“Wild” game last night. The powerplay, while looks decent, still needs refining. I don’t think I have seen Chabot or any player on the blueline take a point shot this season. Seems nitpicky, but seems the only game plan on the PP is trying to force the puck low and try a cross crease pass, which is effective but can get predictable. I wonder why this is happening. Change it up. Create some unpredictability even if your goal is to get to a set play.

Gus was good and got hung out to dry a lot during the game. The defence outside of Chabot and Zub is an embarrassment.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

The Wild PK has been bad this year but I thought they were better positionally last night. The Sens skilled forwards were able to make passes through the box easily though and create chances on the PP. That PP looked more dangerous than decent.


The Wild made a big blunder challenging that high stick resulting in tilting the ice to the Sens. Credit the Sens for jumping on that. Gustavsson had a rough start but was phenomenal in the 3rd.

What am I missing here. The media and Smith are spinning it like the Sens played a good game. The Wild had 43 shots on goal and 33 missed or blocked for a total of 76 shots. The Sens had 28 shots on goal and 14 missed or blocked for a total of 42. To me those are pretty telling possession numbers in the O zone. The Sens definitely have a problem keeping the play out of their end and the D get exposed big time. Structure is the only way to solve it and after 2+ years with this coaching staff, it's not going to happen so they need elite level goaltending to compete.

What am I missing here. The media and Smith are spinning it like the Sens played a good game. The Wild had 43 shots on goal and 33 missed or blocked for a total of 76 shots. The Sens had 28 shots on goal and 14 missed or blocked for a total of 42. To me those are pretty telling possession numbers in the O zone. The Sens definitely have a problem keeping the play out of their end and the D get exposed big time. Structure is the only way to solve it and after 2+ years with this coaching staff, it's not going to happen so they need elite level goaltending to compete.
- granpa

no structure in existence will make up for the COMPLETE lack of talent and hockey IQ on that back end (not counting Chabot and Zub).

you could have the greatest coach of all time, employing the greatest defensive structure of all time, backstopped by the greatest goalie of all time.......but you're still going to have zaitsev/brown/del zotto back there playing big minutes, which means you're going to give up 3-4 goals and 35 shots EVERY GAME

no structure in existence will make up for the COMPLETE lack of talent and hockey IQ on that back end (not counting Chabot and Zub).

you could have the greatest coach of all time, employing the greatest defensive structure of all time, backstopped by the greatest goalie of all time.......but you're still going to have zaitsev/brown/del zotto back there playing big minutes, which means you're going to give up 3-4 goals and 35 shots EVERY GAME
- sensarmy_11

Is this something you try to fix this year? Or is it better to ride it out waiting for prospects to come up and make an impact.


Losing wont help anyones development, and they have a decent numbe of picks taht could be used for some temporary help.

The Wild PK has been bad this year but I thought they were better positionally last night. The Sens skilled forwards were able to make passes through the box easily though and create chances on the PP. That PP looked more dangerous than decent.


The Wild made a big blunder challenging that high stick resulting in tilting the ice to the Sens. Credit the Sens for jumping on that. Gustavsson had a rough start but was phenomenal in the 3rd.
- Minnyhock

Good points. The powerplay did look good. I am just wondering why point shots are being utilized more. Let's seem some good old fashion slap shots.

Is this something you try to fix this year? Or is it better to ride it out waiting for prospects to come up and make an impact.


Losing wont help anyones development, and they have a decent numbe of picks taht could be used for some temporary help.
- david22

Winning more games will also help bring more fans to the games as well.

no structure in existence will make up for the COMPLETE lack of talent and hockey IQ on that back end (not counting Chabot and Zub).

you could have the greatest coach of all time, employing the greatest defensive structure of all time, backstopped by the greatest goalie of all time.......but you're still going to have zaitsev/brown/del zotto back there playing big minutes, which means you're going to give up 3-4 goals and 35 shots EVERY GAME
- sensarmy_11

4 or 5 chalktalks & practices & 10 games should do it. The rest is to execute during games to get better. Players don't figure it out on their own. They must all be on the same page for it to work.

Is this something you try to fix this year? Or is it better to ride it out waiting for prospects to come up and make an impact.


Losing wont help anyones development, and they have a decent numbe of picks taht could be used for some temporary help.
- david22

I am not sure it makes sense to sit around to wait and assume Sanderson, JBD, and Thompson can step in a become legit options. That's a lot of pressure on rookies. This organization has sat around and waited for other promising d-men to come along to only have them flop and try to duct tape the defence together after or during the fact. Ceci, Cowen, Weircioch, Runblad, Wolanin, etc.

Zub is a prime example of a cheap option that worked out. Didn't cost assets to acquire. If he didn't work out, nothing lost. Dorion also has cap space and assets available should no reasonable signings be available.

my biggest issue with how they've handled it is the bungling of Brannstrom.

IF you're willing to watch the keystone cop routine every night from anyone NOT named Zub\Chabbot……..then how does keeping Brannstrom in the minors make sense? Let HIM come up and make mistakes and learn from them. I don't get it, beyond the clearing waivers thing. "oh he's not a DJ Smith kinda guy"....."oh we can't play him, he takes too many hits, what if he gets hurt then he's a wasted asset".....like...what is the thought process here on the Proudest Day Of PD's Life ?

It almost seems they played it this way so they can and will trade him after pissing him off and sending him back to the AHL where he clearly doesn't belong.

I think it should be obvious that you can't afford to play Chabot and Zub together this year. If you split them up you can at least better manage your Dzone. Bring in Brannstrom to try him out. It won't be pretty but will be better than expecting guys like Zaitsev to anchor a second D pair.

Unless they get a good deal on a RD I don't see any need to panic and move assets just so they can pick in the number fifteen spot rather than the top ten.

Just Sanderson will make a big difference for the D and everyone says he's NHL ready now so there's no reason to believe he is going to be a flop.

Personally I think JBD and LT will both need another year after this one in Belleville which is why I suggest targeting a RD but how about taking your time and making sure you don't get screwed in the process, even if you have to wait till the summer.

Above all no squandering of assets or cap space for meaningless short term gain allowed.

“… why on earth was MDZ out there and not Artem Zub after Chabot had a long shift?”

Because DJ for some reason thinks MDZ is some type of an offensive defensemen.

stop sugar coating it......i don't think the D is as good as you're claiming here.....embarrassment is far too nice a word to describe that tire fire.

i said it on twitter last night, i'd honestly rather have Cowen and Ceci back as opposed to putting Zaitsev and Brown out there every game
- sensarmy_11

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Let’s not say things we can’t take back.

The only things I’m gonna say is PD has to stop bringing in bottom 4 plugs in D it’s getting ridiculous
And Stutzle has to start shooting the puck if he wants to start scoring 🤦‍♂️
Com’on kid 12 shots in 9 games just isn’t worthy trust your shot kid 👌

the whole team got dominated at points.....

the old character guys got dominated every time they stepped on the ice.....

that's the difference
- sensarmy_11

I don’t see what the big deal is. Stepan, Paquette, and Gudbranson were amazing for us last year. Unfortunately they were so good they all got lucrative contracts with new teams this off season.

J. Brown et al are gonna cash in big time this summer after their stellar seasons in Ottawa. Can’t wait to see what gems Dorion signs during the summer of 2022.

The Wild PK has been bad this year but I thought they were better positionally last night. The Sens skilled forwards were able to make passes through the box easily though and create chances on the PP. That PP looked more dangerous than decent.


The Wild made a big blunder challenging that high stick resulting in tilting the ice to the Sens. Credit the Sens for jumping on that. Gustavsson had a rough start but was phenomenal in the 3rd.
- Minnyhock

That was a very strange challenge. It looked way too difficult to tell, and the Wild still had a 3-2 lead.

Utlimately it didn't matter as the Wild earned the win, but wierd nonetheless

Seriously though: i feel like it's been along time since the Sens had TWO challenges go their way.

I am not sure it makes sense to sit around to wait and assume Sanderson, JBD, and Thompson can step in a become legit options. That's a lot of pressure on rookies. This organization has sat around and waited for other promising d-men to come along to only have them flop and try to duct tape the defence together after or during the fact. Ceci, Cowen, Weircioch, Runblad, Wolanin, etc.

Zub is a prime example of a cheap option that worked out. Didn't cost assets to acquire. If he didn't work out, nothing lost. Dorion also has cap space and assets available should no reasonable signings be available.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

This is a good point. As it stands, it wouldn't be hard to find someone, even temporarily, who would improve the defence.

Who won?

Who won?
- riceroni

The Buccaneers. It was crazy! I didn’t think it was possible, but Brady really is the GOAT.

Brann's Benchpress - Mike in Ottawa is the contest winner with 5 total points! He was the only one with 5 points, we had 7 others with 3 points. Congrats! I will post it in tomorrow's blog and on Twitter. He's been contacted on IM here at HB!

Thanks to everyone who entered!

What am I missing here. The media and Smith are spinning it like the Sens played a good game. The Wild had 43 shots on goal and 33 missed or blocked for a total of 76 shots. The Sens had 28 shots on goal and 14 missed or blocked for a total of 42. To me those are pretty telling possession numbers in the O zone. The Sens definitely have a problem keeping the play out of their end and the D get exposed big time. Structure is the only way to solve it and after 2+ years with this coaching staff, it's not going to happen so they need elite level goaltending to compete.
- granpa

]

I said it on Twitter a month ago, hire Marc Methot to work the defense! Capuano isn't getting the job done. Like you said, 2 + years and nothing has changed! Heck they had Luke Richardson here, but they wouldn't promote him, so he left after developing a lot of kids in Bingo.

I don’t see what the big deal is. Stepan, Paquette, and Gudbranson were amazing for us last year. Unfortunately they were so good they all got lucrative contracts with new teams this off season.

J. Brown et al are gonna cash in big time this summer after their stellar seasons in Ottawa. Can’t wait to see what gems Dorion signs during the summer of 2022.
- PavohnDatsvares

LOL! TOO FUNNY!
But please tell Dorion with his rose tinted glasses on that his defense a mess, give DJ something to work with.

I think it should be obvious that you can't afford to play Chabot and Zub together this year. If you split them up you can at least better manage your Dzone. Bring in Brannstrom to try him out. It won't be pretty but will be better than expecting guys like Zaitsev to anchor a second D pair.

Unless they get a good deal on a RD I don't see any need to panic and move assets just so they can pick in the number fifteen spot rather than the top ten.

Just Sanderson will make a big difference for the D and everyone says he's NHL ready now so there's no reason to believe he is going to be a flop.

Personally I think JBD and LT will both need another year after this one in Belleville which is why I suggest targeting a RD but how about taking your time and making sure you don't get screwed in the process, even if you have to wait till the summer.

Above all no squandering of assets or cap space for meaningless short term gain allowed.
- Whatisavailable

Most fans see this, somehow the coaching staff doesn't. This stubborn DJ Smith wont budge on Brannstrom, they need a puck moving dman for each pairing. Mete, Chabot and Brannstrom then fill in the blanks! You have to spread it out, break up the top pairing because the results arent happening with the other 2 pairs, this is a year that you try things, no expectations!

The only things I’m gonna say is PD has to stop bringing in bottom 4 plugs in D it’s getting ridiculous
And Stutzle has to start shooting the puck if he wants to start scoring 🤦‍♂️
Com’on kid 12 shots in 9 games just isn’t worthy trust your shot kid 👌
- sens4life1971

I am with ya! It's amazing how he does the same thing each year, yet he gets a 3 year contract extension, unreal!
As for Stutzle, ya he has to start putting pucks to the net. Too much perimeter hockey.

my biggest issue with how they've handled it is the bungling of Brannstrom.

IF you're willing to watch the keystone cop routine every night from anyone NOT named Zub\Chabbot……..then how does keeping Brannstrom in the minors make sense? Let HIM come up and make mistakes and learn from them. I don't get it, beyond the clearing waivers thing. "oh he's not a DJ Smith kinda guy"....."oh we can't play him, he takes too many hits, what if he gets hurt then he's a wasted asset".....like...what is the thought process here on the Proudest Day Of PD's Life ?

It almost seems they played it this way so they can and will trade him after pissing him off and sending him back to the AHL where he clearly doesn't belong.
- Octavarium

Exactly let Brannstrom make the same mistakes like all the others do on defense, at least he has a skill set that is missing outside of Chabot and Mete. The others cant get out of their own zone, it just doesn't make sense.

That was a very strange challenge. It looked way too difficult to tell, and the Wild still had a 3-2 lead.

Utlimately it didn't matter as the Wild earned the win, but wierd nonetheless

Seriously though: i feel like it's been along time since the Sens had TWO challenges go their way.
- david22

I think you make that challenge if you’re down 1-2 goals but not in that situation. It kind of looked like a good challenge until you see the definitive angle which clearly shows that Norris touched much lower than it looked.

Even though the Wild had more chances to win it in regulation, the best chance of all was the Stutzle one. It looked like Kulikov gave him a small tug that caused it to go just wide.