Jared Crozier: Boucher staying put, at least for now

1 year ago Sens are 1 goal away from SCF.

Instead of adding to the team (team invests) this is what happens:

Turris negotiations not done properly, trade him along with your 2017 1st and your 2019 1st AND now you have to pay much more $ to Duchene.

MacArthur unhealthy; is that $ used to replace someone? No.

Methot - best Defensive D-man, Karl's buddy, gone. Replaced? Oh, by Johnny Odyua for a $1m because of a cheap owner.

Brassard, Phaneuf both gone.

And now there's talks of Karlsson trade...... so...

GM gets to be CEO. GM keeps his job. All coaches back.

1 year ago Sens are 1 goal away from SCF.

Instead of adding to the team (team invests) this is what happens:

Turris negotiations not done properly, trade him along with your 2017 1st and your 2019 1st AND now you have to pay much more $ to Duchene.

MacArthur unhealthy; is that $ used to replace someone? No.

Methot - best Defensive D-man, Karl's buddy, gone. Replaced? Oh, by Johnny Odyua for a $1m because of a cheap owner.

Brassard, Phaneuf both gone.

And now there's talks of Karlsson trade...... so...

GM gets to be CEO. GM keeps his job. All coaches back.



- AlfieisKing

Sens are the new Oilers. A complete trainwreck.

Sens are the new Oilers. A complete trainwreck.
- Confidenceking77

JVR should help a little bit next year.

JVR should help a little bit next year.
- Leafsmart

I agree
I would look at Bozak, Vanek, Grabner, and others as fillers.

I def want Sens to go after DeHaan. 8 years @38m

Boucher will not even make it to Chistmas, fire his ass now.

need a new owner, after the team leaves Ottawa.

JVR should help a little bit next year.
- Leafsmart

Trade you Gabby for JVR lol

The main reason the team is in its current situation is that the team has not drafted and developed enough young talent. Hiring expensive free agents in the off-season is no way to build the core of a successful team - just look at the pain Buffalo went through after it spent to the cap 4 years ago with free agents.

I am fine going into the season with Boucher. The coaching staff needs to find a way to make the defence work with the players it has and it needs to focus on developing all the younger players.

The main reason the team is in its current situation is that the team has not drafted and developed enough young talent. Hiring expensive free agents in the off-season is no way to build the core of a successful team - just look at the pain Buffalo went through after it spent to the cap 4 years ago with free agents.

I am fine going into the season with Boucher. The coaching staff needs to find a way to make the defence work with the players it has and it needs to focus on developing all the younger players.
- SensFan25

I agree, if you look over the Sens first round picks, there's a dearth of quality contributors, hopefully that changes with some of the prospects they have right now.

However, I'm pretty sure they havne't really signed a large amount of big name free agents in a while.

The main reason the team is in its current situation is that the team has not drafted and developed enough young talent. Hiring expensive free agents in the off-season is no way to build the core of a successful team - just look at the pain Buffalo went through after it spent to the cap 4 years ago with free agents.

I am fine going into the season with Boucher. The coaching staff needs to find a way to make the defence work with the players it has and it needs to focus on developing all the younger players.
- SensFan25

I actually think we have drafted quite well,
Chabot, White (not technically drafted), Brown, Formention, Batherson, Chlapik etc

I don't even think the problem is development, other then a few bad apples like Ceci, Cowen etc who didn't pan out as they should have. I've really liked how are young guys have developed. It'll be interesting to see who can step it up and start proving who should be a full time NHLer.

I actually love big trades and I think Buffalo had a great core in ROR, JE, Kane but their problem was more depth.

I find the best teams are the ones who draft well but also the ones who are always looking to improve their team through trades. That comes down to Ottawa's GM who i don't think is a good GM, I think he's a great scout though.

I think the biggest problem is that we have young talent but the coach would rather rely on older washed up players than putting any faith in young talent

I actually think we have drafted quite well,
Chabot, White (not technically drafted), Brown, Formention, Batherson, Chlapik etc

I don't even think the problem is development, other then a few bad apples like Ceci, Cowen etc who didn't pan out as they should have. I've really liked how are young guys have developed. It'll be interesting to see who can step it up and start proving who should be a full time NHLer.

I actually love big trades and I think Buffalo had a great core in ROR, JE, Kane but their problem was more depth.

I find the best teams are the ones who draft well but also the ones who are always looking to improve their team through trades. That comes down to Ottawa's GM who i don't think is a good GM, I think he's a great scout though.

I think the biggest problem is that we have young talent but the coach would rather rely on older washed up players than putting any faith in young talent
- Maverick1818

The guys you listed look good I agree, but we've felt that way before. Lazar Cowen and Ceci all had moments where we thought they'd be big contributors. I am optimistic, and they have a lot of potential, but i Think we need to be wary of defining them as something when they haven't proven anything yet.

As it stands right now, the Sens history of first round picks since Karlsson is pretty terrible, which is a pretty glaring statsistuc.

The guys you listed look good I agree, but we've felt that way before. Lazar Cowen and Ceci all had moments where we thought they'd be big contributors. I am optimistic, and they have a lot of potential, but i Think we need to be wary of defining them as something when they haven't proven anything yet.

As it stands right now, the Sens history of first round picks since Karlsson is pretty terrible, which is a pretty glaring statsistuc.
- david22

I think Lazar has great leadership skills but at best would be a 3rd line grinder.

Ceci should have been developed as an offensive D but they developed him as a shut down D.

Cowen had the expectation of being Chara and could never live up to that.

Maybe the biggest problem is expectations?

There is a ton of local money and several groups sitting on the sidelines wanting to buy the Sens. Melnyk is trying to squeeze every ounce of juice that he can get out of the Sens.

Every coaching, gm and player decision is caught up in the tension that surrounds future ownership.

Melnyk has now appointed himself CEO of the Sens. At some point Bettman has to step in and say enough. Bettman has made it clear that Melnyk will not be allowed to move the franchise. In doing that he has taken away Melnyk’s leverage to get more financial relief from the LeBretton project. Recently Melnyk has started stamping his feet, holding his breath and saying he might stay in Kanata rather than move to LeBretton.

Eugene, it is time tomsay goodbye.

There is a ton of local money and several groups sitting on the sidelines wanting to buy the Sens. Melnyk is trying to squeeze every ounce of juice that he can get out of the Sens.

Every coaching, gm and player decision is caught up in the tension that surrounds future ownership.

Melnyk has now appointed himself CEO of the Sens. At some point Bettman has to step in and say enough. Bettman has made it clear that Melnyk will not be allowed to move the franchise. In doing that he has taken away Melnyk’s leverage to get more financial relief from the LeBretton project. Recently Melnyk has started stamping his feet, holding his breath and saying he might stay in Kanata rather than move to LeBretton.

Eugene, it is time tomsay goodbye.
- spatso

A few things I can confirm.


1) Melnyk is not going to sell the team.

2) The Sens will never leave Ottawa.

3) The Sens will be downtown (or another location in the city) in the near future

4) Sens fans can be quite fickle.

5) And the Maple Craps are still, well, ....CRAP!

Melnyk has lost the support of the business community. He may not want to sell but he is going to wake up one morning and realize how isolated he has become.

i believe we will see a mass explosion of support for the Sens when the ownership construct changes. Until the impasse breaks, the tension and indecision on direction (eg Karlsson) will continue.

Melnyk has lost the support of the business community. He may not want to sell but he is going to wake up one morning and realize how isolated he has become.

i believe we will see a mass explosion of support for the Sens when the ownership construct changes. Until the impasse breaks, the tension and indecision on direction (eg Karlsson) will continue.
- spatso

Honestly, I would like EM to sell the team but I think there are two things he needs to do that will 100% win back fans and business support.

#1. Spend to the Cap
#2. Step back and let the people you hired to run the team, run the team.

Maybe the biggest problem is expectations?
- Maverick1818

There is nothing wrong with high expectations that are realistic. It is actually highly desirable. Where people end up in life has a lot to do with their expectations for themselves, their abilities, confidence and drive to achieve their goals.

The reality is that Ottawa has not drafted and developed well. They have missed on too many first round and second selections, traded too many second rounders. They also have not hit a home run with any selections since Karlsson and Stone almost 10 years ago.

If you look at the 2 leaders in OHL playoff scoring, you see two 2016 second round picks by Tampa Bay. That is the same team that selected Brayden Point in the third round of 2014.

Or how about Boston, selecting David Pastrnak 25th overall or Charlie McAvoy at 14th or 15th in 2016.

This team needs to add more high end talent via the draft, and not just with top 5 picks.

Honestly, I would like EM to sell the team but I think there are two things he needs to do that will 100% win back fans and business support.

#1. Spend to the Cap
#2. Step back and let the people you hired to run the team, run the team.
- Maverick1818

I agree with number 2. I would like to see the team also spend more on professional and amateur scouting - especially in Europe.
I don't see much point in spending to the cap when we don't have the talent to justify it.

Speaking of draft picks, this is an interesting stat, albeit a somewhat arbitrary sample size chosen.

Since 1987 (31 years ago) only 5 first overall picks have won a Stanley Cup. Modano, Lecavalier, Kane, Crosby, and MA Fleury

Andrew Walker Twitter

Honestly, I would like EM to sell the team but I think there are two things he needs to do that will 100% win back fans and business support.

#1. Spend to the Cap
#2. Step back and let the people you hired to run the team, run the team.
- Maverick1818

#1. It will never happen
#2 It will never happen

Just another proof that you know absolutly nothing about the Sens.

#1. It will never happen
#2 It will never happen

Just another proof that you know absolutly nothing about the Sens.
- batman8990

Never is an awfully long time. I agree the situation looks dire right now, but lest you forget this team DID spend substantially under the same owner back in the mid-2000s. I like to think that if it happened before, it can happen gain. Under this version of Melnyk though, I don't know.

You think you know absolutly everything about the Sens and hockey but you dont. Only what you are writing on here is the right thing in your head. Unfortunatly it doesnt make sense at all and you still coming back on here adding another comment and on and on. You should do your homeworks, it will help increasing your credibility about hockey. Youre not alone Maverick1818, AlfieisKing and AlfieEver are with you too.
- batman8990

hahaha I actually think you may have mental problems. I've likely played more hockey and higher levels of hockey then you ever have or will.


I comment on here because I enjoy good hockey talk and conversations, I post my opinions or facts, you comment on here because you are an a**hole who just wants to criticize.

You should grow up and stop being so childish

To Vancouver

[4 years x 6.5m] Bobby Ryan; retain 1m of bobby ryan
[6 years x 1.2m] Marian Gaborik; buyout
[3 years x 3.3m] Zack Smith
[1 year. x 2.5m] Alex Burrows
2018 1st [via PIT]

To Ottawa

[4 years x 5.0m] Loui Eriksson
[1 year. x 4.5m] Alex Edler

Hoffman - Duchene - Dzingel
Eriksson - Pageau - Stone
Tkachuk - Brown - White
Clapik - McCormick - Pyatt

Edler - Karlsson
Chabot - Ceci
Borowiecki - Wolanin
*As time goes on in the year you play Stone with Tkachuk + Brown*

Resign Erik Karlsson 8 years @84m
1-3 years of $11m; 4-6 years of $12m; year 7 $9m; year 8 $6m
He gets 78m over 7 years (well over $11m per season). Cap hit = 10.5m

The above post is slightly reasonable. Though, that's a lot of garbage to Vancouver for a essentially a second round pick (very late first). And I actually like Zach Smith.

mel isn't selling, he's grooming his daughter to take over, so stop thinking Alfie, Philly and some mysterious group (who we all know) of investors are going to swoop in and buy the team. Furthermore, the lebretton idea is a financial money pit disaster - so I'm quite pleased he's distancing himself from that. Perfectly good building--scaleable and reasonably located.

sign the heroes that the fans want you to, draft well, and some how get Luke Richardson back here to develop your young talent