Trevor Shackles: The Best-Case Scenario for 2019-20 What would the best-case scenario be this season?

*takes puff*
"Wow, that was some really good stuff!"
*exhales*

But seriously, yeah, that's a lot of 'best case scenarios' there. I'd be happy even if only half of those came true!

That is the wet dream of scenarios lol

you forgot to add that pick 2 in the draft ends up being the sharks pick, after karlsson misses 3/4 of the season with an injury and the team plummets in the standings.....and Ottawa ends up with Lafreniere and Byfield

colin white signed.......6 years at 4.75

a bit high for right now (although not by a whole lot) but that could be a HUGE bargain in a couple of years

colin white signed.......6 years at 4.75

a bit high for right now (although not by a whole lot) but that could be a HUGE bargain in a couple of years
- sensarmy_11

I don't get to say this often, but nicely done PD! I'm good with that term and $

I don't get to say this often, but nicely done PD! I'm good with that term and $
- Brandon

IMO, Dorion has had a pretty solid go since the trade deadline.

Melnyk has continued to say and do completely idiotic things, but I haven't hated any of the moves that Dorion has made....including a couple of decent 1 year veteran depth signings. normally he completely (frank)s the dog with UFA singings.

you forgot to add that pick 2 in the draft ends up being the sharks pick, after karlsson misses 3/4 of the season with an injury and the team plummets in the standings.....and Ottawa ends up with Lafreniere and Byfield
- sensarmy_11

I see I'm not the only one who's dreamt this scenario.

colin white signed.......6 years at 4.75

a bit high for right now (although not by a whole lot) but that could be a HUGE bargain in a couple of years
- sensarmy_11

Surprised he went for 6 at that price. Even if he middles out as a 2nd/3rd line C, that's where the money is going now. Keeping him basically until he's maxing his peak value at 28 (if things go right) is solid. Would have assumed he would try to 2-3 year bridge himself to hope for a strong season to get that 6-7 year 6mil+ deal everybody seems to be handed these days.

Surprised he went for 6 at that price. Even if he middles out as a 2nd/3rd line C, that's where the money is going now. Keeping him basically until he's maxing his peak value at 28 (if things go right) is solid. Would have assumed he would try to 2-3 year bridge himself to hope for a strong season to get that 6-7 year 6mil+ deal everybody seems to be handed these days.
- AdamFrench

unless he completely flops (which I find unlikely) there seems to be very little risk, but a huge potential for reward on this deal.

shocked White went for it......great signing by Dorion

This is sad

you forgot to add that pick 2 in the draft ends up being the sharks pick, after karlsson misses 3/4 of the season with an injury and the team plummets in the standings.....and Ottawa ends up with Lafreniere and Byfield
- sensarmy_11

if they got 1st OA (WHEN they get 1st OA) unless there is a significant drop off in talents, OTT should draft Byfield, a franchise C, over Lafreniere, a LW.

if they got 1st OA (WHEN they get 1st OA) unless there is a significant drop off in talents, OTT should draft Byfield, a franchise C, over Lafreniere, a LW.
- Athrin

i'll take Lafreniere over Byfield for sure......unless something changes between now and the draft and Byfield closes the gap between the them. at 1st overall, you have to take BPA and not draft for positional need

Weird blog.

I’m on the fence about White and the contract. He’s an ok player, but not sure he can be a top 2 centre everyday. Not sure the offensive ability is there. Could be a terrible contract if he doesn’t improve much or could be a great contract if he hits the ceiling projected back when he was drafted.

I would have went shorter term if I was either Dorion or White. Dorion to have White prove a little bit more than he has. White to get more money in a couple of years rather than waiting 6 if you actually are legit.

i'll take Lafreniere over Byfield for sure......unless something changes between now and the draft and Byfield closes the gap between the them. at 1st overall, you have to take BPA and not draft for positional need
- sensarmy_11

We need both positions.

Weird blog.

I’m on the fence about White and the contract. He’s an ok player, but not sure he can be a top 2 centre everyday. Not sure the offensive ability is there. Could be a terrible contract if he doesn’t improve much or could be a great contract if he hits the ceiling projected back when he was drafted.

I would have went shorter term if I was either Dorion or White. Dorion to have White prove a little bit more than he has. White to get more money in a couple of years rather than waiting 6 if you actually are legit.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

He had 15 goals and 40 pts in 70 games, as a rookie, playing mostly 3rd line. For reference, his pt totals were similar to Tkachuk, without the benefit of playing most of the year with Stone.

The offence will be there......he won’t be a 40 goal 80 pt guy, but I have little doubt he’ll be a good top 6 centre

He had 15 goals and 40 pts in 70 games, as a rookie, playing mostly 3rd line. For reference, his pt totals were similar to Tkachuk, without the benefit of playing most of the year with Stone.

The offence will be there......he won’t be a 40 goal 80 pt guy, but I have little doubt he’ll be a good top 6 centre
- sensarmy_11

Sorry. Forgot all our prospect are sure things.

I believe Stone, White, and Tkachuk were all one line at one point…

All I’m saying is that I am on the fence about the contact. Could go either way. He has talent, just not sure the offence is there to be a staple in the top 6 at this point in time. Maybe he gets there. Best thing about the contract is that is really doesn’t mean anything for the next 3-4 years. Hopefully by the time that is does matter for the cap, it’s a bargain and not a handcuff.

Sorry. Forgot all our prospect are sure things.

I believe Stone, White, and Tkachuk were all one line at one point…

All I’m saying is that I am on the fence about the contact. Could go either way. He has talent, just not sure the offence is there to be a staple in the top 6 at this point in time. Maybe he gets there. Best thing about the contract is that is really doesn’t mean anything for the next 3-4 years. Hopefully by the time that is does matter for the cap, it’s a bargain and not a handcuff.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

That’s why it’s a great contract, because he’s being paid like a 3rd liner, but has shown an ability to be a top six.

Even if all he ends up being is a 3rd line center, it’s a fair deal.

That’s why it’s a great contract, because he’s being paid like a 3rd liner, but has shown an ability to be a top six.

Even if all he ends up being is a 3rd line center, it’s a fair deal.
- sensarmy_11

It is a fair deal. What makes it great, is his attitude towards the deal.

It is a fair deal. What makes it great, is his attitude towards the deal.
- spazzbot

Agreed. There's a legitimate debate around the dollar value, but a key young player committing long-term to this team is a major statement... especially to those who claimed that the team wouldn't be able to retain their best young players, or that they'd never sign another long-term/8-digit contract until there was a new owner.

It's still going to be a car-crash of a season, but the silver linings are starting to look a bit clearer.

if they got 1st OA (WHEN they get 1st OA) unless there is a significant drop off in talents, OTT should draft Byfield, a franchise C, over Lafreniere, a LW.
- Athrin

I don't know. I want to watch more of Byfield before making that call. Right now, Lafrenniere seems to be the better player available.

Also, something about Byfields size makes me think his points may be a large part due to playing against such smaller competition, which wont happen in the NHL.

We've got a whole season to watch.

That’s why it’s a great contract, because he’s being paid like a 3rd liner, but has shown an ability to be a top six.

Even if all he ends up being is a 3rd line center, it’s a fair deal.
- sensarmy_11

He definitely has the chance to get his ice time and show he can be a top 2 centre. I am hopeful he can do well. His offensive play often left me wanting a bit more. I don't think I was the only one to raise an eyebrow about the length considering his resume and the team situation.

Maybe this is a sign of good things to come. This is the first long term contract signed in Ottawa since Bobby Ryan way back when Spezza was being named captain. Maybe a new core slowly developing to stay committed to Ottawa? Only Eugene can mess that up.

I don't know. I want to watch more of Byfield before making that call. Right now, Lafrenniere seems to be the better player available.

Also, something about Byfields size makes me think his points may be a large part due to playing against such smaller competition, which wont happen in the NHL.

We've got a whole season to watch.
- david22

I feel the same about Byfield. However, he does have some great hands and vision. Could be a unique breed. Lefrennier is in a league of his own right now but I think this draft might be similar to the Hall/Seguin year. Can't really go wrong with either.

He definitely has the chance to get his ice time and show he can be a top 2 centre. I am hopeful he can do well. His offensive play often left me wanting a bit more. I don't think I was the only one to raise an eyebrow about the length considering his resume and the team situation.

Maybe this is a sign of good things to come. This is the first long term contract signed in Ottawa since Bobby Ryan way back when Spezza was being named captain. Maybe a new core slowly developing to stay committed to Ottawa? Only Eugene can mess that up.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

This contract sort of reminds me of the Turris Contract.

That one worked out for Ottawa, hopefully this will too.

I like White's play, and I think he can develop into a decent 2nd line center. He'll have ample opportunity to do so this year, with a full season playing with Tkachuk hopefully.

Loved this best/worst case take Trevor - great posts.