Well I hope many of you are watching the Redblacks! Nice start to the game, lets hope the rain holds off!

Agreed, the Senators' pipeline is nowhere near as good as some want to believe, especially at forward. Outside of Ridley Greig, there's essentially no sure-fire top-9 NHL player in the whole system. There "might" be an eventual top-6 scoring forward among Jarventie, Sokolov, Lodin, or Crookshank, but it's equally possible that none have an impact beyond the AHL level. Boucher/Ostapchuk could be useful bottom-6 forward down the road, but they're both a ways off. They could start to transition 4th line roles to Kastelic/Kelly, but that's a relatively minor issue, and just prevents the need to re-sign depth players like Sabourin, Bishop, or Shaw.

That's why the William Karlsson idea is hardly unrealistic... a top-6 forward with C/W versatility and 5-yr cost-certainty at $5.9M/yr is not beyond the scope of what Dorion might interpret as a solution to their scoring depth... especially if they clear out Colin White's contract at $4.8M/yr.
- khawk

GP G A P

2017-18 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 82 43 35 78
2018-19 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 82 24 32 56
2019-20 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 63 15 31 46
2020-21 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 56 14 25 39
2021-22 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 67 12 23 35

I think you may be right. This is exactly the kind of "top six" winger Dorion would want to cough up a boatload of assets for and pay 5.9 million a year for the next 5 years. They're only stuck with guys like Murray and Zaitsev for 2 more years so it's time to pay handsomely in assets and cap space for longer term boat anchors.

GP G A P

2017-18 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 82 43 35 78
2018-19 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 82 24 32 56
2019-20 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 63 15 31 46
2020-21 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 56 14 25 39
2021-22 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 67 12 23 35

I think you may be right. This is exactly the kind of "top six" winger Dorion would want to cough up a boatload of assets for and pay 5.9 million a year for the next 5 years. They're only stuck with guys like Murray and Zaitsev for 2 more years so it's time to pay handsomely in assets and cap space for longer term boat anchors.
- Whatisavailable

If you think last year was bad, just wait until three years from now.....you nailed it, boat anchor! There is no way in hell I would ever consider this one. Heck, there are guys producing more with as much term on other teams, that I would take over Karlsson. Josh Anderson 5.5AAV lol in Montreal comes to mind, Dvorak too....he has 3 years left at 4.5AAV

GP G A P

2017-18 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 82 43 35 78
2018-19 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 82 24 32 56
2019-20 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 63 15 31 46
2020-21 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 56 14 25 39
2021-22 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 67 12 23 35

I think you may be right. This is exactly the kind of "top six" winger Dorion would want to cough up a boatload of assets for and pay 5.9 million a year for the next 5 years. They're only stuck with guys like Murray and Zaitsev for 2 more years so it's time to pay handsomely in assets and cap space for longer term boat anchors.
- Whatisavailable

I think they want a guy who goes hard to the net and has the wheels to take advantage of a high paced game. Mikheyev looks like a guy who would score 30 if given top 5 minutes. Love Kadri but Colorado will figure out a way to pay him. But, still my best hope is Dubois from Winnipeg. Pasternak is the off the charts good but it would cost a lot in a trade and he would want a huge contract.

I think they want a guy who goes hard to the net and has the wheels to take advantage of a high paced game. Mikheyev looks like a guy who would score 30 if given top 5 minutes. Love Kadri but Colorado will figure out a way to pay him. But, still my best hope is Dubois from Winnipeg. Pasternak is the off the charts good but it would cost a lot in a trade and he would want a huge contract.
- spatso

Dubois would be great, but it comes down to what the Sens would have to give up to acquire him. I am with you, no way Kadri ends up here, nor Pasternak. Mikheyev is a possibility due to his UFA status.

Dubois would be great, but it comes down to what the Sens would have to give up to acquire him. I am with you, no way Kadri ends up here, nor Pasternak. Mikheyev is a possibility due to his UFA status.
- Kevin Francis

7th OA and Pinto for certain, add 2 more pieces too, but OTT already have their top 2 Cs Norris and Stu, that means playing Dubois on the wing

Well I hope many of you are watching the Redblacks! Nice start to the game, lets hope the rain holds off!
- Kevin Francis

I watch a little bit, I see Sanderson, Greig and Boucher are at the game

I watch a little bit, I see Sanderson, Greig and Boucher are at the game
- Crosside

I didn't know Greig was there, nice to hear 3 of the boys are at the game, I saw a pic of Sanderson and Boucher, very cool! Dev camp soon too. The boys are all training together, love it!

7th OA and Pinto for certain, add 2 more pieces too, but OTT already have their top 2 Cs Norris and Stu, that means playing Dubois on the wing
- Mithos

Great point when it comes to another center. RW would be ideal!

I think they want a guy who goes hard to the net and has the wheels to take advantage of a high paced game. Mikheyev looks like a guy who would score 30 if given top 5 minutes. Love Kadri but Colorado will figure out a way to pay him. But, still my best hope is Dubois from Winnipeg. Pasternak is the off the charts good but it would cost a lot in a trade and he would want a huge contract.
- spatso

As you all know I cap games and I watched too many Jets games this year to think any team should give up a ransom for Dubois. He scored 28G but 15 came on the PP. He lacks finish 5 on 5. The biggest issue with Dubois is he disappears far too much. How is this for a stat, he had 29 games in which he didn't register a point. No thanks, if I was a Sens fan I wouldn't want him on my team.

Filip Forsberg in town today, interesting

Filip Forsberg in town today, interesting
- Crosside

Well that'd be a splash.

Well that'd be a splash.
- Bartacus

depends on if he signs in OTT for how much and how long, he will be 28 when the next season starts, off a career year, he is a 60-65 point player in reality not 84 like he got last year.

depends on if he signs in OTT for how much and how long, he will be 28 when the next season starts, off a career year, he is a 60-65 point player in reality not 84 like he got last year.
- Mithos

Everyone knows that you buy high and sell low.

Makar, Toews and Byram. With a D like that Colorado is set for years. The Sens have Chabot. Maybe Sanderson will be a second. They need to play Thomson and maybe JBD a bit this year to find out what they have and they need to resign Zub.

Stop hoping for Brannstrom to develop into something to justify giving away Stone. Forget about Hamonic being a top 4 guy, even a third pairing guy. Move on from Zaitsev.

A good D core is still a couple of years away and without that it doesn't matter who you bring in as a top six winger so stop this hysterical frenzy - Fiala - Forsberg - ETC, ETC, ETC. Don't do anything stupid. You could bring in McDavid or MacKinnon and it wouldn't make any difference with their present D so bide your time and pick your spots. There is absolutely zero urgency; and for the love of God don't be buying anybody out. You're going to need the money a couple of years down the road.

Makar, Toews and Byram. With a D like that Colorado is set for years. The Sens have Chabot. Maybe Sanderson will be a second. They need to play Thomson and maybe JBD a bit this year to find out what they have and they need to resign Zub.

Stop hoping for Brannstrom to develop into something to justify giving away Stone. Forget about Hamonic being a top 4 guy, even a third pairing guy. Move on from Zaitsev.

A good D core is still a couple of years away and without that it doesn't matter who you bring in as a top six winger so stop this hysterical frenzy - Fiala - Forsberg - ETC, ETC, ETC. Don't do anything stupid. You could bring in McDavid or MacKinnon and it wouldn't make any difference with their present D so bide your time and pick your spots. There is absolutely zero urgency; and for the love of God don't be buying anybody out. You're going to need the money a couple of years down the road.
- Whatisavailable

I believe you are 100% correct in the first part of your assessment. Look at the teams with the best core group of defensive players and how they have been able to rise to the top once the playoffs started.

If you assume that Sanderson and Zub can be a high quality second pair for Ottawa, we may one player away from a very strong defensive line up. It is not my first choice but I could support moving the 7th pick for a partner for Chabot.

Something like the 7th, 63rd (2nd round from Tampa, and 85th (3rd round from from Boston) plus Brannstrom, Colin White and Matt Murray for Seth Jones.

Chicago has gone full rebuild, but they are non players in this years draft having traded away picks including the 6th overall to Columbus. Hawks are all in on Conor Bedard. Nothing in the Colin White or Matt Murray contracts would cause the Hawks any concerns. They are beginning a minimum 3-5 year rebuild.

Dubois would be great, but it comes down to what the Sens would have to give up to acquire him. I am with you, no way Kadri ends up here, nor Pasternak. Mikheyev is a possibility due to his UFA status.
- Kevin Francis

With every transaction - it will come down to (a) what will the price be to get the player AND/OR (b) what will be the price to keep him, $$$

With Dubois, Pasternak, and other RFA's, you pretty much need to have a deal on the table before they even play 1 game with the organization. Based on what I've seen with Bobby Ryan and Matt Murray - I am against that thinking big time

I believe you are 100% correct in the first part of your assessment. Look at the teams with the best core group of defensive players and how they have been able to rise to the top once the playoffs started.

If you assume that Sanderson and Zub can be a high quality second pair for Ottawa, we may one player away from a very strong defensive line up. It is not my first choice but I could support moving the 7th pick for a partner for Chabot.

Something like the 7th, 63rd (2nd round from Tampa, and 85th (3rd round from from Boston) plus Brannstrom, Colin White and Matt Murray for Seth Jones.

Chicago has gone full rebuild, but they are non players in this years draft having traded away picks including the 6th overall to Columbus. Hawks are all in on Conor Bedard. Nothing in the Colin White or Matt Murray contracts would cause the Hawks any concerns. They are beginning a minimum 3-5 year rebuild.
- spatso

I am honestly surprised if the Avs win the cup this year since they don't have as much depth (IMO) as the lighting, panthers, and even hurricans/flames. Again I'm saying that without Kadri in their line up and the goalies. Other than the big 4 (Landeskog, MacKinnon, Rantanen, Makar) their line up isn't as impressive as some of the others' I mentioned.

Devon Toews - 14 PTS in 16 GP
Valeri Nichushkin - 13 PTS in 16 GP
Artturi Lehkonen - 12 Points in 16 GP
Andre Burakovsky - 8 points

Bowen Byram & J.T. Compher could be unsung heros these playoffs as I don't see a lot of people singing their praises but Byram is +12 and Compher has 5 goals and both have 8 points. But still, what I mean to say is that the Ottawa Senators of 2002-2003, 2005-2006, and 2006-2007 possibly all have better teams on paper (IMO!) and didn't win the cup

I am honestly surprised if the Avs win the cup this year since they don't have as much depth (IMO) as the lighting, panthers, and even hurricans/flames. Again I'm saying that without Kadri in their line up and the goalies. Other than the big 4 (Landeskog, MacKinnon, Rantanen, Makar) their line up isn't as impressive as some of the others' I mentioned.

Devon Toews - 14 PTS in 16 GP
Valeri Nichushkin - 13 PTS in 16 GP
Artturi Lehkonen - 12 Points in 16 GP
Andre Burakovsky - 8 points

Bowen Byram & J.T. Compher could be unsung heros these playoffs as I don't see a lot of people singing their praises but Byram is +12 and Compher has 5 goals and both have 8 points. But still, what I mean to say is that the Ottawa Senators of 2002-2003, 2005-2006, and 2006-2007 possibly all have better teams on paper (IMO!) and didn't win the cup
- AlfieisKing

I have been cappin the series a lot when it comes to player props, when looking at each player this team has peaked at the right time. Like you said, they don't have a lot of depth but there best players are performing at a very high level too. To see them do it without Kadri is even more impressive.

With every transaction - it will come down to (a) what will the price be to get the player AND/OR (b) what will be the price to keep him, $$$

With Dubois, Pasternak, and other RFA's, you pretty much need to have a deal on the table before they even play 1 game with the organization. Based on what I've seen with Bobby Ryan and Matt Murray - I am against that thinking big time
- AlfieisKing

The almighty dollar remark whenever it comes to the Sens and either their own players or once they want to acquire. I find it awful that your team succumbs to that theory all the time, when you look at the other 6 Canadian teams, none of them have a problem spending or being in the top half of the league when it comes to payroll.

Well that'd be a splash.
- Bartacus

It would be nice to see a Canadian team score a big fish on the UFA market.

I believe you are 100% correct in the first part of your assessment. Look at the teams with the best core group of defensive players and how they have been able to rise to the top once the playoffs started.

If you assume that Sanderson and Zub can be a high quality second pair for Ottawa, we may one player away from a very strong defensive line up. It is not my first choice but I could support moving the 7th pick for a partner for Chabot.

Something like the 7th, 63rd (2nd round from Tampa, and 85th (3rd round from from Boston) plus Brannstrom, Colin White and Matt Murray for Seth Jones.

Chicago has gone full rebuild, but they are non players in this years draft having traded away picks including the 6th overall to Columbus. Hawks are all in on Conor Bedard. Nothing in the Colin White or Matt Murray contracts would cause the Hawks any concerns. They are beginning a minimum 3-5 year rebuild.
- spatso

Last year this blog was filled with people saying they needed to trade for a number 1 C. Some of us said play Stutzle at C. You might already have your number 1 C. Seth Jones is over rated. Play Thomson and later in the year JBD. You may already have your top 4 D. Chabot has said that he likes playing with Thomson.

What was this Connor Brown nonsense ?

Damn gingers always being a little nutty.

Last year this blog was filled with people saying they needed to trade for a number 1 C. Some of us said play Stutzle at C. You might already have your number 1 C. Seth Jones is over rated. Play Thomson and later in the year JBD. You may already have your top 4 D. Chabot has said that he likes playing with Thomson.
- Whatisavailable

I don't disagree. I think the best long term option is patience.

But, lots of voices wanting a big move and signals coming from Dorion that he is going to move the 7th. If he does do that I would like to see him make a huge play on one of the pieces (Dubois, Jones, Debrincat) and, at the same time and, maybe even more important, move out some dead weight salary (Murray, White, Zaitsev).

There are only a few teams who are interested and able to make deals where they can take on a substantial cap increase. Far more teams are needing to walk away from players or trade existing contracts in order to achieve cap compliance for the beginning of the season.

Players owe the owners $1.1b that needs to be repaid through escrow withholdings of 17.5% over the next 3 years. Cap will only see marginal increases for next 3 years. In year 4 and 5 there will be a substantial pop in the cap up to $96m. Cap floor would be around $74m. Bettman is being a bit obscure on the actual size of the pop but the 17.5% appears reasonable.

So, some really good ufa and rfa players that are expecting huge deals may be disappointed over the next few years. The elite players will always get their money. But, there are going to be some very good players who will learn quickly that they will need to take less than they expected.

I don't disagree. I think the best long term option is patience.

But, lots of voices wanting a big move and signals coming from Dorion that he is going to move the 7th. If he does do that I would like to see him make a huge play on one of the pieces (Dubois, Jones, Debrincat) and, at the same time and, maybe even more important, move out some dead weight salary (Murray, White, Zaitsev).

There are only a few teams who are interested and able to make deals where they can take on a substantial cap increase. Far more teams are needing to walk away from players or trade existing contracts in order to achieve cap compliance for the beginning of the season.

Players owe the owners $1.1b that needs to be repaid through escrow withholdings of 17.5% over the next 3 years. Cap will only see marginal increases for next 3 years. In year 4 and 5 there will be a substantial pop in the cap up to $96m. Cap floor would be around $74m. Bettman is being a bit obscure on the actual size of the pop but the 17.5% appears reasonable.

So, some really good ufa and rfa players that are expecting huge deals may be disappointed over the next few years. The elite players will always get their money. But, there are going to be some very good players who will learn quickly that they will need to take less than they expected.
- spatso

Teams will definitely be getting rid of players that are not worth the money they're asking for. I don't see how going after those players is a winning strategy. There will be good players that become available and are worth going after for sure but they're not going to be the headline grabbing, splashy ones that you want to go after.

Teams pay to unload bad contracts because they need the cap space. The Sens don't need the cap space. Why would anyone be so desperate to unload these guys, Zaitsev, Murray and White, that they're willing to give up assets to do it?

The sports talking heads spouting this nonsense non stop do it because it's their job and Dorion doing little of interest gives them nothing solid to talk about. They don't care if it's good for the team or not just as long as they can talk about it. The only thing Dorion is interested in is keeping his job so he may very well do something epically stupid.