Objectively, there's little excuse for Melnyk's general conduct. However, in fairness I think he became a default lightning rod for the frustration of many around the trades that have happened over the past few years, under the assumption that they were exclusively the result of his perceived unwillingness to pay high-end salaries. And yet, just 1-2 years later it's clear that Karlsson is on the decline, Duchene has regressed, and Stone has essentially only kept pace. Given the major red flag of the entire 2017/18 season as evidence of the team's deterioration, is it maybe not time to give due credit to Dorion and his management team for being on the right side of some very hard decisions? Not only avoiding paying top-dollar long-term for depreciating assets to the tune of $29M/yr, but also now being flush with quality young players and draft picks with which to effectively rebuild the franchise.

Once you acknowledge that these may have actually been relatively good decisions with positive outcomes, you have to question the extent to which Melnyk was wrong to not just blindly offer up blank cheques to their top players. He's clearly a pr1ck, but the team is actually in a pretty enviable situation right now, at least in the context of a rebuilding franchise. If they can effectively weaponize their massive amount of open cap space, they may have just written the new play book on how to "180" a declining franchise in 3-4 years.
- khawk

A+

The Sens Foundation is probably one of the worst charitable organizations in North America! They keep 54% of the donations for themselves and only dole our 46%! Terrible! The Salvation Army keep zero for themselves and 100% to charity!

The Sens Foundation is probably one of the worst charitable organizations in North America! They keep 54% of the donations for themselves and only dole our 46%! Terrible! The Salvation Army keep zero for themselves and 100% to charity!
- Barrykerr1

They pay rent to Melnyk. What would you expect?

Objectively, there's little excuse for Melnyk's general conduct. However, in fairness I think he became a default lightning rod for the frustration of many around the trades that have happened over the past few years, under the assumption that they were exclusively the result of his perceived unwillingness to pay high-end salaries. And yet, just 1-2 years later it's clear that Karlsson is on the decline, Duchene has regressed, and Stone has essentially only kept pace. Given the major red flag of the entire 2017/18 season as evidence of the team's deterioration, is it maybe not time to give due credit to Dorion and his management team for being on the right side of some very hard decisions? Not only avoiding paying top-dollar long-term for depreciating assets to the tune of $29M/yr, but also now being flush with quality young players and draft picks with which to effectively rebuild the franchise.

Once you acknowledge that these may have actually been relatively good decisions with positive outcomes, you have to question the extent to which Melnyk was wrong to not just blindly offer up blank cheques to their top players. He's clearly a pr1ck, but the team is actually in a pretty enviable situation right now, at least in the context of a rebuilding franchise. If they can effectively weaponize their massive amount of open cap space, they may have just written the new play book on how to "180" a declining franchise in 3-4 years.
- khawk

1. I understand what you're saying about fans (and others) hitting the "blame Melnyk" button. It's too easy and though he could have made better decisions, not ALL the problems are his. That said #melnykout

2. I agree Karlsson, Duchene did not deserve those contracts. That said, if Karlsson wins a norris in 2 years or Stone goes on to become a 1000 point player, are we hearing the same thing? I think Melynk is "stingy" at best and the past 7-10 years this team has done nothing except make playoffs without making the finals. The 2017 run was amazing but that NEVER happens if 65 & 61 are not here

3. This team HAS had good picks but results speak the loudest. We aren't interested in sound bites and 'potential' - at least we shouldn't be. When Stan Bowman went up to draft kirby dach, the first thing he said to a reporter who asked why they selected him over Turcotte, Cozens or other prospects, he went right to his desire to play in big time situations and prove himself in playoff situations.

Dorion talks about the late 1990s and early 2000s Sens - I frankly don't care anymore about President Trophies and having an amazing PP, PK, best line in hockey. Yeah all of that is great and I'm sure we want that stuff too but the main thing is competing in the playoffs and bringing enough players together to do that - sometimes that means not being overly concerned about getting the 'best bang for your buck'

1. I understand what you're saying about fans (and others) hitting the "blame Melnyk" button. It's too easy and though he could have made better decisions, not ALL the problems are his. That said #melnykout

2. I agree Karlsson, Duchene did not deserve those contracts. That said, if Karlsson wins a norris in 2 years or Stone goes on to become a 1000 point player, are we hearing the same thing? I think Melynk is "stingy" at best and the past 7-10 years this team has done nothing except make playoffs without making the finals. The 2017 run was amazing but that NEVER happens if 65 & 61 are not here

3. This team HAS had good picks but results speak the loudest. We aren't interested in sound bites and 'potential' - at least we shouldn't be. When Stan Bowman went up to draft kirby dach, the first thing he said to a reporter who asked why they selected him over Turcotte, Cozens or other prospects, he went right to his desire to play in big time situations and prove himself in playoff situations.

Dorion talks about the late 1990s and early 2000s Sens - I frankly don't care anymore about President Trophies and having an amazing PP, PK, best line in hockey. Yeah all of that is great and I'm sure we want that stuff too but the main thing is competing in the playoffs and bringing enough players together to do that - sometimes that means not being overly concerned about getting the 'best bang for your buck'
- AlfieisKing

Does anybody doubt that Tom Brady has a winning gene that enables him to elevate his game when it really matters? He is able to inspire, drive or lead his teammates to greater competitive results.

If a kid is a hockey phenom producing outstanding personal results, yet, he never wins championships, be very careful (Jason Spezza). Crosby is a great player but an even greater leader. He demands that his team mates leave everything on the ice, every game.

I think we see that same competitive fire in Lafreniere. When it mattered in the gold medal game, he took over the game. I think Rossi has the same kind of fire and Stutzle appears to play with that similar burning desire.

Ovechkin has always been a great player. But, it is only in the last few years where he has learned how to step up and will his team to victory.

London Knights have produced some great talent, kids with high end skills. More important, the Hunter brothers teach them that winning matters above all else.

The Sens Foundation is probably one of the worst charitable organizations in North America! They keep 54% of the donations for themselves and only dole our 46%! Terrible! The Salvation Army keep zero for themselves and 100% to charity!
- Barrykerr1

It is unacceptable that any charity use more than 20% of donations for operating expenses.

Chabot was signed for 8 years and Tkachuk is likely getting the same treatment too.Besides Stone...i would not resigned Duchene,Dzingel and Karlsson to the contracts they got.

Melnyk was quiet for over a year so what about taking a break for the redundent crap about Melnyk and embrace the rebuild instead?

Does anybody doubt that Tom Brady has a winning gene that enables him to elevate his game when it really matters? He is able to inspire, drive or lead his teammates to greater competitive results.

If a kid is a hockey phenom producing outstanding personal results, yet, he never wins championships, be very careful (Jason Spezza). Crosby is a great player but an even greater leader. He demands that his team mates leave everything on the ice, every game.

I think we see that same competitive fire in Lafreniere. When it mattered in the gold medal game, he took over the game. I think Rossi has the same kind of fire and Stutzle appears to play with that similar burning desire.

Ovechkin has always been a great player. But, it is only in the last few years where he has learned how to step up and will his team to victory.

London Knights have produced some great talent, kids with high end skills. More important, the Hunter brothers teach them that winning matters above all else.
- spatso

Great points. For some reason I never been 100% sold on Lafreniere and Rossi having that fire - I do see it in Stutzle. I also think that Raymond and Holtz will have that 2-way competitiveness.

Spezza is a great example of an offensive superstar that never developed ALL other parts of his game. He was superb at faceoffs but his edge work, defensive impact, and small parts of the game that other players were able to master (crosby, toews, even guys like carter, richards)

I don't know about the London Knights comment, not that I disagree, I just don't know them well enough. They've developed a lot of players for sure - Marner, M. Tkachuk...... I don't know what happened with Olli Juolevi.

Formenton and Gruden have gone through that program