Michael Stuart: Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down: Tkachuk Scores Lone Goal as Sens Lose to Leafs

Agree. Thanks for the quality articles Michael.Brannstrom looked good out there.

Ottawa was more than holding its own out there and definitely going to be dangerous as early as next season.

Can’t wait to do it again tonight!

Great game.

Is Ottawa closing the gap with the Leafs? Or, are teams learning how to play better against a one line teams.

That was a pretty competitive game between 2 teams that have drastically different salaries and expectations.

More importantly, all it took was one bad game for the Toronto media to lose their minds. For gawd sakes, u guys have more points than any other NHL team, yet the Sun blasts a player, splashing him all over the front page, after one loss?

Meanwhile, Sens fans just happy to see progress.

That was a pretty competitive game between 2 teams that have drastically different salaries and expectations.

More importantly, all it took was one bad game for the Toronto media to lose their minds. For gawd sakes, u guys have more points than any other NHL team, yet the Sun blasts a player, splashing him all over the front page, after one loss?

Meanwhile, Sens fans just happy to see progress.
- GrimmdaGoalie

to be fair, if we were in a regular year, with regular divisions, the leafs are probably a 3rd place team at best, more likely a wild card team.

they'd for sure be behind Bos and TB, and likely behind Fla as well. they're benefitting from playing in the weakest division in the NHL. Looks good in the regular season, but they'll get pumped once/if they make it out of the division.

you'd have to be a blind person not to see the glaring flaws in that roster.

that being said, they are absolutely better than Ottawa, but i like where Ottawa is heading. they aren't winning many games, but the flaws and weaknesses in the lineup are almost exclusively the old guys who will all be gone after this year (gudbrandson, anisimov, stepan, etc)....the kids are carrying this team, and that's incredibly comforting.

also nice to see Formenton, Greig, and Thomson playing well in the AHL. I was getting ready to give up on Thomson after the last 2 years, glad to see he's picking it back up.

I didn’t find Gudbransson as bad as Michael claims. He had a couple of nice hits and long ass shifts. He is never going to be the prettiest player out there, but I felt he has done alright the last couple of games.

This team has zero quality centres. Not sure why people are surprised with some line combos. Calling up Logan Brown may make an impact on the comment boards, but until he gets going in the AHL, I’m not super interested. That said, I’d be interested if the leash is getting shorter is Norris. He doesn’t seem to be taking a huge step to be a top 6 player, especially since being removed from the Batherson and Tkachuk line. He is just kind of out there. He hasn’t really contributed much from the eye test. Maybe there is a Brown/Norris swap at some point? Do they try Stuzle at centre?

I am liking Murray’s game. If he can continue this play for a coupe of years, a playoff birth may be in store.

I didn’t find Gudbransson as bad as Michael claims. He had a couple of nice hits and long ass shifts. He is never going to be the prettiest player out there, but I felt he has done alright the last couple of games.

This team has zero quality centres. Not sure why people are surprised with some line combos. Calling up Logan Brown may make an impact on the comment boards, but until he gets going in the AHL, I’m not super interested. That said, I’d be interested if the leash is getting shorter is Norris. He doesn’t seem to be taking a huge step to be a top 6 player, especially since being removed from the Batherson and Tkachuk line. He is just kind of out there. He hasn’t really contributed much from the eye test. Maybe there is a Brown/Norris swap at some point? Do they try Stuzle at centre?

I am liking Murray’s game. If he can continue this play for a coupe of years, a playoff birth may be in store.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

to your 1st paragraph - gudbrandson was not good last night, easily ottawa's worst player. his zone exits were terrible, and he was just constantly hemmed into his own zone. he can't skate well enough to be a competent dman in the game today.

to your 2nd para - Norris, White and Tierney are absolutely quality centres, in a 2nd/3rd/4th line role respectively....the issue is the lack of a top line centre. Stepan is, at best, a 4th line player, and he's centering 2 of the teams best young wingers (which is stifling them offensively)

to your 3rd para - agree completely. after a rough start, Murray has been great.

to your 2nd para - Norris, White and Tierney are absolutely quality centres, in a 2nd/3rd/4th line role respectively....the issue is the lack of a top line centre. Stepan is, at best, a 4th line player, and he's centering 2 of the teams best young wingers (which is stifling them offensively)

- sensarmy_11

Agreed.

I would prefer to see Tierney with Batherson and Stutzle as he has better offensive instincts than Stepan.

to your 1st paragraph - gudbrandson was not good last night, easily ottawa's worst player. his zone exits were terrible, and he was just constantly hemmed into his own zone. he can't skate well enough to be a competent dman in the game today.

to your 2nd para - Norris, White and Tierney are absolutely quality centres, in a 2nd/3rd/4th line role respectively....the issue is the lack of a top line centre. Stepan is, at best, a 4th line player, and he's centering 2 of the teams best young wingers (which is stifling them offensively)

to your 3rd para - agree completely. after a rough start, Murray has been great.
- sensarmy_11

Well, I never did say Gudbransson was “good” just alright. I am not sure what people expect from him honestly. He’s not going to be a smooth skating, puck mover. I felt, he has improved since the last few games. Of course, that is not saying much, but not sure last night was the game to call him out. He has been worse.

Regards to centres, I’m sorry. I am getting tired of people pumping the tires of White, Tierney, and now Norris and saying they are good centres right now. These guys are tremendously replaceable and I’d argue, probably not make about half of the teams in the NHL. I guess they are “quality” in that they can be depth centres (on the worst team in the NHL), but none of them make players around them better, which is what Michael and you are alluding to with Stepan. Norris is still a young piece, so patients is there for him. He has played ok at times. Needs to trust his instincts more. That can come in time.

This team’s centres right now have their game elevated based on the wingers they play with. It is not happening vice versa. It’s painfully clear when you see lineup juggles.

You’re absolutely right this team lacks a true 1st line centre, but they lack a 2nd line centre too. There is not one centre on this roster where I'd be like "Oh ya, Stuzle will get going now!" based on who he lines up with.

Well, I never did say Gudbransson was “good” just alright. I am not sure what people expect from him honestly. He’s not going to be a smooth skating, puck mover. I felt, he has improved since the last few games. Of course, that is not saying much, but not sure last night was the game to call him out. He has been worse.

Regards to centres, I’m sorry. I am getting tired of people pumping the tires of White, Tierney, and now Norris and saying they are good centres right now. These guys are tremendously replaceable and I’d argue, probably not make about half of the teams in the NHL. I guess they are “quality” in that they can be depth centres (on the worst team in the NHL), but none of them make players around them better, which is what Michael and you are alluding to with Stepan. Norris is still a young piece, so patients is there for him. He has played ok at times. Needs to trust his instincts more. That can come in time.

This team’s centres right now have their game elevated based on the wingers they play with. It is not happening vice versa. It’s painfully clear when you see lineup juggles.

You’re absolutely right this team lacks a true 1st line centre, but they lack a 2nd line centre too. There is not one centre on this roster where I'd be like "Oh ya, Stuzle will get going now!" based on who he lines up with.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

on what planet is Norris not a quality centre?

kid is an NHL rookie, 10pts in 18 games, rocking a 60%CF......what the (frank) more do you expect from him. he's probably the leading candidate (as of now) for the calder.

like (frank), does he need to be a 21 year old Hart candidate before he makes you happy.....jesus man

and white and tierney are very very good bottom six centres, a blind person could see that......if you can't, well i don't know what to tell you.

on what planet is Norris not a quality centre?

kid is an NHL rookie, 10pts in 18 games, rocking a 60%CF......what the (frank) more do you expect from him. he's probably the leading candidate (as of now) for the calder.

like (frank), does he need to be a 21 year old Hart candidate before he makes you happy.....jesus man

and white and tierney are very very good bottom six centres, a blind person could see that......if you can't, well i don't know what to tell you.
- sensarmy_11

I like Norris, and I think he's doing quite well for a rookie on a bad team. But it's far to early to make any kind of definitive statement regarding his play. He hopefully can grow into a solid 2nd line centre.

Tienry and white are both good 3rd line centers I would agree, but that means there is lack of top 6 center talent (among everything else) on this team right now. Especially since White has been very inconsistent (I've actually really liked his place recently)

It also bears mentioning that Tierny is likely gone by the expansion draft.

I like Norris, and I think he's doing quite well for a rookie on a bad team. But it's far to early to make any kind of definitive statement regarding his play. He hopefully can grow into a solid 2nd line centre.

Tienry and white are both good 3rd line centers I would agree, but that means there is lack of top 6 center talent (among everything else) on this team right now. Especially since White has been very inconsistent (I've actually really liked his place recently)

It also bears mentioning that Tierny is likely gone by the expansion draft.
- david22

i mean, as a 21 year old rookie, his stats have him right there with guys like Eichel, roslovic, hertl, krecji, monahan, suzuki, etc..........who are all considered bonafide top six players.......yet somehow Norris isn't? i'm obviously not saying he's as good as these guys yet, but it's hard to suggest that he isn't a top six player when his production is on par with these guys.

is he a top line player, no......is he a legit top six forward....absolutely.

obviously he could regress.....but you can't look at how he plays right now and suggest for one second that he isn't a top six player.

on what planet is Norris not a quality centre?

kid is an NHL rookie, 10pts in 18 games, rocking a 60%CF......what the (frank) more do you expect from him. he's probably the leading candidate (as of now) for the calder.

like (frank), does he need to be a 21 year old Hart candidate before he makes you happy.....jesus man

and white and tierney are very very good bottom six centres, a blind person could see that......if you can't, well i don't know what to tell you.
- sensarmy_11

Always fun riling you up sensarmy.

If you want to talk about blind, maybe read the post above where none of these guys are 2nd line centres. Why would anyone want rant home about bottom 6 centres on a last place team? How in the world would these guys get wingers going?

Norris has been fine in his situation, but if you can’t see he and others (includes Stepan, I’m not sticking up for him) would probably not have a roster spot on half of the teams in the NHL right now, then I really encourage you to watch some non-Sens games.

The team is dead (frank)ing last and because of the garbage roster from top to bottom with very few exceptions. That includes centres. Sure, Tierney is better than Stepan and Norris is nice to watch because he is something new. But the arguments to try and make these players seem better than they actually are right now, is funny. It’s like a cruel game of would you rather. But alas, that is the situation the team is in right now.

I still like Norris as a prospect. I would like to see him trust his instincts more. He tends to pass up good shooting opportunities and panics with the puck if he pressured, but he has decent skills to be a quality NHLer. Not sure he will be an everyday top6er down the line, but he certainly has the opportunity to prove he can. I hope Sens fans would want more…

i mean, as a 21 year old rookie, his stats have him right there with guys like Eichel, roslovic, hertl, krecji, monahan, suzuki, etc..........who are all considered bonafide top six players.......yet somehow Norris isn't? i'm obviously not saying he's as good as these guys yet, but it's hard to suggest that he isn't a top six player when his production is on par with these guys.

is he a top line player, no......is he a legit top six forward....absolutely.

obviously he could regress.....but you can't look at how he plays right now and suggest for one second that he isn't a top six player.
- sensarmy_11

Would you take Norris over all of those guys?

Always fun riling you up sensarmy.

If you want to talk about blind, maybe read the post above where none of these guys are 2nd line centres. Why would anyone want rant home about bottom 6 centres on a last place team? How in the world would these guys get wingers going?

Norris has been fine in his situation, but if you can’t see he and others (includes Stepan, I’m not sticking up for him) would probably not have a roster spot on half of the teams in the NHL right now, then I really encourage you to watch some non-Sens games.

The team is dead (frank)ing last and because of the garbage roster from top to bottom with very few exceptions. That includes centres. Sure, Tierney is better than Stepan and Norris is nice to watch because he is something new. But the arguments to try and make these players seem better than they actually are right now, is funny. It’s like a cruel game of would you rather. But alas, that is the situation the team is in right now.

I still like Norris as a prospect. I would like to see him trust his instincts more. He tends to pass up good shooting opportunities and panics with the puck if he pressured, but he has decent skills to be a quality NHLer. Not sure he will be an everyday top6er down the line, but he certainly has the opportunity to prove he can. I hope Sens fans would want more…
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

when all you do is complain about the team, instead of enjoying it for what it is, it's easy for people to get riled up.

if you don't like what they're doing............which is clear by the fact that 95% of what you post is just complaining about players..........then you should go cheer for another team.

Would you take Norris over all of those guys?
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

i'd definitely take him over some of those guys.

suzuki is being hailed as the next great thing..........what's the difference between his game and norris'?

honestly...........norris has been as good, playing on a much worse team.

out of the guys listed, the only one i'd for sure trade norris for is Eichel.

when all you do is complain about the team, instead of enjoying it for what it is, it's easy for people to get riled up.

if you don't like what they're doing............which is clear by the fact that 95% of what you post is just complaining about players..........then you should go cheer for another team.
- sensarmy_11

Hmmm. I was sticking up for Gudbranson (to some degree) and posted my pleasure with Murray's play.

This team is dead last and rebuilding. It would be weird to not be critical most of the time.

I certainly enjoy watching the games, but losing will bring out points of discussion. The 'comeback' comeback was a great game to watch. Apologies for not posting and making fun of Leaf fans. Life gets in the way.

But if you want to circle jerk about 3rd and 4th line centres on this team, I'll stay out of it.

i'd definitely take him over some of those guys.

suzuki is being hailed as the next great thing..........what's the difference between his game and norris'?

honestly...........norris has been as good, playing on a much worse team.

out of the guys listed, the only one i'd for sure trade norris for is Eichel.
- sensarmy_11

I'll respect that take.

Hmmm. I was sticking up for Gudbranson (to some degree) and posted my pleasure with Murray's play.

This team is dead last and rebuilding. It would be weird to not be critical most of the time.

I certainly enjoy watching the games, but losing will bring out points of discussion.

But if you want to circle jerk about 3rd and 4th line centres on this team, I'll stay out of it.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

who circle jerked....i said they were quality bottom six centres in defence to you saying they were easily replaceable useless players

in your vast wisdom.....who's available and better that can replace them?

Hmmm. I was sticking up for Gudbranson (to some degree) and posted my pleasure with Murray's play.

This team is dead last and rebuilding. It would be weird to not be critical most of the time.

I certainly enjoy watching the games, but losing will bring out points of discussion. The 'comeback' comeback was a great game to watch. Apologies for not posting and making fun of Leaf fans. Life gets in the way.

But if you want to circle jerk about 3rd and 4th line centres on this team, I'll stay out of it.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

you need to go back and read your posts......you defend players like gudbrandson and paquette, while criticizing players like norris, batherson, brannstrom, etc

you're essentially the Guy Boucher of these boards.........you fall in love with old useless players and criticize young talented ones

you need to go back and read your posts......you defend players like gudbrandson and paquette, while criticizing players like norris, batherson, brannstrom, etc

you're essentially the Guy Boucher of these boards.........you fall in love with old useless players and criticize young talented ones
- sensarmy_11

I hit a nerve.

You posted about pacquette taking all kinds of bad penalties where he only took 2 all year. So I fed you some facts. Not exactly sticking up for him....

who circle jerked....i said they were quality bottom six centres in defence to you saying they were easily replaceable useless players

in your vast wisdom.....who's available and better that can replace them?
- sensarmy_11

I don't believe I alluded to getting an available player. I was merely saying the likes of White and Tierney are not going to magically improve things. And they are replaceable players in a general sense. Most depth players are.

I hit a nerve.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

i just can't understand people who complain all the time instead of enjoying the positives...................like leaf fans who implode after every loss and want to burn down their city.

you criticize areas of strength (young players), and defend areas of weakness (old useless vets)

I don't believe I alluded to getting an available player. I was merely saying the likes of White and Tierney are not going to magically improve things. And they are replaceable players in a general sense. Most depth players are.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

they're "replaceable" in the sense that every bottom six player is replaceable. it doesn't mean they aren't quality players, and it doesn't mean there will be players as good to replace them with.