Why the Hell isn't Sanderson in this lineup ??? You took him over Drysdale so the thought had to be he was a better player... get him in there.

Why the Hell isn't Sanderson in this lineup ??? You took him over Drysdale so the thought had to be he was a better player... get him in there.
- dozerD10

He opted to play NCAA this year. No real choice. I think there is a chance to see him at the end of the year once the NCAA season is done.

Great point on Pinto! Many thought he would play half a year in Belleville or more....but he had a great training camp and preseason, plus no depth at center once Colin White went down, so that changed things. He definitely needs to get stronger!

DJ uses the same system as last year that failed for the most part when exiting the defensive zone. That's why he was so happy with Stutzle the last 2 games because he skate through the neutral zone and pin the oppositions ears back!

I cant argue with you at all on your breakdown of the other players, well said! I'm actually doing up a blog for Monday that is going to get into the depth in Ottawa and Belleville! Great post as always.
- Kevin Francis

Great. With all the call ups, I'm struggling to know what is happening in Belleville.

Good point on DJ's failing system. I have no idea what his system is anymore and the team plays so inconsistently, but it's clearly not working. I think Stu at centre is a better fit right now, but the results are still the same. Hopefully they give him a few more games. The kid has to get going. Maybe when Batherson is back in the lineup.

I think maybe the expectations were a bit high this year.

Ottawa has a much better team than our record shows, but last night there was no fight at all and that is frustrating, but we need to focus on the big picture.

I think we need to take a step back and work on what kind of a team we want to be. Then we'll see success.

Waiving Murray makes no sense to me to be honest. He's had some good games this year, all waiving him is going to do is kill his confidence. You'd think we would want to build his game back so he can be a better goalie for us, or at least build some trade value to get something back for him, and I believe getting rid of his contract puts us under the cap floor. (I think.... could be wrong)

We need to remember a few things.
#1. Develop the talent we have
#2. We have more prospects coming
#3. This rebuild isn't over
#4. If we are in a bad position at the end of the year, that gets us more talent in the drafts (Shane Wright, Connor Bedard etc.... We could end up with the next Mcdavid)

He opted to play NCAA this year. No real choice. I think there is a chance to see him at the end of the year once the NCAA season is done.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Do you think he may do the college gig to FA like Schultz did ?? Or did he sign and ELC already ??

Do you think he may do the college gig to FA like Schultz did ?? Or did he sign and ELC already ??
- dozerD10

His plan is to finish the UND season, then sign his ELC and finish out the season with Ottawa/Belleville.

Murray on waivers soon eh?

His plan is to finish the UND season, then sign his ELC and finish out the season with Ottawa/Belleville.
- Mpepe1084

I'm anxious to see him, if for no other reason than to think and compare what might have been... I really thought he'd be a Duck pick.. Never thought Sens would pass on Jamie.

I'm anxious to see him, if for no other reason than to think and compare what might have been... I really thought he'd be a Duck pick.. Never thought Sens would pass on Jamie.
- dozerD10

how is Drysdale, he living up to his draft spot?

how is Drysdale, he living up to his draft spot?
- Mithos

Playing on the top pair.. skating his ass off .. edgework off the charts.. learning that nhl forwards are hard as hell to move from in front. Running the 4th ranked PP from the top effortlessly and generally being everything we had hoped for and more @ just 19...



After a kind of rough 1st 12 games.. his last 11 are really just a sample of how great he is going to be.

Playing on the top pair.. skating his ass off .. edgework off the charts.. learning that nhl forwards are hard as hell to move from in front. Running the 4th ranked PP from the top effortlessly and generally being everything we had hoped for and more @ just 19...



After a kind of rough 1st 12 games.. his last 11 are really just a sample of how great he is going to be.
- dozerD10

Agree with everything here. What's the best thing about Jaime's play is that hockey pundits are already complaining about his defensive mistakes as if he is a top pair D-man. The kid is 19 freaking years old and he's played about 50 games! He's already the third-best defenseman the Ducks have and he's not through growing yet. Being able to watch him and Zegras for the next decade is going to be a joy!

Thanks for jumping in the discussion! Love a Pens perspective....you should listen to this link about Murray from radio here in Ottawa today. It says a few things that you said in your comment. Thanks for stopping by!

https://www.tsn.ca/radio/...teams-in-hockey-1.1726688
- Kevin Francis

Enjoyed that analysis. Thanks!

I'll give credit where it's due, he played a handful of really great games for those cup teams. However, not enough credit was ever given to how systematically sound those teams were. They played an awesome brand of team defense. Blocked a ton of shots. For the second cup, Fleury had the harder two series. Murray only got the second two series....and all the glory. Like the guy providing the analysis says... a bad defensive team is a nightmare for any goalie. Obviously, that's gonna be a factor.

Anyway... The rumor out of Pittsburgh was Murray wasn't very coachable. Didn't feel he needed to make changes. I think, like any pro sports, your weaknesses will get exposed over time. Teams didn't really "see" Murray before he won those cups. Naturally, over time, they found his flaws. He seems like a good guy, I feel for him.

Have a good weekend!

Giving Murray a chance to play his way into a longer-term deal would have been one thing... but proactively signing him to a 4yr deal to that much $$$ before he'd even played 1 game was something quite different. It's beyond me how Dorion ever got Melnyk to agree to fund that signing, but it only compounds the extent to which they're under a major financial constraint for the next few years. The fact that they would entertain this buyout only reinforces my belief that Zaitsev will be bought out in the off-season as well. Combined, these two buyouts would have the following impact:

SEASON - $$$/AAV
22/23 - $3.3M/$4.6M
23/24 - $3.3M/$3.6M
24/25 - $3.3M/$3.3M
25/26 - $3.3M/$3.3M

It's technically a relatively small price to be paying, vs. the full salary amounts of those 2 players ($11.5M/$12.5M over the next 2 years), but it's really about just getting them both the hell out of the way. They'll achieve a similar goal by not re-signing any of Tierney, Ennis, J. Brown, Sanford, or Mete.
- khawk

This is where Sens fans are at:

Am I the only one who looked at this and thought, "I guess this allows the team/EM to make the cap floor for the next cpl of years without signing anyone significant, like a 4D or a 1C."

Smith confirms Murray will be put on waivers. Man the guy looks soooo drained in the interview.

https://www.tsn.ca/ottawa...ville-d-j-smith-1.1727154

Enjoyed that analysis. Thanks!

I'll give credit where it's due, he played a handful of really great games for those cup teams. However, not enough credit was ever given to how systematically sound those teams were. They played an awesome brand of team defense. Blocked a ton of shots. For the second cup, Fleury had the harder two series. Murray only got the second two series....and all the glory. Like the guy providing the analysis says... a bad defensive team is a nightmare for any goalie. Obviously, that's gonna be a factor.

Anyway... The rumor out of Pittsburgh was Murray wasn't very coachable. Didn't feel he needed to make changes. I think, like any pro sports, your weaknesses will get exposed over time. Teams didn't really "see" Murray before he won those cups. Naturally, over time, they found his flaws. He seems like a good guy, I feel for him.

Have a good weekend!
- madmike71

Great stuff my friend! Enjoy the weekend. I'm beginning to think he got the longtime Sens goalie coach demoted errrr fired last year as I've heard many things that Murray wants this, wants that....I think the coaching staff is beyond tired of his act! It sure makes you wonder when you are saying many of the same things that others are saying in Ottawa. If it happens in two cities, chances are what both places are saying behind the scenes line up!

Giving Murray a chance to play his way into a longer-term deal would have been one thing... but proactively signing him to a 4yr deal to that much $$$ before he'd even played 1 game was something quite different. It's beyond me how Dorion ever got Melnyk to agree to fund that signing, but it only compounds the extent to which they're under a major financial constraint for the next few years. The fact that they would entertain this buyout only reinforces my belief that Zaitsev will be bought out in the off-season as well. Combined, these two buyouts would have the following impact:

SEASON - $$$/AAV
22/23 - $3.3M/$4.6M
23/24 - $3.3M/$3.6M
24/25 - $3.3M/$3.3M
25/26 - $3.3M/$3.3M

It's technically a relatively small price to be paying, vs. the full salary amounts of those 2 players ($11.5M/$12.5M over the next 2 years), but it's really about just getting them both the hell out of the way. They'll achieve a similar goal by not re-signing any of Tierney, Ennis, J. Brown, Sanford, or Mete.
- khawk

Unless another team wants to trade their problem for Murray, then I think you are beyond correct, buyout both players and then you officially get the players that in the line up that should be starting!! Great post as always.

Sens claimed Adam Gaudette from Hawks, thus Dorion got the fabled top 6 he said he would get when he traded Dadonov....

Great stuff my friend! Enjoy the weekend. I'm beginning to think he got the longtime Sens goalie coach demoted errrr fired last year as I've heard many things that Murray wants this, wants that....I think the coaching staff is beyond tired of his act! It sure makes you wonder when you are saying many of the same things that others are saying in Ottawa. If it happens in two cities, chances are what both places are saying behind the scenes line up!
- Kevin Francis

He got the guy that helped him win two cups fired in Pittsburgh because he wanted "his guy". His game was never the same. In fact, Jarry declined too under Murray's guy too. Everybody in Pittsburgh was dumbfounded when they canned a seemingly good goalie coach after winning two cups.

This is where Sens fans are at:

Am I the only one who looked at this and thought, "I guess this allows the team/EM to make the cap floor for the next cpl of years without signing anyone significant, like a 4D or a 1C."
- GrimmdaGoalie

I'd also like to point out that we've sucked ever since we got the new old style jersey's.... time for some new ones lol

They are actually worse then last year. Holding 32 spot down strong. Last year they were only 31 at this point.

This is about 5 years in the making so far. How much can one fan threshold take ? Look in the stands is the answer

I think maybe the expectations were a bit high this year.

Ottawa has a much better team than our record shows, but last night there was no fight at all and that is frustrating, but we need to focus on the big picture.

I think we need to take a step back and work on what kind of a team we want to be. Then we'll see success.

Waiving Murray makes no sense to me to be honest. He's had some good games this year, all waiving him is going to do is kill his confidence. You'd think we would want to build his game back so he can be a better goalie for us, or at least build some trade value to get something back for him, and I believe getting rid of his contract puts us under the cap floor. (I think.... could be wrong)

We need to remember a few things.
#1. Develop the talent we have
#2. We have more prospects coming
#3. This rebuild isn't over
#4. If we are in a bad position at the end of the year, that gets us more talent in the drafts (Shane Wright, Connor Bedard etc.... We could end up with the next Mcdavid)
- Maverick1818

Finally a human being who doesn’t use emotion to dictate their views. I think Francis actually thinks that this year the Sens were going to win the Stanley cup (even though he hates the roster, coach, GM and owner).
A huge reason why I switched from Toronto to Ottawa was because I was sick of the “sky is falling!!!!” platform used by the media.
And then we get this guy writing up hate blogs and complaining left, right and centre.

Why not have a little faith in your team? Why not be patient with a very promising team?
I don’t get it at all.
Yay people are writing comments in agreement with hating the team!!!!


Good lord

Finally a human being who doesn’t use emotion to dictate their views. I think Francis actually thinks that this year the Sens were going to win the Stanley cup (even though he hates the roster, coach, GM and owner).
A huge reason why I switched from Toronto to Ottawa was because I was sick of the “sky is falling!!!!” platform used by the media.
And then we get this guy writing up hate blogs and complaining left, right and centre.

Why not have a little faith in your team? Why not be patient with a very promising team?
I don’t get it at all.
Yay people are writing comments in agreement with hating the team!!!!


Good lord
- Unholy_Forward

That's what I keep saying. This team is going to be a perennial contender for at least a decade in a couple of years as long as they don't start trading away that future for a little short term improvement.

I listen to some of these talking heads and they make it sound like there need to be major moves right now or the world will end. They suggest adding a number one C, a number one RW, a number one D and a number one goaltender to start. Who pays these guys for this crap?

Anyway keep the faith and hope Melnyk doesn't look at improving ticket sales by trading away the future.

A (frank)ing bite?

A (frank)ing bite?
- david22

only kissing allowed, no biting

I get it that they are gunna be good eventually but good God this team sucks right now.