The other guy i like from Vegas is defenseman Nicolas Hague. Still somewhat unproven and a RFA that shouldn't be expensive. 6'6 220 pounds 23 year old. His stats don't look like much but when you look at his last season in the OHL, you know there could be something there in the near future. 67 games, 35 goals, 78 points and 109 minutes of penalties. 35 friggin goals for a defenseman in 67 games.

The defenseman i would think they would rather move would likely be Martinez if they deal one. My guess is they likely try to unload William Karlsson first. They would need to dump even more if true they have a handshake deal already for Smith.
- dcz28

Hague looks impressive. Too bad he's another LD. I wonder if anyone would offer sheet him.

Hague looks impressive. Too bad he's another LD. I wonder if anyone would offer sheet him.
- Whatisavailable

Great point I am stunned no team has done that with any player in RFA status, a team that is in cap hell! Palat to NJ now too....leaving Kadri and Klingberg as the big fish left on the UFA market.

Blog updated. It looks like either Weegar or Marino for the top 4 D that Dorion wants to add. Zaitsev to Chicago is still on the table.

I just got off with 2 sources out in AZ....doesn't look like PD will meet their asking price....naturally things change to day to day......



Kevin Francis
@KevinFr65525204
Replying to

@TSNSimmer
and 3 others
The feeling I get, is that PD would rather deal from a position of strength with teams that are having cap issues....rather than deal with AZ who have the upper hand in any deal due to their cap space....both AZ and OTT have gone back & forth a lot the last 2 weeks..but cant seem to agree on the 4 pieces.

Blog updated. It looks like either Weegar or Marino for the top 4 D that Dorion wants to add. Zaitsev to Chicago is still on the table.

I just got off with 2 sources out in AZ....doesn't look like PD will meet their asking price....naturally things change to day to day......



Kevin Francis
@KevinFr65525204
Replying to

@TSNSimmer
and 3 others
The feeling I get, is that PD would rather deal from a position of strength with teams that are having cap issues....rather than deal with AZ who have the upper hand in any deal due to their cap space....both AZ and OTT have gone back & forth a lot the last 2 weeks..but cant seem to agree on the 4 pieces.
- Kevin Francis

Dorion does seem to move away from the target and then circle back. Hopefully he has not finished with Chychrun.

Yup, a third liner wasn't getting 5M per season here on a new deal!
- Kevin Francis

Anthony Cirelli $6.25 so Brown's ask was realistic.

Anthony Cirelli $6.25 so Brown's ask was realistic.
- granpa

I think losing both Paul and Brown were really bad ideas.

I still really like the moves this team has made, but some of their competition to get into the playoffs have gotten a lot better too. Detroit and Columbus should both be better now as well. The east will be much more competitive.

Really hope Kadri stays out west.

I think losing both Paul and Brown were really bad ideas.
- Whatisavailable

They're both good players, but once they start making UFA money with substantial term it comes down to basic cap management. Teams that pay a premium to add these kinds of players are typically doing so because they have limited internal alternatives. By comparison, the Senators have got Formenton, Pinto, and Joseph ready to step up into larger roles, plus guys like Greig, Boucher, and Ostapchuk already in the development pipeline. Five of these players are the result of Dorion investing 1st/2nd round picks, which shows the extent to which he's prioritized having quality supporting depth in the organization.

They're both good players, but once they start making UFA money with substantial term it comes down to basic cap management. Teams that pay a premium to add these kinds of players are typically doing so because they have limited internal alternatives. By comparison, the Senators have got Formenton, Pinto, and Joseph ready to step up into larger roles, plus guys like Greig, Boucher, and Ostapchuk already in the development pipeline. Five of these players are the result of Dorion investing 1st/2nd round picks, which shows the extent to which he's prioritized having quality supporting depth in the organization.
- khawk

This. I just hope we don't see a bunch of depth plugs added taking away time from the young guys. There's always some players like that floating around at the beginning of the season that can be signed if it becomes imperative to add depth if the kids truly show they aren't ready, not to mention waivers.

Anthony Cirelli $6.25 so Brown's ask was realistic.
- granpa

Perhaps he gets moved because his ask was realistic. My guess is that Paul fell into the same situation. No bad people here, no sinister motives, just really hard choices. It becomes choices in terms of either/or. Would you rather have Giroux or Brown taking up that $6m slot?

Do you want Nick Paul in your lineup or would you rather move Zaitsev plus Nick Paula and bring in a top 4 Dman to pair with Chabot?

They're both good players, but once they start making UFA money with substantial term it comes down to basic cap management. Teams that pay a premium to add these kinds of players are typically doing so because they have limited internal alternatives. By comparison, the Senators have got Formenton, Pinto, and Joseph ready to step up into larger roles, plus guys like Greig, Boucher, and Ostapchuk already in the development pipeline. Five of these players are the result of Dorion investing 1st/2nd round picks, which shows the extent to which he's prioritized having quality supporting depth in the organization.
- khawk

I think this is exactly right. Interesting Boucher was a top player at the development camp. These guys are awfully good with their amateur scouting and selection.

What should the top six look like next year?

I know Tkachuk Norris Batherson is the line we all like to see, but I'm wondering if Tkachuk might look really good playing on the wing with Stuz and Debrinicat

What should the top six look like next year?

I know Tkachuk Norris Batherson is the line we all like to see, but I'm wondering if Tkachuk might look really good playing on the wing with Stuz and Debrinicat
- david22

I thought about that just to add some grit to the line, but analytically Cat and Tkachuk both perform markedly better from the left side. More likely I'd think Cat moves up with Norris and Batherson, but I'm not sure how much leeway there is to separate Tkachuk and Norris on the ice.

The cap is a wicked master. It will quickly level any imbalances where teams try too hard to get ahead of their competitive window. Tampa and Colorado are both shrewd managers of the cap, They have demonstrated long term patience in building championship teams

Leafs went too fast. Signing Tavares was an error. They got ahead of where they should be and ended up with an elite talented team but without depth.

Florida has an elite team but maybe also pushed it too fast with multiple acquisitations last year. Now they are having to shed salaries. Interesting, they just signed Rudoph Balcers as a depth player.

I think this is exactly right. Interesting Boucher was a top player at the development camp. These guys are awfully good with their amateur scouting and selection.
- spatso

I see several people writing the same thing. Love or hate the pick, all these players develop at different rates. Also, you do not always find a player that works out.

I don't like that Connor Brown move at least at this stage but I suppose Dorion would not have done it unless the rookies at camp have really impressed him and DJ Smith.

The timing felt weird. We may have an excellent forward group now on paper but injuries happen and Brown was a guy who can move up and down seamlessly. Figured you'd at least wait until the trade deadline.

I gotta think this means Formenton sticks around because if you trade him too that is a lot of speed and PK effectiveness from last season that will not be there. And this is an Ottawa team that was more in need of keeping pucks out of the net rather than putting them in the net.

Brown is an excellent player in a role suited to him. He would have been a welcome addition on many teams where he would be a good roster / cap fit. Brown's exit is simply a natural part of the rebuild as younger players are ready to step in and step up. I wish him nothing but the best with the Caps.

Is it possible that Brown may have wanted / welcomed the move? With the prospects progressing and with the new additions, is it possible that he saw his role diminish and simply wanted an opportunity to go elsewhere? It is a contract year for him so his expectations may not line up with his place on the team and he may want to showcase himself this season for his next contract.

The trade may have been a mutual affair. In fact, it may be possible that PD moved him to a team that may not have brought the best return but may have been in the player's best interest.

They're both good players, but once they start making UFA money with substantial term it comes down to basic cap management. Teams that pay a premium to add these kinds of players are typically doing so because they have limited internal alternatives. By comparison, the Senators have got Formenton, Pinto, and Joseph ready to step up into larger roles, plus guys like Greig, Boucher, and Ostapchuk already in the development pipeline. Five of these players are the result of Dorion investing 1st/2nd round picks, which shows the extent to which he's prioritized having quality supporting depth in the organization.
- khawk

khawk, as usual, saving the thread with clear, logical posts.

Losing players like Brown and Paul will always stink as they are fan favorites due to their role but are in actuality, replaceable.

Headline suggesting Klingburg might look at one year deal. More speculation that Kadri will go back to Colorado. What nobody is saying is that the frozen cap have left teams with very few options to sign UFA.s. It will be worse next summer.

Headline suggesting Klingburg might look at one year deal. More speculation that Kadri will go back to Colorado. What nobody is saying is that the frozen cap have left teams with very few options to sign UFA.s. It will be worse next summer.
- spatso

That's funny, I was just reading up on him when I saw he'd think about taking a short term deal, seems good offensively. I don't know much about him though, how is he defensively? There were some suggestions on the Athletic that it looked like he's lost a step, but without having ever watched him play, I have no idea myself.

I admit to being curiuos about it though.

Brown is an excellent player in a role suited to him. He would have been a welcome addition on many teams where he would be a good roster / cap fit. Brown's exit is simply a natural part of the rebuild as younger players are ready to step in and step up. I wish him nothing but the best with the Caps.

Is it possible that Brown may have wanted / welcomed the move? With the prospects progressing and with the new additions, is it possible that he saw his role diminish and simply wanted an opportunity to go elsewhere? It is a contract year for him so his expectations may not line up with his place on the team and he may want to showcase himself this season for his next contract.

The trade may have been a mutual affair. In fact, it may be possible that PD moved him to a team that may not have brought the best return but may have been in the player's best interest.
- HoweHatrick

This is the factor people always seem to forget. When a player doesn't re-sign, it's not necessarily because the GM failed. Players only get one or two chances in their career to hit the UFA market, and maybe he want a chance to really see what his options are. In Brown's case, he's decided to leave at the same moment Giroux has decided to join. Neither is right or wrong, they just have different circumstances and different motivations. Some players want to play in a bigger market, a specific team, or maybe even just play in the USA instead of Canada for tax reasons. Heck, Gaudreau just left money on the table from a division-winning CGY team where he had a very successful year, to sign long-term with a non-playoff Columbus team.

As for some people being down on the trade return they got for Brown, the problem is they can't afford to wait until the trade deadline to make this deal, when it's possible that he might have been worth a late 1st round pick. The reason for this is the expectation the team now has for making a playoff push, which isn't consistent with selling off a veteran middle-6 RW down the stretch. Plus, it's generally not great for team culture to have players around who have already declared their intention to leave. It's even more difficult when that person is supposed to be part of your leadership group. So the decision to trade Brown when they did had more complex elements involved than just basic asset management consideration.

They're both good players, but once they start making UFA money with substantial term it comes down to basic cap management. Teams that pay a premium to add these kinds of players are typically doing so because they have limited internal alternatives. By comparison, the Senators have got Formenton, Pinto, and Joseph ready to step up into larger roles, plus guys like Greig, Boucher, and Ostapchuk already in the development pipeline. Five of these players are the result of Dorion investing 1st/2nd round picks, which shows the extent to which he's prioritized having quality supporting depth in the organization.
- khawk

Apparently Paul was asking for 10 million over 5 years which doesn't seem daunting for that caliber of player. Those silly, clueless Tampa guys thought he was worth over 3 million for 7 years.

I can't help but think that if they would have signed Paul then Brown might have been amenable to 4.5. What an awesome bottom six when you've got two guys who can play up the lineup if needed due to injury or whatever and also are really well liked and are great leaders and perfect role models for the younger guys.

Well what's done is done and just time will tell if the team chemistry is adversely affected by this cavalier attitude (or more accurately a Vegas kind of attitude towards their players and management) towards two players that have battled so hard and effectively for this team throughout these past few really grim years.

I like the young guys coming up and think they should do well. As a matter of fact not that long ago I remember a lot of people on this thread pissing all over Boucher while I was one of the few people defending him and saying he was a good pick.

Too bad we didn't get to see Pinto very much last year but what little I saw I liked.

I think Joseph looked pretty good last year and he might might turn out to be better than expected.

Greig is looking great and I pray Dorion doesn't trade him as part of a package for a D we may not need. I like Thomson and JBD enough that I'm almost hoping that Dorion doesn't acquire another "top 4D", especially not guys like Marino or Weeger who would only serve to block Thomson and JBD. We already have Hamonic and Zaitsev doing a good enough job of blocking them.

If they get rid of Zaitsev they might need to bring in somebody as a kind of insurance but you don't give away first round picks or top prospects unless you're talking about somebody like Theodore or Chychrun and even there I'm not fully on board because they're both left shot LD.

I'd play Thomson with Chabot who has said he likes playing with Thomson and then Sanderson with Zub and Holden with Hamonic or even give Brannstrom a shot on the right side which he has said he prefers.

Lastly I think this team will be in the mix this spring even if I don't agree with some of the moves being made.,

SENS TALK
@senstalk_
·
45m
“The reaction has been absolutely unparalleled in the market. In the last 24-to-48 hours, we’ve had over 500 separate companies, reaching out. New season seats were up 25 % already from the activity over the last few weeks from where they were last year with season seat sales.”👀

Apparently Paul was asking for 10 million over 5 years which doesn't seem daunting for that caliber of player. Those silly, clueless Tampa guys thought he was worth over 3 million for 7 years.

Greig is looking great and I pray Dorion doesn't trade him as part of a package for a D we may not need. I like Thomson and JBD enough that I'm almost hoping that Dorion doesn't acquire another "top 4D", especially not guys like Marino or Weeger who would only serve to block Thomson and JBD. We already have Hamonic and Zaitsev doing a good enough job of blocking them.

I'd play Thomson with Chabot who has said he likes playing with Thomson and then Sanderson with Zub and Holden with Hamonic or even give Brannstrom a shot on the right side which he has said he prefers.
- Whatisavailable

I believe Paul was offered 2.5*4 by Dorion and he didn't bite. He elevated his play considerably with better deployment and linemates in Tampa, earned the raise. Bet on himself and won, pretty impressive. I do think this team could roll with existing back end provided they move Zaitsev like you say, but I don't think they will. The rumoured moves we are hearing about suggest they are likely trying to keep a Thomson bridge extension manageable and sub 2 a la Liljegren. JBDs on ice product to date has been unremarkable and he is a likely candidate to be moved. Thomson gets some reps this year, but likely replaces Hamonic after next season. I do wish there was more faith in the young guys as you do, but I don't have a lot of confidence in this coach's ability to manage young players.

Lots of Klingberg rumours out there this afternoon. He was a -28 in Dallas last year. Is he good enough defensively? They need to get better at keeping the pucks out of their own net and whatever RD they acquire needs to be an upgrade in that department.