Personally, I'd also add quality C/D depth to the list. I think they're in good shape right now for several of those positions, plus their overall depth. But it still really bothers me that it's a major question mark around having a legitimate #1C, even if not "elite".

STRENGTH (i.e. established players in place)
Legitimate #1 D-Man - Chabot
Power Forward - Tkachuk

POTENTIAL (i.e. strong prospects in system)
Elite Speed Forward - Stutzle
Centre Depth - Norris, Brown, Greig, White
Physical Shut-Down D-Man - Sanderson
Blueline Depth - JBD, Brannstrom, Thomson, Kleven

ADEQUATE
Goaltending - Murray, Hogberg

WEAKNESS
Legitimate #1 Centre - ???

Because of my 'C' concerns, I'll confess to already looking ahead to the 2021 draft to see if there's anyone in the top-10 that might fit the bill as a #1C. Aatu Raty is of obvious note, but may be a lottery pick. Kent Johnson looks like an interesting option... last year's BCHL MVP, currently at Michigan, and seems like maybe the best pure offensive C in the draft.
- khawk

Don't forget Pinto. That's 5 Cs in the system. Takes time before they become #1 C. It'll take more time if you're being held back in the AHL.

North Dakota plays their first game of the season today.


I wont be able to watch it though.

Michael Stuart: What do the Senators Need to be Complete?
- Michael_Stuart

1. New arena in Ottawa
2. New Ownership
3. One more season with a top 5 pick.

Easy Peasy

Don't forget Pinto. That's 5 Cs in the system. Takes time before they become #1 C. It'll take more time if you're being held back in the AHL.
- granpa

Well, the player list wasn't comprehensive... it was just meant to show some of the major pieces. Also, given the relative lack of prospect depth at RW, and all of Dadonov/Brown/Watson having deals that expire in 3yrs time, I find it hard to believe at least 1 of White/Pinto won't be moved over to RW.

In other news, sounds like JBD is going full Colin Kaepernick at UND...
https://www.thescore.com/news/2062547

Now, it's not quite the same thing given that he's a Canadian citizen, but good for him for using the platform to speak out against the pretty overt social injustices in that country.

1. New arena in Ottawa
2. New Ownership
3. One more season with a top 5 pick.

Easy Peasy
- bikeguy99

Well,

one of these at least.

Well, the player list wasn't comprehensive... it was just meant to show some of the major pieces. Also, given the relative lack of prospect depth at RW, and all of Dadonov/Brown/Watson having deals that expire in 3yrs time, I find it hard to believe at least 1 of White/Pinto won't be moved over to RW.

In other news, sounds like JBD is going full Colin Kaepernick at UND...
https://www.thescore.com/news/2062547

Now, it's not quite the same thing given that he's a Canadian citizen, but good for him for using the platform to speak out against the pretty overt social injustices in that country.
- khawk

that whole crap is BS and OTT should get rid of him before he damages their brand, you little racists keep saying system racism exists but never seem to be able to point any out... because it does not exist.

oh and people of what ever race getting shot while RESISTING arrest IS NOT SYSTEMIC RACISM.

that whole crap is BS and OTT should get rid of him before he damages their brand, you little racists keep saying system racism exists but never seem to be able to point any out... because it does not exist.

oh and people of what ever race getting shot while RESISTING arrest IS NOT SYSTEMIC RACISM.
- Athrin

An unfortunate word salad of resentment and bitterness. Perhaps you might try saying it differently.

Must read review on the North Dakota Fighting Sens. Won their first game 2-0 yesterday. Shane Pinto with two assists. They are playing in a bubble in Omaha, started yesterday (10 games in 10 days).

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...-farm-team-top-prospects/

Michael Stuart: What do the Senators Need to be Complete?
- Michael_Stuart

Good Post / good question. A team is not complete until they win a stanley cup
(many GMs still wouldn't use the word even then)

Stuetzle is going to be #1 Center (at least what fans and the team should hope for)

The Cup Core 7

Crosy, Malkin, Letang, Goalie, Guentzel, Kessel/J.Staal
Toews, Kane, Hossa, Keith, Seabrook, Crawford, Sharp
Kopitar, Doughty, Brown, Williams, Carter, Richards, Quick

The Sens Core 7

Stuetzle, Chabot, Tkachuk, Sanderson, Murray? [Vacant] [Vacant]

These players are essential for the team to win a cup. Their game as to be an elite level; they have to hit their potentials and show more than just points and defensive ability. They have to be leaders, game breakers, and a burning desire to go the distance in the playoffs. The Sens will need AT LEAST 2 pieces to step into those vacant slots (best candidates are Brannstrom, Batherson, White, Norris, Pinto, and Brown)

Development of young players

The names just mentioned have to be developed the right way; which means bringing out their strengths and working on their weaknesses. The game that Colin White will play is going to be different than Roby Jarventie for ex. The Sens are lacking offensive power right now so this is a good year to let players find it. The good news is that Chabot, Stuetzle, and Dadonov will help these players develop their offensive game which will allow the team to play better with the puck.

Naming Captains and spending $ wisely

Brady Tkachuk is the future captain. I wasn't sold right away but the more I hear how he's reaching out to young players like Stuetzle and becoming more attached to Ottawa, the more I can see him getting the C (with plenty of options for A's). The next step to become more complete is to lock him up; along with other young players that grow in the next 2 years

Good Post / good question. A team is not complete until they win a stanley cup
(many GMs still wouldn't use the word even then)

Stuetzle is going to be #1 Center (at least what fans and the team should hope for)

The Cup Core 7

Crosy, Malkin, Letang, Goalie, Guentzel, Kessel/J.Staal
Toews, Kane, Hossa, Keith, Seabrook, Crawford, Sharp
Kopitar, Doughty, Brown, Williams, Carter, Richards, Quick

The Sens Core 7

Stuetzle, Chabot, Tkachuk, Sanderson, Murray?
- AlfieisKing[Vacant] [Vacant]

These players are essential for the team to win a cup. Their game as to be an elite level; they have to hit their potentials and show more than just points and defensive ability. They have to be leaders, game breakers, and a burning desire to go the distance in the playoffs. The Sens will need AT LEAST 2 pieces to step into those vacant slots (best candidates are Brannstrom, Batherson, White, Norris, Pinto, and Brown)

Development of young players

The names just mentioned have to be developed the right way; which means bringing out their strengths and working on their weaknesses. The game that Colin White will play is going to be different than Roby Jarventie for ex. The Sens are lacking offensive power right now so this is a good year to let players find it. The good news is that Chabot, Stuetzle, and Dadonov will help these players develop their offensive game which will allow the team to play better with the puck.

Naming Captains and spending $ wisely

Brady Tkachuk is the future captain. I wasn't sold right away but the more I hear how he's reaching out to young players like Stuetzle and becoming more attached to Ottawa, the more I can see him getting the C (with plenty of options for A's). The next step to become more complete is to lock him up; along with other young players that grow in the next 2 years

A+

Reading your post triggered a memory of a Dorion comment from last year that Tkachuk and Chabot are road roommates. He seemed to put some emphasis on the importance of the relationship between the two. All of it is starting to make a lot more sense.

I believe that Chabot is the best choice as the future team captain. But, I would be happy with Brady. Most important want to see the two share a burning desire to win it all.

I think our biggest need can easily be summed up in just one word... DEVELOPMENT. Dorion et al have done a great job acquiring and assembling the pieces. Now we just need to wait for (half of) these guys to pan out and develop into legitimate NHL players.

Two of: Brännström, Sanderson, Bernard-Docker, Thomson.

Three of: Stuetzle, Norris, Batherson, Formenton, L. Brown, Abramov.

One of: Högberg, Gustavsson, Søgaard, Mandolese.

We just need like half these guys to develop into who they were supposed to become when they were acquired. Of course more than half of those guys have the potential to become contributing NHL regulars. But even just half would be huge.

There's an interesting pair of articles here about perceived steals/reaches at this year's draft... which, quite frankly, is just crushing from a Senators' perspective.
https://www.silversevense...and-reaches-list-accuracy
https://www.silversevense...ttawa-senators-lafreniere

The analysis is not at all forgiving of the Sanderson pick, or most of the 2nd/3rd round outside of Jarventie. Also, the fact that Rossi was identified as the top steal of the entire draft basically makes me want to bleed out of my eyes... because I was really hoping they'd come out of this draft with a clear-cut, no-questions asked, high-end C to build the offense around. And once Byfield went at #2, my focus went squarely onto Rossi. I'm probably underestimating Stutzle, but it's downright naive for people to just "assume" he'll be a #1C when he hasn't even played that role in the DEL.

Of course, the basis of this evaluation is "expected draft position", which is about as meaningless a determination of value as you're ever going to find. They added a lot of speed and physical tenacity to the prospect pool, and there's no question that they have a very good overall prospect system at this point. That said, I think the Senators' 2020 Draft will ultimately be judged on the following outcomes:
- whether Stutzle emerges as a #1LW or #1C
- is Sanderson closer to Chris Pronger, or Chris Phillips
- can either Jarventie/Greig be more than a checking/energy forward

Also, if Marco Rossi becomes some kind of regular all-star, I reserve the right to be a grumpy A-hole about it for quite some time.

There's an interesting pair of articles here about perceived steals/reaches at this year's draft... which, quite frankly, is just crushing from a Senators' perspective.
https://www.silversevense...and-reaches-list-accuracy
https://www.silversevense...ttawa-senators-lafreniere

The analysis is not at all forgiving of the Sanderson pick, or most of the 2nd/3rd round outside of Jarventie. Also, the fact that Rossi was identified as the top steal of the entire draft basically makes me want to bleed out of my eyes... because I was really hoping they'd come out of this draft with a clear-cut, no-questions asked, high-end C to build the offense around. And once Byfield went at #2, my focus went squarely onto Rossi. I'm probably underestimating Stutzle, but it's downright naive for people to just "assume" he'll be a #1C when he hasn't even played that role in the DEL.

Of course, the basis of this evaluation is "expected draft position", which is about as meaningless a determination of value as you're ever going to find. They added a lot of speed and physical tenacity to the prospect pool, and there's no question that they have a very good overall prospect system at this point. That said, I think the Senators' 2020 Draft will ultimately be judged on the following outcomes:
- whether Stutzle emerges as a #1LW or #1C
- is Sanderson closer to Chris Pronger, or Chris Phillips
- can either Jarventie/Greig be more than a checking/energy forward

Also, if Marco Rossi becomes some kind of regular all-star, I reserve the right to be a grumpy A-hole about it for quite some time.
- khawk

You'll have to get in line behind me. I feel your pain. A+ post, my man. You are not alone.

There's an interesting pair of articles here about perceived steals/reaches at this year's draft... which, quite frankly, is just crushing from a Senators' perspective.
https://www.silversevense...and-reaches-list-accuracy
https://www.silversevense...ttawa-senators-lafreniere

The analysis is not at all forgiving of the Sanderson pick, or most of the 2nd/3rd round outside of Jarventie. Also, the fact that Rossi was identified as the top steal of the entire draft basically makes me want to bleed out of my eyes... because I was really hoping they'd come out of this draft with a clear-cut, no-questions asked, high-end C to build the offense around. And once Byfield went at #2, my focus went squarely onto Rossi. I'm probably underestimating Stutzle, but it's downright naive for people to just "assume" he'll be a #1C when he hasn't even played that role in the DEL.

Of course, the basis of this evaluation is "expected draft position", which is about as meaningless a determination of value as you're ever going to find. They added a lot of speed and physical tenacity to the prospect pool, and there's no question that they have a very good overall prospect system at this point. That said, I think the Senators' 2020 Draft will ultimately be judged on the following outcomes:
- whether Stutzle emerges as a #1LW or #1C
- is Sanderson closer to Chris Pronger, or Chris Phillips
- can either Jarventie/Greig be more than a checking/energy forward

Also, if Marco Rossi becomes some kind of regular all-star, I reserve the right to be a grumpy A-hole about it for quite some time.
- khawk

Are these the same guys that dumped all over the Shane Pinto selection? I am surprised anyone still reads them. In fact, I thought they had gone away.

Are these the same guys that dumped all over the Shane Pinto selection? I am surprised anyone still reads them. In fact, I thought they had gone away.
- spatso

I like Pinto. But to be fair; what has he proven yet? Nothing.