The Weegar rumors are interesting. If you can rid Hamonic (3mill) and Zaitsev (4.5mill), you have Weegar’s 6.25 mill more than covered. He’s a guy I wanted Ottawa to target in the summer. The contract is a bit heavy, and a potential issue is an upcoming Sanderson contract assuming Sanderson takes another step next season. There might be a really big need for an affordable bridge contract there. However, hard to deny he’d be an upgrade to the current group. It is hard to say if he would lift this team significantly enough to be a playoff contender next year.

Just some fun stats comparing Germans in their first 3 seasons.

Draisaitl:
2014-15 - 37 games - 2G- 7A - 9P
2015-16 - 72 games - 19G - 32A - 51P
2016-17 - 82 games - 29G - 48A - 77P

Stutzle:
2020-21 - 53 games - 12G - 17A - 29P
2021-22 - 79 games - 22G - 36A - 58P
*2022-23 - 49 games - 24G - 31A - 55P
*on pace for 36G - 46A - 82P

Is Stutzle better than Draisaitl???? He's doing it without McDavid too! lololol one can hope.

Just some fun stats comparing Germans in their first 3 seasons.

Draisaitl:
2014-15 - 37 games - 2G- 7A - 9P
2015-16 - 72 games - 19G - 32A - 51P
2016-17 - 82 games - 29G - 48A - 77P

Stutzle:
2020-21 - 53 games - 12G - 17A - 29P
2021-22 - 79 games - 22G - 36A - 58P
*2022-23 - 49 games - 24G - 31A - 55P
*on pace for 36G - 46A - 82P

Is Stutzle better than Draisaitl???? He's doing it without McDavid too! lololol one can hope.
- PogBoi

Good comparisons.

Does not matter who is best. Hard to believe that Timmy might be the better player over the next few years.

‘No chance’ they move DeBrincat? Why would you say that? Even if you aren’t planning on moving him (I’m on the fence personally) why make such a strong statement? I hate that this team is waiting for new ownership to fire Dorion, tear the band aid off now or three months ago when you should’ve.

‘No chance’ they move DeBrincat? Why would you say that? Even if you aren’t planning on moving him (I’m on the fence personally) why make such a strong statement? I hate that this team is waiting for new ownership to fire Dorion, tear the band aid off now or three months ago when you should’ve.
- CooCooKaChoo

I thought the first act of new ownership would be to appoint a new GM. Not so sure now. Would you fire a GM just a few weeks before the draft?

Likely Dorion survives through the draft. Maybe he is offered a modified GM role if new owners introduce a President of Hockey Operations. If Dorion is not removed Smith will likely stay as well.

I thought the first act of new ownership would be to appoint a new GM. Not so sure now. Would you fire a GM just a few weeks before the draft?

Likely Dorion survives through the draft. Maybe he is offered a modified GM role if new owners introduce a President of Hockey Operations. If Dorion is not removed Smith will likely stay as well.
- spatso

I would fire him on the draft floor if I had to but I think you may very well be right and the PD/Smith curse remains and then PD puts the franchise into the toilet by extending DeBrincat for eight long years at big money plus other stupid moves I can't even imagine right now. Weegar and Flames' third in 2028 for Sens' unprotected first plus Greig, JBD and Batherson or some such.

Another season of Smith behind the bench is really too depressing to think about.

At least Bettman would be happy because that would be one less Canadian based team competing for the Cup for the next ten years.

Sens fans just can't catch a break.

I thought the first act of new ownership would be to appoint a new GM. Not so sure now. Would you fire a GM just a few weeks before the draft?

Likely Dorion survives through the draft. Maybe he is offered a modified GM role if new owners introduce a President of Hockey Operations. If Dorion is not removed Smith will likely stay as well.
- spatso

I would fire him on the draft floor, on his birthday, at center ice during an intermission. Him and Smith have been living on borrowed time for over a year and it's getting ridiculous. I understand ownership wants to put in their own guy, but this team is suffering and being devalued under these two. Fire Dorion and leave it vacant for all I care, at least there won't be more damage.

I would fire him on the draft floor if I had to but I think you may very well be right and the PD/Smith curse remains and then PD puts the franchise into the toilet by extending DeBrincat for eight long years at big money plus other stupid moves I can't even imagine right now. Weegar and Flames' third in 2028 for Sens' unprotected first plus Greig, JBD and Batherson or some such.

Another season of Smith behind the bench is really too depressing to think about.

At least Bettman would be happy because that would be one less Canadian based team competing for the Cup for the next ten years.

Sens fans just can't catch a break.
- Whatisavailable

All I wanted is for this season was for the Sens to be relevant in February and March. They are. So, I am very happy.

If they do any deals at the deadline, I hope they are buyers in terms of acquiring players that will help them this and next year. Do not want to take back picks or prospects if they move a major piece.

I hated Chris Neil. I really like what you guys are doing for him. He deserves it. He is the first guy I think of when I think Ottawa Senators.
- lacaprup

Just some fun stats comparing Germans in their first 3 seasons.

Draisaitl:
2014-15 - 37 games - 2G- 7A - 9P
2015-16 - 72 games - 19G - 32A - 51P
2016-17 - 82 games - 29G - 48A - 77P

Stutzle:
2020-21 - 53 games - 12G - 17A - 29P
2021-22 - 79 games - 22G - 36A - 58P
*2022-23 - 49 games - 24G - 31A - 55P
*on pace for 36G - 46A - 82P

Is Stutzle better than Draisaitl???? He's doing it without McDavid too! lololol one can hope.
- PogBoi

I mentioned it before - one of the things for the Sens to be a serious contender in this 32 team league, is Tim Stutzle to become Draisaitl 2.0.

Leon Draisaitl was also a 3rd pick (in 2014). He is a few points away from 700 (amazing with only 611 games). 59 points in 37 playoff games.

He has won Art Ross, Hart, and Ted Lindsay awards. A lot to catch up to but Stutzle said he wants to be his own player! That's powerful. I think he on part with Elias Petterson - I'm not sure how good Pettersson is defensively (don't watch him enough)

I would fire him on the draft floor, on his birthday, at center ice during an intermission. Him and Smith have been living on borrowed time for over a year and it's getting ridiculous. I understand ownership wants to put in their own guy, but this team is suffering and being devalued under these two. Fire Dorion and leave it vacant for all I care, at least there won't be more damage.
- CooCooKaChoo

New owners likely will want to mine as much intellectual property and experiential history from PD before they cut ties. Dorion has a decent track record with drafting and has made some bold trades. His worst garbage deals were generally money/poor owner driven (ironically, so were his biggest home runs). I suspect new owners keep him around for the draft, with the caveat that every pick is green lit by somebody of their choosing, and perhaps PD sticks around. Smith should already be gonzo - I am 95% he won't be behind the bench next year, in favour of somebody with a more proven winning track record (and commensurate salary) like a Boudreau.

‘No chance’ they move DeBrincat? Why would you say that? Even if you aren’t planning on moving him (I’m on the fence personally) why make such a strong statement? I hate that this team is waiting for new ownership to fire Dorion, tear the band aid off now or three months ago when you should’ve.
- CooCooKaChoo

Dorion has always had a keen ear for what his owner wants - Melnyk was notoriously challenging to work with and it takes a special personality to deal with that. I think the strong language here is PD's way of saying it is up to new ownership to decide what happens to Debrincat, and as such, we won't see the player traded or extended until new owners weigh in. Deb hasn't had a spectacular year and if PD didn't at least recoup what he paid just a few months ago, it'd look pretty myopic and hurt his chance to stay employed. Easiest and safest to defer since we still own AD's rights and can trade him at the draft or the offseason. I'm on board with that.

Lolz Chris Neil never got a suspension. We would never have this gem without him and Lindy Ruff.

https://youtu.be/Tf-IBSQm5Mk

Ragged!

Dorion has always had a keen ear for what his owner wants - Melnyk was notoriously challenging to work with and it takes a special personality to deal with that. I think the strong language here is PD's way of saying it is up to new ownership to decide what happens to Debrincat, and as such, we won't see the player traded or extended until new owners weigh in. Deb hasn't had a spectacular year and if PD didn't at least recoup what he paid just a few months ago, it'd look pretty myopic and hurt his chance to stay employed. Easiest and safest to defer since we still own AD's rights and can trade him at the draft or the offseason. I'm on board with that.
- Bartacus

If the Sens qualify DeBrincat at 9 mil and he accepts the qualifying offer, does he become a UFA after next season or is he still a RFA? If he can become a UFA after next season, you would think this could be his plan unless he gets the contract he wants. Play one year at 9 mil and then hit the UFA market to cash in with a long term deal.

figures OTT would lose to one of the worst teams in the NHL....

If the Sens qualify DeBrincat at 9 mil and he accepts the qualifying offer, does he become a UFA after next season or is he still a RFA? If he can become a UFA after next season, you would think this could be his plan unless he gets the contract he wants. Play one year at 9 mil and then hit the UFA market to cash in with a long term deal.
- dcz28

That's right but if Ottawa refuses to pay the qualifying offer he immediately becomes a UFA and can walk away.

WOW this is one boring game!
OK Third period is a bit better. Like yeah!

Sogard looking solid.

That's right but if Ottawa refuses to pay the qualifying offer he immediately becomes a UFA and can walk away.
- Whatisavailable

If they can't agree on a contract now, they should move him imo. He isn't worth 9 mil and i doubt many teams will pay a lot unless they know before the trade they can sign him at a decent price that isn't 9 mil and then risk losing him as a UFA.

OTT NEEDS to trade chabot like COL traded Duchene

Disappointing result. Really felt the Sens had it after the Brady goal. Chabot with two stinkers on the 2nd and OT goals

Do all teams have number retirements well before scheduled puck drops? I can't really recall but seems like a lot of fans didn't get the memo tonight.

Why Chabot flopping on the ice?

OMFG that was a painful 3rd period.
Anyone still in dream land about making the playoffs — that display last night should have woken you up. GARBAGE. HOT GARBAGE. And the unfortunate part was that Branny and Zaitsev had actually been playing decent games. I seriously think Branstrom is cursed as a hockey player. He should quit. Play badminton or something. We NEEDED 2 points. Had to have them.

OMFG that was a painful 3rd period.
Anyone still in dream land about making the playoffs — that display last night should have woken you up. GARBAGE. HOT GARBAGE. And the unfortunate part was that Branny and Zaitsev had actually been playing decent games. I seriously think Branstrom is cursed as a hockey player. He should quit. Play badminton or something. We NEEDED 2 points. Had to have them.
- Octavarium

The Sens have holes in their lineup for sure but they also have a lot of talented and skilled players on the team. It takes real talent as a coach to take those guys and turn them into the disorganized mess we are seeing.

It's not just this game either because they've been badly outplayed in every game since the break but I bet people will still be getting out their calculators to figure out what they need to make the playoffs and suggest what blockbuster trade PD should make at the deadline to make it happen.

Yeah disappointing but do you guys think we will have win all the rest of the game. I don’t expect to make the playoff but don’t want to to tank. Want the team try to win more than they can

I want Dorion to be sellers and buyers. If he can add a goalie or Defenseman go for it

I agree DJ have to go. Dorion I hope he stay but with a Poho