
I'm no homer - the Leafs did not have many of their big guns playing and it showed. Their goaltending was solid though. That Nies kid is kind of ho-hum. If Leaf fans are hoping he's the next Eric Lindros or something....keep hoping.

Sokolov's face off numbers are what I thought kept him in the league last year, not his skating. Did he even take a face off in this game?

I'm looking forward to seeing Lassi tonight. Sadly he gets the B-crew forwards and the A-crew of the Leafs coming at him. Good luck kid. I suspect another "Lassi disappoints" from the Team 1200 gang. Speaking of....are we ever getting an actual afternoon show again? or Is it shoe string budget from now on? I'm very much done listening to Americans and Toronto sports gambling advice all afternoon.

Finally as an Islander fan it was obvious that Josh Bailey would land here. So many Islander and past coach connections. But he's not as fast or as hungry as a bunch of minor league prospects that deserve that spot. Luckily he has a veteran pimp coach and a former Islander head coach as an assistant here in Ottawa. Unless he poops the bed spectacularly he's on the team. Which is a mistake from an Ottawa perspective. He's not this year's Brassard. You know who would be?...Derrek Brassard!!! Who's not quite retired but mysteriously taking a suck in Gatineau or something. If he did announce his retirement it was the quietest ever.

Disjointed watching for me as I kept switching back and forth between Sens/Leafs and Wales/Australia.

Sanderson is really good. Not flashy but appears to do everything the right way and so easily. Could Timmy be the top scoring German?

Don't like both Norris and Pinto not being available tonight. Need these guys to get game time reps. Sens cannot afford to be slow coming out of the gates this year. Yet, I do agree it is necessary to proceed cautiously with the Norris shoulder. But, time to get Pinto into camp and into a few games.

According to NHL.com Sokolov has never taken an NHL face-off, so you might be confusing him with someone else.

Highlights from the game here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i44Dzc9Xa9Q

Wish I saw more speed/hunger from the young kids, tbh... maybe Greig will set a better pace in terms of prospects challenging for roster spots.

According to NHL.com Sokolov has never taken an NHL face-off, so you might be confusing him with someone else.

Highlights from the game here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i44Dzc9Xa9Q

Wish I saw more speed/hunger from the young kids, tbh... maybe Greig will set a better pace in terms of prospects challenging for roster spots.
- khawk

Maybe Kastelic ?

Maybe Kastelic ?
- Octavarium

Well, Kastelic is pretty much a lock for the #4C spot. He's got the toughness they want for the 4th line, plays with speed, can fight, and he's very good in the faceoff circle. He's even now wearing #12, which is Mike Fisher's old number... DeBrincat's as well, but nobody cares about that.

I watched bits and pieces.
I'm no homer - the Leafs did not have many of their big guns playing and it showed. Their goaltending was solid though. That Nies kid is kind of ho-hum. If Leaf fans are hoping he's the next Eric Lindros or something....keep hoping.

Sokolov's face off numbers are what I thought kept him in the league last year, not his skating. Did he even take a face off in this game?

I'm looking forward to seeing Lassi tonight. Sadly he gets the B-crew forwards and the A-crew of the Leafs coming at him. Good luck kid. I suspect another "Lassi disappoints" from the Team 1200 gang. Speaking of....are we ever getting an actual afternoon show again? or Is it shoe string budget from now on? I'm very much done listening to Americans and Toronto sports gambling advice all afternoon.

Finally as an Islander fan it was obvious that Josh Bailey would land here. So many Islander and past coach connections. But he's not as fast or as hungry as a bunch of minor league prospects that deserve that spot. Luckily he has a veteran pimp coach and a former Islander head coach as an assistant here in Ottawa. Unless he poops the bed spectacularly he's on the team. Which is a mistake from an Ottawa perspective. He's not this year's Brassard. You know who would be?...Derrek Brassard!!! Who's not quite retired but mysteriously taking a suck in Gatineau or something. If he did announce his retirement it was the quietest ever.
- Octavarium

I assume they will have an afternoon show when the season starts...up until then...enjoy the Dan Patrick show, a bunch of annoying characters screeching about College Football and weird celebrity cameos!

I assume they will have an afternoon show when the season starts...up until then...enjoy the Dan Patrick show, a bunch of annoying characters screeching about College Football and weird celebrity cameos!
- AdamFrench

Shameful what is happening. I have pretty much switched over to NHL Serius 91 on my truck. Don't expect to change back.

Shameful what is happening. I have pretty much switched over to NHL Serius 91 on my truck. Don't expect to change back.
- spatso

8:15-8:30ish were usually the only highlights anyways. Never on the road at the times where they would have other guests (5pm?)

Sokolov looks like he could 'put it all together' if he started scored a lot of goals at a time. Sens have to start turning their second rounders into useful NHLers. I don't like all the hype that comes with prospects and then they never live up to their potential. Way too many f'in players like that, it gets frustrating. I never liked the Sens taking Boucher at 10th overall. Thomson, Bernard Docker, Brannstrom, Grieg and essentially Pinto are ALL 1st rounders. They should be having strong years. Looking at who the Sens have taken the past 8 years or so, it's frustrating

10th overall pick - Tyler Boucher
19th overall pick - Lassi Thomson
26th overall pick - Jacob Bernard-Docker
28th overall pick - Ridly Greig
32nd overall pick - Shane Pinto
-----------------------------------------------------
33rd overall pick - Roby Jarventie
36th overall pick - Gabriel Gagne
37th overall pick - Mads Sogaard
39th overall pick - Zack Ostapchuk
42nd overall pick - Jonathan Dahlen
47th overall pick - Alex Formenton
48th overall pick - Filip Chlapik
48th overall pick - Jonny Tychonick
49th overall pick - Benjamin Roger
61st overall pick - Egor Sokolov (2020)
64th overall pick - Filip Nordberg (2022)

Shameful what is happening. I have pretty much switched over to NHL Serius 91 on my truck. Don't expect to change back.
- spatso

100%

Here's the Locked On Senators take on the first pre-season game...
https://www.youtube.com/w...SbG9ja2VkIG9uIHNlbmF0b3Jz

One key point they raised is that they absolutely can't just play all of Kastelic, MacEwan and Kelly on the 4th line. Given the contract realities of the team, that should be writing on the wall for Kelly, who really doesn't bring enough to the table to warrant losing any of Smejkal, Bailey, or Sokolov to waivers. Regardless, it's just too much of the same having those three 'grit' guys on the same line, and far too easy for a half-decent NHL line to take advantage.

Another key point of discussion is that the widely-rumoured asking price for taking Joseph's contract is a 1st round pick. This is precisely what I've been talking about all summer, in that I would far rather see them part with Brannstrom or Kubalik for half-decent value, vs. wasting a 1st round pick just to trade an inconvenient contract. It may not be the preferred option, but they need to get Pinto into training camp very soon... especially if they're looking at a turnover of half of the team's bottom-6 forwards.

Here's the Locked On Senators take on the first pre-season game...
https://www.youtube.com/w...SbG9ja2VkIG9uIHNlbmF0b3Jz

One key point they raised is that they absolutely can't just play all of Kastelic, MacEwan and Kelly on the 4th line. Given the contract realities of the team, that should be writing on the wall for Kelly, who really doesn't bring enough to the table to warrant losing any of Smejkal, Bailey, or Sokolov to waivers. Regardless, it's just too much of the same having those three 'grit' guys on the same line, and far too easy for a half-decent NHL line to take advantage.

Another key point of discussion is that the widely-rumoured asking price for taking Joseph's contract is a 1st round pick. This is precisely what I've been talking about all summer, in that I would far rather see them part with Brannstrom or Kubalik for half-decent value, vs. wasting a 1st round pick just to trade an inconvenient contract. It may not be the preferred option, but they need to get Pinto into training camp very soon... especially if they're looking at a turnover of half of the team's bottom-6 forwards.
- khawk

Highly unlikely that they make it through training camp and the early season without injuries. Same for other teams. Opportunities for movement of players will increase as we get closer to opening game.

I am really surprised people have not figured this out yet, but there is no need to do anything to get Pinto under contract, we just have to bite the bullet and demote some folks.

Demote the following folks: Joseph -$2.95 (if they wont take him for less than a 1st, they wont take him for free), Kelly - $0.76, Hamonic (same as Joseph), -$1.10

That reduces the NHL payroll by $4.81M

Sign Pinto to deal of 2 years @ $2.7M/year

Promote the following: Smejkal (will love all the Gollum memes to come), $0.87M, Greig, $0.86

Increases the payroll by $4.44M

Gives us $0.5M in cap space for injury call ups and limited use of Hamonic for fill in on D as needed. Roster would be just as good but can trade out the dead weight when opportunities emerge.

Roster would look like this, not too bad:

Tkachuk-Stutzle-Giroux
Tarasenko-Norris-Batherson
Kubalik-Pinto-Greig
Smeikal-Kastellic-Sokolov
MacEwan/Call-ups

Chabot-Chychrun
Zub-Sanderson
Brannstrom-JBD/Kleven/Matinpalo
Ex: One of the above or Hamonic

Korpisalo
Forsberg

I am really surprised people have not figured this out yet, but there is no need to do anything to get Pinto under contract, we just have to bite the bullet and demote some folks.

Demote the following folks: Joseph -$2.95 (if they wont take him for less than a 1st, they wont take him for free), Kelly - $0.76, Hamonic (same as Joseph), -$1.10

That reduces the NHL payroll by $4.81M

Sign Pinto to deal of 2 years @ $2.7M/year

Promote the following: Smejkal (will love all the Gollum memes to come), $0.87M, Greig, $0.86

Increases the payroll by $4.44M

Gives us $0.5M in cap space for injury call ups and limited use of Hamonic for fill in on D as needed. Roster would be just as good but can trade out the dead weight when opportunities emerge.

Roster would look like this, not too bad:

Tkachuk-Stutzle-Giroux
Tarasenko-Norris-Batherson
Kubalik-Pinto-Greig
Smeikal-Kastellic-Sokolov
MacEwan/Call-ups

Chabot-Chychrun
Zub-Sanderson
Brannstrom-JBD/Kleven/Matinpalo
Ex: One of the above or Hamonic

Korpisalo
Forsberg
- Zuuuuuuuuuuuuuub

Well, that's not exactly how it works.

For one thing, Hamonic has a NMC clause - so you can forget about that right out of the gate. Plus, you can only bury so much NHL salary in the AHL. The last thing I saw was calculating it as $375K over the NHL league minimum, so it would be something around $1.1M. So putting Joseph in the AHL would still cost them $1.9M AAV, and only free up $1.1M... which certainly isn't going to get Pinto signed. That said, Kelly is in a different position because his contract is under the minimum AAV threshold, so they could bury it all without cap penalty and just risk the waiver claim. At this point, I would be surprised if Kelly was anywhere but in Belleville to start the season, if only to make room for one of Smejkal/Bailey.

The Senators won the second game of the home & home with the Leafs by a 4-3 margin in OT. NHL highlights from the game are available here...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPOoM5NFGok

Key Points
- The top-D pairing of Chabot/Chychrun combined for >61 minutes TOI
- Chychrun really showcased his shot with 6 shots and 2G, including the GWG
- Kubalik made a good impression with 1G/1A, plus several other good chances
- Thomson played a pretty solid overall game, with 1A, +1, 2 shots, 2 blocks
- Grieg/Jarventie were badly exposed in the FO circle, and won just 5/27
- Sogaard looked very steady in goal, and made a number of good saves

I'd also suggest that Tarasenko looked pretty disinterested for large stretches of this game, which makes me hope and pray they keep him away from Stutzle/Tkachuk. Inconsistent efforts is almost tolerable for a 2nd line winger, but you really can't have mediocre efforts from a veteran on the top line. Giroux fits that line like a glove and I think they'd be fools to mess with line chemistry that made Tkachuk a 35G/80Pts player, and nearly made Stutzle a 40G/90Pts player.

The Senators won the second game of the home & home with the Leafs by a 4-3 margin in OT. NHL highlights from the game are available here...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPOoM5NFGok

Key Points
- The top-D pairing of Chabot/Chychrun combined for >61 minutes TOI
- Chychrun really showcased his shot with 6 shots and 2G, including the GWG
- Kubalik made a good impression with 1G/1A, plus several other good chances
- Thomson played a pretty solid overall game, with 1A, +1, 2 shots, 2 blocks
- Grieg/Jarventie were badly exposed in the FO circle, and won just 5/27
- Sogaard looked very steady in goal, and made a number of good saves

I'd also suggest that Tarasenko looked pretty disinterested for large stretches of this game, which makes me hope and pray they keep him away from Stutzle/Tkachuk. Inconsistent efforts is almost tolerable for a 2nd line winger, but you really can't have mediocre efforts from a veteran on the top line. Giroux fits that line like a glove and I think they'd be fools to mess with line chemistry that made Tkachuk a 35G/80Pts player, and nearly made Stutzle a 40G/90Pts player.
- khawk

Much to like in this game. Chychrun was a force. He and Chabot looked really solid, played big minutes and we saw them move the puck out of their own end with real authority. Add in the Sanderson effort of night one and there is good reason for excitement.

I also thought Tarasenko had a quiet game.

I believe that the optimal lineup would see Tarasenko play on the top line with Tkachuk and Stutzle. I get the concerns with consistency of effort but I'd have to think that the team would get the best version of Tarasenko on the top line - sometimes you need to manage egos. This would have the added benefit of Giroux playing with Josh Norris, with Giroux ideally taking all faceoffs but Norris handling the center ice role. Giroux, Norris and Batherson would also provide a more capable second line.

Interesting thoughts on the contract conundrum they're in....

Personally I'd keep Brannstrom because you know Chychrun is going to get hurt 30 games in. It's just the way he is.

Joseph has actually looked pretty good in pre-season.

Whoever wished for Parker Kelly in the minors to start the season.....I'm with you but this coach LOVES him. So,he'll fight tooth an nail to keep him in the NHL. Which is riddiculous. That 4th line could actually be really good. Parker is not an NHL player.

Tarasenko is like most other russian players....he floats he looks to score. He pouted last night because he was on left and he likes right better. I hope it was just a coach wanting to see what's what and that Smith will put him back on right.

If the lines were done right this team could be really good. I have zero faith in DJ Smith. Somehow he'll even figure out a way to screw up the goalies who have looked good so far.

The way Jakob Chychrun plays when healthy - how many top 4D men would you trade our top 4 (Chabot, Sanderson, Chychrun, Zub) for? I think only 2-3 teams I would consider

The way Jakob Chychrun plays when healthy - how many top 4D men would you trade our top 4 (Chabot, Sanderson, Chychrun, Zub) for? I think only 2-3 teams I would consider
- AlfieisKing

They appear very VERY good. Now they need to play that good.
Colorado, Carolina, New Jersey those are gold standard defenses.

Sorry to spam, but I have 7 spots open in my 20 team yahoo league and the draft is next Thursday the 5th at 8pm EDT.

No cash/keepers, stats include FW, Hits, Blocks, etc. Message me if you want in

It would seem that a more likely scenario is starting to play out at training camp, where moving Brannstrom could be enough to resolve the situation. It would also eliminate the need to include any kind of major trade sweetener, like a first round pick or equivalent prospect. If done in combination with other waiver-related moves, they could do the following:

- Trade Brannstrom (-$2.0M AAV)
- Waive Joseph to AHL (-$1.1M AAV)
- Waive Kelly to AHL (-$0.8M AAV)

- Send Matinpalo to AHL (Waiver Exempt)
- Send Smejkal to AHL (Waiver Exempt)

- Sign Pinto ($2.2M AAV)
- Keep Thomson in NHL ($0.9M AAV) (Avoid Waivers)
- Sign Bailey ($0.8M AAV)

That would given them 12F/7D to start the season, avoid the risk of putting either Sokolov/Thomson on waivers, take advantage of the waiver-exempt status of Matinpalo/Smejkal, and make Joseph/Kelly available as AHL call-ups for later in the season in the event of major injury.

3rd/4th Lines
Sokolov-Pinto-Kubalik
Bailey-Kastelic-MacEwan

3rd D-Pairing
Hamonic
JBD/Thomson

There could also be a variant where Kleven starts the year in the NHL, but it depends on how much they want retain some puck-movement on the 3rd pairing. However, Kleven would benefit from AHL development, and given the near-endless patience they've shown Brannstrom it would hardly be wrong to give Thomson a chance to prove that he can handle a #7D NHL role.

It would seem that a more likely scenario is starting to play out at training camp, where moving Brannstrom could be enough to resolve the situation. It would also eliminate the need to include any kind of major trade sweetener, like a first round pick or equivalent prospect. If done in combination with other waiver-related moves, they could do the following:

- Trade Brannstrom (-$2.0M AAV)
- Waive Joseph to AHL (-$1.1M AAV)
- Waive Kelly to AHL (-$0.8M AAV)

- Send Matinpalo to AHL (Waiver Exempt)
- Send Smejkal to AHL (Waiver Exempt)

- Sign Pinto ($2.2M AAV)
- Keep Thomson in NHL ($0.9M AAV) (Avoid Waivers)
- Sign Bailey ($0.8M AAV)

That would given them 12F/7D to start the season, avoid the risk of putting either Sokolov/Thomson on waivers, take advantage of the waiver-exempt status of Matinpalo/Smejkal, and make Joseph/Kelly available as AHL call-ups for later in the season in the event of major injury.

3rd/4th Lines
Sokolov-Pinto-Kubalik
Bailey-Kastelic-MacEwan

3rd D-Pairing
Hamonic
JBD/Thomson

There could also be a variant where Kleven starts the year in the NHL, but it depends on how much they want retain some puck-movement on the 3rd pairing. However, Kleven would benefit from AHL development, and given the near-endless patience they've shown Brannstrom it would hardly be wrong to give Thomson a chance to prove that he can handle a #7D NHL role.
- khawk

Good plan .... you're hired.

Don't forget Sens still have $120,000 in cap space . A variant to your plan could be to just let Bailey go .... if he is no better then the rookies ... and bring up Greig to play on the 4rth line if Greig shows he is ready (or Crookshank, etc.). Unfortunately I think Bailey is a luxury the Sens can't afford. Why are we using a 33 year old to block our younger talent who could be quicker, and more physical.

I'm fine with that plan listed above.
I'm fine with Kelly hitting waivers and more than fine with Bailey not retained. (and I'm a closet Isles fan) There are so many Islander connections with the Sens it's silly. And a tad unnerving. The Islanders organization has not been a model for success for about 30 years now. Ex coach whispering in DJ's ear. Rich Pilon's kid in camp.