DeBrincat is a RW that would fit into the Sens competitive window. The last two seasons he has been a 40G player on a 1st line. He only has one more year on his current contract and with those stats, his next contract will not be insignificant.

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'm still blown away at how cavalier the decision was to move Stutzle to C. It's literally the most important roster move they could possibly have made last year, and yet it happened almost as a matter of chance. There wasn't even a basic possibility discussed in training camp about Stutzle playing C, and then two months later they just go and do it out of basic necessity? Seriously, WTF is that? That move could very well have saved DJ Smith's job, and yet it only occurred to him when the season had already been lost in November?

You're also right that Jones is over-rated... and if what CHI gave up for him last year is any indication of what they think he's worth right now, it's a trade discussion that's over before it begins. Plus, I'm not surprised that Chabot likes playing with Thomson... he's actually got some decent puck skills, appears to have good vision and hockey IQ, can skate pretty well, puts in a solid effort, and you can attribute a good number of his mistakes as part of a learning curve. It's certainly worth a shot to let him start the year with Chabot, especially with the likes of Hamonic/Holden there to serve as a veteran support, as needed.

it can't be overstated....the coach is simply a weak link. The team, when they win, are doing it IN SPITE OF him...not because of him.

I'm still blown away at how cavalier the decision was to move Stutzle to C. It's literally the most important roster move they could possibly have made last year, and yet it happened almost as a matter of chance. There wasn't even a basic possibility discussed in training camp about Stutzle playing C, and then two months later they just go and do it out of basic necessity? Seriously, WTF is that? That move could very well have saved DJ Smith's job, and yet it only occurred to him when the season had already been lost in November?

You're also right that Jones is over-rated... and if what CHI gave up for him last year is any indication of what they think he's worth right now, it's a trade discussion that's over before it begins. Plus, I'm not surprised that Chabot likes playing with Thomson... he's actually got some decent puck skills, appears to have good vision and hockey IQ, can skate pretty well, puts in a solid effort, and you can attribute a good number of his mistakes as part of a learning curve. It's certainly worth a shot to let him start the year with Chabot, especially with the likes of Hamonic/Holden there to serve as a veteran support, as needed.
- khawk

You're right about how Stutzle only got a shot at the C position because the hockey gods smiled on Ottawa and injured all their other Cs. Smith would never had played him there otherwise and we'd still be hearing talk about the need to acquire a number 1 C.

The same thing will happen on D this season. Smith will refuse to play Thomson or JBD and probably Sanderson except for a game or two where he pairs him with Zaitsev and then sends him down because he doesn't look ready. Smith will stick with Zaitsev, Brannstrom and Hamnonic come hell or high water. Maybe the hockey gods can work their magic with these three guys.

What I think happens at 2022 NHL Draft

1. Montreal Canadiens - C Shane Wright
2. New Jersey Devils - RW Juraj Slafkovsky
3. Arizona Coyotes - C Logan Cooley
4. Seattle Kranken - D Simon Nemec (could be swap with #3 or #5)
5. Phildelpha Flyers - C Frank Nazar
6. Columbus Blue Jackets - D David Jiricek

Who I think Ottawa takes: 7. LW Cutter Gauthier

What I think happens at 2022 NHL Draft

1. Montreal Canadiens - C Shane Wright
2. New Jersey Devils - RW Juraj Slafkovsky
3. Arizona Coyotes - C Logan Cooley
4. Seattle Kranken - D Simon Nemec (could be swap with #3 or #5)
5. Phildelpha Flyers - C Frank Nazar
6. Columbus Blue Jackets - D David Jiricek

Who I think Ottawa takes: 7. LW Cutter Gauthier
- AlfieisKing

Not sure I see Jiricek getting past the Flyers, but either way he and Nemec will be off the board by #7. I'd love to see them go after a high-potential scoring winger like Kemell or another solid puck-moving D-man like Mateychuk, but I had speculated a while back about Gauthier. He's just way too much of what the Senators have an insatiable appetite for... though he at least projects as a middle-six winger, with hopefully enough upside to play a #2LW role.

What I think happens at 2022 NHL Draft

1. Montreal Canadiens - C Shane Wright
2. New Jersey Devils - RW Juraj Slafkovsky
3. Arizona Coyotes - C Logan Cooley
4. Seattle Kranken - D Simon Nemec (could be swap with #3 or #5)
5. Phildelpha Flyers - C Frank Nazar
6. Columbus Blue Jackets - D David Jiricek

Who I think Ottawa takes: 7. LW Cutter Gauthier
- AlfieisKing

Would be happy with Gauthier but I heard the team really like Kasper

With Kuzmenko sign with Vancouver. I would like Garland + 15th vs 7th + a little add

I'm still blown away at how cavalier the decision was to move Stutzle to C. It's literally the most important roster move they could possibly have made last year, and yet it happened almost as a matter of chance. There wasn't even a basic possibility discussed in training camp about Stutzle playing C, and then two months later they just go and do it out of basic necessity? Seriously, WTF is that? That move could very well have saved DJ Smith's job, and yet it only occurred to him when the season had already been lost in November?

You're also right that Jones is over-rated... and if what CHI gave up for him last year is any indication of what they think he's worth right now, it's a trade discussion that's over before it begins. Plus, I'm not surprised that Chabot likes playing with Thomson... he's actually got some decent puck skills, appears to have good vision and hockey IQ, can skate pretty well, puts in a solid effort, and you can attribute a good number of his mistakes as part of a learning curve. It's certainly worth a shot to let him start the year with Chabot, especially with the likes of Hamonic/Holden there to serve as a veteran support, as needed.
- khawk

Maybe the next big move that becomes obvious to everyone after the fact will be to pair Stutzle with Tkachuk and Batherson on the first line. I would like to see them play Norris on the wing. I am keen to see the Sens step up big if Dubois is actually shopped by the Jets. Appears like Jets will need to move either Dubois or Schieffle. Either would be a great fit for the Sens. Less confident Colorado is going to be able to resign Kadri, especially with Nichushkin having such a strong run. I have always been huge Kadri fan.

Maybe the next big move that becomes obvious to everyone after the fact will be to pair Stutzle with Tkachuk and Batherson on the first line. I would like to see them play Norris on the wing. I am keen to see the Sens step up big if Dubois is actually shopped by the Jets. Appears like Jets will need to move either Dubois or Schieffle. Either would be a great fit for the Sens. Less confident Colorado is going to be able to resign Kadri, especially with Nichushkin having such a strong run. I have always been huge Kadri fan.
- spatso

Neither Dubois or sheif would be a great fit for OTT, both are C they do not need, Sheif is 29 and will begin do decline in the next few years and is going to want a raise for his last contract. Dubois is a left shot this still not addressing OTTs need for a top 6 RW and frankly you do not break up a line that has great chemistry such a Brady/Norris/Bath has....

Kadri will be 32 when next season starts and is gonna want 8m+ are you out of your mind, OTT should stay as a few Galaxies away from him.

With Kuzmenko sign with Vancouver. I would like Garland + 15th vs 7th + a little add
- Crosside

no, garland not worth the gap in moving from 7th to 15th, he is not the skilled top 6 OTT needs and i think Van moves Brock who will want 6m+ over garland's 4.9M.

Neither Dubois or sheif would be a great fit for OTT, both are C they do not need, Sheif is 29 and will begin do decline in the next few years and is going to want a raise for his last contract. Dubois is a left shot this still not addressing OTTs need for a top 6 RW and frankly you do not break up a line that has great chemistry such a Brady/Norris/Bath has....

Kadri will be 32 when next season starts and is gonna want 8m+ are you out of your mind, OTT should stay as a few Galaxies away from him.
- Mithos

I do not have the same confidence in Norris as #1 C as most of the rest of you seem to have. His goal to assist ratio is 2:1 and he has an exceptionally high goals to shots ratio. His numbers appear more like what you might expect from a winger rather than a centre.

I am very happy with Stutzle at centre and Norris could be near the top of #3 centres in the league by the end of this season.

I would like to see Norris on the wing. I also think we need to see more before he gets a big deal long term contract.

I agree about Norris, wait and see if he is looking for north of 6 mill, then i would bridge it and lets see.

I do not have the same confidence in Norris as #1 C as most of the rest of you seem to have. His goal to assist ratio is 2:1 and he has an exceptionally high goals to shots ratio. His numbers appear more like what you might expect from a winger rather than a centre.

I am very happy with Stutzle at centre and Norris could be near the top of #3 centres in the league by the end of this season.

I would like to see Norris on the wing. I also think we need to see more before he gets a big deal long term contract.
- spatso

yeesh you need to look at his stats before make dumb posts, his first year he had 17g 18A, last season it was just bad luck he didn't get many assists, 1 season does not make a player ffs... yes lets spend many prime assets to get a questionable player to play a position we have no holes for and move one of our Cs to a position we have no hole in...there is a reason why CLB traded their #1C for a Laine and there is a reason why Jets traded Laine, both have problems and should not be a target for OTT in any way.

OTT ONLY needs a top 6 RW to play on 2nd line with Stu, play (frank)ing Thompson with Chabot like Chabot likes and Zub with Sanderson on the 2nd pairing but with the idiot moron coach has i am surprised he didnt play Stu in net or on D before he was forced to put him in C...

I agree about Norris, wait and see if he is looking for north of 6 mill, then i would bridge it and lets see.
- spazzbot

Bridge is very risky, get him 2 years at 6 instead of 7-8 at 7.9 (Suzuki contract) and is he pots 40+ goals in those 2 years now you have to pay him 9M+.

this is were a scouting staff can look at Norris's games to evaluate if he is the real deal or fools gold but with OTT having like no one they cannot do that.

Suzuki got his deal after posting a .73 PPG, Norris was at .83 PPG last season.

Maybe the next big move that becomes obvious to everyone after the fact will be to pair Stutzle with Tkachuk and Batherson on the first line. I would like to see them play Norris on the wing. I am keen to see the Sens step up big if Dubois is actually shopped by the Jets. Appears like Jets will need to move either Dubois or Schieffle. Either would be a great fit for the Sens. Less confident Colorado is going to be able to resign Kadri, especially with Nichushkin having such a strong run. I have always been huge Kadri fan.
- spatso

They were trying Tkachuk & Stutzle when Norris was injured, but it didn't seem like an exceedingly good fit. Neither did Batherson & Stutzle, really, but I'm sure there will be more experimentation this year. The issue is that Stutzle generates the majority of his offense off the rush, which could be why high-pace players like Formenton and Brown have thrived on his line. By contrast, the Tkachuk-Norris-Batherson line is more about setting up in the offensive zone, cycling the puck, and generating a high volume of shots on goal. Different styles don't always complement each other, and so when you have a line with chemistry it's best not to mess around with that unnecessarily.

Speaking of Norris, anyone who doesn't regard him as at LEAST a #2C is just not understanding what a C actually does on the ice. Scoring more G than A is not a flaw, it's a by-product of the line structure... Tkachuk attracts tons of defensive attention, and Batherson is the best playmaking forward on the team. So it's Norris who is often the one with open shooting lanes, and benefiting from cross-seam passes. He's also by far the best face-off man on the team, and the only C on the team who has proven they can hold their own in head-to-head matchups against the league's top C.

Meanwhile, Stutzle is literally among the worst faceoff % in the entire league, and was the 5th worst +/- in the NHL among forwards. He's a gifted offensive player, but they need to prioritize getting him the support he needs, which includes faceoff support, some physical presence, and two-way defensive awareness. I still maintain that Giroux would be ideal, but it just feels like they're headed for another summer of flea market solutions. White could provide some C/RW support, but Smith appears to despise him. They could also try Pinto in the same role, but that's a lot to expect from a player with just 17GP in the NHL.

Thursday morning we will hear the name of the preferred bidder for Lebreton.

Garrioch was bending over backwards saying nobody is giving up information for fear of expulsion from the bidding process by the NCC.

But, he had a few curios notes. Garrioch did signal that the Senators bid does not include Ruddy. He said the new group is now much more powerfully positioned than the previous bid attempt.

I believe the most important part of Thursday will be the names behind the Sens bid. This is where the money will be found to sustain the rebuild.

Tell me the names and we should be able to handicap the probability of the Sens acquiring a top 6 forward and top 4 Dman.

Thursday morning we will hear the name of the preferred bidder for Lebreton.

Garrioch was bending over backwards saying nobody is giving up information for fear of expulsion from the bidding process by the NCC.

But, he had a few curios notes. Garrioch did signal that the Senators bid does not include Ruddy. He said the new group is now much more powerfully positioned than the previous bid attempt.

I believe the most important part of Thursday will be the names behind the Sens bid. This is where the money will be found to sustain the rebuild.

Tell me the names and we should be able to handicap the probability of the Sens acquiring a top 6 forward and top 4 Dman.
- spatso

Greenberg family ( Minto )

You guys should take a look at the Hockeybuzz Mock Draft, by Jacob and the other writers on here. It has the NHL logo on the front page if you are trying to look for it.

Greenberg family ( Minto )
- Crosside

I hope so. But Greenberg and Ruddy are also partners through OSEG. I guess, the more money in the pot the better.

Neither Dubois or sheif would be a great fit for OTT, both are C they do not need, Sheif is 29 and will begin do decline in the next few years and is going to want a raise for his last contract. Dubois is a left shot this still not addressing OTTs need for a top 6 RW and frankly you do not break up a line that has great chemistry such a Brady/Norris/Bath has....

Kadri will be 32 when next season starts and is gonna want 8m+ are you out of your mind, OTT should stay as a few Galaxies away from him.
- Mithos

If any of you saw my comment about Dubois and his production, no Sens fan would want to give up the package the Jets will ask for. Scheifele is well known around the league of being a real ass and isn't like by many. I saw a post or tweet last year or maybe this year from Tim Peel, a former ref who basically said there isn't a ref out there that likes him and went on to state why. Put it this way, keep this guy far away from your team.

Here is an article on it.

https://ca.sports.yahoo.c...-scheifele-224806559.html

You guys should take a look at the Hockeybuzz Mock Draft, by Jacob and the other writers on here. It has the NHL logo on the front page if you are trying to look for it.
- PuckPix

They have Ottawa picking a midget and I'm not a fan of midgets in the NHL. The odds are not great for them doing well.

They have Ottawa picking a midget and I'm not a fan of midgets in the NHL. The odds are not great for them doing well.
- Whatisavailable

He's like 5'9" or 5'10" what is wrong with that? Sorry but that is truly an awful thing to say about the Savoie kid, saying he's a midget. What is wrong with you?

They have Ottawa picking a midget and I'm not a fan of midgets in the NHL. The odds are not great for them doing well.
- Whatisavailable

You have two players on your roster that are 5’9”. Tyler Ennis and Erik Brannstrom