On top of that, what happens if the US doesn't get their sh*t together and they can't even finish the season while the "Canadian division" gets through it all?
- sensfan1984

A Canadian team finally wins the cup?

Obviosly you didn't grow up in the 60's.
- Benny Blanco

I did grow up in the 60’s rooting for the Leafs in their glory days. Luckily I have seen the light and dumped them for the Senators. With only 6 teams you got to know all the players in the league. A Canadian division would be a great experience for fans north of the border. We will get possibly a once in a lifetime experience to see the western star players regularly and put a face to the name of all the Canadian team players.

I did grow up in the 60’s rooting for the Leafs in their glory days. Luckily I have seen the light and dumped them for the Senators. With only 6 teams you got to know all the players in the league. A Canadian division would be a great experience for fans north of the border. We will get possibly a once in a lifetime experience to see the western star players regularly and put a face to the name of all the Canadian team players.
- Barrykerr1

I grew up as a Leaf fan in Northern Ontario.

I thought about Pat Quinn when the word came out yesterday that the OHL would their season without body checking. Who is going to watch?

It would be like watching the current version of Leafs practicing their edges before the artistic scores are awarded. Did the Leafs take the body in any game against Columbus during the qualifying round?

People may have already seen this, but here's an interesting story about whether Norris or Brown deserve a shot next year at C...
https://www.silversevense...ogan-brown-or-josh-norris

I would generally agree that it's a make-or-break year for Brown... but he'll still have to fight for top-6 minutes against the likes of Tierney and White. That said, if he can't showcase more offensive upside at the NHL level than those 2 and make a case for at least a #2C role, then I'm not sure he'll be with the team much longer.
- khawk

I would generally agree with this. I think Norris has a 2 year leash, but Brown needs to really start to show what he can do at the NHL level ASAP. I get the fight for minutes, but if a player is good enough, they should be able to show it on a 3rd line and ultimately get rewarded with more minutes.

Just because White and Tierney have the big contracts, doesn't mean they can't be leaped over in the depth chart. This teams 1C position has never been as open for the taking as it will be next season.

I would generally agree with this. I think Norris has a 2 year leash, but Brown needs to really start to show what he can do at the NHL level ASAP. I get the fight for minutes, but if a player is good enough, they should be able to show it on a 3rd line and ultimately get rewarded with more minutes.

Just because White and Tierney have the big contracts, doesn't mean they can't be leaped over in the depth chart. This teams 1C position has never been as open for the taking as it will be next season.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I like tierny but his sole existence should be to elp transition Brown and perhaps Norris/Stuz into top 6 positions.

Ideally speaking, Brown should be ahead of him by seasons end.

I would generally agree with this. I think Norris has a 2 year leash, but Brown needs to really start to show what he can do at the NHL level ASAP. I get the fight for minutes, but if a player is good enough, they should be able to show it on a 3rd line and ultimately get rewarded with more minutes.

Just because White and Tierney have the big contracts, doesn't mean they can't be leaped over in the depth chart. This teams 1C position has never been as open for the taking as it will be next season.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

In the Brown situation we might be looking at a repeat of the Zibanejad trade. He's not a DJ type of player so I can see Dorion trade him. He did it for Boucher so why not for DJ.

I would generally agree with this. I think Norris has a 2 year leash, but Brown needs to really start to show what he can do at the NHL level ASAP. I get the fight for minutes, but if a player is good enough, they should be able to show it on a 3rd line and ultimately get rewarded with more minutes.

Just because White and Tierney have the big contracts, doesn't mean they can't be leaped over in the depth chart. This teams 1C position has never been as open for the taking as it will be next season.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

White/Tierney are necessary placeholders until someone actually proves they're better. I'd love to see Brown take the ball and run with it, but he's still going to have to work for that role. Some people may think he's entitled to the position because of his potential upside, but if you can't even out-perform White/Tierney for your ice time, you'll have literally no chance in an actual game against Point, Bergeron, Crosby, McDavid, Eichel, etc.

Quite frankly, I'd suggest that both he and Norris are coming into training camp behind Tierney, White, and Anisimov - in part, because I don't think Brown is anywhere near a good enough 2-way player to handle the 3rd line. As such, Brown really needs to focus on coming into training camp in the best shape of his life, and play from Day 1 with purpose - or else he may just miss the best window of opportunity he's likely to get.

In the Brown situation we might be looking at a repeat of the Zibanejad trade. He's not a DJ type of player so I can see Dorion trade him. He did it for Boucher so why not for DJ.
- granpa

Possible. Zib had done a lot more in the NHL by the time he was Brown's age though.

Most Sens fans still want to give Brown a fair shot in the NHL.

Possible. Zib had done a lot more in the NHL by the time he was Brown's age though.

Most Sens fans still want to give Brown a fair shot in the NHL.
- david22

The difference is Zib was given a chance to play in the NHL with good players. I'm sure Brown's numbers would be as good as Zib had he been given the same opportunity.

White/Tierney are necessary placeholders until someone actually proves they're better. I'd love to see Brown take the ball and run with it, but he's still going to have to work for that role. Some people may think he's entitled to the position because of his potential upside, but if you can't even out-perform White/Tierney for your ice time, you'll have literally no chance in an actual game against Point, Bergeron, Crosby, McDavid, Eichel, etc.

Quite frankly, I'd suggest that both he and Norris are coming into training camp behind Tierney, White, and Anisimov - in part, because I don't think Brown is anywhere near a good enough 2-way player to handle the 3rd line. As such, Brown really needs to focus on coming into training camp in the best shape of his life, and play from Day 1 with purpose - or else he may just miss the best window of opportunity he's likely to get.
- khawk

Good post. White and Tierney will get 1C time initially, probably. But is Brown or Norris shows they have the goods by playing isolated minutes, then the 1C spot will probably be theirs.

Personally, I don't think either have the stuff to be a true 1C. I see both their ceiling as a Kyle Turris level centre. Can be a 1 C on a team without another option and strong wingers, but would be 2C pretty much on every other team. Would love to be wrong.

In the Brown situation we might be looking at a repeat of the Zibanejad trade. He's not a DJ type of player so I can see Dorion trade him. He did it for Boucher so why not for DJ.
- granpa

How so?

281 games played and 151 points in Ottawa. Logan Brown hasn't amassed 30 NHL games or 10 NHL points.

I guess I get the narrative of trading a prospect before his peak. But for every Zibanejad, there is a Lazar, Cowen, Ceci, Greening, etc that you hang on for way too long hoping they break through only see their trade value plummet.

I hope L. Brown brings it this year. I loved the pick when they drafted him.

I want Logan Brown to succeed, but I get Cowen vibes off him. I hope I'm wrong.

I want Logan Brown to succeed, but I get Cowen vibes off him. I hope I'm wrong.
- PogBoi

Cowan, Ceci and Lazar were fast tracked and not ready for the NHL. I'm not saying that they would have been all-stars if they would have stayed in the minors for a couple of years but they would've been much better players and Greening was a 7th round draft choice.

I want Logan Brown to succeed, but I get Cowen vibes off him. I hope I'm wrong.
- PogBoi

agree

agree
- AlfieisKing

I hope Logan Brown can be more than a good AHL player. So far I am very disappointed, Dorion must be kicking himself for moving up in the draft to pick what looks to be a bust. Dorion doesn’t want to admit he made a mistake so he will go overboard to give Brown more chances to succeed over better prospects. Other GM’s do this as well.

On the positive side Dorion deserves credit for standing up to Brown’s bullying agent.

I hope Logan Brown can be more than a good AHL player. So far I am very disappointed, Dorion must be kicking himself for moving up in the draft to pick what looks to be a bust. Dorion doesn’t want to admit he made a mistake so he will go overboard to give Brown more chances to succeed over better prospects. Other GM’s do this as well.

On the positive side Dorion deserves credit for standing up to Brown’s bullying agent.
- Barrykerr1

What is the MINIMUM Logan Brown has to do for you this year to NOT be considered a bust? (that's an open question to everyone else)

What is the MINIMUM Logan Brown has to do for you this year to NOT be considered a bust? (that's an open question to everyone else)
- AlfieisKing

Bust is a strong word, but generally speaking.

Stay in the nhl all season

Stay healthy

40 ish points, or close to it while not looking out of place.

What is the MINIMUM Logan Brown has to do for you this year to NOT be considered a bust? (that's an open question to everyone else)
- AlfieisKing

He has to be a C. Brown clone. Paul and Batherson did it and it worked for them. He can also be a Tom Wilson clone because it works for Tkachuck. If he tries to impress with skill and creativity Smith will cut him.

He has to be a C. Brown clone. Paul and Batherson did it and it worked for them. He can also be a Tom Wilson clone because it works for Tkachuck. If he tries to impress with skill and creativity Smith will cut him.
- granpa

100% wrong. Logan Brown needs to prove that he can be one of the skilled players they need as a scoring line C, but also not be a liability at the NHL level. That means offensive consistency, not being a complete loss in the face-off circle (i.e. his 41% last year), and being able to handle the defensive responsibilities of the C position for ~15-17min/GP. It also means actually playing better than guys like White or Tierney - which in no way has Brown done in his career.

Can he do it? Of course he can. I think most people would acknowledge that he probably has the best offensive upside of the C prospects, especially in terms of vision and puck distribution. But none of that matters if you're not ready to handle the overall pace and challenges of the NHL-level of play. So what Brown really needs to do is come into training in peak condition, ready to move beyond injury concerns, and show that he's ready to be "the guy".

As for the year not being considered a bust, I'd say he has to:
a) not lose >20GP to injury
b) play the majority of this games in the NHL, even if he starts in the AHL
c) hit at least a 0.5PPG scoring mark in the NHL (last year he was 0.35)

He has to be a C. Brown clone. Paul and Batherson did it and it worked for them. He can also be a Tom Wilson clone because it works for Tkachuck. If he tries to impress with skill and creativity Smith will cut him.
- granpa

This is baffling. Maybe figure out what type of player L. Brown is before saying what he should "clone" into.

This is baffling. Maybe figure out what type of player L. Brown is before saying what he should "clone" into.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

L. Brown is a possession player, creative player, pass the puck first player. Could have played in NHL last year but the demotion at Xmas did not hurt him. I saw most of his games after his demotion and he was not the same player. He'll surprise a lot of people in training camp.