I would include Chabot and Batherson in that nucleus. If Norris is over his shoulder problems he would be there as well.
- Whatisavailable

This is a good point. I think every team that won without number one picks have stars that were drafted in later rounds, or late firsts who would be called "essential". Guys like Bergeron.

The Sens would also need some players who meet that definition, since they are unlikely to draft first overall any time soon.

Is Erik Karlsson headed to the HHOF?

Won Anton Cup in Sweden.
Won Sliver at WJC in 2009 (in Ottawa)
Won Silver at Olympics in 2014
Outside Canadian D-men, only 4 US born and 4 other have more career points
1 point away for being in Top 25 Points All Time by D-man
7th All Star game this season
Likely will win his 3rd Norris Trophy

Is Erik Karlsson headed to the HHOF?

Won Anton Cup in Sweden.
Won Sliver at WJC in 2009 (in Ottawa)
Won Silver at Olympics in 2014
Outside Canadian D-men, only 4 US born and 4 other have more career points
1 point away for being in Top 25 Points All Time by D-man
7th All Star game this season
Likely will win his 3rd Norris Trophy
- AlfieisKing

I think so. Where would he be if he had not had the injuries?

How good is Sanderson? He may not have the flash of Karlsson or Chabot. But he is so solid and responsible. Getting Stutzle and Sanderson in the top 5 was a pretty remarkable draft for the Sens.

Karlsson "was" the closest thing to ORR since.....ORR.

He's absolutely going to the Hall.

Goaltending is horrendous. Talbot needs to get back to the drawing board.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Minnesota fans are like: "This is the Cam Talbot we know...."


Anyone else worried about the Sens depth at the G position suddenly?

Is Erik Karlsson headed to the HHOF?

Won Anton Cup in Sweden.
Won Sliver at WJC in 2009 (in Ottawa)
Won Silver at Olympics in 2014
Outside Canadian D-men, only 4 US born and 4 other have more career points
1 point away for being in Top 25 Points All Time by D-man
7th All Star game this season
Likely will win his 3rd Norris Trophy
- AlfieisKing

The “hasn’t won a cup” argument will become less and less important. NHL has 32 now compared to guys that played in other eras. Much harder to win a cup now.

Karlsson will have several more productive years under his belt.

I’d be shocked if he wasn’t voted into the hall in his first year of eligibility.

Is this what we are going to look like next year:

Tkachuk Stützle Batherson
DeBrincat Norris Giroux
?LW Pinto Joseph
?LW Kastelic ?RW

Extra: Kelly

Defensive Pairings
Chabot RHD/UFA
Sanderson Zub
LHD/Vet JBD

Extra: Thomson/Brannstrom (if he resigns)

Motte would make great 3rd or 4th line LW. So they need to sign two wingers or hope someone in Belleville steps up. And, of course, the need for a top 4 RHD. And now a goalie - lots available next year - Varlamov, Raanta, Blackwood. (Someone will overpay Jarry, hopefully not us).

Just me or do the Sens need to get bigger in those open slots on the roster?

Is this what we are going to look like next year:

Tkachuk Stützle Batherson
DeBrincat Norris Giroux
?LW Pinto Joseph
?LW Kastelic ?RW

Extra: Kelly

Defensive Pairings
Chabot RHD/UFA
Sanderson Zub
LHD/Vet JBD

Extra: Thomson/Brannstrom (if he resigns)

Motte would make great 3rd or 4th line LW. So they need to sign two wingers or hope someone in Belleville steps up. And, of course, the need for a top 4 RHD. And now a goalie - lots available next year - Varlamov, Raanta, Blackwood. (Someone will overpay Jarry, hopefully not us).

Just me or do the Sens need to get bigger in those open slots on the roster?
- GrimmdaGoalie

I actually like how Kelly is playing he knows his roll on team and he skated hard and throws 💯 in every shift

My thoughts are
Tkachuk Stutzle Batherson
???? Norris Giroux
Joseph Pinto Grieg (Grieg brings energy)
Kelly Kastelic Sokolov (Sokolov brings size and maybe scoring touch here and there 🤞)

Chabot JBD
Sanderson Zub
??? Hamonic

????
Forsberg

I actually like how Kelly is playing he knows his roll on team and he skated hard and throws 💯 in every shift

My thoughts are
Tkachuk Stutzle Batherson
???? Norris Giroux
Joseph Pinto Grieg (Grieg brings energy)
Kelly Kastelic Sokolov (Sokolov brings size and maybe scoring touch here and there 🤞)

Chabot JBD
Sanderson Zub
??? Hamonic

????
Forsberg
- sens4life1971

Not sure about Sokolov but I like it.

Minnesota fans are like: "This is the Cam Talbot we know...."

Anyone else worried about the Sens depth at the G position suddenly?
- GrimmdaGoalie

Suddenly? I'm not even as down on Talbot as some on here, but was anyone under the impression that Talbot/Forsberg was ever going to be a Cup-quality tandem? Personally, I think they should be taking a serious run at Thatcher Demko, who is having a very down year (i.e. buy low), and the Canucks are now actively talking about a rebuild (i.e. he might be available). He's signed for $5Mx3yr after this year, just turned 27, and the Canucks have other potentially interesting supporting pieces as well.

Suddenly? I'm not even as down on Talbot as some on here, but was anyone under the impression that Talbot/Forsberg was ever going to be a Cup-quality tandem? Personally, I think they should be taking a serious run at Thatcher Demko, who is having a very down year (i.e. buy low), and the Canucks are now actively talking about a rebuild (i.e. he might be available). He's signed for $5Mx3yr after this year, just turned 27, and the Canucks have other potentially interesting supporting pieces as well.
- khawk

Sure. But that would cost a 1st, Grieg and something else. In other words, all the things we need for a top 4 RHD.

Sure. But that would cost a 1st, Grieg and something else. In other words, all the things we need for a top 4 RHD.
- GrimmdaGoalie

I believe JBD could be that top 4 they need to keep him up and find out so far very solid 🤙

I remember watching this team 3 years ago. They lost a lot but they never gave up and I always enjoyed watching them. Same two years ago and last year as well. You could see a team growing up and full of vim and vigour and promise.

I don't see that anymore. Something has changed. This is just me I know but I posted after the DeBrincat acquisition that I worried about the chemistry of the team being affected. This little guy was gifted top PP and big even strength minutes without having earned them.

They dumped Paul and Brown for a 2024 second and Joseph. I don't see the same chemistry anymore. I think Smith and Dorion have really hurt the franchise and I hope that when they are gone some of the trust can be restored.
- Whatisavailable

Not resigning Paul and Brown should have cost Dorion his job, he was our chief scout! How could he screw up so badly?

Yes, something has changed! The Sens are great on the power play but are a failure 5 on 5. I think Shawn Simpson hit the nail on the head when he said today the players love DJ Smith. Who wouldn’t love a coach who doesn’t reprimand you about ignoring defense! Just go out and score!

I can’t wait for the new owners to take control and get rid of Dorion and Smith. However, if I was in their shoes I would wait until the end of the season as their incompetence will surely give the team a great draft pick!

Team 1200 guys this morning talking about the available Kings RHD, due to B. Clarke being available to step in. Durzi, maybe?

Took a look at their roster...is it just me or are ALL their present D right handed? It is like they have the opposite problem of the Sens.

They were talking about maybe Talbot and something for Durzi. Might include a salary dump of Patterson coming back. Thoughts?

PS - you know what would help with these kind of discussions? A new Sens blogger, so we aren't all commenting on a post from 12 days ago.

Team 1200 guys this morning talking about the available Kings RHD, due to B. Clarke being available to step in. Durzi, maybe?

Took a look at their roster...is it just me or are ALL their present D right handed? It is like they have the opposite problem of the Sens.

They were talking about maybe Talbot and something for Durzi. Might include a salary dump of Patterson coming back. Thoughts?

PS - you know what would help with these kind of discussions? A new Sens blogger, so we aren't all commenting on a post from 12 days ago.
- GrimmdaGoalie

https://www.tsn.ca/radio/...if-i-m-the-sens-1.1908707

Team 1200 guys this morning talking about the available Kings RHD, due to B. Clarke being available to step in. Durzi, maybe?

Took a look at their roster...is it just me or are ALL their present D right handed? It is like they have the opposite problem of the Sens.

They were talking about maybe Talbot and something for Durzi. Might include a salary dump of Patterson coming back. Thoughts?

PS - you know what would help with these kind of discussions? A new Sens blogger, so we aren't all commenting on a post from 12 days ago.
- GrimmdaGoalie

depends on cost of acquisition, not convinced Durzi is any good, sure 24 points but a -9 on a good Kings team only other D that are minus is the geriatric Edler and Walker. if kings want Talbot fine but no more than a 2nd rounder must be added.

OTT cannot affords to take on cap dumps

Suddenly? I'm not even as down on Talbot as some on here, but was anyone under the impression that Talbot/Forsberg was ever going to be a Cup-quality tandem? Personally, I think they should be taking a serious run at Thatcher Demko, who is having a very down year (i.e. buy low), and the Canucks are now actively talking about a rebuild (i.e. he might be available). He's signed for $5Mx3yr after this year, just turned 27, and the Canucks have other potentially interesting supporting pieces as well.
- khawk

While Talbot has been disappointing, I still think he’s an upgrade over Matt Murray, even with Murray putting together some strong games for the Leafs, he is still wildly inconsistent health/mental-wise. You can’t have a “will he play or won’t he play” in a goalie. They need to be ready to go at all times.

At the time of acquiring Talbot, he had 3 seasons of save percentages of .911 or higher. That’s decent. His 2018-2019 season was his career low at .881 with Philly and .893 in Edmonton. He’s currently at .903 right now.

End of the day, I don’t think the Talbot deal was terrible when you consider the past 3 seasons. I don’t think anyone thought he was going to win any Vezina’s or Cups but an improvement from last year wasn’t farfetched. May have been an error to acquire him by giving up a prospect and not gauging possible regression.

That said, I don’t think it’s a smart idea to keep him past this year given the regression and the fact you already have a middling goalie signed in Forsberg, which is a contract, I was not a huge fan of considering his lack of consistency in his career.

In a perfect world, you do have a goalie with a Demeko-like contract with a back up that is getting paid close to league minimum.

I wonder if Timmy hits the 40 goal mark this season?

I wonder if Timmy hits the 40 goal mark this season?
- spatso

No, 35 goals 80 points.

Next season he breaks 40 G 90 point if he stays healthy.

Team 1200 guys this morning talking about the available Kings RHD, due to B. Clarke being available to step in. Durzi, maybe?

Took a look at their roster...is it just me or are ALL their present D right handed? It is like they have the opposite problem of the Sens.

They were talking about maybe Talbot and something for Durzi. Might include a salary dump of Patterson coming back. Thoughts?

PS - you know what would help with these kind of discussions? A new Sens blogger, so we aren't all commenting on a post from 12 days ago.
- GrimmdaGoalie

One thing we don't want to touch is Cal Petersen - not with a ten foot pole. He has done nothing but underperform since his new contract was signed, and he's at 5 for 2 more years after this. Gifting LA the cap space without getting something real promising back could easily be Zaitsev 2.0.

LA do have a glut of RD, and it's natural they would want to trade Durzi since he and Clarke play a similar offensive game and Clarke has more potential and is younger. Problem is he is exactly the kind of D man the Sens do not need. If anyone it would be Matt Roy to target, and I don't think he's available despite the embarrassment of riches LA have on the right side.

This Sens team seems to be on the wrong side of the puck quite a lot

Talbot strikes again. If he does a post game interview he'll say as he always does that he gave the team a chance to win and that's all that he can do.

Talbot strikes again. If he does a post game interview he'll say as he always does that he gave the team a chance to win and that's all that he can do.
- Whatisavailable

Just deflates the team with these goals he lets in 😏

Move Batherson down he’s use to playing with Debrincat
Norris use to Tkachuk
This is Common Sense specially if Norris isnt taking FO’s 🤷‍♂️

Just deflates the team with these goals he lets in 😏
- sens4life1971

I said it when they gave away Gus for this guy and I'll say it again. He just sucks the life out of a team. I predicted he would do this. Don't for a minute think he's going to change.