I don't want Hoffman back....that bridge is burnt (both ways), and the guy is just not who you want in a locker room full of young impressionable kids IMO.....that being said, he's a much more complete player than Duclair, at all ends of the ice.
- sensarmy_11

Agree 100% - Hoffman>>Duclair, but if you've just worked to change the team's culture the last thing you want is to bring back someone who was front-and-centre in the bulll$hit. Hard pass.

back in plenty of time for training camp and world Jr's
- sensarmy_11

Read he bumped into another player fk hope this kid isn’t soft like a soup sandwich 🤦‍♂️😂

I don't want Hoffman back....that bridge is burnt (both ways), and the guy is just not who you want in a locker room full of young impressionable kids IMO.....that being said, he's a much more complete player than Duclair, at all ends of the ice.
- sensarmy_11

That's fair, I always liked Hoffman. Personally, who knows what went down but I think it was more to do with Karlsson and their GF's/Wives. But that's a whole other discussion I don't think anyone wants to get into again.

My point was more a fast skating forward who can score.

In this case, we just let one walk for nothing in Duclair. He would have been had fairly cheap and he's proven that he can skate, he's crazy fast and has one of the most positive attitudes on the team.

They let a good citizen walk and trade for a wife beater.
- BluemanGuruu

Yup. It's sad that they buy out the Masterton winner, and bring this pathetic display in. Real kick to the teams morale for sure.

Stuetzle to have surgery, ouch what’s next for the Sens?

Did it ever occur to you that Dorion/Smith may have actually had agreement on something like a 3-yr development plan? Year 1 being about developing a culture of work ethic, playing mostly veteran forwards in scoring roles, and emphasizing asset management. Year 2 being about starting to let the young players take over scoring roles, insulating them with veteran two-way/physical support and more stable goaltending, and stripping down the salary cap to allow maximum flexibility. Then Year 3 being about bringing in key young players to the blue line (e.g. Sanderson/JBD), maybe adding a more prominent veteran or two, and starting to be more focused on on-ice results.

Even if the plan was never that explicit, the chances that Smith is on the hot seat right now is virtually nil. He has to work with a roller coaster of a roster, try to turn around the locker room culture of the entire franchise, and ensure their young players are given a chance to develop properly. And by all accounts he's actually done quite a good job of managing that balance.
- khawk

Exactly my take but you're not going to get there playing beer league hockey and working hard. Kids are not going to figure everything out themselves.

While I think Dorion had the freedom to move picks since he had so many, I am a little confused of the manner he has used them.

Used a 2nd to get Murray. Used a 2nd to move up to take Klaven in round 2. Used a 4th to get Gudbransson. Used a 4th to get Watson.

In theory, I don't mind any of the moves, but I am curious as to why you would trade quite a few picks while you are in a rebuild in a matter of days for pretty replaceable players.

None of these were absolute necessities.

Murray - Could have signed a goalie on the market for free
Klaven- Good chance he dropped to a later pick you already had.
Gudbransson- Maybe able to recoup the pick at the deadline but could have signed a player of similar value on the market for free
Watson - Most puzzling. How many bigger 4th line players are there available via free agency each year? And why would you want to have a 4th line players locked in for 3 years?

While I don't think these move handcuff the Sens at all, it is just puzzling that having an abundance of picks were not better utilized, so far.

Always seems to be one step forward, one step backwards, then sideways, etc.

Also, not to my surprise, not any moves to bring in a guy with a high cap hit / low cash contract for an asset from cap crunched teams.

While I think Dorion had the freedom to move picks since he had so many, I am a little confused of the manner he has used them.

Used a 2nd to get Murray. Used a 2nd to move up to take Klaven in round 2. Used a 4th to get Gudbransson. Used a 4th to get Watson.

In theory, I don't mind any of the moves, but I am curious as to why you would trade quite a few picks while you are in a rebuild in a matter of days for pretty replaceable players.

None of these were absolute necessities.

Murray - Could have signed a goalie on the market for free
Klaven- Good chance he dropped to a later pick you already had.
Gudbransson- Maybe able to recoup the pick at the deadline but could have signed a player of similar value on the market for free
Watson - Most puzzling. How many bigger 4th line players are there available via free agency each year? And why would you want to have a 4th line players locked in for 3 years?

While I don't think these move handcuff the Sens at all, it is just puzzling that having an abundance of picks were not better utilized, so far.

Always seems to be one step forward, one step backwards, then sideways, etc.

Also, not to my surprise, not any moves to bring in a guy with a high cap hit / low cash contract for an asset from cap crunched teams.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Murray - I don't think there was a FA goalie who fit as well into what Ottawa was building, and their time line, as Murray did. He's the right age, he's shown great success (despite one down year).

Klaven - who knows if he would have been available or not, when we get down into those picks, where not nearly as much is known about the picks by the average fan, I have to trust the scouts when they take their guy

Gudbrandson - 100% a short term cap move that helps them get to the floor without spending the equivalent amount of $$

Watson - I agree this is the most puzzling one. I don't hate the move as it provides some size and toughness......and unlike Sabourin, this guy can actually take a regular shift and contribute a bit. like I said, I don't hate it, but it's not a move I would have made. that being said, looking back at his career, the kid definitely has potential....he's 2 seasons removed from a 15 goal 125 pim season, and had multiple 20 goal seasons in the AHL, so he's more than a 5 min per game plug enforcer..........maybe now that he seems to be sorting his personal life out, maybe he starts getting better......who knows, trying to be positive.

Murray - I don't think there was a FA goalie who fit as well into what Ottawa was building, and their time line, as Murray did. He's the right age, he's shown great success (despite one down year).

Klaven - who knows if he would have been available or not, when we get down into those picks, where not nearly as much is known about the picks by the average fan, I have to trust the scouts when they take their guy

Gudbrandson - 100% a short term cap move that helps them get to the floor without spending the equivalent amount of $$

Watson - I agree this is the most puzzling one. I don't hate the move as it provides some size and toughness......and unlike Sabourin, this guy can actually take a regular shift and contribute a bit. like I said, I don't hate it, but it's not a move I would have made. that being said, looking back at his career, the kid definitely has potential....he's 2 seasons removed from a 15 goal 125 pim season, and had multiple 20 goal seasons in the AHL, so he's more than a 5 min per game plug enforcer..........maybe now that he seems to be sorting his personal life out, maybe he starts getting better......who knows, trying to be positive.
- sensarmy_11

I can support the Murray and Gudbransson moves for the reasons you mention. It seems silly to dwell on picks but for an organization that has actually drafted well in late rounds of the draft, it's surprising so many were cast away that really didn't need to be and I know they still have a good amount of picks left.

I guess I'll have to watch Watson play. I am not sure a forth line grinder is entirely needed but he could add more regular toughness, not that they really need that, but I get the incentive to add protection for younger players.

I can support the Murray and Gudbransson moves for the reasons you mention. It seems silly to dwell on picks but for an organization that has actually drafted well in late rounds of the draft, it's surprising so many were cast away that really didn't need to be and I know they still have a good amount of picks left.

I guess I'll have to watch Watson play. I am not sure a forth line grinder is entirely needed but he could add more regular toughness, not that they really need that, but I get the incentive to add protection for younger players.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I mean, even with Watson, they only have 7 NHL forwards right now (not counting guys they may call up)....they essentially needed to rebuild their entire bottom six......it can't all be rookie call-ups, I don't mind getting players like Watson who can be thrown out there to PK, block shots, etc...rather than asking the young skilled kids to do it. and, if he sucks, he's not expensive and can easily be buried in the minors. would I have preferred giving up a 6th instead of a 4th...sure, but down in those rounds, the odds of hitting on a 6th rounder are close to the same as hitting on a 4th anyways.

I mean, even with Watson, they only have 7 NHL forwards right now (not counting guys they may call up)....they essentially needed to rebuild their entire bottom six......it can't all be rookie call-ups, I don't mind getting players like Watson who can be thrown out there to PK, block shots, etc...rather than asking the young skilled kids to do it. and, if he sucks, he's not expensive and can easily be buried in the minors. would I have preferred giving up a 6th instead of a 4th...sure, but down in those rounds, the odds of hitting on a 6th rounder are close to the same as hitting on a 4th anyways.
- sensarmy_11

Like I get you gotta add bodies. To me, it's just the cost of a pick to get a guy like Watson, who honestly, is not unreplaceable. I feel they could have addressed that via free agency or hold out on Nashville longer to send a weaker asset.

Would be nice to see some Tyler Ennis type signings (not that style of player necessarily) that you can flip for picks later in the year.

Is what it is.

Its confirmed stutzle has a broken hand not arm. (frank)! I hope he doesnt have issues like bobby ryan did with his hand.

I guess I'll have to watch Watson play. I am not sure a forth line grinder is entirely needed but he could add more regular toughness, not that they really need that, but I get the incentive to add protection for younger players.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

There's also the fact that he's quite an effective PK player, and led the Predators in hits last year, despite only having 11:30min/GP of ice time. He's also apparently able to play both wing positions effectively, with enough ability to play up the line-up in a pinch. I'm not saying he's a great player by any stretch, but he seems quite useful, especially in the context of playing gritty minutes that might not play to the strengths of the younger skill players.

There's also the fact that he's quite an effective PK player, and led the Predators in hits last year, despite only having 11:30min/GP of ice time. He's also apparently able to play both wing positions effectively, with enough ability to play up the line-up in a pinch. I'm not saying he's a great player by any stretch, but he seems quite useful, especially in the context of playing gritty minutes that might not play to the strengths of the younger skill players.
- khawk

If he can provide solid bottom 6 minutes for 3 years, then no biggie.

I don't even care about the off ice issues. I was just surprised by the move given the contract length.

Dylan Strome. This is a 23 year old who has produced in the NHL is improving his skating and was a top three pick not too long ago. We need center depth. This is the type of player we should be trading for. We could even offer him a 4x4 and not be too much of a burden. One year of overlap with Anisimov and a potential top six center for the three years after.

He wouldn't even be that expensive in a trade.

Maybe two 2nds and a Balcers? This helps the Chicago rebuild immensely and gives us a skilled option up front. Even if we just qualify Strome he's still an RFA and under control. This team needs to make some moves to supplement the draft development and it makes too much sense not to explore.

Nice story about Gudbranson here, including how excited his family is to be returning to Ottawa, and him feeling like the COVID break has actually given him a chance to fully heal from surgeries.
https://ottawacitizen.com...c3-42dc-aef3-e0eca3f2d717

Interesting note as well about Gudbranson being close friends with Murray from their time in Pittsburgh, and that Murray played with his brother in the OHL. Dorion definitely has a strong interest in players with either family connections to the NHL, or existing connections among the players - either from past experience (e.g. Tkachuk-Norris), or manufactured by sending them all to the University of North Dakota (e.g. literally >50% of the team's major blue line prospects).

Dylan Strome. This is a 23 year old who has produced in the NHL is improving his skating and was a top three pick not too long ago. We need center depth. This is the type of player we should be trading for. We could even offer him a 4x4 and not be too much of a burden. One year of overlap with Anisimov and a potential top six center for the three years after.
- MarkStoned

I can't say that I agree... Dylan Strome strikes me as only marginally more appealing than Logan Brown in terms of style, and based on what I've seen neither really has #1C upside. Plus, there's absolutely no reason to believe it would only cost a pair of 2nds to get him, or that he would sign anything close to a $4Mx4yr contract. That said, if the trade was Strome for Brown+, that might be an interesting thought... but I don't think having both in the system would play out well.

The point about Anisimov is also interesting... does anyone else think there's a chance that he might actually get quite a bit more prominence in the coming season? Just in terms of asset management, I could see them giving Tierney/Anisimov a lot of ice time down the middle, to help support the offensive development of players like Tkachuk, Stutzle, and Batherson, while also kind of showcasing them for mid-season trades. Meanwhile, Norris/Brown might get more early season play on the 3rd/4th lines with PP time, followed by more prominent roles near the end of the season.

I can't say that I agree... Dylan Strome strikes me as only marginally more appealing than Logan Brown in terms of style, and based on what I've seen neither really has #1C upside. Plus, there's absolutely no reason to believe it would only cost a pair of 2nds to get him, or that he would sign anything close to a $4Mx4yr contract. That said, if the trade was Strome for Brown+, that might be an interesting thought... but I don't think having both in the system would play out well.

The point about Anisimov is also interesting... does anyone else think there's a chance that he might actually get quite a bit more prominence in the coming season? Just in terms of asset management, I could see them giving Tierney/Anisimov a lot of ice time down the middle, to help support the offensive development of players like Tkachuk, Stutzle, and Batherson, while also kind of showcasing them for mid-season trades. Meanwhile, Norris/Brown might get more early season play on the 3rd/4th lines with PP time, followed by more prominent roles near the end of the season.
- khawk

You're not happy with any of the Sens prospects at center but your willing to give Anisimov a more prominent role to support some of the better Ws. How is he going to do that because he's soft, he's selfish, he doesn't see the ice, he's a defensive liability and he doesn't care.

You're not happy with any of the Sens prospects at center but your willing to give Anisimov a more prominent role to support some of the better Ws. How is he going to do that because he's soft, he's selfish, he doesn't see the ice, he's a defensive liability and he doesn't care.
- granpa

I never said I was willing to do anything... I don't have to believe something to discuss it as a possibility. That said, if they're really trying to blend veteran players with young talent, they're going to have some of the young guys playing up and down the lineup, right to the 4th line. Plus, adding Watson wasn't meant to insulate Anisimov/Paul on the 4th line, it was meant to support a younger player, and quite possibly one of the young C. It's also been suggested that Stutzle will likely at least start in the NHL as a LW, and play behind Tkachuk. If true, that raises a lot of questions, because I'm not entirely sure who they would give #1/2 C ice time right now... especially if there's also a good chance of White moving over to help support the RW.

I never said I was willing to do anything... I don't have to believe something to discuss it as a possibility. That said, if they're really trying to blend veteran players with young talent, they're going to have some of the young guys playing up and down the lineup, right to the 4th line. Plus, adding Watson wasn't meant to insulate Anisimov/Paul on the 4th line, it was meant to support a younger player, and quite possibly one of the young C. It's also been suggested that Stutzle will likely at least start in the NHL as a LW, and play behind Tkachuk. If true, that raises a lot of questions, because I'm not entirely sure who they would give #1/2 C ice time right now... especially if there's also a good chance of White moving over to help support the RW.
- khawk

For me, if this happens, I don't really see him being an impact centre. Nothing wrong with that, but if he was set at centre, he'd be playing centre. I'd hate to see him shifted around in his first years in the NHL. Not great for development.

For me, if this happens, I don't really see him being an impact centre. Nothing wrong with that, but if he was set at centre, he'd be playing centre. I'd hate to see him shifted around in his first years in the NHL. Not great for development.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

He'll probably stay on LW. Could be another Patrick Kane.

Arbitration date for Sens players

October 22

Connor Brown

November 1

Nicholas Paul

November 7

Christian Jaros

November 8

Chris Tierney

Stuetzle to have surgery, ouch what’s next for the Sens?
- Tee56

Hand surgery isn’t the worst thing.

He’ll be back to 100.

For me, if this happens, I don't really see him being an impact centre. Nothing wrong with that, but if he was set at centre, he'd be playing centre. I'd hate to see him shifted around in his first years in the NHL. Not great for development.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Well, and this is where I get a bit irritated with the people who were talking about Stutzle as a "sure fire" #1C. A true centre plays the C position... and if you aren't, then your chances of being a legitimate #1C go down quite a bit. As you said, it doesn't make Stutzle a bad player, and it doesn't mean that he might not eventually play out as a #1C, but it brings me back to feeling that: a) Stutzle might actually be more suited to the LW in the NHL, and b) there was a missed opportunity to land a clear-cut #1C prospect in a draft where forward talent was abundant.

Anyone know if you can get traded while u file for arbitration?