It's a fair bit more than just over-thought. Not to mention that I just realized the Kings used the pick they had at #60 right before Sokolov to trade for Lias Andersson? Is that not PRECISELY the kind of deal Dorion should have been making with those 2nd round picks, instead of wasting them on long-shots and overage players?
- khawk

Lias Andersson is a pretty big long shot at this point........obviously there's a chance he turns it around, but he has BUST written all over him. there's a reason he went from 7th overall in '17 to only being worth a late 2nd now

he was mediocre in the AHL and invisible in the NHL.......seems like a player who's good on the big ice, but completely incapable of adapting to the North American style and ice

In fairness to Dorion, Wallinder was off the board at #31, and Grans went shortly after Jarventie. I've also been repeatedly assured that Brannstrom prefers playing the RHD position even though he shoots L, which could make a natural fit alongside Kleven down the road.
- khawk

good point

Sens still need help on the RW and need Logan Brown or Colin White to emerge as a true #1C - or it will always be a weakness

Ya. I don't mind the pick. I'm less of a fan of the Klevan pick (considering the trade for the pick) after reviewing the 2nd round. Would have been nice to take a chance on a centre. Just further disappoints me they didn't use one the 2nd rounders to move up to grab Lapierre or another 1st rounder.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

yup or wing

good point

Sens still need help on the RW and need Logan Brown or Colin White to emerge as a true #1C - or it will always be a weakness
- AlfieisKing

Colin White is never going to be a #1 center....he's an okay #2 at best, more likely a #3. Norris has a much better chance of being the #1 guy....and Brown, like you said

i disagree, i would say that 80-90% of fans have been ecstatic the last couple of days with the way things have gone.

a few negative nancy's on here, but on Twitter it's been so overwhelmingly postive.....it's refreshing.

you guys are nitpicking picks in rounds where there's less than a 5% chance the players will ever see an NHL game. Ottawa did well with the picks that really mattered, they acquired a #1 goalie for very little, released a kick ass new set of jersey's.......like (frank) people, take a win every now and then.
- sensarmy_11

Hey man, glad you’re optimistic. Dorion will need fans like you to convince that freakin Leevi Merilainen was a “steal”.

Almost all the players we drafted have AHL or Fringe NHLer next to them based on the way they play. This is supposed to be a highly skilled draft, and we got guys with “intangibles”.

Also, even if there’s a low % (5% isn’t even close to the success rate the 2nd round yields) of getting a player who’ll contribute to your team, try to aim for the guys with the highest upside.

Freakin....Leevi Merilainen

I think the Sens have had an exceptional draft.

They drafted an elite, high skill forward who is the top ranked Europen in this draft.

They drafted a high skilled physical defenseman who is the top ranked American in this draft.

They drafted a character player with their 3rd first round pick. He has a strong offensive game. But, he has an even better defensive game. There is a strong consensus he will play in the NHL. Dorion suggested that he might play this year.

They drafted a power forward that can shoot and score. He has great size and is the 2nd ranked Finn in this draft.

They took a physical, hard nosed stay at home defenseman who plays a a huge game in his own end.

They took a 6" 4" 235 pound over-ager who does not skate well and is not in great physical shape. But he is an elite scorer with magnificent hands. You can get a kid in good condition and you can improve on their skating. But you cannot teach goal scoring instinct and soft hands. This is a project. But it can produce a spectacular outcome.

And, they took a Finnish goalie that nobody has heard of.

So, why did they not take the best offensive player available with each and every pick? Maybe they are trying to build a team to win a Cup.

It seems to me that some the guys who are whining about the Sens drafting defensive and physical players are the same guys who whined when Dorion chose Brady Tkachuk.

Some guys just need to relax and look at the overall result rather than obsessing on the particular of each individual selection.

I love what Dorion has done, last night and today.

you guys are nitpicking picks in rounds where there's less than a 5% chance the players will ever see an NHL game. Ottawa did well with the picks that really mattered, they acquired a #1 goalie for very little, released a kick ass new set of jersey's.......like (frank) people, take a win every now and then.
- sensarmy_11

I'm sorry... making decent picks when you have the #3/5 picks in a strong draft is hardly an achievement. The jerseys were old news several months ago, Murray is a questionable addition given the glut of UFA goalies out there, and the five picks they've made from #28 onwards have been questionable at best. Greig/Kleven will be decent sandpaper guys, but the rest are pretty much horse$hit.

It's like a Christmas morning, where you have the tree, some carols, nice presents, a good meal, and then three firm kicks to the groin. It's still a Merry Christmas, I guess... but did we really have to have those kicks in the balls? I'd prefer to think we don't.

I think the Sens have had an exceptional draft.

They drafted an elite, high skill forward who is the top ranked Europen in this draft.

They drafted a high skilled physical defenseman who is the top ranked American in this draft.

They drafted a character player with their 3rd first round pick. He has a strong offensive game. But, he has an even better defensive game. There is a strong consensus he will play in the NHL. Dorion suggested that he might play this year.

They drafted a power forward that can shoot and score. He has great size and is the 2nd ranked Finn in this draft.

They took a physical, hard nosed stay at home defenseman who plays a a huge game in his own end.

They took a 6" 4" 235 pound over-ager who does not skate well and is not in great physical shape. But he is an elite scorer with magnificent hands. You can get a kid in good condition and you can improve on their skating. But you cannot teach goal scoring instinct and soft hands. This is a project. But it can produce a spectacular outcome.

And, they took a Finnish goalie that nobody has heard of.

So, why did they not take the best offensive player available with each and every pick? Maybe they are trying to build a team to win a Cup.

It seems to me that some the guys who are whining about the Sens drafting defensive and physical players are the same guys who whined when Dorion chose Brady Tkachuk.

Some guys just need to relax and look at the overall result rather than obsessing on the particular of each individual selection.

I love what Dorion has done, last night and today.
- spatso

Sums it up good, add the Murray addition,we can see a plan unfolding right before our eyes. Next season will still be a work in progress . However It does finally feel like the future is within the fans grasps.....its been a long road getting here. Go Sens.

Hey man, glad you’re optimistic. Dorion will need fans like you to convince that freakin Leevi Merilainen was a “steal”.

Almost all the players we drafted have AHL or Fringe NHLer next to them based on the way they play. This is supposed to be a highly skilled draft, and we got guys with “intangibles”.

Also, even if there’s a low % (5% isn’t even close to the success rate the 2nd round yields) of getting a player who’ll contribute to your team, try to aim for the guys with the highest upside.

Freakin....Leevi Merilainen
- Trilla

This is a fundamentally wrong assumption on your part.

In doing basic risk reward assessment, you need to look at what is the high end potential result and what is the probability of achieving that result.

So, for example, you probably say Stutzle has a potential hockey value as an elite forward in the range of 8.5 out of 10 (McDavid). And because of his skating, hands and overall skill most scouts put him in the 8 out 10 range of meeting or surpassing expectations.

Sanderson score as a two way defenseman is also in the range of 8.5 out of 10 (Seth Jones) and he would also be an 8 in terms of achieving or surpassing expectations

Greig might be a 6 on the McDavid scale but he is likely ia 9 in terms of meeting or surpassing expectations. Dorion believes Greig was a great pick and he has a shot at making the team this year. But he sees him as a third line player.

Some of you would rather see Dorion pick the person with the highest upside potential regardless of risk.

I think the Sens have had an exceptional draft.

They drafted an elite, high skill forward who is the top ranked Europen in this draft.

They drafted a high skilled physical defenseman who is the top ranked American in this draft.

They drafted a character player with their 3rd first round pick. He has a strong offensive game. But, he has an even better defensive game. There is a strong consensus he will play in the NHL. Dorion suggested that he might play this year.

They drafted a power forward that can shoot and score. He has great size and is the 2nd ranked Finn in this draft.

They took a physical, hard nosed stay at home defenseman who plays a a huge game in his own end.

They took a 6" 4" 235 pound over-ager who does not skate well and is not in great physical shape. But he is an elite scorer with magnificent hands. You can get a kid in good condition and you can improve on their skating. But you cannot teach goal scoring instinct and soft hands. This is a project. But it can produce a spectacular outcome.

And, they took a Finnish goalie that nobody has heard of.

So, why did they not take the best offensive player available with each and every pick? Maybe they are trying to build a team to win a Cup.

It seems to me that some the guys who are whining about the Sens drafting defensive and physical players are the same guys who whined when Dorion chose Brady Tkachuk.

Some guys just need to relax and look at the overall result rather than obsessing on the particular of each individual selection.

I love what Dorion has done, last night and today.
- spatso

Come on, I like Jarventie, but he was not the 2nd best Fin.

I'm sorry... making decent picks when you have the #3/5 picks in a strong draft is hardly an achievement. The jerseys were old news several months ago, Murray is a questionable addition given the glut of UFA goalies out there, and the five picks they've made from #28 onwards have been questionable at best. Greig/Kleven will be decent sandpaper guys, but the rest are pretty much horse$hit.

It's like a Christmas morning, where you have the tree, some carols, nice presents, a good meal, and then three firm kicks to the groin. It's still a Merry Christmas, I guess... but did we really have to have those kicks in the balls? I'd prefer to think we don't.
- khawk

you're calling Stuetzle and Sanderson "decent picks".....pretty much tells me this conversation is pointless.

there's obviously no pleasing you, so by all means feel angry that the team draft "random prospect that you know nothing about" instead of other "random prospect you know nothing about".

Come on, I like Jarventie, but he was not the 2nd best Fin.
- Trilla

Stutzle was to the top European taken. Sanderson was the top American and Jarventie was the 2nd Finn taken unless somebody else snuck into the draft that I missed..

Come on, I like Jarventie, but he was not the 2nd best Fin.
- Trilla

he was the 3rd best Fin forward according to central scouting....lundel and hirvonen (spelling) ranked higher....plus 2 dmen

Stutzle is the only bright spot in what has been a disappointing draft.

That Sanderson pick has really made me bitter.

The good news is there’s still moves to be made. Sens still have a crap load of cap space. Hopefully we could see a move where everyone is happy.
- Trilla

I like Sanderson, but the fact that we could have had Drysdale or Rossi is nuts.

Overall, I'm quite happy with the picks that the Senators have made. The defense is now much stronger with the addition of a potential top 2 defenceman in Sanderson and is solid down the middle with Steutzle. The team now has very solid depth at all positions with the exception of right wing.

I am also happy with the Matt Murray trade as we solidify the goaltending position. The move allows the team to be semi-competitive in most games immediately and young players can develop without worrying that every mistake ends up in the back of the net.

Greig might be a 6 on the McDavid scale but he is likely ia 9 in terms of meeting or surpassing expectations. Dorion believes Greig was a great pick and he has a shot at making the team this year. But he sees him as a third line player.

Some of you would rather see Dorion pick the person with the highest upside potential regardless of risk.
- spatso

Potential vs. Probability is all well and fine, but the reality is that you have the highest probability of finding scoring-line quality players in the 1st round. Also, you haven't factored in that 3rd line players are relatively easily acquired, by either trade or free agency. So the relative benefit of that draft pick meeting their expectations is limited at best. Conversely, the affordable RFA years of scoring-line forwards or top-4 d-men is critical to determining a team's competitive window... which is even more true for small-market teams, under well documented financial constraints.

he was the 3rd best Fin forward according to central scouting....lundel and hirvonen (spelling) ranked higher....plus 2 dmen
- sensarmy_11

Dorion likes size and physicality. Even Stutzle has good size, likes to bang and is known to skate over top of other players. Sens fans need to recognize Dorion is looking to build a team that can go deep in the playoffs.

This is a fundamentally wrong assumption on your part.

In doing basic risk reward assessment, you need to look at what is the high end potential result and what is the probability of achieving that result.

So, for example, you probably say Stutzle has a potential hockey value as an elite forward in the range of 8.5 out of 10 (McDavid). And because of his skating, hands and overall skill most scouts put him in the 8 out 10 range of meeting or surpassing expectations.

Sanderson score as a two way defenseman is also in the range of 8.5 out of 10 (Seth Jones) and he would also be an 8 in terms of achieving or surpassing expectations

Greig might be a 6 on the McDavid scale but he is likely ia 9 in terms of meeting or surpassing expectations. Dorion believes Greig was a great pick and he has a shot at making the team this year. But he sees him as a third line player.

Some of you would rather see Dorion pick the person with the highest upside potential regardless of risk.
- spatso

This draft is offensively gifted.

Agree or Disagree?

If there were a draft to stock up on speed/skill and offense, this was it.

Now, look at the Sens selections. Outside of Stutzle and maaaaybe Jarventie..did they capitalize on finding players who could actually help them score goals?

The answer is no.

I hope these players somehow make a positive impact, but I can’t help but feel there was a missed opportunity.

I’m really hoping our Cap situation takes advantage of teams.

Potential vs. Probability is all well and fine, but the reality is that you have the highest probability of finding scoring-line quality players in the 1st round. Also, you haven't factored in that 3rd line players are relatively easily acquired, by either trade or free agency. So the relative benefit of that draft pick meeting their expectations is limited at best. Conversely, the affordable RFA years of scoring-line forwards or top-4 d-men is critical to determining a team's competitive window... which is even more true for small-market teams, under well documented financial constraints.
- khawk

Yes.

And, I have no doubt if you put your mind to it you could argue my case better than I have presented it.

you're calling Stuetzle and Sanderson "decent picks".....pretty much tells me this conversation is pointless.
- sensarmy_11

Okay, so you're saying there was some kind of genius involved with picking Stutzle? He was quite literally "the guy the Kings didn't take", and could just as easily have been Byfield. Would Dorion still have been smart then? Or still just doing what the other guy didn't? And then at #5, literally any of Sanderson, Rossi, Drysdale, Perfetti, Holtz, or even Askarov would have been at least reasonably fine. Personally, I wouldn't have taken Sanderson, but the question is what were the chances they were going to completely mess that up? The real success story was getting the #3/5 picks in the first place... the quality of players they were going to get was pretty much assured. So no, failing to $hit the bed at the 11th hour isn't really that impressive to me, even if you seem to find it so magical.

This draft is offensively gifted.

Agree or Disagree?

If there were a draft to stock up on speed/skill and offense, this was it.

Now, look at the Sens selections. Outside of Stutzle and maaaaybe Jarventie..did they capitalize on finding players who could actually help them score goals?

The answer is no.

I hope these players somehow make a positive impact, but I can’t help but feel there was a missed opportunity.

I’m really hoping our Cap situation takes advantage of teams.


- Trilla

So, how good were Jones and Werenski in the first round against the Leafs?

Sens had Sanderson #4 on their BPA board.

Had Stutzle at #2.

I hated the Sens taking Tkachuk at #4. I was indifferent to Chabot at #18.

I really don't fully understand why Dorion keeps building up his defensive reserves.

But I understand asset management. An asset is an asset is an asset. And all assets are negotiable. Especially young talented Dmen who are prospects or are playing on entry level contracts.

Okay, so you're saying there was some kind of genius involved with picking Stutzle? He was quite literally "the guy the Kings didn't take", and could just as easily have been Byfield. Would Dorion still have been smart then? Or still just doing what the other guy didn't? And then at #5, literally any of Sanderson, Rossi, Drysdale, Perfetti, Holtz, or even Askarov would have been at least reasonably fine. Personally, I wouldn't have taken Sanderson, but the question is what were the chances they were going to completely mess that up? The real success story was getting the #3/5 picks in the first place... the quality of players they were going to get was pretty much assured. So no, failing to $hit the bed at the 11th hour isn't really that impressive to me, even if you seem to find it so magical.
- khawk

i thought you were implying that the players themselves were only decent (which is how it read). as to his other picks

- got the 21st rated player at 28, i'm okay with that
- took a chance on a highly skilled offensive player at 33, i'm okay with that
- took another highly skilled overager, who led the Q in goals....another gamble on an offensively gifted player, i'm okay with that.
- the dman in teh 2nd rd......maybe that's a bad pick, but any player taken there is probably 2-3 years MINIMUM from sniffing the NHL....so who the hell knows.

he got a legit, young #1 goalie with our other 2nd.

anything beyond round 2 is a complete crapshoot, so who cares


obviously you're a negative person who can't take a win, even when it's staring you right in the face, and every expert and analyst has said that ottawa had a better 2 days than any other team.

So, how good were Jones and Werenski in the first round against the Leafs?

Sens had Sanderson #4 on their BPA board.

Had Stutzle at #2.
- spatso

Sanderson wasnt even an off the board pick. A lot of people had him that high.

This draft is offensively gifted.

Agree or Disagree?

If there were a draft to stock up on speed/skill and offense, this was it.

Now, look at the Sens selections. Outside of Stutzle and maaaaybe Jarventie..did they capitalize on finding players who could actually help them score goals?

The answer is no.

I hope these players somehow make a positive impact, but I can’t help but feel there was a missed opportunity.

I’m really hoping our Cap situation takes advantage of teams.


- Trilla

If the sens use their cap situation, it will be to get players on ltir, or with front loaded contracts, minimizing the return.