the ONLY reason smith was a HC was because he was most likely the ONLY one to take such low pay as melnyk was offering, both smith and dorion made less than 1m/year.

ya trading 7th+ for a player without having a signature on a contract extension was idiotic. Giroux will get an extension a t a lower cap hit after his current deal ends, he wants to retire in OTT, close to family
- Mithos

I agree with you 100% but he also just turned 36.

I just think Giroux could go win a cup (or at least compete for one) and then decide to come back. The Sens could also significantly benefit and resign him in about 17 months at 37.5 years old - after getting a top pick this summer AND with the assets they get for him. Again I don't think it will happen but could help a lot. Sens need to asset manage big time - too much we've been through as fans. Pinto, Formenton, Norris injuries, Stone for Brannstrom, etc.

Michael Andlauer paid $950m to buy the Ottawa Senators.

At the time, only 6 months ago, we believed he was getting a young team deep in talent with a great future.

Last night the broadcast camera caught Andlauer. He looked frustrated, angry and confused.

He must be wondering what went wrong? Since Dec 18, Sens have been playing at .272 point percentage (works out to 45 points on a full season at that pace).

As bad as it seems, it would be a huge mistake to blow it all up. I still believe in this talent pool and think it would be disappointing to give up on prime young assets.

Anyone else have Ridley Greig on their untouchables list? You gotta love his compete level and his play. He like a Giroux 2.0.

Michael Andlauer paid $950m to buy the Ottawa Senators.

At the time, only 6 months ago, we believed he was getting a young team deep in talent with a great future.

Last night the broadcast camera caught Andlauer. He looked frustrated, angry and confused.

He must be wondering what went wrong? Since Dec 18, Sens have been playing at .272 point percentage (works out to 45 points on a full season at that pace).

As bad as it seems, it would be a huge mistake to blow it all up. I still believe in this talent pool and think it would be disappointing to give up on prime young assets.
- spatso

It's very frustrating as a fan to sit through a long rebuild and just when you think this is the year we make the playoffs the team goes backwards. A lot.
Then with no pressure on the team goes 20-10 over the last 30 games giving hope for next year. False hope usually.
I agree it would be a mistake to sell low on players so now is not the time to blow up the core, but there is something off with this team. The desperation to win aside from Giroux and a few guys does not seem to be there.
A new Tocchet style coach could turn it around, or a Sheldon Keefe who will be available if my Leafs lose in the first round against Boston or Florida (likely)

Anyone else have Ridley Greig on their untouchables list? You gotta love his compete level and his play. He like a Giroux 2.0.
- SensFan25

Yes.

Really only 4 untouchables: Brady, Greig, Tim, Sanderson.

When it comes to the rest…you see what’s out there. You don’t trade all of them….but there has to be a shakeup.

It’s gonna be a buyers market.

Yes.

Really only 4 untouchables: Brady, Greig, Tim, Sanderson.

When it comes to the rest…you see what’s out there. You don’t trade all of them….but there has to be a shakeup.

It’s gonna be a buyers market.
- Trilla

I don't think there are going to be very many deals at all. Everyone is saving cap space for next year, when the cap rises. And many of the top teams are already up against the cap.

As are the Sens. So while they should be in a position to take on garbage for draft picks, they don't have the space to do so.

As for trading Chabot, extremely hard to move $8million around these days.

They do need a RD. What do the RD FA look like for next year?

Before he got hurt last night, I was thinking the Sens should trade Forsberg and Branny to Edm for Campbell (2 mill retained this year), 2 firsts and Broberg.

Yes.

Really only 4 untouchables: Brady, Greig, Tim, Sanderson.

When it comes to the rest…you see what’s out there. You don’t trade all of them….but there has to be a shakeup.

It’s gonna be a buyers market.
- Trilla

You assume Tarasenko and Kubalik will be on the trade market. Kubalik could be traded for a late pick.

Tarasennko is more interesting. On pace for 60 points, but he's got that NTC so unclear if he'd waive or how id would impact return.

Pinto is skating with the team again. Was there a contract given? I'm assuming it's just the qualifying offer as a peace offering?

I don't think there are going to be very many deals at all. Everyone is saving cap space for next year, when the cap rises. And many of the top teams are already up against the cap.

As are the Sens. So while they should be in a position to take on garbage for draft picks, they don't have the space to do so.

As for trading Chabot, extremely hard to move $8million around these days.

They do need a RD. What do the RD FA look like for next year?
- GrimmdaGoalie

I expect there’ll be plenty salary in-out deals.

Hard to believe teams like boston, toronto, Florida, Carolina, both ny teams, devils, lightning, pens won’t look to improve their squads.

Heck, if Philly keeps this up, why wouldn’t Briere reward the team?

That’s only in the east..the west we’ve got LA, Edmonton, Vegas, Colorado, stars, jets, Canucks.

We could also see a few wild card teams trying to push a little like Seattle or Nashville.

Not saying it’ll be Chabot exactly..but I do think Staios can be creative depending on if he wants to build draft capital or simply swap out some big contracts for other contracts

You assume Tarasenko and Kubalik will be on the trade market. Kubalik could be traded for a late pick.

Tarasennko is more interesting. On pace for 60 points, but he's got that NTC so unclear if he'd waive or how id would impact return.
- david22

Ya, hard to believe Kubalik gets extended with Pinto still looking for his deal.

Tarasenko is for sure gone..he came here with hopes of winning. I don’t see Staios having trouble moving Tarasenko, even with his NMC. Just might see some salary retention.

Wouldn’t surprise me if Joseph got dealt.

It’s up to Giroux if he wants to ride the sinking ship, but he’d arguably be the top forward available if he chose to go somewhere else. Maybe Avs?

In terms of our bigger contracts: Norris, chabot. They’re a little more complex and I don’t see us dealing them for nothing..team can look into the off-season for those if there’s something out there that can improve the team in other areas.

I don’t even know if Chychrun’s safe.

So Forsberg gets put on LTIR so plenty of room to sign Pinto without trading anybody. Kubalik gets traded if Sens want to sign Pinto to longer then a year. I think Joseph is safe for now unless we get a really decent offer for him.

Sogaard was called up toady. He will be backup to Korpisalo. I would think the Sens don't want to expose Sogaard too much to the defensive poop show.

yes trade away OTT best/2nd best LD and keep the 3rd best one, makes perfect sense in crazy world.

Chabot needs a fresh start on another team.
- Mithos

It’s a case of redundancy. They have 3 top 4 LD and you only need two. In a perfect world one would flip over, but that doesn’t seem to be happening. Sanderson is untouchable, and you can’t move Chabot without screwing yourself on Chychryn’s contract.

Obviously I’d rather no LD was traded, but if they’re looking to make a move, it seems like the likely one. What’s your opinion?

Before he got hurt last night, I was thinking the Sens should trade Forsberg and Branny to Edm for Campbell (2 mill retained this year), 2 firsts and Broberg.
- GrimmdaGoalie

That's ironic because last night I was thinking of messaging Jessica Alba to sleep with me. But then I woke up and realized I live in reality.

I was with you until the 2 firsts and Broberg came in. Getting Forsberg and Branny off the books WITH Campbell coming in at a reasonable 3m is more realistic..... still not happening with too much $ being stuck in EDM

What if?

I don't think the Sens will lose to San Jose?

If they do lose today's game, someone will someone need to step up and answer some questions?

Do we need to think about the regression across all aspects of the Sens game, will it have a significant long term impact on the young players?

What if?

I don't think the Sens will lose to San Jose?

If they do lose today's game, someone will someone need to step up and answer some questions?

Do we need to think about the regression across all aspects of the Sens game, will it have a significant long term impact on the young players?
- spatso

This team never came close to the playoffs in 4 years of DJ Smith but you still push this garbage narrative that hiring the winningest coach in the team's history is hurting the team. Unbelievable.

What if?

I don't think the Sens will lose to San Jose?

If they do lose today's game, someone will someone need to step up and answer some questions?

Do we need to think about the regression across all aspects of the Sens game, will it have a significant long term impact on the young players?
- spatso

If the lose tonight it could go one of two ways.

1) The players really lose their confidence and the team tanks to the bottom of the league.
2) It's a massive wake up call and they play with a lot more intensity and anger to their game going forward.

If the lose tonight it could go one of two ways.

1) The players really lose their confidence and the team tanks to the bottom of the league.
2) It's a massive wake up call and they play with a lot more intensity and anger to their game going forward.
- Rang

Pretty much copy paste from the last four games. If they don’t win, maybe we players benched or things changed up…..the cycle continues.

I’d love to see a players only meeting and Brady come out and say something to inspire the team/fans, but I won’t hold my breath.

Hopefully they just win and have something to build off of.

Past D-men on Sens that they can use:

8. Brian Pothier
7. Karl Rachunek
6. Mark Borowiecki
5. Tom Preissing (right handed, stable)
4. Marc Methot
3. Chris Phillips
2. Anton Volchenkov
1. Dylan Demelo

*Obviously a Redden or Chara would REALLY help but that kind of talent is REALLY difficult to acquire

Pending UFA RDs that are not pure offensive/too old/aren't guaranteed to re-sign with their team of note, in descending order of what I'd call 'a good fit':

Pesce
Demelo
Dumba
Roy
Myers
C. Miller
Jokiharju

It's not worth trading for any of these contracts right now, so I'm not quite sure what the objective to find 'veteran support' might be, seeing as we have zero cap room to manœuvre. Bolster the locker room and the training/support/bench staff, hope for the best.

41 to 18 shots and they just squeaked out a win in the last seconds of the game... Against the worst team in the league. It's nice to get a win but good lord. Defence is atrocious.

I thought it was an entertaining game. Timmy looked a lot better.

I thought it was an entertaining game. Timmy looked a lot better.
- spatso

It was good to see Stutzle get going. Was hoping for a decisive win, but a W is a W.

41 to 18 shots and they just squeaked out a win in the last seconds of the game... Against the worst team in the league. It's nice to get a win but good lord. Defence is atrocious.
- PogBoi

Wow. I thought reading your comment that we were outshot. But no - Korpisalo a 778 in this game... Forsberg injury a blessing as it will finally force Sogard into net. I am very much concerned that once again injury is driving change with this team. Lest we forget - injury is why Stutzle plays C - the position he always played before DJ Smith started lining him up.

I just want to see a goalie string two games of 900+ saves together. They don't even have to be wins, just more than one game in a row where the net isn't a total tire fire.

41 to 18 shots and they just squeaked out a win in the last seconds of the game... Against the worst team in the league. It's nice to get a win but good lord. Defence is atrocious.
- PogBoi

Ya it’s really nothing to be proud of.

Korpisalo didn’t look comfortable in net. Fact that we allowed the worst team to score 4 on us…just makes me wanna toss this season further down the drain.