Kevin Francis: Three Sens topics for discussion! Gabe Vilardi in a Sens uniform?

You win in this league down the middle. These constant stop gaps by Pierre Dorion has to stop. Other teams don't fill up their roster with a bunch of 4th line guys, then expect them to play 3rd line minutes too.

Vilardi sure has upside and I think he could step in on the Sens 2nd line with Pinto out again. Chris Tierney and Dylan Gambrell are 4th line centers, Nick Paul struggles at center and why on earth wont the Sens play Tim Stutzle at center is really bizarre, this coming from an outsider.

Vilardi had size and skill advantages when playing with kids so never had to really try but that approach doesn't work so well in the NHL.

Words like inconsistent and disinterested keep popping up.

This year his numbers were poor all across the board and there's talk about trying him on the wing in the AHL.

I wouldn't put too many eggs in that basket.

Vilardi is the best young C option I've heard come up in a while... definitely would be interested, though it's already been rumoured that Kravstov could be offered up from the Rangers. If the Kings would accept a deal based around Brannstrom, that would at least be an exchange of high-potential prospects. If the Kings needed another D-man for the short-term due to injures, maybe add one of the more affordable depth guys like Holden or Brown.

Would be interesting to see Vilardi beside Stutzle... could be a good fit, just given the more dynamic nature of Stutzle's game. Most accounts of Vilardi cite his vision and all-round offensive skill set, but not so much his skating. Maybe find a more responsible winger like Brown to round out the line, or Paul if they need some more faceoff support and physical presence. I've also seen his work ethic cited as a strength in some of his scouting reports, so if he's lacking some drive right not it could be more an indication of the C logjam going on in LA. Personally, I think it would be worth the risk, but can understand the nay-sayers.

Vilardi had size and skill advantages when playing with kids so never had to really try but that approach doesn't work so well in the NHL.

Words like inconsistent and disinterested keep popping up.

This year his numbers were poor all across the board and there's talk about trying him on the wing in the AHL.

I wouldn't put too many eggs in that basket.
- Whatisavailable

I watch a ton of hockey lol, but in the late-night games I get to watch large chunks of each game as there aren't as many games on then. Vilardi gets 12-13 min. a game in the games he played. He was playing with nobody on the 3rd or 4th line. The logjam at center in LA is absolutely insane. He would thrive in a top 6 role somewhere else.

Sokolov and Heater have be send down in Belleville. I doubt this two play next Sens game.


I watch Sens games in french broadcast , and the other day talk about maybe Vilardi could be a good target. The commentator said Vilardi have not a good work ethic and it s why the team not play him. I don’t think he fit the Sens mentality

Sokolov and Heater have be send down in Belleville. I doubt this two play next Sens game.


I watch Sens games in french broadcast , and the other day talk about maybe Vilardi could be a good target. The commentator said Vilardi have not a good work ethic and it s why the team not play him. I don’t think he fit the Sens mentality
- Crosside

Villardi has been injured. And was just sent to the AHL coming off his injury. He has the right work ethic to get himself healthy. On ice he shows flashs of what could be great. Its just you dont see it all the time. And that could be due to him playing down the line up and not getting the minutes and line mates to get him going.

Vilardi is the best young C option I've heard come up in a while... definitely would be interested, though it's already been rumoured that Kravstov could be offered up from the Rangers. If the Kings would accept a deal based around Brannstrom, that would at least be an exchange of high-potential prospects. If the Kings needed another D-man for the short-term due to injures, maybe add one of the more affordable depth guys like Holden or Brown.

Would be interesting to see Vilardi beside Stutzle... could be a good fit, just given the more dynamic nature of Stutzle's game. Most accounts of Vilardi cite his vision and all-round offensive skill set, but not so much his skating. Maybe find a more responsible winger like Brown to round out the line, or Paul if they need some more faceoff support and physical presence. I've also seen his work ethic cited as a strength in some of his scouting reports, so if he's lacking some drive right not it could be more an indication of the C logjam going on in LA. Personally, I think it would be worth the risk, but can understand the nay-sayers.
- khawk

That could make some sense. LA has been in the market for a potential dynamic lefty dman. It seems that was there target towards the trade dead line or the off season. But with the injuries. Now who knows.

I think the capitals have things in their minor league system we should target.
When you target the people everyone is talking about, you tend to pay higher prices for them.

Dorion needs to take a chance with a centre from outside of the organization soon. If Vilardi is indeed available, go for it. If the rumours are correct that LA is looking for a mobile d-man, Mete or Brannstrom plus a pick could maybe a decent starting point for a deal.

I sort of feel the Vilardi AHL stint if more for development and confidence rather than slight to the player.

Time for Dorion to get creative and add skill to this lineup.

Dorion needs to take a chance with a centre from outside of the organization soon. If Vilardi is indeed available, go for it. If the rumours are correct that LA is looking for a mobile d-man, Mete or Brannstrom plus a pick could maybe a decent starting point for a deal.

I sort of feel the Vilardi AHL stint if more for development and confidence rather than slight to the player.

Time for Dorion to get creative and add skill to this lineup.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

LAK is deep at C and RHD. Brannstrom as a LHD would probably be attractive to the Kings. He's a Swede as well, so Edler would be an ideal mentor. I like that deal.

Dorion needs to take a chance with a centre from outside of the organization soon. If Vilardi is indeed available, go for it. If the rumours are correct that LA is looking for a mobile d-man, Mete or Brannstrom plus a pick could maybe a decent starting point for a deal.

I sort of feel the Vilardi AHL stint if more for development and confidence rather than slight to the player.

Time for Dorion to get creative and add skill to this lineup.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

The last thing I want to see is Pierre"Proudest Day of My Life" Dorion getting "Creative". Yikes! Just the thought sends chills down my spine.

LAK is deep at C and RHD. Brannstrom as a LHD would probably be attractive to the Kings. He's a Swede as well, so Edler would be an ideal mentor. I like that deal.
- Only_A_Ladd

I agree. I would do Brannstrom straight up for Vilardi .

Dorion needs to take a chance with a centre from outside of the organization soon. If Vilardi is indeed available, go for it. If the rumours are correct that LA is looking for a mobile d-man, Mete or Brannstrom plus a pick could maybe a decent starting point for a deal.

I sort of feel the Vilardi AHL stint if more for development and confidence rather than slight to the player.

Time for Dorion to get creative and add skill to this lineup.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Definitely agree that the answer to the C issue is not going to come from within, at least not anytime soon. Now maybe they have grand plans to try to sign Giroux in the off-season, and maybe they'll draft a very good C in the top-10 of next year's draft... but those are big "maybes", and it's just too important a position to not add strength there when you have the chance. Plus, a change of scenery really can make a huge difference, with Turris being a great example. And the opportunities for a young C on a team with Kopitar/Danault on the NHL roster, and Byfield/Turcotte in the AHL is very different from a team with Norris/Pinto in the entire system.

I agree. I would do Brannstrom straight up for Vilardi .
- Whatisavailable

On the other hand, do the Sens need another big, soft center? He might give you guys Logan Brown-chills.

On the other hand, do the Sens need another big, soft center? He might give you guys Logan Brown-chills.
- Only_A_Ladd

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.

The last thing I want to see is Pierre"Proudest Day of My Life" Dorion getting "Creative". Yikes! Just the thought sends chills down my spine.
- Whatisavailable

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.

On the other hand, do the Sens need another big, soft center? He might give you guys Logan Brown-chills.
- Only_A_Ladd

Having a couple of scoring line players who are primarily just skilled with the puck is fine, so long as they produce offense, and you have some balance on the lines. I don't think Brown is soft exactly, and he certainly had a compelling offensive tool kit on the surface... but he was frequently injured, never made a significant case for himself in training camp, and never really produced much in the NHL when given his chances. Vilardi's NHL numbers are far more impressive, even though they're still not where you'd expect for a guy of his potential. But right now, the Senators are busy pretending that a bunch of 3rd/4th line C are capable of supporting a scoring line, and they just aren't. For example, they've been letting Nick Paul centre the 2nd line with Stutzle, and he's now got just 3pts in 15GP, none of those points are assists, and he's a team-worst -10. Nick Paul is a really good supporting 3rd/4th line winger, and is generally very well liked by the fanbase... but he's just in way over his head.

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.
- Whatisavailable

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.

This is a weird thread… in that it’s non-stop killer comments. Lol I don’t think I’ve rolled my eyes once. I just keep thinking, “Oh, good point.”

I’m gonna stop writing before I mess it up.

Xoxo

Villardi has been injured. And was just sent to the AHL coming off his injury. He has the right work ethic to get himself healthy. On ice he shows flashs of what could be great. Its just you dont see it all the time. And that could be due to him playing down the line up and not getting the minutes and line mates to get him going.
- poisondhearts37

Totally agree and I predict he will just break out one year. The only thing holding him back ironically is his back, lol. I would trade him for Brannstrom though as both are excellent prospects and the trade may positionally work for both teams.

That could make some sense. LA has been in the market for a potential dynamic lefty dman. It seems that was there target towards the trade dead line or the off season. But with the injuries. Now who knows.
- poisondhearts37

Do you think the long wait for K. Clague is over or do you think he will never reach stardom? He shows flashes of what he was hoped to be but I have only seen a couple games. Doughty is a huge loss despite the recent winning streak. I am so used to seeing Doughty and Kopitar in on the same goal, lol miss him

Do you think the long wait for K. Clague is over or do you think he will never reach stardom? He shows flashes of what he was hoped to be but I have only seen a couple games. Doughty is a huge loss despite the recent winning streak. I am so used to seeing Doughty and Kopitar in on the same goal, lol miss him
- joegreif17

TBH. I dont think Clague has ever looked bad. I think when we see flash's is when the coachs unleash him. Just like we have never seen bjornfot given the chance to rly do anything. Coaching has always just had these kids play d. Be in position. Yet bjornfot was one of the only guys who would pinch in last season. And you nvr seen him actually take a shot. I think coaching has rly held these younger guys back. Because they preach dont f*ck up and be in position so much. Yet after Doughty and Walker went down. We see more pinching from bjornfot. And clague rly can run a pp. Ive always liked Clague and always thought he should be on the team.

The only good thing to come from these injuries. Is its rly showing us how bad Roy is. Hes been sheltered on that 3rd pair for a couple of years now. And him given a vastly bigger role is showing how bad he is. This is Clagues coming out party. I wanted LA to bury Maata. Clague was on waivers and that bothered me. Surprised nobody claimed him.

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),

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

this is a joke right?