Seeing Mark Stone get a hat trick and lift the cup makes me want to throw up when I look at Erik Brannstrom
- AlfieisKing

The Chara/Hossa cups sting a lot more for me, because they could have been difference-makers on a Cup-quality Senators roster. I know some people say "they should have kept Stone", but it's not just a matter of will on the part of the GM. Dorion could no more make Stone re-sign than Treliving could make Gaudreau/Tkachuk stay in Calgary. I agree that Brannstrom hasn't lived up to expectations, but I'm not sure I'd be any happier watching Mark Stone on a non-playoff roster for 4yrs vs. seeing him get a much-deserved chance to get his name on the Stanley Cup.

i am glad Stone got his cup, just wish it was with OTT, the Tkachuck cup drought continues, lets hope Brady breaks it

Vegas success is a case study the Sens need to study. Vegas had a great expansion draft and they used some of the expansion capital to load up on picks and prospects. But, rather than just stockpiling the picks and prospects they traded off many of the future assets to put a cup winning team on the ice.

The Sens have a 5 to 7 year window to win a Cup. I think they make choices to fill in their line up with grit and veteran depth in order to try and go deep in playoffs over multiple years.

i am glad Stone got his cup, just wish it was with OTT, the Tkachuck cup drought continues, lets hope Brady breaks it
- Mithos

no, just because he won a cup and got hot at the right time does not mean you go throwing 5m+ long term contract at the guy.

he was a little know back up his whole career just because he won a cup dont make him a #1 starter worth 5M+
- Mithos

Fair point, though I'm sure his agent disagrees. He was paid 2.175*2 on his last deal. He'll likely get somewhere around double that after this cup run, irrespective if he's only played 71 games over the past three seasons. He's only 27 years old, in his prime, and a UFA for the first time. He picked (or perhaps more accurately lucked into) a fabulous time to go on a tear. People put a lot of stock into playoff competence - look no further than Toronto. He'll make bank for sure.

The Chara/Hossa cups sting a lot more for me, because they could have been difference-makers on a Cup-quality Senators roster. I know some people say "they should have kept Stone", but it's not just a matter of will on the part of the GM. Dorion could no more make Stone re-sign than Treliving could make Gaudreau/Tkachuk stay in Calgary. I agree that Brannstrom hasn't lived up to expectations, but I'm not sure I'd be any happier watching Mark Stone on a non-playoff roster for 4yrs vs. seeing him get a much-deserved chance to get his name on the Stanley Cup.
- khawk

Oh I agree with you 100% --- I'm speaking to the return.

Keeping Wade Redden over Zdeno Chara made sense (AT THE TIME). Also trading Hossa for Dany Heatley (who went on to score back to back 50 goals - a rare feet) was great return.

Getting a midget sweedish defensemen who couldn't hurt a 10 year old in return for a captain heart and soul player who lifts a cup is sickening (lol jk on EK B) but yeah that's where I'm coming from

Tim Stutzle signed the biggest deal in Ottawa Senators history - 8 year $66.8 million deal.

Would you offer DeBrincat 8.25M (66 total)?

Does anyone realistically seeing AD being offered the biggest contract in franchise history - because isn't that what it would take to resign him? I don't see him taking any less, not that I agree he should receive it. If he was 3 inches taller or a center I could see it

Tim Stutzle signed the biggest deal in Ottawa Senators history - 8 year $66.8 million deal.

Would you offer DeBrincat 8.25M (66 total)?

Does anyone realistically seeing AD being offered the biggest contract in franchise history - because isn't that what it would take to resign him? I don't see him taking any less, not that I agree he should receive it. If he was 3 inches taller or a center I could see it
- AlfieisKing

Tough choice. You do not want to see DeBrincat walk for nothing. And, you do not want to see him leave for a discounted price from what he cost.

But, I also think you cannot make him the teams highest paid player.

I can think of multiple players that are available as UFAs or possibly in trade (directly or in a 3 way) that would make the Sens a much stronger playoff force. My leading choice remains Pierre Luc Dubois.

Tough choice. You do not want to see DeBrincat walk for nothing. And, you do not want to see him leave for a discounted price from what he cost.

But, I also think you cannot make him the teams highest paid player.

I can think of multiple players that are available as UFAs or possibly in trade (directly or in a 3 way) that would make the Sens a much stronger playoff force. My leading choice remains Pierre Luc Dubois.
- spatso

You've been hammering the PLD nail for awhile and while I see the fit, it might be the worst kept secret in hockey that he wants to play in Montreal. I don't think Gorton is stupid to trade for him, may as well just wait until he walks in UFA and you'll have first shot at signing him.
Really hurts Winnipeg's bargaining power.
Adam Fox basically chose the team he wanted to play for and forced his way there, and it appears PLD is attempting the same albeit through the more restrictive and drawn out CHL route. AD for PLD is a losing proposition - neither wants to play in small market Canada, and PLD in particular has a rep of unwillingness to put full effort into a team he doesn't want to play for. So you're looking at a flip for two players who won't be there next year. Unless you well and truly believe PLD is the sole remaining puzzle piece for a one-season Cinderella run to the cup, I wouldn't even consider the player. PLD is not Kawhi.

Vegas success is a case study the Sens need to study. Vegas had a great expansion draft and they used some of the expansion capital to load up on picks and prospects. But, rather than just stockpiling the picks and prospects they traded off many of the future assets to put a cup winning team on the ice.

The Sens have a 5 to 7 year window to win a Cup. I think they make choices to fill in their line up with grit and veteran depth in order to try and go deep in playoffs over multiple years.
- spatso

I think Vegas Golden Knights are not the model stanley cup winner to replicate. They have SIGNIFICANT differences from many teams.

Getting a superstar like Jack Eichel for dimes on the dollar is something Ottawa cannot replicate.

Having Alex Pietrenglo - a star stanley cup winning D-men - sign as a free agent is possible when you are living in such a great tax window.

With regards to make good moves and stocking up picks/prospect. 100% agree with you.

I'm completely fed up with SO many prospects and thinking they would be solid NHLers for Ottawa ------ Curtis Lazar (1st) Logan Brown (1st) Gabriel Gagne (2nd) Filip Chlapik (2nd) Jonathan Dahlen (2nd) Jacob Bernard-Docker (1st) Jonny Tychonick (2nd)

So who's to say that Roby Jarventie, Tyler Kleven, Egor Sokolov, TYLER BOUCHER, Zack Ostapchuk, Filip Nordberg and many others will not become part of the list above

You've been hammering the PLD nail for awhile and while I see the fit, it might be the worst kept secret in hockey that he wants to play in Montreal. I don't think Gorton is stupid to trade for him, may as well just wait until he walks in UFA and you'll have first shot at signing him.
Really hurts Winnipeg's bargaining power.
Adam Fox basically chose the team he wanted to play for and forced his way there, and it appears PLD is attempting the same albeit through the more restrictive and drawn out CHL route. AD for PLD is a losing proposition - neither wants to play in small market Canada, and PLD in particular has a rep of unwillingness to put full effort into a team he doesn't want to play for. So you're looking at a flip for two players who won't be there next year. Unless you well and truly believe PLD is the sole remaining puzzle piece for a one-season Cinderella run to the cup, I wouldn't even consider the player. PLD is not Kawhi.
- Bartacus

PLD is my bench mark of what I think the Sens need to make a deep run. Great offence and elite players will help you battle for the President's Cup. But you need great defence, grit and depth to win a Stanley Cup. The Sens do not have an elite shut down centre. I like PLD not because he scores 25+ goals. I like him because he can hold Austin Matthews off the score sheet during 5 on 5 play.

I think the Sens are a great fit for PLD...I will keep hoping.

I think Vegas Golden Knights are not the model stanley cup winner to replicate. They have SIGNIFICANT differences from many teams.

Getting a superstar like Jack Eichel for dimes on the dollar is something Ottawa cannot replicate.

Having Alex Pietrenglo - a star stanley cup winning D-men - sign as a free agent is possible when you are living in such a great tax window.

With regards to make good moves and stocking up picks/prospect. 100% agree with you.

I'm completely fed up with SO many prospects and thinking they would be solid NHLers for Ottawa ------ Curtis Lazar (1st) Logan Brown (1st) Gabriel Gagne (2nd) Filip Chlapik (2nd) Jonathan Dahlen (2nd) Jacob Bernard-Docker (1st) Jonny Tychonick (2nd)

So who's to say that Roby Jarventie, Tyler Kleven, Egor Sokolov, TYLER BOUCHER, Zack Ostapchuk, Filip Nordberg and many others will not become part of the list above
- AlfieisKing

Nobody notices how good you are until you win it all. No doubt Vegas hit home runs with Eichel, Stone and Pietrangelo. Ottawa adding DeBrincat, Giroux and Chychrun has not yet paid the same dividend. But remember Vegas missed the show last year and this year they finally pulled it all together. I don't mind people thinking I am goofy. But I just have this certainty that PLD would allow the Sens to have two monster lines that would be painfully hard to match or handle.

PLD is my bench mark of what I think the Sens need to make a deep run. Great offence and elite players will help you battle for the President's Cup. But you need great defence, grit and depth to win a Stanley Cup. The Sens do not have an elite shut down centre. I like PLD not because he scores 25+ goals. I like him because he can hold Austin Matthews off the score sheet during 5 on 5 play.

I think the Sens are a great fit for PLD...I will keep hoping.
- spatso

I don't not disagree - I think you're absolutely right on this spats. I just think we're dealing with a rarified and frankly new-ish case of a player who only wants to play in one market. We've seen it in the NBA, MLB, MLS, and NHL. It's the new norm. If we are looking at long term solutions, I don't think PLD fits. Even the whole 'win it all, then maybe they stay' went out the window with Kawhi. At this stage, everything points at 'we shoulda tried to sign Fiala instead'. Woulda coulda shoulda.

DeBrincat to Pittsburgh


For Pitt's 1st round pick this year #14 and Ryan Poehling.

DeBrincat to Pittsburgh


For Pitt's 1st round pick this year #14 and Ryan Poehling.
- Octavarium

Be shocked if Pens trade picks. Dubas hiring is beginning of rebuild. Crosby and Malkin play a few more years...nobody wants or expects them to be traded. But Pittsburgh along with Washington are not playoff teams. Time to move on.

Be shocked if Pens trade picks. Dubas hiring is beginning of rebuild. Crosby and Malkin play a few more years...nobody wants or expects them to be traded. But Pittsburgh along with Washington are not playoff teams. Time to move on.
- spatso

And Pitt doesnt have the cap space to fit Debrincat on the roster.

Pitt wants out from the limiting Granlund contract. He would have to be coming back the other way.

Debrincat back to CHI? What would be the cost to the Sens for renting him for one year? And what do they have on the roster to make it work?

Re: Pittsburgh

And lets just be clear...Pitts needs to pay someone to take on Granlunds contract. So it whatever you think Debrincat is worth PLUS a first if Granlund is coming back.

Sens file arbitration with Cat

Sens file arbitration with Cat
- Mithos

Then comes a trade.

maybe

there are whispers he might stay

I'd take Granlund back no salary retained.
I want their 1st this year, and their 1st next year (lottery protected until 25)
For the Cat.

maybe

there are whispers he might stay
- Octavarium

I believe staying is entirely possible. It must be hard for DeBrincat and his family. Sens are clearly a fun team to play for and new ownership will make it even better. But this is also his one great shot at cashing in on his impending UFA status.

It seems to me the stories on DeBrincat wanting to move were very quick. I thought it was strange when Garrioch reported on locker clean out day that DeBrincat did not appear interested in resigning.

We saw an article by Ken Warren this week saying DeBrincat loves the team and coach. Almost immediately Garrioch posted that DeBrincat would not be coming back. Is DeBrincat driving this bus or are there other schemes unfolding in the background?

From the Hockey News:

"DeBrincat indicated at season's end he's definitely open to anything, but reportedly isn't prepared to sign long-term here – not until he sees what happens with ownership and, by extension, management and coaching. The source isn't certain if that's accurate, but it has led to speculation on social media that maybe DeBrincat and head coach D.J. Smith haven't been on the same page. According to the source, it's actually the other way around.


"He likes the coach a lot and loves the team," the source said. "I think he is worried that with all the guys making (big) money he may not be in their plans, but was excited to play with a healthy Josh Norris."

I believe staying is entirely possible. It must be hard for DeBrincat and his family. Sens are clearly a fun team to play for and new ownership will make it even better. But this is also his one great shot at cashing in on his impending UFA status.

It seems to me the stories on DeBrincat wanting to move were very quick. I thought it was strange when Garrioch reported on locker clean out day that DeBrincat did not appear interested in resigning.

We saw an article by Ken Warren this week saying DeBrincat loves the team and coach. Almost immediately Garrioch posted that DeBrincat would not be coming back. Is DeBrincat driving this bus or are there other schemes unfolding in the background?
- spatso

Talk about the coach is really intersting, since all the players seem to love him. But fans and analysts all seem on the complete other side and hate him, as well as feeling he is not the coach needed to get this team over the hump.

Also intersting the players love him, but is he the guy keeping them from getting into the playoffs, which so many of them want so badly.

David.

I really believe he is not.
I am not on the players side in this and I feel that he and Jack Capuano have served their purpose and should be let go.

I don't need Bruce Casidy or Boudreau for that matter. But I need someone who has coached effectively at the NHL level. Yes, a "re-tread". A name. Someone who has done it and done it well even if a cup has eluded them.

I've coached minor hockey for a while now. I was an assistant helper kinda guy until my own kid aged out. And then I decided to jump back in. If you've coached hockey at any level, even house-league there are simple fundamental things that this coach does that just leaves you scratching your head at the bone-headed stubbornness. It almost has a "ya, I know better....this will work" kind of feel to it. And sure a broken clock will be right twice a day...and occasionally it looks like he knows more than common sense. But more often than not he's wrong. The team is put in a bad spot. The opposition has an immediate advantage they shouldn't and the Sens are chasing the score.