Kevin Francis: Defending Filip Gustavsson and Alex Formenton! Sens UFA's, what to do?

Expecting production out of Nick Paul is silly. He's a PK/3rd line guy to slow things down when top line is tired in a tied game or have the lead. But at the same time I kind of understand it. Ottawa has depth coming up, but zero depth right now. So as much as it annoys me, I kind of agree with Dorion. Trading futures now for a guy to help out for 1 or 2 seasons is not worth it. (Zibanejad and 2nd for Brassard comes to mind)

Gustavson was crap last game.
First Goal - Way out of position and left the net open
Second Goal - I really have no idea what Ottawa D was doing for this goal. Gus was screwed over
Third Goal - Gus couldn't control bounce of backboards/glass. Like... just cover the puck
Fourth Goal - Sandford just flat out gave up on the play which eventually led to the goal. Bellows was wide open for one-timer. Gus had no chance, but was almost on the goal line. He needed to be out more and realize where players are. He looked like he didn't realize Bellows was there
Fifth Goal - No rebound control with the honey badger in front

The D was a cavalcade of diarrhea, but pretending like Gus didn't suck that game is not accurate. I wouldn't put more thought into it than that. It was not his night. He'll bounce back. As you said, not a lot of practice, 5 games in 7 days, back-to-backs, etc.. I was just glad they scored 3. I thought they would be so tired they would only get 1 goal or even shut out.

The only reason Paul is on that line is to take FO..Paul 51% - Stutzle 31%… they can put Formenton there if they only use Stutzle line in neutral Zone FO .. cause he truly sucks in the circle that’s why we need pinto back 🤷‍♂️ Then play Stutzle back on LW


Agree with your UFA thinking 👍

Only one thing to do, unleash Pierre McGuire.

Ducks play 5 games in this current 7 day Mon-Sun week. Just sayin…

Ducks play 5 games in this current 7 day Mon-Sun week. Just sayin…
- Burnt_juice

Oh wow! I was going off what they said on TSN1200 on air the other day. I thought under the new CBA they pretty much wouldn't allow that to happen anymore. Now I get with games that were postponed they had no choice but I'm guessing Ottawa and Anaheim might be the only teams in the league to do 5 in 7 nights. Thanks for posting in here.

Only one thing to do, unleash Pierre McGuire.
- henny1953

The guy has been radio silent since day one of training camp, it's actually quite bizarre considering Dorion said he would be speaking to the media more on his behalf when he was hired!

The only reason Paul is on that line is to take FO..Paul 51% - Stutzle 31%… they can put Formenton there if they only use Stutzle line in neutral Zone FO .. cause he truly sucks in the circle that’s why we need pinto back 🤷‍♂️ Then play Stutzle back on LW


Agree with your UFA thinking 👍
- sens4life1971

Fair enough, but now that they know Stutzle is going to be playing center more, they should have him working on it to end every practice!!

Expecting production out of Nick Paul is silly. He's a PK/3rd line guy to slow things down when top line is tired in a tied game or have the lead. But at the same time I kind of understand it. Ottawa has depth coming up, but zero depth right now. So as much as it annoys me, I kind of agree with Dorion. Trading futures now for a guy to help out for 1 or 2 seasons is not worth it. (Zibanejad and 2nd for Brassard comes to mind)

Gustavson was crap last game.
First Goal - Way out of position and left the net open
Second Goal - I really have no idea what Ottawa D was doing for this goal. Gus was screwed over
Third Goal - Gus couldn't control bounce of backboards/glass. Like... just cover the puck
Fourth Goal - Sandford just flat out gave up on the play which eventually led to the goal. Bellows was wide open for one-timer. Gus had no chance, but was almost on the goal line. He needed to be out more and realize where players are. He looked like he didn't realize Bellows was there
Fifth Goal - No rebound control with the honey badger in front

The D was a cavalcade of diarrhea, but pretending like Gus didn't suck that game is not accurate. I wouldn't put more thought into it than that. It was not his night. He'll bounce back. As you said, not a lot of practice, 5 games in 7 days, back-to-backs, etc.. I was just glad they scored 3. I thought they would be so tired they would only get 1 goal or even shut out.

- PogBoi

I never said Gus didn't play well, but he had no help plus I was trying to lay out to fans why its ok that the guy had a stinker of a game. I was stunned to read Garrioch's column calling out Gus! Where was Bruce when the entire team crapped the bed in front of Gus for weeks!!!!

I would like to see Stutzle take some regular shifts with Brady. Brady goes for the net and he forces the play inside. I think it is the space where Stutzle needs to learn to navigate. He looks pretty solid with the physical part of the game and He is moving closer to the net as he grows his game but he still needs to get in a little tighter.

I don't think Gus played all that well - which was expected - after what you said about the practice time.


But for me it goes to the real problem with this team and you touched on it.....Some absolutely HEAD SCRATCHING coaching decisions by this guy. It's almost like he gets into a mode or a way of thinking and he won't be swayed. Even by crap results. Weather it's punishing young players but not veterans for the same mistakes, putting the wrong people in the wrong situations to just downright goofy line combinations. He's WAY out of his depth here.

For me, I would not have started Gus...for precisely the reason you alluded to. ZERO practice time. They were tired, coming upon a long break before Tampa. You stick with the hot winning hand. When did it become a "thing" to not play goalies back to back? Hell NHL teams used to only have ONE goalie. These people aren't made of glass. You roll with the winner and don't shove the cold-hasn't-seen-the-ice in 10 days guy in the net. Just DUMB.

Not a single person would have questioned starting Foresberg, in fact people would have been like...."ya...damn right".....especially the Tampa Bay Rays. That's right. The BASEBALL team, who, on a small budget, continue to think outside the box and produce. THIS is what Ottawa needs to do. This is how they need to manage and THIS is how they need to coach. Innovative thinking. Our coach is not innovative. He's lost.

I don't think Gus played all that well - which was expected - after what you said about the practice time.


But for me it goes to the real problem with this team and you touched on it.....Some absolutely HEAD SCRATCHING coaching decisions by this guy. It's almost like he gets into a mode or a way of thinking and he won't be swayed. Even by crap results. Weather it's punishing young players but not veterans for the same mistakes, putting the wrong people in the wrong situations to just downright goofy line combinations. He's WAY out of his depth here.

- Octavarium

I agree that this coaching staff has a biased/flawed view of player performance that leads to very questionable player deployment choices.

I would like to see Stutzle take some regular shifts with Brady. Brady goes for the net and he forces the play inside. I think it is the space where Stutzle needs to learn to navigate. He looks pretty solid with the physical part of the game and He is moving closer to the net as he grows his game but he still needs to get in a little tighter.
- spatso

Tkachuk is also strong in the FO circle, which Stutzle will need help with for quite a while (which isn't so unusual, if you look at guys like MacKinnon, Pettersson). It also potentially justifies giving White a look at RW beside Stutzle when he's back from injury, as both could help alleviate some of the FO pressure. Either of those adjustments would facilitate moving Paul down the lineup, and bringing Formenton into a more prominent scoring role, which is just win-win at this point.

Formenton-Norris-Batherson
Tkachuk-Stutzle-Brown

Paul-Tierney-Ennis
Sanford-Gambrell-Watson

Hey, what do you know... two legitimate scoring lines. What a crazy thought.

Gus didn’t play well but he has had a good season overall. Hard to lay into him but since he’s been one of the few bright spots of this team, it was a disappointing result.

The Isles game gave a dose of reality back after the mini-win streak. This team is still miles away from being a contender. The roster depth just isn’t there at all.

As for UFA’s upcoming:
A.Forsberg – Trade to a team looking for goaltender insurance if you can for a depth pick. Sens have lots of middling goalies now and upcoming.

J.Brown – Let him walk if you can’t get a 7th for him at the deadline.

N.Holden – Trade him to a contender for a pick. Next season should be utilizing youngsters assuming their development continues.

D.Heatherington – Let him walk. Redundant.

T.Ennis – I really like Ennis and am not sure why others don’t. I’d keep him as a depth forward. Slots on any line and has good speed and skill.

Paul – Likely could net you the best trade package at the deadline in season that is likely lost with little trade bait. I’d move him if the price was right. If you resign him, he likely will have a contract that is more expensive than what a guy on min salary which would probably yield the same results.

Tierney- If you can get something for him, trade him. Looking forward to Tierney not taking up ice time from youngsters.

L. Brown news for those interested.

https://twitter.com/lkora...tatus/1468660481552486407

Formenton should be up with Norris and Batherson, plug Tkachuk beside Stutzle given Tkachuk can take faceoffs if need be. I do believe Tkachuk and Norris being best friends has something to do with their deployment - Smith thinks he'll make Brady sad/mad if he switches them up.

We will all forgive Gus the occasional bad game because he's 22 and is getting paid 800k - expectations are low, but a spade is a spade and a bad game is a bad game. Saying 'he's gonna ride the bus' is hyperbole and only shows up because his name is Gus and Sens journalists moronically think rhyming is clever and makes for good reading. By the way - 'Gus the bus' is an incredibly stupid nickname, and a Garrioch coined one at that - let's nickname our goalie of the future after the absolute worst mode of conveyance that exists, sure.
Guys, let's not make that a thing.

Don't look now but Logan Brown has 3 points in 4 games on the fourth line. A major developmental cluck up by this management - imagine he only plays in 29 games? Then St Louis nets what's basically a low third in Ottawa's fourth round pick. A+ considering we need a centre and quality picks.

Formenton should be up with Norris and Batherson, plug Tkachuk beside Stutzle given Tkachuk can take faceoffs if need be. I do believe Tkachuk and Norris being best friends has something to do with their deployment - Smith thinks he'll make Brady sad/mad if he switches them up.

We will all forgive Gus the occasional bad game because he's 22 and is getting paid 800k - expectations are low, but a spade is a spade and a bad game is a bad game. Saying 'he's gonna ride the bus' is hyperbole and only shows up because his name is Gus and Sens journalists moronically think rhyming is clever and makes for good reading. By the way - 'Gus the bus' is an incredibly stupid nickname, and a Garrioch coined one at that - let's nickname our goalie of the future after the absolute worst mode of conveyance that exists, sure.
Guys, let's not make that a thing.

Don't look now but Logan Brown has 3 points in 4 games on the fourth line. A major developmental cluck up by this management - imagine he only plays in 29 games? Then St Louis nets what's basically a low third in Ottawa's fourth round pick. A+ considering we need a centre and quality picks.
- Bartacus

That's 3 points in 4 games against the 2 best teams in the NHL.

Per the UFAs - scorched earth. Maybe resign Paul if he's willing to take a haircut - but the way he's playing with top 6 minutes this year, anything 1.1+, forget about it. Tierney goes to whoever needs a centre and is foolish enough to think he can be a good third liner. Holden's a replacement player, somebody might bite for a 6th or 7th but his salary is too high. Heatherington I'd resign a year if he went two way and played for 250k or less in the minors (exactly his contract now). Josh Brown should be marched out of town Game of Thrones shame style.

Two quick points:1) does anyone actually care what is written in the Sun anymore? I mean, i like Warren but the bulk of the Sens stuff is written by a cypher. Crapping on Gus is just a way to soothe the GMs butthurt from the lambasting he rightfully took on the Murray demotion.
On formenton, he needs to understand that he is playing for legendary coach John Brophy and not some wimpy modern coach with the fancy numbers and all. You wanna play more Alex? Get out there and punch someone in the face.

Don't look now but Logan Brown has 3 points in 4 games on the fourth line. A major developmental cluck up by this management - imagine he only plays in 29 games? Then St Louis nets what's basically a low third in Ottawa's fourth round pick. A+ considering we need a centre and quality picks.
- Bartacus

Good for Brown for stepping up... though let's not forget that he's effectlvely playing for his NHL future right now, and it's only been a few games. He's played well in short stretches before, but the problem has always been his consistency, effort, and reliability. So while it's nice to see him turn it on for a stretch, the only meaningful measure of success for him at this point will be if he can remain productive over a larger stretch of games at the NHL level, and find a way to stay healthy for long enough to try to work his way into a regular lineup spot.

Good for Brown for stepping up... though let's not forget that he's effectlvely playing for his NHL future right now, and it's only been a few games. He's played well in short stretches before, but the problem has always been his consistency, effort, and reliability. So while it's nice to see him turn it on for a stretch, the only meaningful measure of success for him at this point will be if he can remain productive over a larger stretch of games at the NHL level, and find a way to stay healthy for long enough to try to work his way into a regular lineup spot.
- khawk

Fair assertion. I'm just saying I'd rather have rolled the dice on trying the guy out this season, disgruntled as he might have been. Rather than making that trade for Sanford and then relying on waiver claims in Gambrell and Gaudette to fill the 4C. They gave up on Logan over the past two seasons, I think the straw fell when Norris got the call over him (begs the question why we didn't call them both up at the time....? oh yeah, Stepan and Paquette).

Tkachuk is also strong in the FO circle, which Stutzle will need help with for quite a while (which isn't so unusual, if you look at guys like MacKinnon, Pettersson). It also potentially justifies giving White a look at RW beside Stutzle when he's back from injury, as both could help alleviate some of the FO pressure. Either of those adjustments would facilitate moving Paul down the lineup, and bringing Formenton into a more prominent scoring role, which is just win-win at this point.

Formenton-Norris-Batherson
Tkachuk-Stutzle-Brown

Paul-Tierney-Ennis
Sanford-Gambrell-Watson

Hey, what do you know... two legitimate scoring lines. What a crazy thought.
- khawk

I remember when Draisaitl was taking all the faceoffs because McDavid couldn't win one to save his life. He worked on it and got better. I'm not comparing Stutzle to McDavid but just saying FO performance can be worked on and improved and that's a classic example.

Two quick points:1) does anyone actually care what is written in the Sun anymore? I mean, i like Warren but the bulk of the Sens stuff is written by a cypher. Crapping on Gus is just a way to soothe the GMs butthurt from the lambasting he rightfully took on the Murray demotion.
On formenton, he needs to understand that he is playing for legendary coach John Brophy and not some wimpy modern coach with the fancy numbers and all. You wanna play more Alex? Get out there and punch someone in the face.
- Helm

I liked the Sunshine Girl. Its' always been a truckstop bathroom rag. You don't read the SUN for the writing. LOL...the boobies, the wacko letters to the editor etc etc.

I liked the Sunshine Girl. Its' always been a truckstop bathroom rag. You don't read the SUN for the writing. LOL...the boobies, the wacko letters to the editor etc etc.
- Octavarium

Well said! I was just surprised to see the garbage being written by Garroich about Gus, like I stated in my blog, no way he should face that type of criticism, total joke! Maybe Dorion told him to write it lol.

I remember when Draisaitl was taking all the faceoffs because McDavid couldn't win one to save his life. He worked on it and got better. I'm not comparing Stutzle to McDavid but just saying FO performance can be worked on and improved and that's a classic example.
- Whatisavailable

Exactly, that's why I said if Stutzle works on them after each practice for 15-20 min. he can do it. If Brady can do it, which he didn't before, as a winger, then Stutzle can!