Trevor Shackles: Locks and Players on the Bubble Looking at who are the locks heading into training camp

The locks as you mentioned are pretty much set in stone, and I do agree that Batherson and Jaros should be almost locks as well. Batherson since he was a dominant force in Belleville and one of our best offensive weapons on the wing both in NHL and minors. And Jaros is the best suited guy on that list to split time on the bottom pairing with Boro and Hainsey.

As for who else, I'm betting on Balcers, Paul and Brannstrom.

A question is where Tierny will slot in after this year. At first I thought they should keep him as he's a good piece to have on a rebuilding team.

Now though, I wonder trading him at the deadline would open up the spot for White, Brown, Norris next year.

As an RFA, he'd be easy to re-sign, or command more at the deadline.

Tkachuk White Duclair
Batherson Tierny Ryan
Davidsson Pageau Brown
Annisomov Ennis Boedker

Balcers


L brown starts the year in Bingo, before eventually getting a call up, ultimately to be sent down at some point to ascertain a playoff spot.

Opening night prediction.....

Tkachuk - White - C. Brown
Duclair - Pageau - Ryan
Anisimov - L. Brown - Batherson
Paul - Tierney - Ennis
(Boedeker)

Chabot - DeMelo
Wolanin - Zaitsev
Hainsey - Jaros
(Boro)

Andy/Nilsson

If you guys can land an elite Centre, this team will be able to compete. But White/Pageau/Brown as your top 3 leaves a lot to be desired heading into the season.

If you guys can land an elite Centre, this team will be able to compete. But White/Pageau/Brown as your top 3 leaves a lot to be desired heading into the season.
- bikeguy99

Absolutely it leaves a lot to be desired. That's how we plan to land an elite Center, after all.....

Jesus. This could be an eight win team

Jesus. This could be an eight win team
- AxlRose91

and still won't get the 1st overall pick.

If you guys can land an elite Centre, this team will be able to compete. But White/Pageau/Brown as your top 3 leaves a lot to be desired heading into the season.
- bikeguy99

Down the road I imagine the plan is to make it:

Brown
White/Norris.

All have the potential to be good second line centers (IMO), Brown has the highest chance of being more.
But as you said, none are elite.

Whether they can compete with that will remain to be seen. History says it's not likely.

They'll have a couple of drafts to try and address that, although I really want Lfrennierre.

Down the road I imagine the plan is to make it:

Brown
White/Norris.

All have the potential to be good second line centers (IMO), Brown has the highest chance of being more.
But as you said, none are elite.

Whether they can compete with that will remain to be seen. History says it's not likely.

They'll have a couple of drafts to try and address that, although I really want Lfrennierre.
- david22

Byfield is a very solid second pick. Do not see the Sens dropping below #4 on the draft charts.

1 Alexis Lafrenière (LW) Rimouski Océanic
2 Lucas Raymond (RW) Frölunda HC J20
3 Quinton Byfield (C) Sudbury Wolves OHL
4 Anton Lundell (C/LW) HIFK Liiga
5 Cole Perfetti (C) Saginaw Spirit OHL
6 Alexander Holtz (RW/LW) Djurgårdens IF J20
7 Noel Gunler (RW/LW) Luleå HF J20 SuperElit
8 Dylan Holloway (F) Okotoks Oilers AJHL
9 Marco Rossi (C) Ottawa 67's OHL
10 Yaroslav Askarov (G) SKA-Varyagi -

1 Alexis Lafrenière (LW) Rimouski Océanic
2 Lucas Raymond (RW) Frölunda HC J20
3 Quinton Byfield (C) Sudbury Wolves OHL
4 Anton Lundell (C/LW) HIFK Liiga
5 Cole Perfetti (C) Saginaw Spirit OHL
6 Alexander Holtz (RW/LW) Djurgårdens IF J20
7 Noel Gunler (RW/LW) Luleå HF J20 SuperElit
8 Dylan Holloway (F) Okotoks Oilers AJHL
9 Marco Rossi (C) Ottawa 67's OHL
10 Yaroslav Askarov (G) SKA-Varyagi -
- spatso

You forget Lapierre

Random predictions:

-Anisimov will be a mainstay in the top 6- contribute alot of his points on the PP
-White will be slotted as number 2 centre, top 50 points
-Duclair and Connor Brown will score 20-30 goals as top line wingers
-Tierney will be traded at earliest by November (probably opening up a centre spot for Brown/Paul)
-Hainsey and Ennis will be gone by the deadline
-Craig Anderson will be traded too
-Chabot will be leading scorer with 60 plus points

Tkachuk White Batherson
Duclair Anisimov Ryan
Ennis Pageau C.Brown
Balcers Tierney Boedker

Chabot Demelo
Wolanin Zeitsev
Hainsey Jaros


Nilsson/Andy

You forget Lapierre
- Crosside

Funny he was not on the prospect list. Work ethic and skill likened to Bergeron. TSN (Button) says he is still in the talk to go first overall.

It is a huge draft and at #4 or better the Sens will get an elite player. And will certainly be able to land a #1 centre if they don't opt for something more if they have the #1 pick overall.

Random predictions:

-Anisimov will be a mainstay in the top 6- contribute alot of his points on the PP
-White will be slotted as number 2 centre, top 50 points
-Duclair and Connor Brown will score 20-30 goals as top line wingers
-Tierney will be traded at earliest by November (probably opening up a centre spot for Brown/Paul)
-Hainsey and Ennis will be gone by the deadline
-Craig Anderson will be traded too
-Chabot will be leading scorer with 60 plus points
- AlexBoucher

What would Tierny command on return? As a 40 50 point guy, still rather young and an RFA

What would Tierny command on return? As a 40 50 point guy, still rather young and an RFA
- david22

I trade Tierney vs Pulju

great article,

my best guess at opening night roster

Brady White C. Brown
Duclair Tierney Batherson
Formenton Jgp BFryan
Ennis Anisimov Boedker
balcers

chabot demelo
hainsey zaitsev
boro jaros

Andy starting

I trade Tierney vs Pulju
- Crosside

that's not a bad idea....would even throw in a pick on Ottawa's end (3rd or 4th).

there's no chance Tierney is in the long term plans, but he would absolutely help Edm in the long term....and the sens get the potential of Puljujarvi without having to give up any A level assets.

that's not a bad idea....would even throw in a pick on Ottawa's end (3rd or 4th).

there's no chance Tierney is in the long term plans, but he would absolutely help Edm in the long term....and the sens get the potential of Puljujarvi without having to give up any A level assets.
- sensarmy_11

Tierney and Pageau are basically the same player (although I like Pager more; speed and finish are better). Tierney could absolutely go in a package for a young player like Pooli, but I can also see him be included for a package for an upgrade at centre...

Tierney and Pageau are basically the same player (although I like Pager more; speed and finish are better). Tierney could absolutely go in a package for a young player like Pooli, but I can also see him be included for a package for an upgrade at centre...
- AlexBoucher

sens will upgrade center in the next draft.....unless we include a seriously good asset with Tierney, we won't be able to upgrade enough at center. I'd way rather use him to get a young winger with potential, or a solid young dman (not a flashy highend guy, but a solid stay at home type to compliment a Thomson or Brannstrom)

sens will upgrade center in the next draft.....unless we include a seriously good asset with Tierney, we won't be able to upgrade enough at center. I'd way rather use him to get a young winger with potential, or a solid young dman (not a flashy highend guy, but a solid stay at home type to compliment a Thomson or Brannstrom)
- sensarmy_11

I feel they will give Logan Brown all the opportunity to make it this year- we need that skill in the lineup. I think Tierney will be the casualty if Brown has a good camp/start of season. I don't think by himself he will grab a high end piece, but a few assests could have something relevant come in. Edmonton seems like an ideal partner

I feel they will give Logan Brown all the opportunity to make it this year- we need that skill in the lineup. I think Tierney will be the casualty if Brown has a good camp/start of season. I don't think by himself he will grab a high end piece, but a few assests could have something relevant come in. Edmonton seems like an ideal partner
- AlexBoucher

He could be traded for picks, Edmonton could be willing to part with those.

Depending on where San Jose's pick wind up, trading up in next years draft would be a good move.

I think you sort of alluded to it, but if the forward prospects are anywhere close to being as good as some people hope, guys like Brown (age 21), Chalpik (age 22), Batherson (age 21), Balcers (age 22) need to earn a spot one way or another this season. I can potentially see guys like Boedker and Ennis scratched to make room. Don’t forget Ryan being injured for 20 or so games with an annual hand issue. The chance to make an impact is there. Pretty easy line up to move up and down once you get a spot.

To me the only guy on your list in the blog that shouldn’t be mentioned is Nick Paul. In my opinion, his chance to make any kind of headway in the NHL is pretty much shot. At age 24, other guys will likely be focussed on.

For defence, I think Wolanin is close to a lock. Decent bottom 4 d-man. Nothing more, nothing less. I think Jaros and Brannstrom get really good looks. I see Hainsey being an outcast at some point. It will come down to whether or not DJ like having right and left shots on the same pairing or doesn’t care.