Well said. I think it really is an issue of critical mass. Is there enough weight within the existing mass to sustain sufficient velocity for substantial acceleration and improvement. More and more, I am convinced that you do not need to add or change much to what already exists in order to achieve significant performance improvement.

Great post game interview with Tkachuk and Smith on next year. Interesting how Tkachuk sites Carolina (new) and Boston (old) as being the teams setting the template as to where the Sens want to get to next year.

https://www.tsn.ca/NHL/vi...ow-what-needs-to-~2431099

Clearly, Smith comes across as being entirely confident with the path he is following and even more confident that he will be behind the bench when the season starts next year.
- spatso

Have you checked the records of Carolina and Boston? Again, enough already, this team cant stay status quo and same goes for the coaching staff. Watching DJ behind that bench getting schooled by a rookie head coach and missing 5 or 6 regulars was gold and goes to show you how he looked like a deer in headlights. Yes men coaches standing next to him with no solution either. Not a single ingame adjustment made. Lets roll out the same next year.

Missed the game tonight but sounds like I didn't miss much.

It will be a very interesting summer/6 months for ownership and potential new arena news. I am surprised there isn't more chatter about the OSEG announcement given the current state and chatter of the Ottawa Senators and potential new arena.

Ottawa will always astound me as a city that just can't get pro sports right. Hopefully new Sens ownership can be the start of something positive for everyone.

Only saw the last half of the game but I felt kind of thankful about that. Florida didn't even dress Barkov, Huberdeau and Giroux and played Knight in net. That's embarrassing. Let's hope Sanderson and Thomson pan out because the existing D is not NHL level. I don't think Smith will allow that because he's married to Zaitsev, Hamonic, Brannstrom and even MDZ before he will play young guys.

Without a solid D no forward crew on any team will look good and Ottawa is no exception. I don't think their forward crew is that bad but their D is just deadly bad.

I can't see Giroux deciding to play his last years in Ottawa unless he has no desire for a serious chance at the Cup. This team doesn't need a Fiala type up front and I have no idea of who they could bring in that would be a good fit.

I remember thinking Hall would be awesome with McDavid but they just didn't click. Hall would have been good with Draisaitl but Draisaitl hadn't found his game yet and Chiarelli never let that happen because he traded away Hall for Adam Larsson straight up. What a moron!

Pittsburgh went through numerous guys trying to find a guy for Crosby. It's not that easy. It's not just a matter of picking a good RW or LW and saying that will be great with my good C. Ottawa may not need a high priced top six guy. I think they just need the right guy, or maybe two, for Stutzle. The reason I say that is because the chemistry between Tkachuk, Norris and Batherson is awesome and Batherson and Stutzle don't seem to gell. Somebody much smarter than me needs to solve the Stutzle issue.

I see people posting the need for a top 4 D man and I can't understand how you can say that before you find out what you have in Sanderson and Thomson. The problem is Smith. He will just never let that happen unless he is forced. Not when he's got Zaitsev, Hamonic, Brannstrom and even MDZ as options. My fear is that Dorion brings in another D who only serves to block guys like Thomson and JBD and eventually Kleven and that he pays a prince's ransom for that blocker.

This team has the makings of a bright future but they need some smarts in management or it will never happen.

Only saw the last half of the game but I felt kind of thankful about that. Florida didn't even dress Barkov, Huberdeau and Giroux and played Knight in net. That's embarrassing. Let's hope Sanderson and Thomson pan out because the existing D is not NHL level. I don't think Smith will allow that because he's married to Zaitsev, Hamonic, Brannstrom and even MDZ before he will play young guys.

Without a solid D no forward crew will look good and Ottawa is no exception. I don't think their forward crew is that bad but their D is just deadly bad.

I can't see Giroux deciding to play his last years in Ottawa unless he has no desire for a serious chance at the Cup. This team doesn't need a Fiala type up front and I have no idea of who they could bring in that would be a good fit.

I remember thinking Hall would be awesome with McDavid but they just didn't click. Hall would have been good with Draisaitl but Draisaitl hadn't found his game yet and Chiarelli never let that happen because he traded away Hall for Adam Larsson straight up. What a moron!

Pittsburgh went through numerous guys trying to find a guy for Crosby. It's not that easy. It's not just a matter of picking a good RW or LW and saying that will be great with my good C. Ottawa may not need a high priced top six guy. I think they just need the right guy, or maybe two, for Stutzle. The reason I say that is because the chemistry between Tkachuk, Norris and Batherson is awesome and Batherson and Stutzle don't seem to gell. Somebody much smarter than me needs to solve the Stutzle issue.

I see people posting the need for a top 4 D man and I can't understand how you can say that before you find out what you have in Sanderson and Thomson. The problem is Smith. He will just never let that happen unless he is forced. Not when he's got Zaitsev, Hamonic, Brannstrom and even MDZ as options. My fear is that Dorion brings in another D who only serves to block guys like Thomson and JBD and eventually Kleven and that he pays a prince's ransom for that blocker.

This team has the makings of a bright future but they need some smarts in management or it will never happen.
- Whatisavailable

I bet on Ottawa tonight due to what you said, 3 best forwards out and the back up goalie in, Panthers were already with out Ekblad and they sat Weegar and Forsling, their 2nd and 3rd best defensemen.

Confused by the bolded. I assume you mean some prospects existing in the system pan out to support the defence and a player or two become legitimate top 6 forwards? This same roster next season would bring pretty much the same results.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Last night on the TV broadcast, Garrioch projected the line up for opening night next season.

If I remember correctly his projection was pretty stable from where we are now. The only changes from where we are now is the return of Pinto from injury to centre the third line with Connor Brown on his wing and the acquisition of a proven talent to play with Stutzle and Formenton. Sanderson would move up to play on the second defensive pairing.

I am guessing that is pretty close to what Dorion and Smith expect to do.

I am sticking with my prediction that the Sens will be highly relevant after Christmas if they do not sheet the bed coming out of the gate for the first 20 games and if the team is able to score 20 more goals and give up 20 less on the season.

Have you checked the records of Carolina and Boston? Again, enough already, this team cant stay status quo and same goes for the coaching staff. Watching DJ behind that bench getting schooled by a rookie head coach and missing 5 or 6 regulars was gold and goes to show you how he looked like a deer in headlights. Yes men coaches standing next to him with no solution either. Not a single ingame adjustment made. Lets roll out the same next year.
- LawyerSens4Life

It is just plain silly to be talking about in game adjustments when your top and second lines are being badly outplayed and your defense is struggling to get the puck out of their own end. At some point, folks need to accept that some of the Sens are just not ready for prime time. Yet!

As far as Tkachuk using Carolina as a model for the Sens...I think it is pretty good.

Carolina went 9 straight seasons missing the playoffs. They finally made the decision to stop trying to trade their way to success and they began to move out the under achievers. They even let Hamilton walk. Primarily they let the young guys grow into a leadership role.

The Sens may be several years behind the Canes but they are clearly trying to follow a similar pathway.

Patience.

Only saw the last half of the game but I felt kind of thankful about that. Florida didn't even dress Barkov, Huberdeau and Giroux and played Knight in net. That's embarrassing. Let's hope Sanderson and Thomson pan out because the existing D is not NHL level. I don't think Smith will allow that because he's married to Zaitsev, Hamonic, Brannstrom and even MDZ before he will play young guys.

Without a solid D no forward crew no team will look good and Ottawa is no exception. I don't think their forward crew is that bad but their D is just deadly bad.

I can't see Giroux deciding to play his last years in Ottawa unless he has no desire for a serious chance at the Cup. This team doesn't need a Fiala type up front and I have no idea of who they could bring in that would be a good fit.

I remember thinking Hall would be awesome with McDavid but they just didn't click. Hall would have been good with Draisaitl but Draisaitl hadn't found his game yet and Chiarelli never let that happen because he traded away Hall for Adam Larsson straight up. What a moron!

Pittsburgh went through numerous guys trying to find a guy for Crosby. It's not that easy. It's not just a matter of picking a good RW or LW and saying that will be great with my good C. Ottawa may not need a high priced top six guy. I think they just need the right guy, or maybe two, for Stutzle. The reason I say that is because the chemistry between Tkachuk, Norris and Batherson is awesome and Batherson and Stutzle don't seem to gell. Somebody much smarter than me needs to solve the Stutzle issue.

I see people posting the need for a top 4 D man and I can't understand how you can say that before you find out what you have in Sanderson and Thomson. The problem is Smith. He will just never let that happen unless he is forced. Not when he's got Zaitsev, Hamonic, Brannstrom and even MDZ as options. My fear is that Dorion brings in another D who only serves to block guys like Thomson and JBD and eventually Kleven and that he pays a prince's ransom for that blocker.

This team has the makings of a bright future but they need some smarts in management or it will never happen.
- Whatisavailable

A+

Especially about finding the right guy to play with Timmy. More and more I am thinking it is somebody who will go into the dirty zone and create something good out of the net garbage that Stutzle creates.

We are quick to think that it would be better for the Sens to bring up Thomson and JBD and accelerate their development growth with NHL ice time. You know that there is also the opposite argument that suggests you are better to develop your defensemen on a slower development curve (than forwards) by allowing them to build their game in the AHL.

A+

Especially about finding the right guy to play with Timmy. More and more I am thinking it is somebody who will go into the dirty zone and create something good out of the net garbage that Stutzle creates.

We are quick to think that it would be better for the Sens to bring up Thomson and JBD and accelerate their development growth with NHL ice time. You know that there is also the opposite argument that suggests you are better to develop your defensemen on a slower development curve (than forwards) by allowing them to build their game in the AHL.
- spatso

The reason I mention Thomson is because so many people in the "know", like his coach for example, say that he's more than NHL ready. I hope he gets paired with Chabot and not MDZ or Brannstrom either of which might prove to be an unfair challenge for a rookie.

The reason I mention Thomson is because so many people in the "know", like his coach for example, say that he's more than NHL ready. I hope he gets paired with Chabot and not MDZ or Brannstrom either of which might prove to be an unfair challenge for a rookie.
- Whatisavailable

I am certain part of the thinking in keeping Thomson in Belleville has to do with giving him a good playoff run.

I am certain part of the thinking in keeping Thomson in Belleville has to do with giving him a good playoff run.
- spatso

I didn't bring him up this year. I meant next season.

With Smith as HC OTT will be a bottom team again, if he does not get fired by mid November after OTT is officially eliminated from the playoffs expect many more injuries

Lodin call up for tonight

The reason I mention Thomson is because so many people in the "know", like his coach for example, say that he's more than NHL ready. I hope he gets paired with Chabot and not MDZ or Brannstrom either of which might prove to be an unfair challenge for a rookie.
- Whatisavailable

Or a rookie pairing of Sanderson and Thomson?

I kid, because putting two rookies on a defence pair rarely works out, I'm sure there must be some examples though.

Although longterm if things go right, I would predict those two spending a lot of time together.

Lodin call up for tonight
- Crosside

Lodin has put up some good numbers.

As far as Tkachuk using Carolina as a model for the Sens...I think it is pretty good.

Carolina went 9 straight seasons missing the playoffs. They finally made the decision to stop trying to trade their way to success and they began to move out the under achievers. They even let Hamilton walk. Primarily they let the young guys grow into a leadership role.
- spatso

It would be good, if they were actually doing what Carolina has done... which is to effectively adopt a moneyball approach to all forms of asset management. What the Senators have done is just reduce costs as much as possible, while only pursuing talent that the majority of NHL teams have no interest in... this is not the same as selectively recruiting high-quality talent. Consider the Hurricanes' recent track record in terms of player acquisitions...

HIGH VALUE TRADING
- W Teravainen (for a 2nd/3rd round pick)
- W Bokk (plus Edmundson/depth pick for Faulk)
- W Neiderreiter (for a 2nd round prospect)
- D Skjei (for a #22 overall pick)
- C Trocheck (for Haula & multiple depth picks)
- W Domi (for multiple depth picks)

HIGH-VALUE SIGNINGS
- C Kotkaniemi (1st successful RFA offer sheet in a decade)
- D DeAngelo (1yr x $1M/yr, plus RFA rights)
- G Andersen (2yr x $4.5M/yr)
- G Raanta (2yr x $2.0M)

HIGH-VALUE DRAFTING
1st Round: Aho, Svechnikov, Necas, Jarvis, Lindholm, Bean, Hanifin
Later Rounds: Slavin, Pesce, Nedeljkevic, Geekie, Kotechkov, Gunler, Morrow

Even in cases where people think the Hurricanes have made mistakes, they've found ways to adapt and respond, and maintain a remarkably high-quality product on the ice. Few teams are more active or creative in their roster management, which is something Dorion could really learn a thing or two from... especially as cap space becomes more of limiting factor in their decisions.

It would be good, if they were actually doing what Carolina has done... which is to effectively adopt a moneyball approach to all forms of asset management. What the Senators have done is just reduce costs as much as possible, while only pursuing talent that the majority of NHL teams have no interest in... this is not the same as selectively recruiting high-quality talent. Consider the Hurricanes' recent track record in terms of player acquisitions...

HIGH VALUE TRADING
- W Teravainen (for a 2nd/3rd round pick)
- W Bokk (plus Edmundson/depth pick for Faulk)
- W Neiderreiter (for a 2nd round prospect)
- D Skjei (for a #22 overall pick)
- C Trocheck (for Haula & multiple depth picks)
- W Domi (for multiple depth picks)

HIGH-VALUE SIGNINGS
- C Kotkaniemi (1st successful RFA offer sheet in a decade)
- D DeAngelo (1yr x $1M/yr, plus RFA rights)
- G Andersen (2yr x $4.5M/yr)
- G Raanta (2yr x $2.0M)

HIGH-VALUE DRAFTING
1st Round: Aho, Svechnikov, Necas, Jarvis, Lindholm, Bean, Hanifin
Later Rounds: Slavin, Pesce, Nedeljkevic, Geekie, Kotechkov, Gunler, Morrow

Even in cases where people think the Hurricanes have made mistakes, they've found ways to adapt and respond, and maintain a remarkably high-quality product on the ice. Few teams are more active or creative in their roster management, which is something Dorion could really learn a thing or two from... especially as cap space becomes more of limiting factor in their decisions.
- khawk

Do you not think we are within a couple of years of folks looking at the Sens and talking in a similar fashion?

Do you not think we are within a couple of years of folks looking at the Sens and talking in a similar fashion?
- spatso

People talk about how great the Sens are at draft --- let's be honest -- how do the Sens 1st round picks after the top 6 look after taking Karlsson at 2008 (Cowen, Noesen, Puempel, Ceci, Lazar, White, L.Brown, Bowers, Bernard-Docker, Greig, Boucher)

Chabot was an amazing pick in 2015. But outside that, that's a lot of names that the Sens should be ashamed of not getting better players. Or there's an issue with development.

Sens are much better in finding some gems in the later rounds. With that said it's about being the best.

Free Agent signings have been horrible !!!! Colin White also should've been signed to a bridge

Do you not think we are within a couple of years of folks looking at the Sens and talking in a similar fashion?
- spatso

No, I don't... unless they get a hell of a lot better at draft consistency, and overall asset management. Carolina doesn't waste 1st/2nd round picks on 3rd/4th line talent, and they're far more opportunistic in targeting quality talent by trade/signing. Dorion's biggest non-burn-down trade win from the past 5yrs is C. Brown, and they're still struggling with the Zaitsev part of that deal. His biggest UFA signing in that same timeframe is Zub out of the KHL, at that was a 100% shot in the dark. Neither move had any particular purpose, and it's entirely possible that both players may actually be gone after next year if they don't resolve some of their absurd, self-inflicted cap problems (i.e. Zaitsev/Murray).

They utterly whiffed on their attempt to capitalize on the pandemic salary cap freeze, which could have been a dramatic turning point/escalation in the rebuild. They've already misled their fanbase on multiple occasions about their expected competitive window, and it remains very uncertain when fans can reasonably expect to see playoff hockey again. There are certainly things they could do in the off-season to restore some momentum, but it's not clear they'll go that route vs. just bumbling along with their current vague sense of direction.

No, I don't... unless they get a hell of a lot better at draft consistency, and overall asset management. Carolina doesn't waste 1st/2nd round picks on 3rd/4th line talent, and they're far more opportunistic in targeting quality talent by trade/signing. Dorion's biggest non-burn-down trade from the past 5yrs win is C. Brown, and they're still struggling with the Zaitsev part of that deal. His biggest UFA signing in that same timeframe is Zub out of the KHL, at that was a 100% shot in the dark. Neither move had any particular purpose, and it's entirely possible that both players may actually be gone after next year if they don't resolve some of their absurd, self-inflicted cap problems (i.e. Zaitsev/Murray).

They utterly whiffed on their attempt to capitalize on the pandemic salary cap freeze, which could have been a dramatic turning point/escalation in the rebuild. They've already misled their fanbase on multiple occasions about their expected competitive window, and it remains very uncertain when fans can reasonably expect to see playoff hockey again. There are certainly things they could do in the off-season to restore some momentum, but it's not clear they'll go that route vs. just bumbling along with their current vague sense of direction.
- khawk

that is the broke and cashless melnyks fault, his ego prevented OTT being sold to a owner with money who would have weaponized the cap

that is the broke and cashless melnyks fault, his ego prevented OTT being sold to a owner with money who would have weaponized the cap
- Mithos

I don't really care who's fault it is. Though, if we're playing that game, it would actually have been better if the Melnyk had been so cheap that he'd refused to make any high-$$$ moves. Instead, they actually came up with $15M-$20M, and put it towards Stepan, Dadonov, Murray, and Gudbranson. Every single one of those moves turned into a car crash, plus they managed to lose a pair of 2nd round picks in the process. Then, what happens the following year? Another $7M gets spent on Del Zotto, Sanford, and Hamonic, none of which made any particular sense, plus they'd gone out of their way to make an embarassment of themselves at the draft... shortly before falsely claiming for no reason that "the rebuild is over". Cognitive dissonance is not something a team like Carolina suffers from... quite the opposite, in fact, given their "bunch of jerks" persona.

If only Tkachuk could skate!

If only Tkachuk could skate!
- Whatisavailable

Just flipping around to all the games, too bad you guys didn't get Florida tonight lol, 8-1 Montreal. But yes, Brady needs to work on his edge work.

No, I don't... unless they get a hell of a lot better at draft consistency, and overall asset management. Carolina doesn't waste 1st/2nd round picks on 3rd/4th line talent, and they're far more opportunistic in targeting quality talent by trade/signing. Dorion's biggest non-burn-down trade win from the past 5yrs is C. Brown, and they're still struggling with the Zaitsev part of that deal. His biggest UFA signing in that same timeframe is Zub out of the KHL, at that was a 100% shot in the dark. Neither move had any particular purpose, and it's entirely possible that both players may actually be gone after next year if they don't resolve some of their absurd, self-inflicted cap problems (i.e. Zaitsev/Murray).

They utterly whiffed on their attempt to capitalize on the pandemic salary cap freeze, which could have been a dramatic turning point/escalation in the rebuild. They've already misled their fanbase on multiple occasions about their expected competitive window, and it remains very uncertain when fans can reasonably expect to see playoff hockey again. There are certainly things they could do in the off-season to restore some momentum, but it's not clear they'll go that route vs. just bumbling along with their current vague sense of direction.
- khawk

Teams like Ottawa and Arizona, even Buffalo for that matter, all 3 of these teams are now talked about as the bottom feeders for 5 years. I recall those days when Ottawa was always first overall in the league standing. Far cry from it for years now.

with Buf and Detroit also winning, OTT picks 7th baring a lottery win, May 10th is lottery day, OTT with 6.7% chance at Wright

Teams like Ottawa and Arizona, even Buffalo for that matter, all 3 of these teams are now talked about as the bottom feeders for 5 years. I recall those days when Ottawa was always first overall in the league standing. Far cry from it for years now.
- PuckPix

You can't be much of a gambler. Need a better sense of context and hockey history. Five years ago tonight JGP scored 4 goals and the Sens went up 2-0 in their playoff series against Montreal.

The following year was the beginning of rebuild. Listening to the broadcast tonight and hearing announcer talk about the bright future of the Sens and their great young stars was pretty encouraging. Norris has 35 goals in only his second year. Brady get his 30th. Again Stutzle was far and away the most talented player on the ice for either team.

Love this team and where they are at in their overall development. First time in more than a dozen years Sens complete the season with two 30 goal scorers.