Is Brown putting up 9pts in 13GP in the AHL five years after he was a 1st round pick supposed to be impressive? That's the exact same number of games/points he had with Belleville last year, which was substantially worse than his AHL production from 2 and 3 years ago. He also hasn't had his annual injury spell yet, which is what often affected his production most. Plus, he's playing on a team that's off to a 9-2-1 start, and he's only the team's 5th leading scorer. Not finding a way to stand-out was Brown's biggest problem in Ottawa, and quite frankly it doesn't look like much has changed. Now factor in the reality that the Blues also didn't see enough in training camp to keep in in the NHL, then risked waiving him after trading for him, and then nobody else in the NHL saw enough value to claim him off waivers for nothing. So it's hardly just Ottawa that didn't see a lot of potential left in Logan Brown that was worth investing in.
- khawk

I'm just a softie for a guy who has had a rough ride of it and would like him to find some success in his professional career. Sometimes I just like the underdog.

The Stone trade was not a creative one. My inclination of creative actually supports your notion of trying to not give up too many assets. Important to realize Brannstrom’s value is not what it was one year ago (which I believe you are ok with parting with in another post).

Ship has sailed on trying to get a big name for a centre right now. Assessing other teams surpluses and deficiencies is exactly what Dorion has to do to address the teams massive holes. That is when quality deals can occur. A player like Vilardi could be had for a reasonable cost and could be a solid piece. He could also flop. Risk in every trade/signing that you can come out on the losing end, but you won’t get anywhere if you don’t make those kinds of deals. Drafting will only get you so far, especially on a budget team where the window to win might only be a season or two.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Whoa Nellie! What's this talk of a one or two year window to win?

If Pierre "Proudest Day of My Life" Dorion doesn't do major stupid, or Dorion's idea of creative if you like, and squander assets willy nilly as he is inclined to do there is no reason this team can't be a serious contender for the Cup for a decade or more.

Brannstrom for Vilardi straight up is fine because I think Brannstrom will prove to be a bust so I don't mind rolling the dice on Vilardi and hope to get lucky.

Where the heck did Brannstrom ever get the idea that he could be an effective NHL defenseman?

He can't handle the heavy going down low in his own end and he can't pivot very well. He's got skills but I'd be up for trying him on the wing, a position he's much better suited for in my opinion.

At the end of the day. I think LA's plan for the left shot was more around guys like Sergachev or Werenski before he got way over paid. Maybe now they go after Chychrun whos having a bad time in arizona.

How bout:
Lemieux, Vilardi to Ottawa

For:
Watson/Sanford, 2nd (TBL 2022), 5th (OTT 2022),
- ahjnkn

This is bad. You should feel bad for posting this.

Vilardi would be an ok target, but there are other guys on LA we could target as low cost melnyk buys.

A guy like Brandon Lemieux would be a good add. I base this solely on my viewing of the OTT-lak game live last week, and the fact that every time I’ve seen the Sens play against him (with la and nyr) he’s been a huge jagoff that is very easy to hate. The kind you want to see on your team that causes the other team to lose their minds. Pair him with Tkachuk for a few shifts a game and let them run wild. Make the rebuild season entertaining.

How bout:
Lemieux, Vilardi to Ottawa

For:
Watson/Sanford, 2nd (TBL 2022), 5th (OTT 2022),
- ahjnkn

Boy, that is not a great offer.

Whoa Nellie! What's this talk of a one or two year window to win?

If Pierre "Proudest Day of My Life" Dorion doesn't do major stupid, or Dorion's idea of creative if you like, and squander assets willy nilly as he is inclined to do there is no reason this team can't be a serious contender for the Cup for a decade or more.

Brannstrom for Vilardi straight up is fine because I think Brannstrom will prove to be a bust so I don't mind rolling the dice on Vilardi and hope to get lucky.

Where the heck did Brannstrom ever get the idea that he could be an effective NHL defenseman?

He can't handle the heavy going down low in his own end and he can't pivot very well. He's got skills but I'd be up for trying him on the wing, a position he's much better suited for in my opinion.
- Whatisavailable

That window obviously isn't now, but even if the Sens manage to become a contending team, remember this is a cap era team owned by Eugene Melnyk. Sens really have to have success with some guys on entry/bridge deals. A great example is to look at the Chicago Blackhawks who were successful before Kane/Toews got their big contacts. Once they got those contracts, there was less money for important depth pieces, and thus, less success.

Conversely, Tampa is starting to prove that you can sign big-name players and still be a contender, but they are doing it in ways to circumvent the cap which will likely be addressed by the NHL/NHLPA in a couple of years’ time.

I’d love to see this team become a contender for years, like the 2000s but with Melnyk at the helm and the new cap world, it will be extremely difficult. Pulling off a few savvy signings and trades could help accelerate this team to contention. But as we are all aware, that can always work against you.

I would never have traded away Logan Brown. He's got 5 goals and 4 assists in 13 games with Springfield so far. I hope he does well enough to earn a regular spot in St. Louis or another NHL team.

Somebody in Ottawa's management didn't like him it seems and a lot of fans enjoyed dumping on him. I hope he gets the last laugh.

Vilardi may not work out but I've never thought Brannstrom was going to be an NHL regular and so trading him for Vilardi is pretty low risk in my opinion. Maybe Dorion gets lucky.
- Whatisavailable

I watched his last 3 games and he's a totally different player. The Blues organization have completely changed his game. He's the reason for Springfield being in 1st place and having the #1 PP in the league. He dominates the play and with better finishers he would have a lot more points. His problem is the logjam at C in St-Louis with O'Reilly, Schenn, Thomas. Schenn is out but they won't bring Brown up because they said that when they bring him up he stays up. He'll be in the NHL by January.

This is bad. You should feel bad for posting this.
- Only_A_Ladd

Honestly it would make more sense if that 'Ottawa 5th' is the first round pick we get after losing the lottery this year.

Would love to see a khawk and granpa debate about Logan Brown. I can never tell if that kid is good or bad.

This is bad. You should feel bad for posting this.
- Only_A_Ladd

What more would you give up for two bottom six players, based on career performances to date?

Lemieux was traded to la for a 4th round pick last year and he is the guy with more appeal to me. Vilardi is a non-factor for me, reads very much like a Logan Brown-esque prospect who is trending down in a similar fashion. How much is he feasibly worth?

What more would you give up for two bottom six players, based on career performances to date?

Lemieux was traded to la for a 4th round pick last year and he is the guy with more appeal to me. Vilardi is a non-factor for me, reads very much like a Logan Brown-esque prospect who is trending down in a similar fashion. How much is he feasibly worth?
- ahjnkn

I take issue with the bolded part on Vilardi. He gets an incomplete grade versus Brown who hasn't shown it yet and might never show it as he's already 23 1/2. Granted, some big guys take longer to develop (think Brian Boyle) but, to date, you have evidence that Brown ain't going to his hit ceiling or anywhere near it.

In comparison, Vilardi is ~18 months younger than Brown. Both were drafted in the exact same spot at no. 11 a year apart. Both were expected to have 1C ceilings and (probably) 3C floors. Brown got 30 NHL games before the start of this season. Vilardi had more than double that. Vilardi also had better NHL production. All of this should be viewed through the lens of Vilardi having a career threatening back injury that he overcame.

But I certainly get where people might look at Vilardi similarly to Brown. I made reference to it in a prior post. It is, however, superficial. Putting this year into perspective, Vilardi struggled with finding a fit in brief playing time based on the depth chart. In very limited usage before going into Covid protocol, he played on 4 different line combos with mostly bottom 6 players and rookies. I think Vilardi needs to get more top 6 minutes and he won't get that on the Kings. I think that's what Blake figured out and why he was sent to AHL Ontario.

If you give Viladi top 6 minutes, which he'd get in OTT, I think you'll see a productive payer, especially next to Tim. Vilardi might just be a stopgap for OTT, but he's proven he can play when deployed with better players around him. It would certainly help Tim and that's who OTT absolutely wants to see play better. Brown wasn't and isn't that guy.

Then there is fit: the Kings don't need Stafford taking the minutes of any kids. They don't need more draft picks. They need a LHD.

I take issue with the bolded part on Vilardi. He gets an incomplete grade versus Brown who hasn't shown it yet and might never show it as he's already 23 1/2. Granted, some big guys take longer to develop (think Brian Boyle) but, to date, you have evidence that Brown ain't going to his hit ceiling or anywhere near it.

In comparison, Vilardi is ~18 months younger than Brown. Both were drafted in the exact same spot at no. 11 a year apart. Both were expected to have 1C ceilings and (probably) 3C floors. Brown got 30 NHL games before the start of this season. Vilardi had more than double that. Vilardi also had better NHL production. All of this should be viewed through the lens of Vilardi having a career threatening back injury that he overcame.

But I certainly get where people might look at Vilardi similarly to Brown. I made reference to it in a prior post. It is, however, superficial. Putting this year into perspective, Vilardi struggled with finding a fit in brief playing time based on the depth chart. In very limited usage before going into Covid protocol, he played on 4 different line combos with mostly bottom 6 players and rookies. I think Vilardi needs to get more top 6 minutes and he won't get that on the Kings. I think that's what Blake figured out and why he was sent to AHL Ontario.

If you give Viladi top 6 minutes, which he'd get in OTT, I think you'll see a productive payer, especially next to Tim. Vilardi might just be a stopgap for OTT, but he's proven he can play when deployed with better players around him. It would certainly help Tim and that's who OTT absolutely wants to see play better. Brown wasn't and isn't that guy.

Then there is fit: the Kings don't need Stafford taking the minutes of any kids. They don't need more draft picks. They need a LHD.
- Only_A_Ladd

This is a good post. Viladi value is similar to what Brown’s value was prior to the 2020 draft. You can believe Dorion likely had more quality deals available at that time then he did when he traded him for Sanford this summer. Brown’s value dropped immediately after draft day in 2020 and even more with a poor training camp and injury last year. You have to take a year’s draft difference into consideration.

we can all discuss who Dorion SHOULD get but deep down we all know if he trades for anyone, it will be a 4th liner making 2M or less. he has made ZERO attempts to trade for a top 6 C since Pintos injury and may have rushed him back to take the pressure he was feeling from fans, pundits to make a trade.

I take issue with the bolded part on Vilardi. He gets an incomplete grade versus Brown who hasn't shown it yet and might never show it as he's already 23 1/2. Granted, some big guys take longer to develop (think Brian Boyle) but, to date, you have evidence that Brown ain't going to his hit ceiling or anywhere near it.

In comparison, Vilardi is ~18 months younger than Brown. Both were drafted in the exact same spot at no. 11 a year apart. Both were expected to have 1C ceilings and (probably) 3C floors. Brown got 30 NHL games before the start of this season. Vilardi had more than double that. Vilardi also had better NHL production. All of this should be viewed through the lens of Vilardi having a career threatening back injury that he overcame.

But I certainly get where people might look at Vilardi similarly to Brown. I made reference to it in a prior post. It is, however, superficial. Putting this year into perspective, Vilardi struggled with finding a fit in brief playing time based on the depth chart. In very limited usage before going into Covid protocol, he played on 4 different line combos with mostly bottom 6 players and rookies. I think Vilardi needs to get more top 6 minutes and he won't get that on the Kings. I think that's what Blake figured out and why he was sent to AHL Ontario.

If you give Viladi top 6 minutes, which he'd get in OTT, I think you'll see a productive payer, especially next to Tim. Vilardi might just be a stopgap for OTT, but he's proven he can play when deployed with better players around him. It would certainly help Tim and that's who OTT absolutely wants to see play better. Brown wasn't and isn't that guy.

Then there is fit: the Kings don't need Stafford taking the minutes of any kids. They don't need more draft picks. They need a LHD.
- Only_A_Ladd

Brannstrom is a LHD. So is Mete and MDZ. I'd be okay with parting with any of those guys.

Sorry I haven't been around much the last day or so.

I can't believe the league rescheduled the Sens vs. NJ for Dec. 6th. They will have 5 games in 7 nights, I didn't think the league could do that with the PA agreement? 16 games in 29 days too in December!

Brannstrom is a LHD. So is Mete and MDZ. I'd be okay with parting with any of those guys.
- Whatisavailable

Part with 2 of them!!!

Sorry I haven't been around much the last day or so.

I can't believe the league rescheduled the Sens vs. NJ for Dec. 6th. They will have 5 games in 7 nights, I didn't think the league could do that with the PA agreement? 16 games in 29 days too in December!
- Kevin Francis

the PA signed off on it thats how.

we can all discuss who Dorion SHOULD get but deep down we all know if he trades for anyone, it will be a 4th liner making 2M or less. he has made ZERO attempts to trade for a top 6 C since Pintos injury and may have rushed him back to take the pressure he was feeling from fans, pundits to make a trade.
- Mithos

He had better waiver opportunities since the season started.....its awful how little he does, he missed the boat in the summer but we have beat that topic to death.

the PA signed off on it thats how.
- Mithos

I can tell you this, there isn't one team that plays 5 in 7 nights this year!

the PA signed off on it thats how.
- Mithos

And even crazier, Puckpix who has the NHL betting column here, posted a stat about Detroit. The Wings are the only team that doesn't have any road trip longer than 4 gmes! It's just nuts that every other team has at least a 6 game road trip this season, some have a couple 7 gamers.

No. 4 Minnesota-Duluth
at
No. 6 North Dakota tonight on TSN2 at 8pm EST! If anyone wants to watch Jake Sanderson.

No. 4 Minnesota-Duluth
at
No. 6 North Dakota tonight on TSN2 at 8pm EST! If anyone wants to watch Jake Sanderson.
- Kevin Francis

I heard Sanderson don’t play tonight

I heard Sanderson don’t play tonight
- Crosside

OH wow, I wonder why?

Part with 2 of them!!!
- Kevin Francis

Do I detect a soupcon of disillusionment?

Dorion, half retained, for Vilardi straight up.

Do I detect a soupcon of disillusionment?

Dorion, half retained, for Vilardi straight up.
- Whatisavailable

lol, Mete and Brown, just unload them.....But Brannstrom for Vilardi straight up sure would be nice!