Weren't you the guy bellyaching about asset management when they didn't get like a 6th round pick before Abramov decided to sign in the KHL? Why on Earth would you give up high-quality assets like Brannstrom and Gustavsson for a pair of players that you could just sign as UFA? Those guys either want to be part of a good young team and will explicitly sign on for that as UFA, or else you really don't want them as centrepiece players.
- khawk

First of all let me make one thing clear. I do not agree with acquiring an experienced #1 C and a top 4 D this soon in the rebuild. They will probably be able to address that from within. I just threw that Oilers trade out there because they can fill both needs with 1 deal and jump ahead of free agency and if successful they could get rid of players that don't figure in the Sens future. What we think of certain players is irrelevant because the only thing that matters is what Dorion and Smith think. That's why I included Tierney, Brown, Brannstrom and Gus because of their status with the team. Example Brannstrom was activated because Chabot went down and Riley was traded, Tierney was relegated to 4 line, Brown will never play for Smith and Gus is behind Murray, Forsberg, Daccord. It has nothing to do with who I like.

Eichel would be too cost prohibitive to get, it would cost OTT one or two of their Core players and depth, Depth is more important than a superstar as we saw with Jets vs Oilers and you do not need a superstar C to win cups (Boston, Blues, Caps, Kings), Monohan seems like a good choice, would not cost an arm and a leg to get, has 2 years left to prove he can bounce back, if not trade him as a rental, if he bounces back you can resign him.

OTT should stay well well well well well well far away from kadri, he is cancer.

Giroux is fine as long as the cost is right and he has to waive for OTT, IF flyers asks for 10OA or a top prospect forget it, not worth it for a temp players to trade top assets

Eichel would be too cost prohibitive to get, it would cost OTT one or two of their Core players and depth, Depth is more important than a superstar as we saw with Jets vs Oilers and you do not need a superstar C to win cups (Boston, Blues, Caps, Kings), Monohan seems like a good choice, would not cost an arm and a leg to get, has 2 years left to prove he can bounce back, if not trade him as a rental, if he bounces back you can resign him.

OTT should stay well well well well well well far away from kadri, he is cancer.

Giroux is fine as long as the cost is right and he has to waive for OTT, IF flyers asks for 10OA or a top prospect forget it, not worth it for a temp players to trade top assets
- Mithos

Boston had Bergeron argued as one of the best two-way centremen of all time. Blues had O'Reilly who had a superstar performance and is also a Selke level player. Caps had Kuznetsov have one of the best offensive performances in recent playoff history. Kings had another Selke winning super centre.

You don't NEED a Crosby/McDavid/Lemieux etc. But the last team to win a Cup with a "mediocre" 1st line centre is probably the Devils in 2003? An old Joe Nieuwendyk and an "ok" Scott Gomez. All the others had either star young centremen who had huge years (E. Staal/Getzlaf) or Selke level centremen like Toews/The Above/Datsyuk or actual Crosby.

Boston had Bergeron argued as one of the best two-way centremen of all time. Blues had O'Reilly who had a superstar performance and is also a Selke level player. Caps had Kuznetsov have one of the best offensive performances in recent playoff history. Kings had another Selke winning super centre.

You don't NEED a Crosby/McDavid/Lemieux etc. But the last team to win a Cup with a "mediocre" 1st line centre is probably the Devils in 2003? An old Joe Nieuwendyk and an "ok" Scott Gomez. All the others had either star young centremen who had huge years (E. Staal/Getzlaf) or Selke level centremen like Toews/The Above/Datsyuk or actual Crosby.
- AdamFrench

Bergeron, O'Reilly and Kuz are not Superstars like McDavid, Crosby, Mathews, Norris has the potential to become the next Bergeron tho, OTT does not need a 10-12M C to win, they need balance and Depth.

In my opinion, leave the team alone. Ottawa was one of the best teams in the entire league down the stretch with good goaltending, why is management now trying to change the chemistry, again. The only kind of moves that I would be ok with is getting Colin White out for whatever they could get and try to sign Nugent-Hopkins as a UFA, but that is it. Norris and Pinto will make a great 1-2 punch down the middle just like they did the last 10 games of the season. Let's let the team grow and re-assess any kind of trade activity until mid-season or end of the next season. This right now is the best opportunity I've ever seen for a team to really build amazing chemistry amongst its players (they are all in the same age range and new to the league).

Boston had Bergeron argued as one of the best two-way centremen of all time. Blues had O'Reilly who had a superstar performance and is also a Selke level player. Caps had Kuznetsov have one of the best offensive performances in recent playoff history. Kings had another Selke winning super centre.

You don't NEED a Crosby/McDavid/Lemieux etc. But the last team to win a Cup with a "mediocre" 1st line centre is probably the Devils in 2003? An old Joe Nieuwendyk and an "ok" Scott Gomez. All the others had either star young centremen who had huge years (E. Staal/Getzlaf) or Selke level centremen like Toews/The Above/Datsyuk or actual Crosby.
- AdamFrench

Closest a team has come in recent memory I'd say without a bonified number one center was Nashville?

I imagine it will happen eventually, but you'd be betting a fair amount to be the first.

Bergeron, O'Reilly and Kuz are not Superstars like McDavid, Crosby, Mathews, Norris has the potential to become the next Bergeron tho, OTT does not need a 10-12M C to win, they need balance and Depth.
- Mithos

No, but they are bonified number one centers. And that's the core argument of what a team needs to win the cup (among other things).

I really like Norris, but I still think his ceiling is a good second line center, but would love for him to prove me wrong. He had a great rookie season.

No, but they are bonified number one centers. And that's the core argument of what a team needs to win the cup (among other things).

I really like Norris, but I still think his ceiling is a good second line center, but would love for him to prove me wrong. He had a great rookie season.
- david22

I love it when people assume #1 centre means McDavid or bust.

Championship teams need a centre capable of being a point per game player and trusted in key situations.

Norris is fine but screams 2nd line centre. He has a very similar style to Kyle Turris in his prime in Ottawa. A centre, the team was looking to upgrade upon. A centre that wingers make better. Not the other way around, like true 1st line centres.

Does this have to be addressed next season? No. The team can get by and be back to being a playoff contender. However, if the team wants to take the next step, it needs to be address relatively soon.

I think it's safe to assume Stuztle will not be experimented with at centre and left on the wing.

First of all let me make one thing clear. I do not agree with acquiring an experienced #1 C and a top 4 D this soon in the rebuild. They will probably be able to address that from within. I just threw that Oilers trade out there because they can fill both needs with 1 deal and jump ahead of free agency and if successful they could get rid of players that don't figure in the Sens future. What we think of certain players is irrelevant because the only thing that matters is what Dorion and Smith think. That's why I included Tierney, Brown, Brannstrom and Gus because of their status with the team. Example Brannstrom was activated because Chabot went down and Riley was traded, Tierney was relegated to 4 line, Brown will never play for Smith and Gus is behind Murray, Forsberg, Daccord. It has nothing to do with who I like.
- granpa

It’s not a bad idea by any means but I think your proposition is a far overpay. Most times when a team’s just acquiring a player rights it cost nothing more than a combination of late draft picks and likely career AHLers. I know edmondson’s value isn’t as much as RNH but last summer his rights were acquired only for a 5th.

I also don’t think Tyson Barrie fits the bill of defensive Dman the sens are looking for

Out of those names, I would only do Eichel.

I understand everyone’s concern with cost, but we need to be realistic:

He’s 24, which fits the age group of this core
He’s a true #1 center (unlike the fringes on this list)
He’s close to a ppg player.
He’s signed for 5 more years.


I would be perfectly ok, giving up ANY prospect/player not named Stutzle/batherson. Don’t care about Norris, Brannstrom, etc

The impact he would have on the forward group, and more importantly, the competitiveness of this team would be huge.

You don’t keep guys because they’re “friends”. You’re in the business of winning a cup.

Out of those names, I would only do Eichel.

I understand everyone’s concern with cost, but we need to be realistic:

He’s 24, which fits the age group of this core
He’s a true #1 center (unlike the fringes on this list)
He’s close to a ppg player.
He’s signed for 5 more years.


I would be perfectly ok, giving up ANY prospect/player not named Stutzle/batherson. Don’t care about Norris, Brannstrom, etc

The impact he would have on the forward group, and more importantly, the competitiveness of this team would be huge.

You don’t keep guys because they’re “friends”. You’re in the business of winning a cup.
- Trilla

Wonder if Norris, 2021 1st, and Sanderson would get it done?

Too much? Not enough? Just right?

Wonder if Norris, 2021 1st, and Sanderson would get it done?

Too much? Not enough? Just right?
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

If I was Buffalo I would take that easily. Not sure you could get a better package than that. Ottawa...you'd have to be really convinced that he's going to be 100% healthy and that the good defense prospects are going to make it.

Out of those names, I would only do Eichel.

I understand everyone’s concern with cost, but we need to be realistic:

He’s 24, which fits the age group of this core
He’s a true #1 center (unlike the fringes on this list)
He’s close to a ppg player.
He’s signed for 5 more years.


I would be perfectly ok, giving up ANY prospect/player not named Stutzle/batherson. Don’t care about Norris, Brannstrom, etc

The impact he would have on the forward group, and more importantly, the competitiveness of this team would be huge.

You don’t keep guys because they’re “friends”. You’re in the business of winning a cup.
- Trilla

Monahan has 1C numbers for most of his career is only 2 years older than Eichel
(0.75 PPG (591 games) (Monahan) vs 0.94PPG (375 games) (Eichel)
(0.34GPG vs 0.37GPG)

Monahan has a lesser cap hit and would cost considerably less than Eichel. Eichel also has had far more injuries in his career than Monahan. Also Monahan has playoff experience, Eichel does not.

First of all let me make one thing clear. I do not agree with acquiring an experienced #1 C and a top 4 D this soon in the rebuild. They will probably be able to address that from within. I just threw that Oilers trade out there because they can fill both needs with 1 deal and jump ahead of free agency and if successful they could get rid of players that don't figure in the Sens future. What we think of certain players is irrelevant because the only thing that matters is what Dorion and Smith think. That's why I included Tierney, Brown, Brannstrom and Gus because of their status with the team. Example Brannstrom was activated because Chabot went down and Riley was traded, Tierney was relegated to 4 line, Brown will never play for Smith and Gus is behind Murray, Forsberg, Daccord. It has nothing to do with who I like.
- granpa

Regardless, I'm still trying to process the fact that you don't appear to be acknowledging the horrendous asset mismanagement of trading Brannstrom, Gustavsson, Tierney, and Logan Brown for two impending-UFA, who they could just sign as UFA. If RNH and Barrie are keen on leaving Edmonton, then they're not exactly going to be keen to do a sign-trade arrangement... and if they're keen on Ottawa as a new team, then they'll be happy to sign here. As for the four players you mentioned, trade them away if you really want... but at least get some kind of substantial value back at the draft or something.

Wonder if Norris, 2021 1st, and Sanderson would get it done?

Too much? Not enough? Just right?
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

As French said, if that doesn’t work nothing (reasonable) will.

Personally though I don’t blame sens fans for wanting to have their cake and eat it too. If I’m Dorian I’d still try to convince them branstrom has the same value as when the sens acquired him from Vegas. I try offering him, pinto, 2021 1st, lotto protected 2022 1st (pray the sens don’t suck for the next two years lol) and two decent roster players, heck you may be able to convince them Colin white has untapped potential.

This very may well not be enough quality but considering their gm moved hall for next to nothing I’d see if you can get a steal first before doing your deal. After all this still may beat what NYR, LA and anyone else may be willing to give up.

Monahan has 1C numbers for most of his career is only 2 years older than Eichel
(0.75 PPG (591 games) (Monahan) vs 0.94PPG (375 games) (Eichel)
(0.34GPG vs 0.37GPG)

Monahan has a lesser cap hit and would cost considerably less than Eichel. Eichel also has had far more injuries in his career than Monahan. Also Monahan has playoff experience, Eichel does not.
- Mithos

16-17 wrist surgery

17-18 two hernia surgeries, groin surgery, another wrist surgery

18-19 cracked thumb

20-21 hip surgery

Don’t feel like getting into this debate but for the factual purposes of it these are Monahan’s injuries over the past few years I managed to gather from one article, can’t recall if there were more before that time period.

16-17 wrist surgery

17-18 two hernia surgeries, groin surgery, another wrist surgery

18-19 cracked thumb

20-21 hip surgery

Don’t feel like getting into this debate but for the factual purposes of it these are Monahan’s injuries over the past few years I managed to gather from one article, can’t recall if there were more before that time period.
- RedC21

16-17 Missed no games 82 27 31 58
17-18 Missed 8 games 74 31 33 64
18-19 Missed 4 games 78 34 48 82
20-21 Missed 6 games 50 10 18 28

Eichel has missed 10+ games in several seasons and 2/3rd of 20-21 season

Wonder if Norris, 2021 1st, and Sanderson would get it done?

Too much? Not enough? Just right?
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

If it wasn't for Eichel's injury history I think that's about fair. Such a question mark right now with that surgery he's said to have scheduled.

16-17 Missed no games 82 27 31 58
17-18 Missed 8 games 74 31 33 64
18-19 Missed 4 games 78 34 48 82
20-21 Missed 6 games 50 10 18 28

Eichel has missed 10+ games in several seasons and 2/3rd of 20-21 season
- Mithos

I wasn’t arguing that eichel hasn’t had his share, I was just saying if you’re looking to get longevity I wouldn’t say monahan has a huge edge. He also played through a number of games with those injuries.

Wonder if Norris, 2021 1st, and Sanderson would get it done?

Too much? Not enough? Just right?
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I think thats actually a pretty good deal for the Sabres: a “potential” #1c and “potential” top 4 (maybe top2) dman. Throw in that 1st and Sabres can feel good about heading in the right direction.

The question is, are the Sabres willing to deal with a partner in the same division? And potentially face Eichel for years to come?

Monahan has 1C numbers for most of his career is only 2 years older than Eichel
(0.75 PPG (591 games) (Monahan) vs 0.94PPG (375 games) (Eichel)
(0.34GPG vs 0.37GPG)

Monahan has a lesser cap hit and would cost considerably less than Eichel. Eichel also has had far more injuries in his career than Monahan. Also Monahan has playoff experience, Eichel does not.
- Mithos

If you’re tryna sell me on Monahan, specifically in the “him or Eichel” discussion, it’s not gna work.

The only argument there is for taking Monahan, is price point will be far cheaper. But I mean, so will production.

He’s super inconsistent, super streaky and he’s not even that good of a distributor for a center. Not to mention he sucked in the f/o dot this year posting less than 50% wins.

Kadri is dirt. I hope he doesn't come to Ottawa.

I like your train of thought but I agree with the above post about the fact that Panthers will do everything to keep him.

Also I'm not sold on 10-15 games as a sample size. He is not a #1 center and I'm not sold he's a #2 on a cup contending team
- AlfieisKing

I don't think he is a #1 center at all. You're right about him possibly not even being a top six center. I DO think he has more offense than his time in Calgary showed and can provide this developing team with some good top six minutes while we look for another top six center or Pinto evolves into a two way threat.

Norris is a top six center. This is a legitimate fact. A 200 ft player. If Pinto can mirror him I think we're set. If he cannot, he can still be a great middle six guy for us with Bennet while we search.

Sam Bennet doesn't break the bank and fits the identity of this team were building. Tough two way players up front with a dynamic back end.

I'd pay a little more than I proposed. Maybe add even a second instead of the third and possibly include Lassi Thompson.

Wonder if Norris, 2021 1st, and Sanderson would get it done?

Too much? Not enough? Just right?
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

How about white/Brannstrom/L.Brown and 2021 1st

How about white/Brannstrom/L.Brown and 2021 1st
- sens4life1971

Probably would have to at least add a 1st in one of the next two drafts.

Think about if kings and ranger are talking turcotte/kakko plus other assets and a 1st senators would have to add more considering branstrom doesn’t have as much value as those two and the sens are in the same division.

It also might be the only way you beat those team considering I don’t think LA is good enough to consider moving a 2nd 1st that may wind up top 3 in the next few drafts and NYR are likely a playoff team with eichel making that 2nd 1st a late 1st. Sens will have to bet on themselves getting out of the bottom 10.