Dylan Heatherington on waivers! Incredible, you know DJ and PD heard the postgame show last night saying but JBrown on waivers or make him a healthy scratch so Heatherington can play in his spot! There is something seriously wrong when the wrong player is put on waivers!!! Thoughts folks? I will reply to the other messages on here from earlier today after work.

Dylan Heatherington on waivers! Incredible, you know DJ and PD heard the postgame show last night saying but JBrown on waivers or make him a healthy scratch so Heatherington can play in his spot! There is something seriously wrong when the wrong player is put on waivers!!! Thoughts folks? I will reply to the other messages on here from earlier today after work.
- Kevin Francis

Saving $$$.

Obviously, PD/DJ still like JBrown.

The GM and coach both need to go. Melnyk too. When it takes 20 games into the season to ice a semi-competitive lineup (both 2020-2021 and 2021-2022) there are huge issues. Player development at the NHL is a huge problem due to lack of ice time. Also, the other teams play their backup goalies and give half efforts due to the inability of the front office/coach to ice a competitive team.

Dylan Heatherington on waivers! Incredible, you know DJ and PD heard the postgame show last night saying but JBrown on waivers or make him a healthy scratch so Heatherington can play in his spot! There is something seriously wrong when the wrong player is put on waivers!!! Thoughts folks? I will reply to the other messages on here from earlier today after work.
- Kevin Francis

This really tics me off why would you waive the one guy who can do what Brown does but way better…
This is so they can play Brown more and say we need physical presence back there 😡 fk me 🤦‍♂️
I’m Hating PD and DJ more and more as it goes

Sens games rescheduled -

Monday, Feb. 7 vs. NJ 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 8 vs. CAR 7 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 10 vs. PITT 7 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 12 vs. BOS 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 13 @ WASH 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 15 vs. STL 7 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 17 @ BUFF 7 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 19 vs. BOS 1 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 20 vs. NYR 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 22 vs.MINN 7 p.m.

NSH at OTT - April 7th 7 p.m.
OTT at SEA - April 18th 10p.m.
OTT at VAN - April 19th 10p.m.

Sens play at home vs. TOR Apr.16, then @ SEA 18th, @ VAN 19th, @ BUFF 20th,
@CLB 22nd, home to MTL on the 23rd! 6 GMS in 7 nights!

In April 17 games in 29 days, with 10 of those on the road!

This really tics me off why would you waive the one guy who can do what Brown does but way better…
This is so they can play Brown more and say we need physical presence back there 😡 fk me 🤦‍♂️
I’m Hating PD and DJ more and more as it goes
- sens4life1971

It's like the greasy move PD made in Alberta, put JBD on the taxi squad to save dollars from his NHL salary! These players around the league all watch and see this. Then fans wonder why players hold out when the owners of some of these teams nickel and dime them so bad!

Yes the refs on most nights would have whistled the play. It was odd to watch unfolding.

I agree they are trending upwards but really is the only possible direction to go when your always at the bottom
- spazzbot

When you are 30th yet again, like basically the last 4.5 season, yup they got nowhere but to go up!

Have to keep playing until the whistle blows. Not sure why that is a lesson that needs to be learned at the NHL level ?
Why did DJ not put the best line out on the 2nd half of that late 3rd powerplay?

Anyways lets get people back in the stands. Asap.
- spazzbot

Agreed, I will be talking about that and a few other things in my blog, I will post it much later tonight.

The game last night was certainly strange. The Sabres second goal was weird. I have never seen a scrum with an official breaking it up happen while the play continues. Officiating in all sports should have to provide a statement after games if requested. Everyone and their sister knew the play should have been blown dead.

That aside, huge, missed opportunity by the Sens. I blame the team for not capitalizing for about 50-55 minutes. After that, DJ, deserves all the criticism in the world. The time management at the end of the game was embarrassing. No idea how you don’t call a time out with a powerplay near the end of the game, especially when the big line was out there for an extended period of time. Or pull the goalie to get a 6 on 4. It’s evidence like that, that reinforce the notion DJ isn’t the right fit long-term.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Great post! I will be touching on a few of these things in my blog tonight. This team needs to learn to win games they should win, end of story! Lots of growing up to do, oh weit....I thought that was why they got all these vets in the line up lol

If someone makes them an offer they can't refuse then sure, but that's not happening at the trade deadline.

If they can acquire a good player on the UFA market this summer then they should have a look. I would be interested in a top six RW.

Realistically this team is not winning anything next season. They are too young, especially on D. Let them grow and mature. As long as they don't give away the store for an imaginary number one all star C or an imaginary number two all star C or an imaginary all star goalie or whatever else the snake oil salesmen are selling then they should be fine.

The good thing about not having a McDavid or a Matthews is that you've got the money for a well balanced team. The good thing about having a steady stream of picks and prospects coming into the system is you get to replace people who no longer fit in. That's how you build a team that will contend for years.

I think they should only seriously start looking to add next summer,
not this coming summer unless something great is available, preferablyy in the UFA market. I still think their number one need will be a top six RW but you never know.
- Whatisavailable

Great post, well said!!!

It's like the greasy move PD made in Alberta, put JBD on the taxi squad to save dollars from his NHL salary! These players around the league all watch and see this. Then fans wonder why players hold out when the owners of some of these teams nickel and dime them so bad!
- Kevin Francis

All teams do that not just Ottawa 🤷‍♂️
And why not that’s the point of a 2way contract 👍

Dylan Heatherington on waivers! Incredible, you know DJ and PD heard the postgame show last night saying but JBrown on waivers or make him a healthy scratch so Heatherington can play in his spot! There is something seriously wrong when the wrong player is put on waivers!!! Thoughts folks? I will reply to the other messages on here from earlier today after work.
- Kevin Francis

It's literally the exact opposite of Moneyball... making your team worse by removing the more productive and cost-effective option from your roster.

All teams do that not just Ottawa 🤷‍♂️
And why not that’s the point of a 2way contract 👍
- sens4life1971

A guy you view as a longterm piece on defense, doing slimmy snake like stuff, looks bad, end of story on that....you don't hear about it from other teams fans.

It's literally the exact opposite of Moneyball... making your team worse by removing the more productive and cost-effective option from your roster.
- khawk

lol so true!!!!

For sure!

The positivity is nice by spatso and Whatisavailable. There are players that are progressing very nicely. One has to think of the 7-player profile Pirerre McGuire is undoubtedly pushing on Dorion. Here is the profile and Senator players that could fill the roles with the current roster:

1. #1 all star center – Norris
2. #2 all star center - Stutzle
3. Top power forward - Tkachuk
4. Specialist/Utility Player/Agitator/Shutdown center – Pinto/Batherson
5. All star offensive d-man - Chabot
6. Top shutdown d-man - Zub
7. All star goalie – Murray

Now obviously, some of these are massive reaches, some are bang on, and some warrant some discussion. In my mind, only Tkachuk and Chabot fill their roles.

If Stu remains at centre and him and Norris keep improving, there could be something there for a solid 1-2 combo.

The specialist category is a bit all over the place. Batherson would be a scoring specialist. Pinto could potentially be that effective 3rd line centre.

Sanderson is probably slated to be the future shutdown d-man, but it’s an area that is very unclear right now.

This team doesn’t have an all-star caliber goalie yet. Goalies are unpredictable, so this may work itself out in time.

There is lots of work to do to take the next step. You have to be careful with time. Waiting is fine, but you have to hit being a contender when everyone is in their prime and not all on their big contracts. Next couple of seasons are incredibly important.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Great stuff my friend! Like you said the next 2 seasons after this year are 100% important in getting all these pieces in place if they plan to contend. Stutzle could very well develop into the 1C and Norris at 2C. Norris has a great shot and very productive on the PP, but he truly isn't at 1C status even though that's role he's been put into due to how thin Ottawa is in the top 6. Goalie, I truly feel one, or two of Gustavsson, Sogaard or Mandolese will be here for years. Plus you got Leevi in Kingston, only a teenager. Defense will sort itself out over the next 2 years, Sanderson, JBD, Thomson and Kleven coming will solidy this area.

Yeah, I'd just like an explanation.

Will the league ever come out and just say, "Ref's f'd up" ?

Last night was an example of that bad teams can find a way to lose hockey games, and the Sens despite the improvements are still a bad team, albeit one I think is trending upwards.
- david22

Learning to win games you should win has to start now. Winning games because you go in with a nothing to lose mentality or that the top 2 teams don't take the Sens seriously eventually won't happen. You gotta bank those points while you can.

Sens play at home vs. TOR Apr.16, then @ SEA 18th, @ VAN 19th, @ BUFF 20th,
@CLB 22nd, home to MTL on the 23rd! 6 GMS in 7 nights!

In April 17 games in 29 days, with 10 of those on the road!
- Kevin Francis

So the Buffalo game was moved to Feb 17th!

This year the Sens should have been a non top 10 pick. The team needs capable help brought in for next season. On the current trajectory the window will close before they get value out of team friendly contracts.
I expect this tradeline to see the Sens as buyers if the right personel is available. If they are ever going to get serious moving forward ( next season and beyond). Its time to aquire the right pieces when available.
- spazzbot

A top 5 pick would be very ideal this summer!!

I was thinking if Ottawa loses Heatherington on waivers, man....how dont you send down JBD then until the D sorts itself in the next few weeks. Or just put JBrown on waivers already, I would much lose a player who isn't capable of playing in the NHL vs. a good depth guy that can still play in the NHL when needed.

1. #1 all star center – Norris
2. #2 all star center - Stutzle
3. Top power forward - Tkachuk
4. Specialist/Utility Player/Agitator/Shutdown center – Pinto/Batherson
5. All star offensive d-man - Chabot
6. Top shutdown d-man - Zub
7. All star goalie – Murray

Now obviously, some of these are massive reaches, some are bang on, and some warrant some discussion. In my mind, only Tkachuk and Chabot fill their roles.

If Stu remains at centre and him and Norris keep improving, there could be something there for a solid 1-2 combo.

The specialist category is a bit all over the place. Batherson would be a scoring specialist. Pinto could potentially be that effective 3rd line centre.

Sanderson is probably slated to be the future shutdown d-man, but it’s an area that is very unclear right now.

This team doesn’t have an all-star caliber goalie yet. Goalies are unpredictable, so this may work itself out in time.

There is lots of work to do to take the next step. You have to be careful with time. Waiting is fine, but you have to hit being a contender when everyone is in their prime and not all on their big contracts. Next couple of seasons are incredibly important.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I said it many times in the past and will say it again - the center ice position is so valuable and we can't pretend it's there when it isn't. Norris is a solid #2 center on a cup contender. He has the ability to be Krecji level, but not sure about Patrice Bergeron. At the same time Stutzle has to prove himself at the center ice spot. But yes there is potential there.

Tkachuk and Chabot check the boxes of PF and #1 Dman
The Sens lack a #1 goalie for sure - Murray is questionable, especially as the years go buy. A young star goalie is needed

They covered the D shenanigans on 1200 this morning and were fresh out of sarcasm.

The players nobody wants, nor will they trade for:

Zaitsev (owed 2 million bonus + 2 more years)
J.Brown (not even on waivers is anyone touching this guy)
MDZ (is playing well in the AHL...because it's the AHL...another year at 2+ un-movable)
Mete (maybe you get a taker but unlikely)

The two you could trade.
Holden....
Heatherington....you just put on waivers
Are they trading Branstrom?

A top 5 pick would be very ideal this summer!!
- Kevin Francis

It will be. As that is the best option for this season. It could be used as a trade chip. Imo its now time to make moves. They know what they have, they know whats coming. They have been very patient developing what they have. And currently still have 2-3 years more developement of past picks coming in. Why take on more developement at this time unless its a true elite C .
1 or 2 good moves for next seasons can accelerate this team way beyond a developement team. Its really going to come down to Melnyk at this point. A - keep developing , perhaps get 1 or 2 contending seasons before current contracts become unaffordable or B make moves spend money and make the most out of value contracts you had developed and get 5 or 6 seasons of contending.
I have no idea what could or is available. But if nothing elite is available then stay the course.
Jack eichel would have been good. He could have gotten healrhy this year then play next year . The drama would have been forgotten. ... no idea if buff or ott ever considered it.

New blog up!