I understand your POV.

Point 1: Yes. He has been through the sh*t. Playing against the top players and playing tons of minutes. Can you imagine Chris Phillips or Wade Redden playing in that role? Chabot is supposed to be better, but those D-men would get chewed up too. I don't think people appreciate what he went through during these years.

Since 2018-2019:
2019-2020 - Chabot played the most mins per game AND total in NHL
2020-2021 - Chabot was 2nd in mins per game behind only Drew Doughty
2021-2022 - Chabot basically had the top mins per game in the NHL (with Seth Jones who played 1 more second per game)

Point 2: Yes Chabot had a bad year (relative to his contract and what he is expected to do). Offensively is not the problem for me. I'll take 40 points +10 over 60 points and -20. It's the combination of being a YOUNG D-MAN + being on a very poor team. Victor Hedman was almost at 500 GP before he had the season of above 55 points. Chabot has played 381. Let's see where he is at the end of next season - and (yes he has played on bad teams - he has never played a playoff game!) where Hedman went to the conf. finals in his second NHL season. Yes, Chabot isn't Hedman but how do you think Chabot would be on Tampa from 2015-2013, let's be honest? He might have a Norris.

Point 3: Your final paragraph I can completely understand. Again, I think we revisit this in a year and I think he will have a strong year if healthy. He needs to stop doing so much and get his mentality of using his skating and confidence in a much better way. Many many people acknowledge he can play a lot better than last year.
- AlfieisKing

I understand the sympathy people have for Chabot, but the Senators are now locked into a 5-year competitive window. To be a Cup-quality team they need their $8M+ foundational players to be exceptional, and there's just nothing exceptional about Chabot's play over the past few years. You mentioned Redden/Phillips, but at this point in their career they had helped lead the team to multiple playoff appearances, including a Conference Finals series. You mentioned Hedman, but it was nothing close to 500GP before he was a regular 50pts player (more like a bit over 300GP)... and he showed consistent progression early on. Conversely, we've seen no real progression from Chabot in many years, and it could be argued there is evidence of regression.

Put it another way, if I were a GM starting a new team I would be picking Chychrun/Sanderson to lead my blue line before I would turn to Chabot. That's a curious state of affairs, given that there's no forward on the team I would even remotely consider picking ahead of Stutzle/Tkachuk.

Dorion just missed out on Tofolli 🤦‍♂️
What is he doing just sitting still 😏

Dorion just missed out on Tofolli 🤦‍♂️
What is he doing just sitting still 😏
- sens4life1971

I was hoping that Tofolli might have been on Ottawa's radar. But, there is not a lot of free cap out there and NJ has a lot of it and is able to do some deals.

I understand the sympathy people have for Chabot, but the Senators are now locked into a 5-year competitive window. To be a Cup-quality team they need their $8M+ foundational players to be exceptional, and there's just nothing exceptional about Chabot's play over the past few years. You mentioned Redden/Phillips, but at this point in their career they had helped lead the team to multiple playoff appearances, including a Conference Finals series. You mentioned Hedman, but it was nothing close to 500GP before he was a regular 50pts player (more like a bit over 300GP)... and he showed consistent progression early on. Conversely, we've seen no real progression from Chabot in many years, and it could be argued there is evidence of regression.

Put it another way, if I were a GM starting a new team I would be picking Chychrun/Sanderson to lead my blue line before I would turn to Chabot. That's a curious state of affairs, given that there's no forward on the team I would even remotely consider picking ahead of Stutzle/Tkachuk.
- khawk

I’m sold. Bring in Karlsson. I don’t think it’s a shot at Chabot, he’s very good and should bounce back this year, but over the next four years, I’d rather have Karlsson while the Sens are most competitive. RD and one of a kind.

Seems highly unlikely to see such a big name get traded and come back, but new ownership has seen some big changes happen in how players perceive Ottawa.

Can’t believe DJ is coming back though. Dragging out the ownership situation resulted in running out of runway to fire DJ before the draft. This should have been wrapped up a month ago with Dorion gone and the new guy cleaning house.

Pierre Dorion comments:

DJ Smith will be back. He was recommended to the board + new owner.

Well that's exceptionally unfortunate.

Free Agency - few things need to address (trade next few days will dictate what they do).

On DeBrincat: "
sounds completely accurate

Q-offers: Sokolov, JBD, Pinto, Brannstrom, Mandelose
No QO: Gauthier, Gambrell (thank god), Lodin

agree with all of these

*Doesn't sound like Dorion will have a 1st rounder tomorrow. Therefore roster players to help the team with playoff push is what is most likely
- Octavarium

Dorion just missed out on Tofolli 🤦‍♂️
What is he doing just sitting still 😏
- sens4life1971

Taffoli is not the answer, patience that is how he got Chych for so little he was patient, would not be surprised if he got Konecny after Cat is traded

Taffoli is not the answer, patience that is how he got Chych for so little he was patient, would not be surprised if he got Konecny after Cat is traded
- Mithos

I agree

Sens 2023/24 season schedule has been released. Lucky for DJ and Sens, only 9 games in Nov to limit their annual damage.
They play 13 games before heading off to 2 games in Sweden. This should be ample measurement for how well this team plays under DJ Smith and a decent measurement in how Dorion put it all together.
Of the first 13 games, 9 will be at home. So there are no excuses this season. Time to hit the road running.

Fire Smith before the plane ride back from Sweden after they start the season 3-12.
Fire Capuano too. And have Chris Kelly and his team ready to go when they land.

Fire Smith before the plane ride back from Sweden after they start the season 3-12.
Fire Capuano too. And have Chris Kelly and his team ready to go when they land.
- Octavarium

I think the team as a whole and every player individually will be schooled on the great start to the season the Devils had last year.

I interpret the Sens silence at Nashville (so far) suggests to me that Dorion has all the major moves booked and we are going to see most of the changes role out over today and tomorrow.

Despite what be have been said, I believe the Sens have wanted to move DeBrincat and free up cap space and fill out their roster.

I think the team as a whole and every player individually will be schooled on the great start to the season the Devils had last year.

I interpret the Sens silence at Nashville (so far) suggests to me that Dorion has all the major moves booked and we are going to see most of the changes role out over today and tomorrow.

Despite what be have been said, I believe the Sens have wanted to move DeBrincat and free up cap space and fill out their roster.
- spatso

I'd be happy if they get something along the lines of what the jets got...roster players with term left to fill out the 6 to 9 forward slots. I'd be happy with Kubalik and the 17th from Det.

I'd also be happy with holding on to him and getting more at the deadline at this point....

I'd be happy if they get something along the lines of what the jets got...roster players with term left to fill out the 6 to 9 forward slots. I'd be happy with Kubalik and the 17th from Det.

I'd also be happy with holding on to him and getting more at the deadline at this point....
- GrimmdaGoalie

I think the last option is only if you don't get the return you want ---- but I would say it's 90%+ higher that AB is gone within the next 72 hours

I think the team as a whole and every player individually will be schooled on the great start to the season the Devils had last year.

I interpret the Sens silence at Nashville (so far) suggests to me that Dorion has all the major moves booked and we are going to see most of the changes role out over today and tomorrow.

Despite what be have been said, I believe the Sens have wanted to move DeBrincat and free up cap space and fill out their roster.
- spatso

There's an unusual amount of smoke around the rumored hand-shake deal in place with the Red Wings... something along the lines of the #17 pick, Zadina, and a 2nd round pick in 2023 or 2024. Essentially, very fluid assets that could easily be flipped in other deals if they wanted to later target a more significant game-ready player. Some might balk at that return, but it would effectively replace the draft assets they gave up, and the 17th overall pick this year could well be more valuable than the top-10 pick they gave up in 2022.

Plus, if freeing up that salary obligation before July 1st enables them to more seriously explore the UFA market for a goaltender or quality two-way forward, then you almost have to add that to the return... not unlike the fact that the first DeBrincat trade significantly enabled the UFA signing of Giroux. I'd also suggest that Zadina could still have value as a middle-six forward, especially given the quality of players the Senators already have in place on those lines like Norris, Batherson, Pinto, and Joseph.

Colton to Avs. Would have been a very nice 3rd line player for Ottawa.

Of course, PD would have immediately signed him to too much money and term....

Colton to Avs. Would have been a very nice 3rd line player for Ottawa.

Of course, PD would have immediately signed him to too much money and term....
- GrimmdaGoalie

Come on down M.Joseph.

rumoured handshake deal with the redwings eh?

Would you guys do this deal? Why or why not?

To Ottawa Senators
Dominik Kubalik, Filip Zadina, Jonatan Berggren

To Detroit Red Wings
Alex DeBrincat (8 x 8.5), Mathieu Joseph, Erik Brannstrom

Fire Smith before the plane ride back from Sweden after they start the season 3-12.
Fire Capuano too. And have Chris Kelly and his team ready to go when they land.
- Octavarium

after the announcement that Dj was staying, all the betting sites have already labeled OTT as eliminated from the 2023-2024 playoffs

Would you guys do this deal? Why or why not?

To Ottawa Senators
Dominik Kubalik, Filip Zadina, Jonatan Berggren

To Detroit Red Wings
Alex DeBrincat (8 x 8.5), Mathieu Joseph, Erik Brannstrom
- AlfieisKing

a soon to be 28 Yo soon to be UFA 3rd liner, a bust and a meh prospect for a 40 goal, scorer, a overpaid 3rd liner and a good 4-6 Dman, ya no that is such a bad trade for OTT that i think NHL central office would block the trade

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