wont something please think of the Ottawa players, the league, Mcdavid and the penalty kill...the real victims in this -spatso
- senstroll

Overall I am really impressed by how everyone is handling this issue. It is really important to stay balanced and nobody benefits from overreaction one way or the other.

Regardless of how it finally plays out the outcome has to be perceived as fair and appropriate.

I watched press conference and came to opposite conclusion. First, Dorion said he would rather act now (not wait) to deal for a quality D addition. Second, he also said that the Sens still have good cap space available. Third, he was purposely evasive talking D combinations saying it would work out. Fourth, he wants to be a playoff contender and buyer at the trade deadline.

If he wants to be a playoff contender he needs to upgrade the top 4 before the season starts.
- spatso

Yes, beyond agree......that top 4 D is mandatory if nothing comes of the pre-season games with the youth on the blueline.

Despite knowing the constant pressure on the team to upgrade at D even after his acquisition, this was a pretty good media availability from Hamonic, who has been playing quite a bit with Sanderson early in training camp.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c5Qq3Ub5vg&t=400s

There were rumors at last year's trade deadline about how aloof and disconnected Hamonic was in the Canucks' locker room, but he really seems to have adopted a different attitude with the Senators. He even speaks positively about how much joining the team in March helped him to prepare for the coming season, which could be a comment back on the Canucks. Regardless, it's a credit to the locker room culture the Senators have developed, which is often noted as a common element among teams that eventually become more than just the sum of their parts.

Despite knowing the constant pressure on the team to upgrade at D despite his acquisition, this was a pretty good media availability from Hamonic, who has been playing quite a bit with Sanderson early in training camp.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c5Qq3Ub5vg&t=400s

There were rumors at last year's trade deadline about how aloof and disconnected Hamonic was in the Canucks' locker room, but he really seems to have adopted a different attitude with the Senators. He even speaks positively about how much joining the team in March helped him to prepare for the coming season, which could be a comment back on the Canucks. Regardless, it's a credit to the locker room culture the Senators have developed, which is often noted as a common element among teams that eventually become more than just the sum of their parts.
- khawk

I could really warm up to the idea of Hamonic and Sanderson starting the season at 5 and 6 for the defensive pairings. But, not so confident if folks are thinking of them as the #3 and #4.

I could really warm up to the idea of Hamonic and Sanderson starting the season at 5 and 6 for the defensive pairings. But, not so confident if folks are thinking of them as the #3 and #4.
- spatso

As of right now they've got Chabot and Zub as 1 and 2 and Holden as 6. That's it! There is no 3 or 4 or even 5. You're right in saying that Sanderson ideally should start on the third pair but with who? You might be right about Hamonic fitting the bill but I have my doubts.

I can see a combination of Hamonic/Brannstrom and Holden possibly playing the third pair adequately.

If you're going to play Sanderson it has to be with Zub and you're not playing Zub on your third pair; so there's your second pair. Play Hamonic and/or Brannstrom with Chabot on your first pair. I think Chabot is good enough to handle it.

Apparently Dorion doesn't feel any urgency when it comes to extending Zub and that makes me wonder at what game he's playing in that little brain of his. He's created quite the mess on the blueline so what's it going to cost to bail him out this time?

No matter which way I look at it they're going to get creamed unless they have their forwards play a very organized D zone game and Smith has not shown that he has any idea how to go about that.

Armstrong is about to be treated at the Dorion Buffet. 2023 and 2024 unprotected firsts, Greig or Pinto. Thomson or JBD and probably something for dessert and panicky Sens fans will sigh with relief and say that it needed to be done.

ps: You may have noticed that I haven't slotted Zaitsev in anywhere but somewhere deep down I know he'll be playing and Sanderson will be in Belleville.

I think they've mentally moved on from Chycrun. Too many injury concerns/too expensive to acquire. Funny I read that the Jets are not feeling all that happy with their defense. I wonder if we get Demello back. He knows us. We know him. I like the deal he's on. He does have a full no trade....but...maybe?

Apparently Jorian Donovan has already showed them enough at training camp to warrant an ELC... not that there was ever any doubt about them offering an ELC to the son of Shean Donovan.
https://www.tsn.ca/jorian...ottawa-senators-1.1852741

I hadn't really paid attention to ELC structures, but virtually all of the Senators ELC include a $55K-$95K signing bonus... even for mid-late round picks. At first this struck me as odd for a team that usually resists any kind of signing bonus $$$, but then I realized that if the ELC slides there is an eventual cap benefit to having paid out the signing bonus $$$ early. For example, Ridley Greig's AAV reduced by ~$30K for each year that he was still in the WHL after signing his deal.

Presumably, this also has the benefit of locking-up your drafted prospects and reducing any issue with holding-out. Putting $55K-$95K in front of an 18 year-old is a very powerful incentive. As would be paying that much out again when they're 19 and 20, if they need that much development time in the CHL.

As of right now they've got Chabot and Zub as 1 and 2 and Holden as 6. That's it! There is no 3 or 4 or even 5. You're right in saying that Sanderson ideally should start on the third pair but with who? You might be right about Hamonic fitting the bill but I have my doubts.

I can see a combination of Hamonic/Brannstrom and Holden possibly playing the third pair adequately.

If you're going to play Sanderson it has to be with Zub and you're not playing Zub on your third pair; so there's your second pair. Play Hamonic and/or Brannstrom with Chabot on your first pair. I think Chabot is good enough to handle it.

Apparently Dorion doesn't feel any urgency when it comes to extending Zub and that makes me wonder at what game he's playing in that little brain of his. He's created quite the mess on the blueline so what's it going to cost to bail him out this time?

No matter which way I look at it they're going to get creamed unless they have their forwards play a very organized D zone game and Smith has not shown that he has any idea how to go about that.

Armstrong is about to be treated at the Dorion Buffet. 2023 and 2024 unprotected firsts, Greig or Pinto. Thomson or JBD and probably something for dessert and panicky Sens fans will sigh with relief and say that it needed to be done.

ps: You may have noticed that I haven't slotted Zaitsev in anywhere but somewhere deep down I know he'll be playing and Sanderson will be in Belleville.
- Whatisavailable

DJ and Dorion have been doing nothing but exclaiming their love for Sanderson and Dorion has been even going out of his way to suggest Sanderson will be a likely solution from within for the Def. Why on Earth would you ever think he is going down to Belleville.

David Pagnotta:

Sens, Kings and Ducks trying to get deal done with Arizona for Jakob Chychrun.

David Pagnotta:

Sens, Kings and Ducks trying to get deal done with Arizona for Jakob Chychrun.
- spatso

Sounds like a bidding war...

Despite knowing the constant pressure on the team to upgrade at D even after his acquisition, this was a pretty good media availability from Hamonic, who has been playing quite a bit with Sanderson early in training camp.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c5Qq3Ub5vg&t=400s

There were rumors at last year's trade deadline about how aloof and disconnected Hamonic was in the Canucks' locker room, but he really seems to have adopted a different attitude with the Senators. He even speaks positively about how much joining the team in March helped him to prepare for the coming season, which could be a comment back on the Canucks. Regardless, it's a credit to the locker room culture the Senators have developed, which is often noted as a common element among teams that eventually become more than just the sum of their parts.
- khawk

I posted his interview on Twitter, he is very engaging, really gets it. Motte would have been with him in Vancouver too. He's fluently bilingual which helps in this market too.

David Pagnotta:

Sens, Kings and Ducks trying to get deal done with Arizona for Jakob Chychrun.
- spatso

Very doubtful he would go to Anaheim as they are in rebuild mode. LA and OTT yes.

DJ and Dorion have been doing nothing but exclaiming their love for Sanderson and Dorion has been even going out of his way to suggest Sanderson will be a likely solution from within for the Def. Why on Earth would you ever think he is going down to Belleville.
- TDBSenatoR

Agreed! Brannstrom has looked very smooth and confident with the puck in 2 days so far, lets see if it translates to the pre-season games.

I think they've mentally moved on from Chycrun. Too many injury concerns/too expensive to acquire. Funny I read that the Jets are not feeling all that happy with their defense. I wonder if we get Demello back. He knows us. We know him. I like the deal he's on. He does have a full no trade....but...maybe?
- Octavarium

Chabot and Chychrun have averaged the same amount of games the last 5 seasons. I don't think people realize how much time Chabot has missed. Demelo loved it here so I could see him waiving his NTC.

Apparently Jorian Donovan has already showed them enough at training camp to warrant an ELC... not that there was ever any doubt about them offering an ELC to the son of Shean Donovan.
https://www.tsn.ca/jorian...ottawa-senators-1.1852741

I hadn't really paid attention to ELC structures, but virtually all of the Senators ELC include a $55K-$95K signing bonus... even for mid-late round picks. At first this struck me as odd for a team that usually resists any kind of signing bonus $$$, but then I realized that if the ELC slides there is an eventual cap benefit to having paid out the signing bonus $$$ early. For example, Ridley Greig's AAV reduced by ~$30K for each year that he was still in the WHL after signing his deal.

Presumably, this also has the benefit of locking-up your drafted prospects and reducing any issue with holding-out. Putting $55K-$95K in front of an 18 year-old is a very powerful incentive. As would be paying that much out again when they're 19 and 20, if they need that much development time in the CHL.
- khawk

When I was asked on the podcast on Tuesday night about players that stood out for me at the prospect challenge, I mentioned Donovan as the only guy on the blueline that was noticeable in all 3 games! He missed a lot of hockey too as the OHL was shut down a lot during Covid, right after he was drafted, unlike the Q or W.

Per the Sens twitter feed.

Roster update: The #Sens have released three players from the team's training camp roster; defencemen Chandler Romeo and forwards Reid Valade and Dalyn Wakely. All three players have been assigned to their respective
@OHLHockey
clubs

I think they've mentally moved on from Chycrun. Too many injury concerns/too expensive to acquire. Funny I read that the Jets are not feeling all that happy with their defense. I wonder if we get Demello back. He knows us. We know him. I like the deal he's on. He does have a full no trade....but...maybe?
- Octavarium

That Nils Lundqvist trade package makes getting a young, cost controlled D man even less likely.

DJ and Dorion have been doing nothing but exclaiming their love for Sanderson and Dorion has been even going out of his way to suggest Sanderson will be a likely solution from within for the Def. Why on Earth would you ever think he is going down to Belleville.
- TDBSenatoR

There's virtually no chance that Sanderson will be in the AHL this year. Limited defensive play, higher NHL game pace, and physical conditioning is what typically results in high-end D prospects needing time in the AHL (including Karlsson, Chabot & Brannstrom). But defensive play & skating is what Sanderson does best, plus he came into training camp with the highest level of fitness of any D-man on the roster. They also have no other "7th D-man" on the roster, and have made it abundantly clear that Zaitsev will be heading out. So unless he gets injured, I don't see how Sanderson isn't in the starting lineup on opening night.

Cam Talbot's new mask has an "upside-down" theme from Stranger Things, with images of both Vecna and the Mind Flayer.