I mean, I don't disagree, but explain Hamonic then?
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

It's not impossible that the Game-7 OT loss in the 2017 Conference Finals quite literally broke Dorion's mind, and that out of self-preservation he immediately lapsed into a self-perpetuating Dr. Strange-like time loop.... while his body continues to walk around cautiously in the present 2022 timeline, giving nervous and unsatisfying press conferences. Consider, for instance, the kinds of roster decisions a person might make based exclusively on information from that exact 2016/17 timeframe, when the following were true...

FORWARDS
Dadonov was the biggest KHL free agent of 2017
Galchenyuk had career-high 59pts scoring pace with MTL
Anisimov had career-high 58pts scoring pace with CHI
Stepan had 55Pts in his last season with the NYR
Brown had a 20G rookie season for TOR
Watson was 6th in playoff G for Cup-Finalist NSH
Duchene had a career-worst season (i.e. time to push for a trade)

DEFENCE
Hainsey played top-4D minutes for Cup-champion Penguins
Zaitsev had career-best 36Pts season with TOR
Gudbranson was traded to VAN for 1st Round Pick
Holden had career-best 34Pts season with NYR
Del Zotto played top-4D minutes for PHI
Hamonic was traded to CGY for 1st Round Pick

PROSPECTS
Brannstrom was a top-3 D-prospect in the upcoming 2017 draft
Abramov put up his first 40G/100Pts season in the QMJHL
Gaudette was a red-hot NCAA talent (won the Hobey Baker next year)
Joseph was the leading scorer for QMJHL-champion Saint John

GOALTENDER
And, of course... Murray would have been the reigning NHL Stanley Cup champion goaltender.

It would almost be funny, if it weren't so bizarre just how many of his player acquisitions fall neatly into this paradigm. It would also explain Pierre Maguire's strange lack of communication in recent months.

OTT may not have had a stellar deadline day, but the leafs got a horrendous one, all their competitors (TBL,Panthers, Bruins) all improved while leafs did nothing, looks like another 1st round exist for the leafs

It's not impossible that the Game-7 OT loss in the 2017 Conference Finals quite literally broke Dorion's mind, and that out of self-preservation he immediately lapsed into a self-perpetuating Dr. Strange-like time loop.... while his body continues to walk around cautiously in 2022, giving nervous and unsatisfying press conferences. Consider, for instance, the kinds of roster decisions a person might make based exclusively on information from that exact 2016/17 timeframe, when the following were true...

FORWARDS
Dadonov was the biggest KHL free agent of 2017
Galchenyuk had career-high 59pts scoring pace with MTL
Anisimov had career-high 58pts scoring pace with CHI
Stepan had 55Pts in his last season with the NYR
Brown had a 20G rookie season for TOR
Watson was 6th in playoff G for Cup-Finalist NSH
Duchene had a career-worst season (i.e. time to push for a trade)

DEFENCE
Hainsey played top-4D minutes for Cup-champion Penguins
Zaitsev had career-best 36Pts season with TOR
Gudbranson was traded to VAN for 1st Round Pick
Holden had career-best 34Pts season with NYR
Del Zotto played top-4D minutes for PHI
Hamonic was traded to CGY for 1st Round Pick

PROSPECTS
Brannstrom was a top-3 D-prospect in the upcoming 2017 draft
Abramov put up his first 40G/100Pts season in the QMJHL
Gaudette was a red-hot NCAA talent (won the Hobey Baker next year)
Joseph was the leading scorer for QMJHL-champion Saint John

GOALTENDER
And, of course... Murray would have been the reigning NHL Stanley Cup champion goaltender.

It would almost be funny, if it weren't so bizarre just how many of his player acquisitions fall neatly into this paradigm. It would also explain Pierre Maguire's strange lack of communication in recent months.
- khawk

its almost like he only looks at their stats pages from 16/17

ROFL

The Hamonic move sent Ottawa’s fan base reeling on social media (Dorion’s girlfriend told the GM to stay off Twitter), considering the player appeared in just 24 games this season and was previously available on waivers. But Dorion liked the timing of adding Hamonic’s experience.

( from Wayne Scanlan article on sportsnet)

It's not impossible that the Game-7 OT loss in the 2017 Conference Finals quite literally broke Dorion's mind, and that out of self-preservation he immediately lapsed into a self-perpetuating Dr. Strange-like time loop.... while his body continues to walk around cautiously in the present 2022 timeline, giving nervous and unsatisfying press conferences. Consider, for instance, the kinds of roster decisions a person might make based exclusively on information from that exact 2016/17 timeframe, when the following were true...

FORWARDS
Dadonov was the biggest KHL free agent of 2017
Galchenyuk had career-high 59pts scoring pace with MTL
Anisimov had career-high 58pts scoring pace with CHI
Stepan had 55Pts in his last season with the NYR
Brown had a 20G rookie season for TOR
Watson was 6th in playoff G for Cup-Finalist NSH
Duchene had a career-worst season (i.e. time to push for a trade)

DEFENCE
Hainsey played top-4D minutes for Cup-champion Penguins
Zaitsev had career-best 36Pts season with TOR
Gudbranson was traded to VAN for 1st Round Pick
Holden had career-best 34Pts season with NYR
Del Zotto played top-4D minutes for PHI
Hamonic was traded to CGY for 1st Round Pick

PROSPECTS
Brannstrom was a top-3 D-prospect in the upcoming 2017 draft
Abramov put up his first 40G/100Pts season in the QMJHL
Gaudette was a red-hot NCAA talent (won the Hobey Baker next year)
Joseph was the leading scorer for QMJHL-champion Saint John

GOALTENDER
And, of course... Murray would have been the reigning NHL Stanley Cup champion goaltender.

It would almost be funny, if it weren't so bizarre just how many of his player acquisitions fall neatly into this paradigm. It would also explain Pierre Maguire's strange lack of communication in recent months.
- khawk

This might be the most believable theory at this point. Well done.

It's not impossible that the Game-7 OT loss in the 2017 Conference Finals quite literally broke Dorion's mind, and that out of self-preservation he immediately lapsed into a self-perpetuating Dr. Strange-like time loop.... while his body continues to walk around cautiously in the present 2022 timeline, giving nervous and unsatisfying press conferences. Consider, for instance, the kinds of roster decisions a person might make based exclusively on information from that exact 2016/17 timeframe, when the following were true...

FORWARDS
Dadonov was the biggest KHL free agent of 2017
Galchenyuk had career-high 59pts scoring pace with MTL
Anisimov had career-high 58pts scoring pace with CHI
Stepan had 55Pts in his last season with the NYR
Brown had a 20G rookie season for TOR
Watson was 6th in playoff G for Cup-Finalist NSH
Duchene had a career-worst season (i.e. time to push for a trade)

DEFENCE
Hainsey played top-4D minutes for Cup-champion Penguins
Zaitsev had career-best 36Pts season with TOR
Gudbranson was traded to VAN for 1st Round Pick
Holden had career-best 34Pts season with NYR
Del Zotto played top-4D minutes for PHI
Hamonic was traded to CGY for 1st Round Pick

PROSPECTS
Brannstrom was a top-3 D-prospect in the upcoming 2017 draft
Abramov put up his first 40G/100Pts season in the QMJHL
Gaudette was a red-hot NCAA talent (won the Hobey Baker next year)
Joseph was the leading scorer for QMJHL-champion Saint John

GOALTENDER
And, of course... Murray would have been the reigning NHL Stanley Cup champion goaltender.

It would almost be funny, if it weren't so bizarre just how many of his player acquisitions fall neatly into this paradigm. It would also explain Pierre Maguire's strange lack of communication in recent months.
- khawk

This is a great theory. It's kinda funny, most of his acquisitions, I was proud to have in my EA Sports NHL lineup in my franchise mode 4-6 years prior to it actually happening in real life. I did nab Harmonic for some defensive depth for the Sens in NHL 17.

Looking at some of the other expiring contracts Dorion did not deal and the potential outcomes in the summer, it's clear there was some asset mismanagement:

Tierney - walk
Gambrell - walk
Gaudette - walk
Ennis - Resign
Formenton - Resign
Mete - walk
Brannstrom - walk

Obviously you sign Formenton. I'd sign Ennis as a placeholder for another mediocre season. Surprised you couldn't get a pick for the guy.

After that, Gambrell, Gaudette, and Mete can all walk. All waiver pickups. While there is nothing lost, there was obviously nothing gained. Mete cost you an 1.2 mill for crappy hockey and warm seat in the press box. Might want to toss that as a loss.

Tierney, not surprising no one wanted him. He may hold the record as the longest serving but most forgettable Sens player in franchise history. Never fit on the team or played well. We get to watch him for a few more weeks. Yay. Only resigned to make the Karlsson trade look better. Chalk that up for mismanagement of the player.

Brannstrom, Dorion's most proud asset is now left in the most awkward position. Traded for a player who was named captain of a perennial competitive team, Brannstrom's time as a promising prospect is over. He's a 5/6 d-man who struggles with consistency. The fact he asked for a trade and a deal couldn't be reached, shows you other teams are noticing. You could see the bust from a mile away once there was debate on what side he was to play on. When you have great players, you don't debate what position they play, normally. You have Sanderson coming up to play a similar role. Cut your losses, let him walk. Could likely end up in Europe. Another promising prospect gone to waste and held on for too long before considering a trade.

This does not consider some the existing contracts or the Josh Norris contract negotiations, which will be a mess in their own right.

To me, Dorion has some work to do this summer to make things move in a positive trajectory. That means more than hoping Hamonic regains his form from 5 years ago. Start using quality assets to get quality players. Start fixing the stigma that Ottawa is a sandpit for free agents. Wishful thinking though with Eugene at the helm which is obviously the reason why 95% makes the moves that they make.

To me, Dorion has some work to do this summer to make things move in a positive trajectory. That means more than hoping Hamonic regains his form from 5 years ago. Start using quality assets to get quality players. Start fixing the stigma that Ottawa is a sandpit for free agents. Wishful thinking though with Eugene at the helm which is obviously the reason why 95% makes the moves that they make.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Tierney is the only real miss for me... I suspect there was interest, but they weren't okay retaining enough salary to make a deal. But you're right about cutting out the dumpster-diving - make 1 or 2 quality additions, not 5-6 low-value additions. I'd love to think they'll make a hard play for Giroux in the off-season, but it's hard not to shake the feeling we're in for yet another Del Zotto/Ennis style roster "upgrade".

Still, despite all of the bumbling around, the payroll is starting to take on the structure that it should... with only Tkachuk, Batherson, White, and Brown making >$1.5M among forwards, and Chabot/Forsberg as the only non-forward contracts with >2yrs of term. There should be more than enough room for RFA extensions for Norris & Formenton, and no barriers to Sanderson walking into a major role on the blueline. If he's as good as many believe, he could be the real tipping point in terms of changing the look/feel of the team.

WOW I can't remember the last time there were so many comments on the Ottawa thread. It's almost like Toronto or Montreal or something.

Anyway no serious damage done so we dodged a Dorion bullet for now but can you imagine the cap fiasco this guy will create a couple of years down the line?

I am not a great Dorion fan by any means. Nor do I have strong feelings about Smith one way or the other. I don't like Melnyk.

But, I very much like this team and how it is being put together.

Yesterday was a no damage kind of day. What more do Sens fans want at this time?

Teams need to bottom out as part of the rebuild process. They need to jettison valued assets in order to acquire additional building blocks. They need to allow for a proper curing time in order to grow and age in the right way.

There are always exceptions. But, almost always, you can go back, see a team hit a high water mark and then begin to fall off. Teams can then hover for years as a marginal contender but seldom gain elite status again unless they go into the rebuild crash cycle. Look at all the elite teams heading into the playoffs this year. Almost every elite team spends the symbolic 7 years in the NHL wilderness after falling from grace and missing the playoffs.

While living in the wilderness, teams need to live off the land. It simply means the wheeling and dealing on the margins outside your top 6 and 4 players is merely survival window dressing. The best contending teams will consolidate strong 3rd and 4th lines based on character and presence when it gets time for a playoff run. Ottawa was 44-28-10 5 year ago and they went to the conference finals.

I would say they spent one or two years screwing around trying to convince themselves they were still contenders. My guess is reality (and rebuild) was accepted when they traded Erik Karlsson (September 13, 2018). So, by my reckoning next year will be year 5 of the rebuild.

Sometimes I do find it discouraging that fans want to invest so much emotion into bottom 6 transition while avoiding any assessment of how well the team is pulling together their future contending line up.

Patience is a virtue. I also recognize that some fans are more happy being unhappy. This is shaping into a really nice team. But, we still need to be careful and not rush the process.

WOW I can't remember the last time there were so many comments on the Ottawa thread. It's almost like Toronto or Montreal or something.

Anyway no serious damage done so we dodged a Dorion bullet for now but can you imagine the cap fiasco this guy will create a couple of years down the line?
- Whatisavailable

It was a great day in here. I crashed pretty hard, early last night. I had been going since 5am yesterday. Anyways, I think we had close to 165 comments in the blog from March 9th!

I will try to get back to as many comments as possible today. Then I will be posting a new blog by tomorrow on what didn't happen at the trade deadline and how things shape up going forward!

This was sent to me, pretty sad but it also shows how this team doesn't fight as hard as we are led to believe by DJ and PD. Again it's about controlling the narrative with these 2. So lets see what they would say if any media member had the balls to ask them about this one.

"Since DJ Smith was hired, the Senators are 5-75-9 when trailing after 2 periods

So not only are they trailing WAY too often after the 2nd period, but theyre also just completely hopelessly screwed after the 2nd period when trailing. No fight, no response at all. Has to change."

This was sent to me, pretty sad but it also shows how this team doesn't fight as hard as we are led to believe by DJ and PD. Again it's about controlling the narrative with these 2. So lets see what they would say if any media member had the balls to ask them about this one.

"Since DJ Smith was hired, the Senators are 5-75-9 when trailing after 2 periods

So not only are they trailing WAY too often after the 2nd period, but theyre also just completely hopelessly screwed after the 2nd period when trailing. No fight, no response at all. Has to change."
- Kevin Francis

Does this mean anything? Is it surprising that a bottom 5 team is behind after 2 periods? Or, is it more surprising that a bottom 5 team does not come back very often after falling behind?

Also, perhaps and even more important, they have great difficulty protecting a lead.

Not sure what is novel from any of these disclosures beyond the fact that a bottom 5 teams performs less well than the teams ranked ahead of them in the standings.

I am not a great Dorion fan by any means. Nor do I have strong feelings about Smith one way or the other. I don't like Melnyk.

But, I very much like this team and how it is being put together.

Yesterday was a no damage kind of day. What more do Sens fans want at this time?

Teams need to bottom out as part of the rebuild process. They need to jettison valued assets in order to acquire additional building blocks. They need to allow for a proper curing time in order to grow and age in the right way.

There are always exceptions. But, almost always, you can go back, see a team hit a high water mark and then begin to fall off. Teams can then hover for years as a marginal contender but seldom gain elite status again unless they go into the rebuild crash cycle. Look at all the elite teams heading into the playoffs this year. Almost every elite team spends the symbolic 7 years in the NHL wilderness after falling from grace and missing the playoffs.

While living in the wilderness, teams need to live off the land. It simply means the wheeling and dealing on the margins outside your top 6 and 4 players is merely survival window dressing. The best contending teams will consolidate strong 3rd and 4th lines based on character and presence when it gets time for a playoff run. Ottawa was 44-28-10 5 year ago and they went to the conference finals.

I would say they spent one or two years screwing around trying to convince themselves they were still contenders. My guess is reality (and rebuild) was accepted when they traded Erik Karlsson (September 13, 2018). So, by my reckoning next year will be year 5 of the rebuild.

Sometimes I do find it discouraging that fans want to invest so much emotion into bottom 6 transition while avoiding any assessment of how well the team is pulling together their future contending line up.

Patience is a virtue. I also recognize that some fans are more happy being unhappy. This is shaping into a really nice team. But, we still need to be careful and not rush the process.
- spatso

The positive narrative is always appreciated however, sometimes you just have to chat about the head scratching moves. You can ignore trying to justify the Hamonic signing all you want, but it happened. It’s another somewhat pointless veteran move that cost more than it should. Dorion brings it on himself.

Fans have been patient for quite some time. At some point, the team results need to start heading in a more positive trajectory. Especially in a budget environment.

Big summer and 2022/2023 season ahead. Let's hope the rough seasons begin to start paying off.

Looking at some of the other expiring contracts Dorion did not deal and the potential outcomes in the summer, it's clear there was some asset mismanagement:

Tierney - walk
Gambrell - walk
Gaudette - walk
Ennis - Resign
Formenton - Resign
Mete - walk
Brannstrom - walk

Obviously you sign Formenton. I'd sign Ennis as a placeholder for another mediocre season. Surprised you couldn't get a pick for the guy.

After that, Gambrell, Gaudette, and Mete can all walk. All waiver pickups. While there is nothing lost, there was obviously nothing gained. Mete cost you an 1.2 mill for crappy hockey and warm seat in the press box. Might want to toss that as a loss.

Tierney, not surprising no one wanted him. He may hold the record as the longest serving but most forgettable Sens player in franchise history. Never fit on the team or played well. We get to watch him for a few more weeks. Yay. Only resigned to make the Karlsson trade look better. Chalk that up for mismanagement of the player.

Brannstrom, Dorion's most proud asset is now left in the most awkward position. Traded for a player who was named captain of a perennial competitive team, Brannstrom's time as a promising prospect is over. He's a 5/6 d-man who struggles with consistency. The fact he asked for a trade and a deal couldn't be reached, shows you other teams are noticing. You could see the bust from a mile away once there was debate on what side he was to play on. When you have great players, you don't debate what position they play, normally. You have Sanderson coming up to play a similar role. Cut your losses, let him walk. Could likely end up in Europe. Another promising prospect gone to waste and held on for too long before considering a trade.

This does not consider some the existing contracts or the Josh Norris contract negotiations, which will be a mess in their own right.

To me, Dorion has some work to do this summer to make things move in a positive trajectory. That means more than hoping Hamonic regains his form from 5 years ago. Start using quality assets to get quality players. Start fixing the stigma that Ottawa is a sandpit for free agents. Wishful thinking though with Eugene at the helm which is obviously the reason why 95% makes the moves that they make.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

The only player you sign on that list is Formenton period maybe Brannstrom if you’re setting up to trade to make it easier
As for Ennis have NO idea why everyone has a woody for this guy I’d rather see Sokolov or Kastelic come up before resigning any of them 🤦‍♂️ It’s time for the kids to play

The only player you sign on that list is Formenton period maybe Brannstrom if you’re setting up to trade to make it easier
As for Ennis have NO idea why everyone has a woody for this guy I’d rather see Sokolov or Kastelic come up before resigning any of them 🤦‍♂️ It’s time for the kids to play
- sens4life1971

I always love giving the kids a chance to play but we certainly do not want the team to rush anyone. That has turned out poorly for this team in the past. Teams like the Wings had some success in marinating players. I am not saying leave them down unnecessarily, but making sure the players are setup to succeed is key. If having a few verts around facilitates that, I am good with it.

This was sent to me, pretty sad but it also shows how this team doesn't fight as hard as we are led to believe by DJ and PD. Again it's about controlling the narrative with these 2. So lets see what they would say if any media member had the balls to ask them about this one.

"Since DJ Smith was hired, the Senators are 5-75-9 when trailing after 2 periods

So not only are they trailing WAY too often after the 2nd period, but theyre also just completely hopelessly screwed after the 2nd period when trailing. No fight, no response at all. Has to change."
- Kevin Francis

This is the problem when your declared goal is to be "hard to play against", instead of "win games". This is the kind of perverse lens you need in order to rationalize playing guys like Josh Brown/Zach Sanford ahead of guys like Erik Brannstrom/Colin White. Now it's true that the latter have struggled at times, but DJ's job is to try to help these players improve - not just slot in players you can trust to make the same low-probability, minimal-impact plays over and over again. Trying not to lose isn't the same thing as trying to win, and it's pretty damn clear that DJ fails to comprehend the difference on a nightly basis.

Now, in DJ's defence, how many successful NHL teams can you name with only 1 forward who's even close to having a PPG scoring pace? You can't make up goals in the 3rd period with big-body fore-checking, or by clearing the front of the net. Connor Brown is one of just 22 NHL forwards to play over 20min/GP this year, which is a list that includes McDavid, Draisaitl, Kucherov, Ovechkin, MacKinnon, Rantanen, Matthews, Marner, Kane, Barkov, Connor, and Scheifele. Well, I'm sorry but one of those things is not like the others, and it speaks volumes about the lack of roster quality. The rebuild is NOT over, and Dorion needs to process the fact that there's a lot of work still to be done.

I always love giving the kids a chance to play but we certainly do not want the team to rush anyone. That has turned out poorly for this team in the past. Teams like the Wings had some success in marinating players. I am not saying leave them down unnecessarily, but making sure the players are setup to succeed is key. If having a few verts around facilitates that, I am good with it.
- HoweHatrick

And I’m totally fine with that too but if they gonna bring in vets have someone that’s gonna put up 45-50 pts not vets that just gonna be there cause they are older 🤦‍♂️
Otherwise it’s just gonna be another broken record… like we have Watson/Brown/Holden/Hamonic/Zeitsev/Forsberg like how many vets do you need 🤷‍♂️
Tkachuk and Chabot may not be vets but they know the ropes

And I’m totally fine with that too but if they gonna bring in vets have someone that’s gonna put up 45-50 pts not vets that just gonna be there cause they are older 🤦‍♂️
Otherwise it’s just gonna be another broken record… like we have Watson/Brown/Holden/Hamonic/Zeitsev/Forsberg like how many vets do you need 🤷‍♂️
Tkachuk and Chabot may not be vets but they know the ropes
- sens4life1971

I tend to agree. The issue right now is there is absolutely awful depth in this lineup. Guys like Sokolov, Jarventie, Kastelic, Greig, etc are nice looking prospects but are likely a ways off to producing 40-50 point seasons, if at all. Only way to truly fix the depth is to add more high-end players and push guys like Brown, White, etc down the depth chart where they belong. The team is trying to add depth by rolling the dice on middling players which just doesn’t work.

While there are some high end pieces on the roster currently, a couple of more will need to be added one way or another, and relatively soon to take advantage of entry level and bridge contracts for a decent run.

I tend to agree. The issue right now is there is absolutely awful depth in this lineup. Guys like Sokolov, Jarventie, Kastelic, Greig, etc are nice looking prospects but are likely a ways off to producing 40-50 point seasons, if at all. Only way to truly fix the depth is to add more high-end players and push guys like Brown, White, etc down the depth chart where they belong. The team is trying to add depth by rolling the dice on middling players which just doesn’t work.

While there are some high end pieces on the roster currently, a couple of more will need to be added one way or another, and relatively soon to take advantage of entry level and bridge contracts for a decent run.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

💯 agree 👍

Well, the supposed Zaitsev deal was always continent on Arizona trading Chychrun for a young high-end forward, and needing to fill a D roster spot and get to the salary floor. Whatever that major deal was supposed to be apparently never happened, so they're back to being stuck with Zaitsev. At least they removed J. Brown from the equation... bizarre that he returned more than Sanford.

The D-pairings for the rest of the year should be interesting... maybe Brannstrom-Hamonic, and Holden-Zub as the top-4? There could be a whole separate +/- wagering just for the Mete/Zaitsev 3rd-pairing
- khawk

After July 1st bonus is paid out, I would be stunned if we don't see Zaitsev on his way to AZ! As for the D pairings, they look a lot better than they did prior to the deadline. If only Chabot and Sanderson weren't injured we would get a real look at what things could look like next season. But it should secure a top 5 pick at least.

Watching Dorion's press conference about the trade deadline, I am pretty confident he forgot MDZ was still in the organization and in Belleville. He couldn't answer Ian Mendez' question about why it took this long for MDZ to come back. It was silent for 5 seconds before he said "I think..... .... we wanted to see Branny". How do you not have an answer for that question?
- PogBoi

That was easily one of the worst/most awkward moments PD has demonstrated at his presser and he has had plenty of them!!

I tend to agree. The issue right now is there is absolutely awful depth in this lineup. Guys like Sokolov, Jarventie, Kastelic, Greig, etc are nice looking prospects but are likely a ways off to producing 40-50 point seasons, if at all. Only way to truly fix the depth is to add more high-end players and push guys like Brown, White, etc down the depth chart where they belong. The team is trying to add depth by rolling the dice on middling players which just doesn’t work.

While there are some high end pieces on the roster currently, a couple of more will need to be added one way or another, and relatively soon to take advantage of entry level and bridge contracts for a decent run.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

That is the one aspect that has hurt this team with their drafting and development of late, not enough high end skill. You forgot Tyler Boucher lol, but I wont get everyone started on that pick again. Kastelic is a 4th liner, Sokolov is easily a year away from being in Ottawa fulltime. Jarventie 2 more years. I suspect Greig will need a year in Belleville too. This top 5 pick is huge for the org this coming draft.

And I’m totally fine with that too but if they gonna bring in vets have someone that’s gonna put up 45-50 pts not vets that just gonna be there cause they are older 🤦‍♂️
Otherwise it’s just gonna be another broken record… like we have Watson/Brown/Holden/Hamonic/Zeitsev/Forsberg like how many vets do you need 🤷‍♂️
Tkachuk and Chabot may not be vets but they know the ropes
- sens4life1971

They really need to add a high end top 6 forward this summer, end of story. But after listening to PD yesterday it sure sounds like Colin White will be traded, he gave him no vote of confidence. So really they need to replace White(we all know they wont get much back for him) and add that elusive top 6. Tkachuk almost 4 years and Chabot almost 5 years here, that's the problem I have right now is they're used to losing too much and watching Brady yesterday in his presser, he looks drained/exhausted. That for me is troubling and other NHL personnel I talk too say it has to change for those 2 players or they will want out eventually. Dont kid yourself, the Tkachuk family will push for what they want!!

OTT may not have had a stellar deadline day, but the leafs got a horrendous one, all their competitors (TBL,Panthers, Bruins) all improved while leafs did nothing, looks like another 1st round exist for the leafs
- Mithos

TOR has to hope they fall to the 4th in the Atlantic and draw Carolina in the 1st round and hope for a little luck against the Canes. Otherwise, they are done in the 1st round.