NJ, Buffalo, and, perhaps, Detroit are Eastern teams ahead of the Sens in their rebuilds. It does not mean they have better players or better long term prospects. It simply means their top young players are a little older, more experienced and play better team defence. Funny how Devil fans booed Lindy Ruff most nights at the beginning of this season. They were certain he was responsible for their bad season last year and before and he failed to give the team meaningful structure.

But, the Devils have had a breakthrough year. The Jack Hughes of this year has been exceptionally good. But, remember, Jack Hughes is a year older than Stutzle. Stutzle's production (first three years) is actually ahead of Hughes on a direct head to head comparison. Sanderson is the best rookie D we have ever seen in Ottawa (including Karlsson, Chabot Redden and Phillips).

We will not see any significant moves coming down the stretch. Cannot imagine any deals being concluded until the new ownership is able to signal their approval.

The quietness on the ownership process tells us we have some really serious groups fighting for the lead role. We may be much closer to knowing the likely winning bidder than folks expect.

Nobody, including Dorion, would want to steal the thunder of the incoming group.

So ya saying it was ok for Chabot to stop skating and let opponent skate on towards net ??
- sens4life1971

You look at that goal and decide to fault Chabot? Unbelievable! Truly unbelievable!

This is what happens when you get the talking head sports broadcasters echo chamber parroting some nonsense a couple of them have started. Every goal against is Chabot's fault. Every loss is Chabot's fault. Now the idiotic trade Chabot talk is being promoted.

Who they need to get rid of is that incompetent behind the bench!

I suggested trading Chabbot at this year's draft. And I was serious. He's out of the "timing" of the rest of the young core. That's when I truly believed the team thought higher of JBD and Lassi. Clearly they don't.

I thought the game in general last night was sloppy, by both teams. Just C level hockey. Chabbot's gaff at the blue line and then Talbot's doozy....it just sums up the season. The offense can't score. The defense ends up getting tired and defending A LOT. I was happy to see Holden and Branny back together. It's not a bad pair.

As far as the forum. My intent (if Ecklund answered me) was to rotate bloggers weekly so we have a different tone with each, and so that one person isn't burdened with the sole responsibility of talking about our Sens.

I suggested trading Chabbot at this year's draft. And I was serious. He's out of the "timing" of the rest of the young core. That's when I truly believed the team thought higher of JBD and Lassi. Clearly they don't.

I thought the game in general last night was sloppy, by both teams. Just C level hockey. Chabbot's gaff at the blue line and then Talbot's doozy....it just sums up the season. The offense can't score. The defense ends up getting tired and defending A LOT. I was happy to see Holden and Branny back together. It's not a bad pair.

As far as the forum. My intent (if Ecklund answered me) was to rotate bloggers weekly so we have a different tone with each, and so that one person isn't burdened with the sole responsibility of talking about our Sens.
- Octavarium

Defenceman peak later than forwards. Chabot should be very good into his mid-30's so his window aligns perfectly with the core. Chabot is a very talented player in a very bad situation:
- he averages 26 minutes a night when 22 to 23 minutes would be better
- defensive zone structure and defensive systems are poor
- team needs to add more defensive depth, ideally a top 4D with size physicality to pair with Chabot

Get a new coach, new GM and hopefully things move in the right direction.

NJ, Buffalo, and, perhaps, Detroit are Eastern teams ahead of the Sens in their rebuilds. It does not mean they have better players or better long term prospects. It simply means their top young players are a little older, more experienced and play better team defence. Funny how Devil fans booed Lindy Ruff most nights at the beginning of this season. They were certain he was responsible for their bad season last year and before and he failed to give the team meaningful structure.

But, the Devils have had a breakthrough year. The Jack Hughes of this year has been exceptionally good. But, remember, Jack Hughes is a year older than Stutzle. Stutzle's production (first three years) is actually ahead of Hughes on a direct head to head comparison. Sanderson is the best rookie D we have ever seen in Ottawa (including Karlsson, Chabot Redden and Phillips).

We will not see any significant moves coming down the stretch. Cannot imagine any deals being concluded until the new ownership is able to signal their approval.

The quietness on the ownership process tells us we have some really serious groups fighting for the lead role. We may be much closer to knowing the likely winning bidder than folks expect.

Nobody, including Dorion, would want to steal the thunder of the incoming group.
- spatso

Bruce mention the book supposed to open today, so we are late in the process. We not gonna know the new ownership before late march at earliest

Dylan Gambrell (F**k no, don't sign)
Parker Kelly (12th/13th forward)
Austin Watson (only resign if cheap 12/13th forward)
Jake Lucchini (good story but career AHLer)

These 4 players have 7 goals ALL year. This is a joke. The proscouting here needs to improve big time with depth players

Bruce mention the book supposed to open today, so we are late in the process. We not gonna know the new ownership before late march at earliest
- Crosside

As soon as the books are opened a few of the bidders will drop out when they see it is way beyond their price tolerance. The drop outs will talk and we will get some decent chatter. I would be surprised if it goes beyond the end of this month without us knowing who are the finalists in the bidding.

Sens at 6% (probable) in Bedard lottery standings as of this morning.

Chicago is going to fight tooth and nail to stay at bottom...but Columbus putting up a good fight in trying to get below them in standings.

You look at that goal and decide to fault Chabot? Unbelievable! Truly unbelievable!

This is what happens when you get the talking head sports broadcasters echo chamber parroting some nonsense a couple of them have started. Every goal against is Chabot's fault. Every loss is Chabot's fault. Now the idiotic trade Chabot talk is being promoted.

Who they need to get rid of is that incompetent behind the bench!
- Whatisavailable

Let me tell ya something if Chabot would of kept skating he would of been to the puck first to swat it away instead of giving up on the play and letting opponent swat it in net
Like come on it’s common sense man Chabot could have saved a goal but he chose to play the Lazy side of puck and assumed goalie had it.
The Blues player didn’t give up he skated right by Chabot and look it’s a loose puck let’s tap it in 🤦‍♂️

Defenceman peak later than forwards. Chabot should be very good into his mid-30's so his window aligns perfectly with the core. Chabot is a very talented player in a very bad situation:
- he averages 26 minutes a night when 22 to 23 minutes would be better
- defensive zone structure and defensive systems are poor
- team needs to add more defensive depth, ideally a top 4D with size physicality to pair with Chabot

Get a new coach, new GM and hopefully things move in the right direction.
- SensFan25

Chabot has been stuck playing big minutes with a lousy partner on a bad team with an incompetent coach for years. Hopefully new ownership will get rid of Dorion and Smith tout de suite and the new management and coaching will be composed of NHL caliber professionals.

Let me tell ya something if Chabot would of kept skating he would of been to the puck first to swat it away instead of giving up on the play and letting opponent swat it in net
Like come on it’s common sense man Chabot could have saved a goal but he chose to play the Lazy side of puck and assumed goalie had it.
The Blues player didn’t give up he skated right by Chabot and look it’s a loose puck let’s tap it in 🤦‍♂️
- sens4life1971

Chabot's mistake was to think that Talbot was capable of doing what any 5 year old could do and steer that puck over to the right. Chabot was then going to be an easy outlet for his D partner along the boards. He did exactly the right thing but that choker in net screwed up.

The choker in net also screwed up on the first goal where Sanderson and Hamonic were doing their job but he couldn't make a simple save.

A large part of the Sens fan base thinks they've got a number one goalie but they will find out soon enough that they do not. Talbot will make some spectacular saves occasionally but almost every game he will let in at least one really soft one and that gets old really quick.

Get rid of any of the bottom 6 outside of Kastelick, Motte and Pinto, IMO. Ottawa should not add any defensemen to their roster this year if it costs them a draft pick unless he has term left. And they should only add a true RHD, which everyone in the league is looking for.

Sens aren't going to make the playoffs so should not waste any capital on any moves for this year. Better to sign a UFA RD in offseason (Dumba, Severson), which they should have addressed this summer (hello John Marino).

Only way a trade should happen is if it gets rid of players not wanted, being used, taking up wrong roster slot.

So Formenton, Joseph, Zaitsev and either Sokolov or L. Thompson for Seth Jones?

And I severely doubt they do any major moves or add any more money until the new owner gets on board. All of Dorians moves in the offseason were acceptable because they increased the (perceived) value of the club, especially when it came to getting Sens fans excited and back to the CTC.

Chabot's mistake was to think that Talbot was capable of doing what any 5 year old could do and steer that puck over to the right. Chabot was then going to be an easy outlet for his D partner along the boards. He did exactly the right thing but that choker in net screwed up.

The choker in net also screwed up on the first goal where Sanderson and Hamonic were doing their job but he couldn't make a simple save.

A large part of the Sens fan base thinks they've got a number one goalie but they will find out soon enough that they do not. Talbot will make some spectacular saves occasionally but almost every game he will let in at least one really soft one and that gets old really quick.
- Whatisavailable

It’s never the right thing to give up on a play my god 🤦‍♂️ I get it Talbot should of cleared that puck but still don’t give chabot the right to give up on that play, but is what it is this my last thought on this matter 👍

Get rid of any of the bottom 6 outside of Kastelick, Motte and Pinto, IMO. Ottawa should not add any defensemen to their roster this year if it costs them a draft pick unless he has term left. And they should only add a true RHD, which everyone in the league is looking for.

Sens aren't going to make the playoffs so should not waste any capital on any moves for this year. Better to sign a UFA RD in offseason (Dumba, Severson), which they should have addressed this summer (hello John Marino).

Only way a trade should happen is if it gets rid of players not wanted, being used, taking up wrong roster slot.

So Formenton, Joseph, Zaitsev and either Sokolov or L. Thompson for Seth Jones?

And I severely doubt they do any major moves or add any more money until the new owner gets on board. All of Dorians moves in the offseason were acceptable because they increased the (perceived) value of the club, especially when it came to getting Sens fans excited and back to the CTC.
- GrimmdaGoalie

They have Kelly for one more year
And Joseph for 3 more years
So only spots is up for grab is bottom 2 RW 🤷‍♂️ and I think Sokolov Grieg or someone can fill them rolls
Same with D we have Chabot Zub Sanderson
Bring up JBD Thomson and a Decent stay at home D who can move up if needed
that leaves a number one Goalie 🤔

Defenceman peak later than forwards. Chabot should be very good into his mid-30's so his window aligns perfectly with the core. Chabot is a very talented player in a very bad situation:
- he averages 26 minutes a night when 22 to 23 minutes would be better
- defensive zone structure and defensive systems are poor
- team needs to add more defensive depth, ideally a top 4D with size physicality to pair with Chabot

Get a new coach, new GM and hopefully things move in the right direction.
- SensFan25

Can't dispute the new coach/GM part, but I'm curious about different impressions of the top-4D. Sounds like you're suggesting that Sanderson-Zub is actually the ideal 2nd pairing, and what they need is a more physical top-4D to play with Chabot. That could be quite a tall order, especially if they intend that player to handle anything close to the ice time Chabot gets regularly. Personally, I don't think Chabot needs anyone more physical than Zub vs. having the scoring lines figure out how to generate ES scoring chances without hanging the D/G out to dry. Which yet again comes down to bringing in a coach who actually coaches a coherent ES defensive system. It might also be a thought to target one of the UFA goaltenders like Andersen or Varlamov in the off-season, vs. risking starting the year again with two waiver-acquired goaltenders. I could be wrong, but I think it may be the first time in the NHL history that's actually happened (i.e. Forsberg/Hellberg being the starting tandem on opening night).

Can't dispute the new coach/GM part, but I'm curious about different impressions of the top-4D. Sounds like you're suggesting that Sanderson-Zub is actually the ideal 2nd pairing, and what they need is a more physical top-4D to play with Chabot. That could be quite a tall order, especially if they intend that player to handle anything close to the ice time Chabot gets regularly. Personally, I don't think Chabot needs anyone more physical than Zub vs. having the scoring lines figure out how to generate ES scoring chances without hanging the D/G out to dry. Which yet again comes down to bringing in a coach who actually coaches a coherent ES defensive system. It might also be a thought to target one of the UFA goaltenders like Andersen or Varlamov in the off-season, vs. risking starting the year again with two waiver-acquired goaltenders. I could be wrong, but I think it may be the first time in the NHL history that's actually happened (i.e. Forsberg/Hellberg being the starting tandem on opening night).
- khawk

I thought they needed to add a third goaltender last year because I didn't think Gus and Forsberg would be enough but I thought trading a potential future starter for Talbot was dumb because I remembered watching Talbot a lot when he was with Edmonton and he hasn't changed a bit. I agree with you and think they should look to add a good goaltender in the summer and show Talbot the door. Maybe they can get something for Talbot at the deadline but I doubt it. Just another stupid Dorion trade.

So they waived Luchinni, welcome back Norris😁.
But why Luchinni I would have rather them waive Gambrell!! since we have Norris Stutzle Pinto Kastelic down the middle 🤷‍♂️

So they waived Luchinni, welcome back Norris😁.
But why Luchinni I would have rather them waive Gambrell!! since we have Norris Stutzle Pinto Kastelic down the middle 🤷‍♂️
- sens4life1971

idiot of a GM

Batherson is last in the league with a -29. Good times.

Just watched the latest Coming In Hot podcast with Brent Wallace, Jason York and Bobby Ryan and it was really good to listen to a couple of guys who know what they're talking about analyze what happened to cause the two goals against in the Blues game and one of the goals in the Colorado game plus what happened to lead to the Stutzle goal.

They talk a bit about Batherson's -29 as well as a few other things.

They talk some about the systems Ottawa plays and why they break down.

Well worth the watch but if you don't want to watch the whole thing their analysis starts at the 21:40 minute mark.

Dylan Gambrell (F**k no, don't sign)
Parker Kelly (12th/13th forward)
Austin Watson (only resign if cheap 12/13th forward)
Jake Lucchini (good story but career AHLer)

These 4 players have 7 goals ALL year. This is a joke. The proscouting here needs to improve big time with depth players
- AlfieisKing

Good points. Checked stats, Ottawa's bottom 6 has very little to offer. Kastelic is cost controlled, big, fast, and wins faceoffs, but outside his percentage in the dot his numbers really don't pass muster. Gambrell, Watson, Kelly - we'll be lucky if any of them hit 15 points, let alone 10. Kast, Kelly and Watson also all have 30+ PIMs a piece. Motte, at the least, is a plus player and solid PK option, and Kastelic might look better with better wingers, but everyone else really should be looking for work elsewhere come the offseason.

Good points. Checked stats, Ottawa's bottom 6 has very little to offer. Kastelic is cost controlled, big, fast, and wins faceoffs, but outside his percentage in the dot his numbers really don't pass muster. Gambrell, Watson, Kelly - we'll be lucky if any of them hit 15 points, let alone 10. Kast, Kelly and Watson also all have 30+ PIMs a piece. Motte, at the least, is a plus player and solid PK option, and Kastelic might look better with better wingers, but everyone else really should be looking for work elsewhere come the offseason.
- Bartacus

I like Kastelic a lot. But like many other players, his development will need to continue for this team to compete with REAL cup contenders. I like him back next year. I also like Watson but only as a reserve forward. Motte is good but no way I want him on the 3rd line with Pinto. We got to start looking at this team and see where they are

Without a doubt the biggest problem is on D. They need a right shot D-man that can play big mins and being defensively solid!

I'm unsure about the perceived need for a major upgrade on the blue line. At the start of the year there was uncertainty about how much of a role Sanderson could walk into as a rookie, and whether Zub would re-sign. This made a very clear case for the addition of a significant top-4D, but at this point I'm not as certain about the right path forward. Some people are convinced that Sanderson will need a ~$7M AAV RFA extension*, which means in the very near future they'll have over $19M committed to their top-3D. And in looking around the NHL, it's hard to see very many examples of teams exceeding that level of $$$ or quality, even on Cup-quality rosters.

TB - Hedman, Sergachev, Cernak (~$21M)
BOS - McAvoy, Lindholm, Carlo (~$20M)
NYR - Fox, Trouba, Lindgren (~$20M)
VGK - Pietrangelo, Theodore, Martinez (~$19M)
COL - Makar, Girard, Toews (~$18M)
TOR - Rielly, Brodie, Muzzin (~$18M)
OTT - Chabot, Sanderson, Zub (~$19M)* (if Sanderson ~$7M AAV)

Which begs the question... are Chabot, Sanderson & Zub good enough as a top-3D for the team to be competitive? If not, well they should be addressing that ASAP. If is is good enough, they also have Bernard-Docker & Thomson making their NHL transition, and Kleven likely on his way very soon. That's as good as most NHL teams in terms of young D-men with 2nd/3rd pairing upside, so it would seem they don't really need another big-name D-man (e.g. Chychrun, Dumba), so much as maybe a solid #4/5 guy to help stabilize the 2nd pairing, and help transition JBD or Thomson into a larger RHD role.

Given the premium cost of acquiring a top-4D and their existing cap issues, it just feels like there may be a growing chance of them extending Hamonic in order to serve as that transitional player. I'm not saying it's a great idea per se, but it makes sense on some very fundamental levels given that he's developed pretty good chemistry with Sanderson and plays a lot of PK minutes, which is something they'll lose with Holden/Zaitsev.
- khawk

Successful teams have the ability to add solid top 4 defenceman through UFA or via trade at modest cost by being patient and opportunistic. Hopefully we could get that with new management. Ideally, JBD, Thomson and Kleven could fill out the bottom pairing and develop into top 4D over time.

Norris wont take any faceoffs tonight.

Probably just because he's out of practice, I hope.

I don’t get this coach Joseph a healthy scratch when they are playing his brother would of been a good game for him, but no let’s play Gambrell who has 1 goal 0 assists cause he’s to valuable to knock outta that 4th line 🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️