Hey guys, I was sick and a few nights ago I started a new piece and I think I tried to do too much in a short time and it set be back and was sick again. Now, I am 100%, sorry for the limited blogs the last 2-3 weeks. But I am working on the piece as we speak, also needing a few sources to give me the green light to say a few things about PD and what has gone on behind closed doors. Something will be up tonight or early AM. Great discussion in here as always!
- Kevin Francis

Hope you feel better, and ooooooooooh....intriguing......

I am tired of the Sens not making the playoffs.

I am tired of the Sens not making the playoffs.
- spazzbot

Fair question, would you rather make the playoffs the past 5 years and get bounced in the 1st round or not make the playoffs at all?

Fair question, would you rather make the playoffs the past 5 years and get bounced in the 1st round or not make the playoffs at all?
- PuckPix

I've been asking my self the exact same question

Maybe it depends on where your team is at? Are you seeing real growth, or is it all a mirage, or even not even a mirage.

I'm totally speaking genrally, and not about any one team in paticular.

Fair question, would you rather make the playoffs the past 5 years and get bounced in the 1st round or not make the playoffs at all?
- PuckPix

It was more of a statement but i as well had thought of that scenario. I believe both fanbases arei in the same headspace of thinking this is what we expect after so many years of the same result.

Exactly! Well said.
- Kevin Francis

Looking forward to it man! Hope you are feeling better!
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

same, good to see you better Kevin

Fair question, would you rather make the playoffs the past 5 years and get bounced in the 1st round or not make the playoffs at all?
- PuckPix

I think it's about growth and heading towards a cup contending team

Sens fans have endured a lot on the ice, but then off the ice --- the hiring and firing of Pierre McGuire, the passing of the owner (which is sad for all), the $ given out to players that haven't stayed or not done well for Ottawa --> Derek Stepan, Erik Gudbrannson, Matt Murray, Chris Tierney, Colin White, Michael Del Zotto, Nikita Zaitsev possibly to that -- then add Travis Hamonic who they could've had on waivers but gave a 3rd round pick for.

Only have Erik Brannstrom to show for Mark Stone.

These issues start to add up. Then add the pandemic and injuries to Norris, Pinto, White -- there's a lot fans have had to go through. We deserve to see players develop and see growth like the franchises I've mentioned

Former Sens Players in Round 1

Matt Duchene - 4 points in 4 games
Nick Paul (2 goals in game 7) - 4 points in 7 games
Cody Ceci (goal in game 7) - 6 points in 7 games
Mika Zibanejad (goal in game 7) - 11 points in 7 games
- AlfieisKing

Forgetting about Duclair. We let him walk for nothing. FLA did what we should have done...a 1yr show me contract followed by a 3 year reasonable deal

Duclair is the prime example of PDs poor resource management. That and not getting more for Stone.

Forgetting about Duclair. We let him walk for nothing. FLA did what we should have done...a 1yr show me contract followed by a 3 year reasonable deal

Duclair is the prime example of PDs poor resource management. That and not getting more for Stone.
- GrimmdaGoalie

Yes absolutely

I didn't forget, I just thought his 2A and no goals in round 1 wasn't a lot (compared to the others). But he did score a big goal last night

Yes absolutely
I didn't forget, I just thought his 2A and no goals in round 1 wasn't a lot (compared to the others). But he did score a big goal last night
- AlfieisKing

Duclair was also benched in Game 6 vs. WSH, and they won that critical game without him. It was nice to see him respond with a goal last night, but he's certainly a player whose motivation is more than a bit inconsistent, and has been called out on more than one occasion. And while Dorion should have managed him more effectively as an asset, it's pretty clear he's not necessarily the kind of player you want around a group of young kids, especially when you're trying to establish a team culture of resilience and work ethic.

As for Stone, they have Brannstrom and Sokolov to show for that trade. That's not great, but they also "don't" have $9.5MAAV tied up for the next 5yrs for a 30yrs+ winger, who's missed >70GP in the past 2 seasons due to injury. In actual $$$, Stone will earn $44M over the next 5yrs, with $27M coming in the form of signing bonus $, plus he has a full NMC. They could give Norris a $7Mx7yr deal for roughly the same money (plus no signing bonus $), and get not only 2 extra years of term, but also span the entire prime of Norris' career (given that he's already 23).

Same thing with Karlsson... it's not just Norris/Stutzle that the Senators got in that deal, but also the $11.5AAV and $51M they "don't" have to pay him over the next 5yrs, including $23M in signing bonus $, plus NMC. Karlsson is now a 32yo player who's missed 26-32GP in each of the past 4 seasons, and has scored at just a 46pts/yr pace of the past 2 years. Similar to the previous example, "not" having Karlsson for those 5yrs in his mid-late 30's virtually paid for all of Tkachuk's 7yr contract, which spans the entire prime of his career.

Duclair was also benched in Game 6 vs. WSH, and they won that critical game without him. It was nice to see him respond with a goal last night, but he's certainly a player whose motivation is more than a bit inconsistent, and has been called out on more than one occasion. And while Dorion should have managed him more effectively as an asset, it's pretty clear he's not necessarily the kind of player you want around a group of young kids, especially when you're trying to establish a team culture of resilience and work ethic.

As for Stone, they have Brannstrom and Sokolov to show for that trade. That's not great, but they also "don't" have $9.5MAAV tied up for the next 5yrs for a 30yrs+ winger, who's missed >70GP in the past 2 seasons due to injury. In actual $$$, Stone will earn $44M over the next 5yrs, with $27M coming in the form of signing bonus $, plus he has a full NMC. They could give Norris a $7Mx7yr deal for roughly the same money (plus no signing bonus $), and get not only 2 extra years of term, but also span the entire prime of Norris' career (given that he's already 23).

Same thing with Karlsson... it's not just Norris/Stutzle that the Senators got in that deal, but also the $11.5AAV and $51M they "don't" have to pay him over the next 5yrs, including $23M in signing bonus $, plus NMC. Karlsson is now a 32yo player who's missed 26-32GP in each of the past 4 seasons, and has scored at just a 46pts/yr pace of the past 2 years. Similar to the previous example, "not" having Karlsson for those 5yrs in his mid-late 30's virtually paid for all of Tkachuk's 7yr contract, which spans the entire prime of his career.
- khawk

Solid post. Most agree on the EK65 analysis but I still se a lot of people posting about the loss of Stone. While I agree that Sokolov and Brannstrom are not a great return (we also do not know what other offers were tabled), it cannot be understated that a it is a positive that a rebuilding young team is not being saddled with that contract. That money can be used to lock up a cornerstone piece during the player's the best career years.

I wiil be posting the new blog around 4pm once I get home! I'm telling you all, lots and lots of info in it about Dorion and McGuire!

Forgetting about Duclair. We let him walk for nothing. FLA did what we should have done...a 1yr show me contract followed by a 3 year reasonable deal

Duclair is the prime example of PDs poor resource management. That and not getting more for Stone.
- GrimmdaGoalie

Duclair asked for 3 years, 10 million total for the deal. Then Ottawa let him walk and signed Dadonov 3 years, 15 million....incredible!

New piece is up!