Perhaps the better question is; why are you the only one who doesn't like him? I'd much rather have my boy DeMelo next to Chabot than Zaitsev.
- PavohnDatsvares

Right, except they've already locked in on Zaitsev as a RHD for the next 4 years, which isn't a contract they can just shed easily. Given that, how are you going to effectively develop the likes of Bernard-Docker, Jaros, and Thomson as RHD if you also lock up DeMelo for the next 3-4 years? At some point you have to make room for these prospects, and in this case it happened to cost them DeMelo for a 3rd-2021. Most people would have jumped at that return when the Karlsson trade was made, and you can rest assured that DeMelo was never going to be the king-maker in the team's Stanley Cup aspirations.

Honestly, the future of the blue line is 100% about players like Chabot, Brannstrom, Thomson, and Bernard-Docker... plus anyone they pick up in the first/second rounds in the coming draft. Anything else is just noise.

Right, except they've already locked in on Zaitsev as a RHD for the next 4 years, which isn't a contract they can just shed easily. Given that, how are you going to effectively develop the likes of Bernard-Docker, Jaros, and Thomson as RHD if you also lock up DeMelo for the next 3-4 years? At some point you have to make room for these prospects, and in this case it happened to cost them DeMelo for a 3rd-2021. Most people would have jumped at that return when the Karlsson trade was made, and you can rest assured that DeMelo was never going to be the king-maker in the team's Stanley Cup aspirations.

Honestly, the future of the blue line is 100% about players like Chabot, Brannstrom, Thomson, and Bernard-Docker... plus anyone they pick up in the first/second rounds in the coming draft. Anything else is just noise.
- khawk

I never said sign DeMelo for 3-4 years. All I said was I would rather have him than Zaitsev. If we could have extended DeMelo for a year or two, that would have been great IMO. Neither JBD nor Thomson will be in the NHL next year. MAYBE Jacob could crack the roster the following year.

But at the end of the day, I don't really care. I hope we suck at least one more year for another top three pick in 2021.

I never said sign DeMelo for 3-4 years. All I said was I would rather have him than Zaitsev. If we could have extended DeMelo for a year or two, that would have been great IMO. Neither JBD nor Thomson will be in the NHL next year. MAYBE Jacob could crack the roster the following year.

But at the end of the day, I don't really care. I hope we suck at least one more year for another top three pick in 2021.
- PavohnDatsvares

Not so sure about JBD. He may not have any place to play and some of the kids are going to need roster spots. Cannot let some of these top kids lose an entire year of development.

I wonder if NHL might allow for an expanded practice roster giving each team the opportunity to carry extra players to make up for the lack of develpment placements.

I never said sign DeMelo for 3-4 years. All I said was I would rather have him than Zaitsev. If we could have extended DeMelo for a year or two, that would have been great IMO. Neither JBD nor Thomson will be in the NHL next year. MAYBE Jacob could crack the roster the following year.

But at the end of the day, I don't really care. I hope we suck at least one more year for another top three pick in 2021.
- PavohnDatsvares

Demelo don t want to sign for 1 - 2 years. He ask the same contract than Zaitsev, 4 - 5 years at 4.5 - 5 M

Demelo don t want to sign for 1 - 2 years. He ask the same contract than Zaitsev, 4 - 5 years at 4.5 - 5 M
- Crosside

You should reread my post where I CLEARLY said if we COULD have, I'd have loved to extend him a year or two. This is a hypothetical conversation. In the real world, I have long since moved on from Dylan DeMelo. Would I rather have him than Zaitsev? Absolutely. But that's not the reality of the team.

Before the lottery draw, my preferred outcome for the Sens would have been.

A. Lafreniere and Rossi

B. Byfield and Rossi

C. Stutzel and Rossi

D. Rossi and Perfetti

E. Perfetti and Drysdale

I undervalued Stutzel as I just did not have enough looks at his game. I probably have overvalued Rossi because I have followed his game most closely.

Very confident that B or C will be on the table come draft day. Next year is going to be a fun season for Sens fans.
- spatso

I'm sorry man but not having Stutzle is a shock. I'm not a hockey scout but this guy talks about winning cupS. Not 1. He is a gamer and a guy that wons to excel at the highest live. Skills and tools are 1 thing but that internal compete and mind set to me are much more valuable.

Rossi has that but his height and size concern me big time

You should reread my post where I CLEARLY said if we COULD have, I'd have loved to extend him a year or two. This is a hypothetical conversation. In the real world, I have long since moved on from Dylan DeMelo. Would I rather have him than Zaitsev? Absolutely. But that's not the reality of the team.
- PavohnDatsvares

Sorry for that. I have understand your post. Me too and probably Dorion too want him 1-2 years but I quoted your post because your the last one talk about that.

I'm sorry man but not having Stutzle is a shock. I'm not a hockey scout but this guy talks about winning cupS. Not 1. He is a gamer and a guy that wons to excel at the highest live. Skills and tools are 1 thing but that internal compete and mind set to me are much more valuable.

Rossi has that but his height and size concern me big time
- AlfieisKing

6 months ago had we found out wed be getting byfield and a top 5 pick wed be dancing.

Kind of funny how fast stutzle shot up the ranks (which are still far from a stutzle 2 consensus.)