While I understand the logistics of 3/4 year contracts, to curl up in a ball and whine that Brady basically has a ticket out of town that was is basically admitting you have no faith in the team becoming a contender. 3 years is plenty of time to develop and become a contender if done right. Shocking some journalists are as high as they are.

While I understand the logistics of 3/4 year contracts, to curl up in a ball and whine that Brady basically has a ticket out of town that was is basically admitting you have no faith in the team becoming a contender. 3 years is plenty of time to develop and become a contender if done right. Shocking some journalists are as high as they are.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

You are correct if your assumption is valid that both sides are negotiating in good faith and both are intent on winning a Cup in Ottawa. I have a fear that both sides are shading the truth. I am trying to remain objective. I do not want to be drawn into the middle by taking one side or the other.

Unless it gets fixed in the next day or so the damage will tumble entirely out of control. Once the name calling and blaming starts we will know that it is over.

With the Sens current salary structure, without major additions they are poised to lapse at least $15M to the cap this year even with Tkachuk, $15M next year (Norris gets a bump, Tierney and others drop) and maybe $10M in 2023-24 after Stutzle's raise.
There are no other potential high salaries on the way until Sanderson gets his deal after entry.
The team might make the playoffs next year or the year after, barely, based on internal improvement with no adds.
With FYOUS starting this year, the end of last season and the summer should have seen the Sens pursuing at least one high potential player, like Hall, Eichel, Seth Jones, Zibby, Larkin, or any top talent that could be available but not advertised.
They didn't seem to even try, despite Melnyk's spending promise. If you are Tkachuk, why would you commit long term when the short term hasn't been bolstered at all, despite promises, and you could be frustrated as hell, even over the next 3 seasons, without any real roster improvement?
I bet the Tkachuk camp is saying fine, we will do 3 years on a deal, and because you pinched all those pennies that kept the roster from progressing, you can pay the $8M for the 3 years. After 3 years, if there is no progress on spending/talent, no long term deal will be signed once again.
Understandable that a guy that puts all he has, heartwise and physically into the game, would expect not to be unsupported over a long term contract, or even over three years of stagnation.
- WillieAA

RIght on the money!

While I understand the logistics of 3/4 year contracts, to curl up in a ball and whine that Brady basically has a ticket out of town that was is basically admitting you have no faith in the team becoming a contender. 3 years is plenty of time to develop and become a contender if done right. Shocking some journalists are as high as they are.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Right on!

Pretty sure this was most people's take away ~5 minutes after they signed Del Zotto. Chabot, Zub, and Brannstrom are the only D-men on the team worth talking about. Everyone else is just a disposable placeholder under Sanderson, Bernard-Docker, and Thomson are ready.

Norris continues to really impress me. He's playing up to his size, it looks like he may have added a step, and he's getting more confident with using his shot. I've been pretty critical of the team's centre situation, but I can scarcely recall a player having a more impressive 3yr development curve after a mediocre Draft+1 season...

Draft +2yr - >PPG pace in NCAA, near-PPG in WJC wearing an "A"
Draft +3yr - >PPG pace in AHL, AHL Rookie of the Year
Draft +4yr - 25G/25A pace in NHL, 3rd in NHL Rookie Scoring
- khawk

OH yes so true! HIs curve keeps going up and up!!!! Well said and love the stats to back it up.

While I would prefer keeping BT here on (any) contract, at this point I'd be OK with that. The two sides do seem to have different ideas on BT's future and in the end, the player's position should be respected. It's HIS life and livelihood after all. Let him look elsewhere.


On this, I actually agree. One should never want to throw that away to support a 'hobby', because that's what owning an NHL team really is. The thing is, if your 'hobbies' are too expensive for you to keep up with, you should quit said hobbie, sell your stuff, and move on to something that's within your means. Owners get into the NHL team business to get recognition and to show things off, kinda like the average guy who's got the summer-only vintage sports car.

All Melnyk's getting recognized for is his inability to afford the things he owns.
- Panzer_IVA

This is so correct my friend, you nailed it!!!

I truly don't know what we should do.

I keep looking at Eichel and thinking, if we could pry him out of there....
We're going to finish lower this year anyhow (this isn't the first of five years of unparalleled success) so the following year when he's healed up and good to go....we either have 100% Eichel or 10m of LTIR. Of course what kind of mindset would Jack be in goin from one dizzyingly goofy ownership to another?

And what would it take besides Brady to get him?

You are correct if your assumption is valid that both sides are negotiating in good faith and both are intent on winning a Cup in Ottawa. I have a fear that both sides are shading the truth. I am trying to remain objective. I do not want to be drawn into the middle by taking one side or the other.

Unless it gets fixed in the next day or so the damage will tumble entirely out of control. Once the name calling and blaming starts we will know that it is over.
- spatso

My assumption is that Ottawa is shellfishing trying to lock a quality player long term without guaranteeing they will try to be a contender in that time. I have no doubt Brady wants his cake and to eat it too. Why would he not want that? Fans and the organization have not stopped talking about his positive value to this team since he stepped on the ice.

If the plan by Brady is to jet to St.Louis or whatever in 3/4 years, fine. Try to win in that time if you feel he's an important piece. Why does the deal have to be 7 or more years? Are Stu, Norris, Batherson, Sanderson, Pinto, Formenton, JBD, and all the other prospects this team brags about not set to hit their prime until 7 years down the road or something?

Something is amiss considering the season is right around the corner. But alas, Dorion always deals with star players at the last minute rather than doing his due diligence early.

I truly don't know what we should do.

I keep looking at Eichel and thinking, if we could pry him out of there....
We're going to finish lower this year anyhow (this isn't the first of five years of unparalleled success) so the following year when he's healed up and good to go....we either have 100% Eichel or 10m of LTIR. Of course what kind of mindset would Jack be in goin from one dizzyingly goofy ownership to another?

And what would it take besides Brady to get him?
- Octavarium

I was thinking about this scenario as well. 3 months ago, Brady was a nonstarter in deals, but you have to think you'd reconsider that now. Main issue is Buffalo probably wanting Brady inked to some kind of contract before acquiring if a player like Eichel will be departing. In that case, you have the same problem as we have right now.

[quote
Something is amiss considering the season is right around the corner. But alas, Dorion always deals with star players at the last minute rather than doing his due diligence early.


Yes, that is beyond true and drives many fans nuts! Most teams dont do business this way. But it might be because they are trying to low ball the player, hmmmm might have to do with our owner!

[quote=Kevin Francis]



but....shouldn't they have things DONE mid to late summer to ramp up season ticket sales? I ended up committing to a half season...and now I'm second guessing even that. I love the team, but imagine the less "fanatical fan" sitting there thinking...
"well IF they sign Brady, i'll get some tickets"

how is leaving it to the last hour good business? AND - OK you can say maybe leaving it this long isn't PD's fault...but if they gave in, and paid the player what he asked...none of us would be discussing this. We'd be jacked about a promising upcoming season.

I was thinking about this scenario as well. 3 months ago, Brady was a nonstarter in deals, but you have to think you'd reconsider that now. Main issue is Buffalo probably wanting Brady inked to some kind of contract before acquiring if a player like Eichel will be departing. In that case, you have the same problem as we have right now.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

For some contending teams Tkachuk could be a monster addition.

But few contending teams have the cap space to add the kind of contract Tkachuk wants. Sens on the other hand are in a position to take on a heavy cap hit (perhaps not able to pay the actual dollars).

For example (but I would never do it) imagine how much stronger the Leafs would be if they traded one of their expensive ice dancers for Tkachuk.

Is it possible that Tkachuk is more valued by others than he is by the Ottawa fan base? Do you remember how the Montreal fan base went ballistic when the Habs traded Subban for the old man Weber? Sometimes personality is part of the image, even when the performance does not measure up.

I really like Tkachuk and the swagger he brings to the team. Would I trade him and a good pick/prospect to the Rangers for Lafreniere, Reaves and a salary? Absolutely!
- spatso

Trading ANOTHER star, this one even sooner than the others, would be a major embarrassment for the team. Especially after they want to appear to be doing things differently this time.

It has to be their least desired option, other than an offersheet.

Trading ANOTHER star, this one even sooner than the others, would be a major embarrassment for the team. Especially after they want to appear to be doing things differently this time.

It has to be their least desired option, other than an offersheet.
- david22

But! What are you going to do?

Melnyk is broke.

The problems will continue until God calls him home.

We do not wish him harm...but, even God must be running short on patience when it comes to the Sens.

Trading ANOTHER star, this one even sooner than the others, would be a major embarrassment for the team. Especially after they want to appear to be doing things differently this time.

It has to be their least desired option, other than an offersheet.
- david22

Exactly, how on earth do you move what everyone said just a week ago or a month ago was the teams future captain. I have said it over and over, players and NHL executives all around the league are watching this Brady situation closely. The way this ends will affect many things with this team for years to come, when it comes to NHL perception!

"
but....shouldn't they have things DONE mid to late summer to ramp up season ticket sales? I ended up committing to a half season...and now I'm second guessing even that. I love the team, but imagine the less "fanatical fan" sitting there thinking...
"well IF they sign Brady, i'll get some tickets"

how is leaving it to the last hour good business? AND - OK you can say maybe leaving it this long isn't PD's fault...but if they gave in, and paid the player what he asked...none of us would be discussing this. We'd be jacked about a promising upcoming season."

I am beyond with you! I said it in August, it was affecting the front office in so many ways. The owner knows he has no $ so then why would you not make sure you get your biggest asset both on and off the ice signed to maximize revenue! I know many former season ticket holders that told the ticketing department this and naturally, they let it slide and slide, til the point of no return now. How embarassing will it be when you see 4,000 fans in the rink on a Tuesday night in October or November, it will happen!

New blog up!