How was the rest of Chicago's offense outside of Debrinicat / Kane? I admit I haven't followed them as closely in recent years.

Sure, you can't replace Kane, but as you said, Giroux and Stuzle are now slouches, and we're just scratching the surface of Stuzle's talent.

Teams's will also have to decide how to pair their defence vs Ottawa. Do you throw your top pairing against Stuzle / Cat, knowing on the next shift Ottawa will be sending out Tkachuk Norris Batherson?
- david22

Depth is so important. I am actually most excited about a possible third line of Pinto, Formenton and Joseph. All three can play solid defensive games and they have outstanding speed.

How was the rest of Chicago's offense outside of Debrinicat / Kane? I admit I haven't followed them as closely in recent years.

Sure, you can't replace Kane, but as you said, Giroux and Stuzle are now slouches, and we're just scratching the surface of Stuzle's talent.

Teams's will also have to decide how to pair their defence vs Ottawa. Do you throw your top pairing against Stuzle / Cat, knowing on the next shift Ottawa will be sending out Tkachuk Norris Batherson?
- david22

Your expectations for a guy barely starting his career and another guy finishing his are out to lunch. Stutzle isn't going to outscore Kane. Or boost Debrincat's numbers more than Kane has.

Depth is so important. I am actually most excited about a possible third line of Pinto, Formenton and Joseph. All three can play solid defensive games and they have outstanding speed.
- spatso

Two of your players are likely gonna be done or are going to jail so they should make plans on trading or signing players to replace them.

Read a twitter post this morning saying the final package coming back to the Sens from the Karlsson trade includes: Norris, Stutzle, Sogaard, Ostapchuck and Merilainen.

I don't have a lot of patience with people who put too much emphasis on what the immediate return needs to be on a trade. When the deal was done folks were distraught.

Ottawa (or another team) will pay a fair price for Chychrun. But, it will take a few years to discover if both sides made a good deal.

So many of us hated the Tkachuk pick at #4.
- spatso

What does Karlsson trade have to do with Chychrun
He’s not even close to being what Karlsson was at that age lmao 🤦‍♂️

What does Karlsson trade have to do with Chychrun
He’s not even close to being what Karlsson was at that age lmao 🤦‍♂️
- sens4life1971

Not trying to make a comparison between Karlsson and Chychrun. Merely trying to draw attention that the criteria for evaluating the outcome of a trade for a rebuilding team is very different that it is for a team that wants to contend.

When the Karlsson trade went down everyone was convinced that Ottawa had badly lost the so called trade deal. But 4 years after the fact I doubt anyone in San Jose or Ottawa believes that anymore. Teams at different points in the competitive window have different trade outcome needs.

If Ottawa is offering a first plus a couple of pieces for Chychrun, it is a lot. But Armstrong could flub the opportunity or he could hit a home run. We just don't know.

Your expectations for a guy barely starting his career and another guy finishing his are out to lunch. Stutzle isn't going to outscore Kane. Or boost Debrincat's numbers more than Kane has.
- GPHawksfan

Very good chance I am over estimating the potential of Stutzle. Love his game, love his big smile and love his attitude. Especially love the way he has handled being targeted for abuse.

In his second season he scored at .734 points per game. Kane scored at .875 ppg in his sophomore year.

Some Sens fans, like me, think Stutzle has more potential as an elite playmaker rather than as a goal scorer. But, he has not had the chance to skate with guys that can finish like DeBrincat.

Some of us want to believe that the Sens went out and got DeBrincat and Giroux specifically to allow Timmy grow his game. I am very excited to see how it is going to evolve.

I would agree with you..... if the Sens didn't have a young stud in Stutzle AND a guy with over 600 assists in his career coming in. While I agree he may dip, I don't think 20-25 goals is possible if he plays over 80gp. This isn't Bobby Ryan
- AlfieisKing

I like Stutzle a lot but he's not on Kane's level yet...not even close. Giroux is closer but Kane is still better and i say that as a guy that doesn't like Kane. Despite the fact the Hawks were a dumpster fire last season he still put up 66 assists and 92 points in 78 games and is always over a point per game. Doing it with centers that aren't that good. This is the reason the Hawks have walked away from young centers that produced decently with them like Pius Suter and now this off-season Strome. They smartly don't want to overpay them just because they played with Kane and put up some numbers. Yes they do want to suck and draft at the top of the draft but they know that Kane (like Joe Thornton in his prime) can make average players look like good players. I'm not saying DeBrincat will be Cheechoo 2.0 but i could see his stats go down some.

You also don't know what kind of chemistry DeBrincat is going to have with Stutzle or Giroux. You can assume it will be good because of the talent level but it doesn't always work out that way. It could also take time to adjust, we just don't know.

The Wings are in the same boat. On paper a line of Copp, Perron and Vrana should be good but it could be a complete poop show.

I like Stutzle a lot but he's not on Kane's level yet...not even close. Giroux is closer but Kane is still better and i say that as a guy that doesn't like Kane. Despite the fact the Hawks were a dumpster fire last season he still put up 66 assists and 92 points in 78 games and is always over a point per game. Doing it with centers that aren't that good. This is the reason the Hawks have walked away from young centers that produced decently with them like Pius Suter and now this off-season Strome. They smartly don't want to overpay them just because they played with Kane and put up some numbers. Yes they do want to suck and draft at the top of the draft but they know that Kane (like Joe Thornton in his prime) can make average players look like good players. I'm not saying DeBrincat will be Cheechoo 2.0 but i could see his stats go down some.

You also don't know what kind of chemistry DeBrincat is going to have with Stutzle or Giroux. You can assume it will be good because of the talent level but it doesn't always work out that way. It could also take time to adjust, we just don't know.

The Wings are in the same boat. On paper a line of Copp, Perron and Vrana should be good but it could be a complete poop show.
- dcz28

Just as easy to believe that DeBrincat can score 50 skating on the second line with Stutzle and Giroux. If you can get yourself in position to score Timmy will get the puck to you. We are going to find out soon enough!

Depth is so important. I am actually most excited about a possible third line of Pinto, Formenton and Joseph. All three can play solid defensive games and they have outstanding speed.
- spatso

Good point - that's a very underrated line with all 3 players with TONS to prove

I like Stutzle a lot but he's not on Kane's level yet...not even close. Giroux is closer but Kane is still better and i say that as a guy that doesn't like Kane. Despite the fact the Hawks were a dumpster fire last season he still put up 66 assists and 92 points in 78 games and is always over a point per game. Doing it with centers that aren't that good. This is the reason the Hawks have walked away from young centers that produced decently with them like Pius Suter and now this off-season Strome. They smartly don't want to overpay them just because they played with Kane and put up some numbers. Yes they do want to suck and draft at the top of the draft but they know that Kane (like Joe Thornton in his prime) can make average players look like good players. I'm not saying DeBrincat will be Cheechoo 2.0 but i could see his stats go down some.

You also don't know what kind of chemistry DeBrincat is going to have with Stutzle or Giroux. You can assume it will be good because of the talent level but it doesn't always work out that way. It could also take time to adjust, we just don't know.

The Wings are in the same boat. On paper a line of Copp, Perron and Vrana should be good but it could be a complete poop show.
- dcz28

1) My friend, I understand the point your trying to make. At the same time DeBrincat does not look like Cheechoo at all to me. JC never scored more than 28 goals without Joe Thornton - I do agree P. Kane is an elite playmaker. Having said that - Alex DrBrincat score 41 goals in the past...... in 2018-2019 he didn't have Patrick Kane feeding him all the time. In fact I counted: 15 goals in which Kane was on the ice and assisted on a goal or was in the play significantly. 5 other goals he was on the ice but didn't play any role or assist (mainly PP goals). 21 goals he wasn't even ON THE ICE. So what now? Toews? No it wasn't just 19, it was Strome and Kahun feeding him.

2) I agree, we don't know the chemistry with Stutzle and Giroux. Having said that Stutzle will score more points if he plays the games than Giroux; he's a stud

3) Red Wings added a lot of good pieces this off season, under the radar. It definitely takes a few years to do it right; or you end up like MTL and hit the cup finals only to fall back to the floor

Feels like everything in the NHL is on hold. Sens are good to wait, be patient, not force something. We would all like an upgrade on D, and JC makes a lot of sense but maybe the Sens should see what they have in JBD and Thomson before trading one of them away.

That's what makes last year so frustrating. It was the perfect time for them to do that.

Just so Zaitsev becomes the 7th guy. A really expensive 7th guy but....

Feels like everything in the NHL is on hold. Sens are good to wait, be patient, not force something. We would all like an upgrade on D, and JC makes a lot of sense but maybe the Sens should see what they have in JBD and Thomson before trading one of them away.

That's what makes last year so frustrating. It was the perfect time for them to do that.

Just so Zaitsev becomes the 7th guy. A really expensive 7th guy but....
- GrimmdaGoalie

If the Sens can score 40 more goals and give up 20 less from last year...they will make the playoffs. They are close.

Two of your players are likely gonna be done or are going to jail so they should make plans on trading or signing players to replace them.
- GPHawksfan

As a Hawks fan you should know that none of these guys are gonna spend a day in jail, whether they deserve to or not.

Let's say the sens sign Subban or Strahlman to a one year, $1m deal and then trade away Zaitsev. Is that an improvement over last year?

My % odds a team makes the playoffs

1) FLA - 99%
2) TOR - 97%
3) CAR - 97%
4) NYR - 95%
5) TBL - 90%
6) WSH - 65%
7) PIT - 60%
8) BOS - 55%
9) OTT - 45%
10) NYI - 40%

I think Sens' odds are better than PIT and BOS if they get chemistry in the top 6 and goaltending. IF they can add a top 4 or Jake Sanderson thrives, this team is in the group with Washington has a competitive team that is behind the contenders. Again, there's a lot of progress to make but with Pinto, Norris, Batherson, and many others not having the year they wanted last year - it will be exiting

My % odds a team makes the playoffs

1) FLA - 99%
2) TOR - 97%
3) CAR - 97%
4) NYR - 95%
5) TBL - 90%
6) WSH - 65%
7) PIT - 60%
8) BOS - 55%
9) OTT - 45%
10) NYI - 40%

I think Sens' odds are better than PIT and BOS if they get chemistry in the top 6 and goaltending. IF they can add a top 4 or Jake Sanderson thrives, this team is in the group with Washington has a competitive team that is behind the contenders. Again, there's a lot of progress to make but with Pinto, Norris, Batherson, and many others not having the year they wanted last year - it will be exiting
- AlfieisKing

BOS wont make the playoffs, Tor has 50/50 chance of making the playoffs, they have no G and below average D

BOS wont make the playoffs, Tor has 50/50 chance of making the playoffs, they have no G and below average D
- Mithos

I think Toronto will make the playoffs for sure - doesn't matter which seed and doesn't matter if they get average goaltending or not. Winning in the playoffs I wouldn't even put them in the top 10 of winning a round; for obvious reasons

Let's say the sens sign Subban or Strahlman to a one year, $1m deal and then trade away Zaitsev. Is that an improvement over last year?
- GrimmdaGoalie

Totally worth the gamble. I think you meant Stralman*. I think he would be a solid adition. He has played with JC in Arizona too and brings veteran leadership for Sanderson, JBD, Thomson and others. Who knows, maybe he and Brannstrom would click big time

Smith will never play the young D and he certainly will never play a LD like Chychrun on the right side so giving up all these assets for a LD doesn't make any sense.

Let the season roll and if the existing D (Zaitsev, Hamonic, Zub, Chabot, Holden and Brannstrom) can not do too badly then... Why can't people see that Chychrun will not make a difference? It's the friggin coach.

Smith will never play the young D and he certainly will never play a LD like Chychrun on the right side so giving up all these assets for a LD doesn't make any sense.

Let the season roll and if the existing D (Zaitsev, Hamonic, Zub, Chabot, Holden and Brannstrom) can not do too badly then... Why can't people see that Chychrun will not make a difference? It's the friggin coach.
- Whatisavailable

It's funny you mention this as I am going to be posting a blog shortly looking back at previous Sens head coaches......but you know, I am beyond with you on Smith. I don't care what roster you give him.....he will find a way to put HIS stamp on it as they say. Great coaches, maximize players strengths by putting them in positions to succeed.....but this coach has a pension for doing the opposite on defense, due to that being his old position when he played.

Apologies that I didnt get back to everyone in the comment section!

A huge thanks to everyone for getting a great discussion going on here as always!

It's funny you mention this as I am going to be posting a blog shortly looking back at previous Sens head coaches......but you know, I am beyond with you on Smith. I don't care what roster you give him.....he will find a way to put HIS stamp on it as they say. Great coaches, maximize players strengths by putting them in positions to succeed.....but this coach has a pension for doing the opposite on defense, due to that being his old position when he played.
- Kevin Francis

It seems like the best defensive coaches either have a ton of NHL experience (Shaw, Richardson) or no experience at all (Trotz, Martin). There's hope in John Stevens, who also played his career mostly as an AHL bruiser. Biggest challenge with coaching IMO is not necessarily the fault of the guy behind the bench, but that front office continually fails to hire coaches with any demonstrable track record of coaching success at the NHL level. When every coach of this team is an experiment, the on ice product will follow suit.