I've never played hockey professionally before, but I'm pretty sure good defense doesn't mean slowly skating around in various sections of the ice. Every game it's quite astounding how awful Ottawa can be at times. There's always one period where they forget how to hockey.

Huge, rowdy crowd. Two great periods of highly entertaining hockey. Sens up 4-2. What more could you want?

Just play a solid third period. No soft goals. Hold the line. Do not sheet the bed!

So, why am I in such a good mood this morning?

No idea. But I still feel really positive about this team and have no strong feelings about what they should be doing at this point.

Clearly, some players turned off Jacques Martin and have little interest in playing for him at this time. I do not think they will continue this new coaching staff in any form once the season has ended. But, I don't think it would make a lot of sense to bring in another interim coaching staff at this time.

So, maybe our best hope is to focus on the mock draft lottery and pretend that this may be the Sens year to ascend to the top of the draft.

Also, can spend time thinking about NCC buying Chapters building fronting on Rideau St. The property backs on market. They say it is part of their planned contribution towards downtown renewal. Is there a better location for anyone thinking about building a new barn for the Sens? They would need to add another couple of acres of surrounding land. But, the prospect is exciting.

It was a great game against a great team.

Here I was railing about Timmy The Turnover Machine....and I'm watching McInnon turn over the puck non-stop all game!

ultimately we looked like the team that played the night before....not them. But it was still a positive game for Ottawa.

It was a great game against a great team.

Here I was railing about Timmy The Turnover Machine....and I'm watching McInnon turn over the puck non-stop all game!

ultimately we looked like the team that played the night before....not them. But it was still a positive game for Ottawa.
- Octavarium

This is a highly entertaining group of players. Loads of skill. Clearly we are seeing significant statistical regression under Jacques Martin. But, this should not be surprising.

A team can actually be moving forward while appearing to stand still or even sliding backwards.

It is a safe assumption that we are not going to want to talk about the Sens' problems being rooted in their failure to implement a more effective structural approach in their defensive game.

It also offers the opportunity to reflect on what kind of coach should be up next. Do we need a motivational, player-oriented approach (Martin St. Louis) or do we need a disciplined structural approach (Tortarella)?

How about a trade between Ottawa and Calgary?

We all know that Calgary will be trading Hanifan and Lindholm at some point.

To Ottawa .... Markstrom and Weeger (yes, Weeger would have to waive his NTC).

To Calgary .... Chabot and Norris

Straight up. Nobody eats salary. Yes, it would put Calgary over the cap right now. They send out 12.5 million and take back 18 million. But once Hanifan and Lindholm are traded, they have room.

Of course, Ottawa's risk here is to get Chychrun to re-sign and Chychrun has the bargaining power now.

Good game by Ottawa vs Colorado so far. That big line from Colorado can sure do some damage. But I feel Stutzle is on the brink of scoring a goal .... he just seems a bit more confident. Would also like to see Greig get his hattrick.
- OttawaB

I like the thought. I don't think Ottawa can take Markstrom without trading a goalie. Is Markstrom and Korpisalo at 10M combined possible? Also you are good with Ridly Grieg and Shane Pinto being our #2 and #3. I don't know about that. Greig is awesome but both need to show that level for 82 games

I like the thought. I don't think Ottawa can take Markstrom without trading a goalie. Is Markstrom and Korpisalo at 10M combined possible? Also you are good with Ridly Grieg and Shane Pinto being our #2 and #3. I don't know about that. Greig is awesome but both need to show that level for 82 games
- AlfieisKing

Markstrom .... Forsberg is done. Buyout at season end. Then trade Korpisalo if they want .... maybe a 2nd or 3rd round pick. If we keep Korpisalo then use him and Markstrom for goalies. Plenty of cap space for at least 1 season. Trade Korpisalo next year when you feel Sogaard is ready.

Centres .... You can use Giroux as part time centre or for faceoffs. But I'd be comfortable with Stutzle/Pinto/Greig lining up as top 3 centres. Also .... Celebrini is also a centre. LOL.

If the feeling is that Ottawa has to trade away a core piece or 2 to shake things up .... Batherson contract is fantastic and I wouldn't touch him. Stutzle, Tkachuk, Giroux, are also safe. Greig and Pinto I would not trade. That really just leaves Norris. Got to give up something to get something. I feel that Greig and Pinto will give more of that complete game ... 20 feet .... maybe not as good on the goal scoring side, but better overall then Norris (in the long run).

As for getting a little more ooomph on defence (we have Klevin and eventually maybe a free agent from the summer to add some jam to defence).

Sens fans

Chychrun

Someone give me an actual clear rundown about how he's played overall

Twitter has half the fanbase wanting to trade the bum and the other half saying they will be pissed if he is traded

Sens fans

Chychrun

Someone give me an actual clear rundown about how he's played overall

Twitter has half the fanbase wanting to trade the bum and the other half saying they will be pissed if he is traded
- Santo_44

Chycrun has had a really good season this year. Offensively he has been great. Defensively he has played well in the context of poor team defence and frequent partner changes and going from left to right defense positions. He has also had excellent health.
Considering that the team was expected at a .minimum to challenge for a playoff spot, things have gone off the rails and no one is very happy- players and fans.
Chycrun would be a great add for offence from the back end while more than holding his own defensively.

Sens fans

Chychrun

Someone give me an actual clear rundown about how he's played overall

Twitter has half the fanbase wanting to trade the bum and the other half saying they will be pissed if he is traded
- Santo_44

I will give you an objective opinion.

Chychrun was drafted 16th overall in 2016. He has the most goals of any D-man in that draft. To tell you how good that is - the next 3 are Mikhail Sergachev, Charlie McAvoy, and Adam Fox (in that order). He is one of the best D-men of the draft no doubt. Arizona had an amazing first round in fact taking Clayton Keller with the 7th pick.

Playing in Arizona he has shown what he has shown here - his ability to log a lot of mins, have a cannon from the point, and be an effective offensive puck mover. Here's my problem....

Mentally I don't like what I've seen from him. When he came over last year, there was so much optimism going into this season. But he is a player I am hesitant to give a long contract to. Defensively, in his own zone, he makes some critical reads, a portion of that is the high expectations I have of him. It's not as bad as some other players we've seen (Ceci, and even Chabot recently) but his play without the puck IMO is not as good as with the puck. I also don't see him as a leader right now. There are some players that just want to win it soo bad (Tkachuk) but with him I see a guy that played on a bad team so long, I'm worried if he's mentally not all there - same with Chabot.

The biggest problem I have, his contract is amazing right now, but he will want big $ due to his point total. The other concern I have is his health. I am MUCH more worried about Josh Norris is that regard, but Chychrun needs to show he can play a 82 game season. Heck even a 70 game season. I wouldn't trade for him until the summer, and that will come with a contract extension. If a team like Calgary goes after him, I completely understand why, but it's a roll of the dice I think. He is playing well offensively but I would want him to find a great shutdown pairing right shot D-man to play with. I don't think he's found it with Zub, who is the best right show D-man the Sens have had since maybe Erik Karlsson (on the defensive side)

Sens fans

Chychrun

Someone give me an actual clear rundown about how he's played overall

Twitter has half the fanbase wanting to trade the bum and the other half saying they will be pissed if he is traded
- Santo_44

A) the guy is anything but a bum, stats prove it, I don't think any Sens fan with a brain believes he's a negative asset - he's a very good player with size, pedigree, and an excellent contract through next year (which is why he has a lot of value)

B) the major issue with Chychrun is injuries. Yes he's been healthy this entire season - but he has *never* played 82. He's never played even close to 82. The most games he has ever played in a season is 68 games. He has missed 189 games over 8 seasons in the NHL. That is an average 23.6 games missed per season. Miss a handful of games here and there - ok. Miss that many games every single season and people will think you are made of glass, because that is dependably fragile. That is cause for worry.

To Ottawa
Tomas Hertl, Mackenzie Weegar OR Noah Hanifin (8 x 6.75)

To Calgary
Shane Pinto, Thomas Chabot (6.5M)

To San Jose
Josh Norris, Dillon Dube, Tyler Boucher, 2024 1st (BOS via DET), 1.5M of Chabot

*Can be adjusted a bit. My gut tells me Chychrun will be the one traded because of his contract and overall value. I'm not opposed to that, I just wish Chabot was making 1.5-2M less OR he needs coaching from Jacques for 4+ months straight

Betman's last projection on the cap (2024-25) was $87.7m. He also said there was less than $50m owing on the escrow balance. Revenues exceeded $6b for the first time. Betman's first estimate on the cap is always a low ball number. Applying the cap formula suggests that the players (who have the final say) on the hard cap number might pop the number to around $92m as soon as next year.

Sens can afford to pay their top 6 skaters $48m (avg. $8m). Right now we will have 5 players who sit in the $8m range (Stutzle, Tkachuk, Norris, Chabot and Sanderson). Would you add Chychrun to the $8m list? Would you move someone from that list? Would you trade to acquire an $8m player from another team?

I am on record with my choice. I would be open to the idea of trying to move Chychrun to LA straight up for PLD. The Kings are a solid +28 on their even strength play. PLD is a -11 so far on this season. PLD is not a good fit for LA. PLD is not Barkov, but he is close if fitted with the right situation.

Yes, having 3 top LD is a luxury and a position to trade from to improve the team but it isnt a BAD thing, really. The problem is we only have one good RD in Zub and the other two, Branny and Hamonic don't do anything other than make the team worse. And you can make the argument that JBD has had his chance and isnt the answer, and Kleven/Guenette nead more seasoning.

SO use the cap space next year and go out and get someone at the RD. AND SUBTRACT BRANNY AND HAMONIC.

A year of solid fundamental coaching from someone with pedigree who holds players accountable might do wonders for the team.

Only after that will u know if it's the players themselves or any of the core.

Lots of interesting chatter after the loss to the Avalanche. I will focus on the possibility of trading Jacob Chychrun.

I don’t think this team has any untouchables. With that said, I do think Brady, Stu, and Sanderson likely have the highest cost to acquire. This team needs to move a couple of big names. A core shakeup is looming. You can’t fail with this core over and over and expect it to magically correct itself. While not everyone will be moved, a big name or two likely will.

The defense is an utter mess. To not shake it up would be a mistake. If I was GM, I would be keeping Sanderson and Chychrun and retooling the rest. Chabot has regressed, Zub is now overpaid for what he is and is regressing, and Hamonic and Branstrom, are just not quality d-men. Surrounding Sanderson and Chychrun with quality stay at home d-men who can clean up messes in their own zone would be an improvement. That is a large task, however.

Chychrun’s contract is also an issue. It’s a nice contract for a team to acquire for a year and a bit (like Ottawa did) so there might be an opportunity for a trade to get a good package. I would prefer to sign him long term to a Chabot/Sanderson contract (with moving Chabot out in some way).

However, if Chychrun is not wanting to stay in this mess, he needs to go, and it is yet another huge black on Dorion’s strategy to acquire talent. You cannot give up assets to bring in a game to sample things out to only watch them leave for less than what you acquired them for (like Debrincat). It will be interesting to see what unfolds. I really want to see him stay and succeed.

I liked the Chychrun and Debrincat trades at the time but if there is no strategy on how to demonstrate they are needed in Ottawa long term, it’s a huge error to bring them in at all, especially, when are not contending.

I think the untouchables list expands if you factor in the math, ie will the Sens get good/equal value if they trade this player or is a player on such a good contract they have way more value staying? That's why I would add one of Pinto/Greig to that list, Batherson and Zub. Giroux too, but just for this year. Unless they get an offer to good to refuse, I think the Sens only trade the Bells n Whistles, the Luxuries and the Empty Jerseys @ the deadline (ie Kubalik, Taransenko, Brannstrom, Hamonic, etc) or the bad contracts.

I just don't see anyone equal to Chabot in value, especially at the RD position when u factor in playing mins and contract.

I think the untouchables list expands if you factor in the math, ie will the Sens get good/equal value if they trade this player or is a player on such a good contract they have way more value staying? That's why I would add one of Pinto/Greig to that list, Batherson and Zub. Giroux too, but just for this year. Unless they get an offer to good to refuse, I think the Sens only trade the Bells n Whistles, the Luxuries and the Empty Jerseys @ the deadline (ie Kubalik, Taransenko, Brannstrom, Hamonic, etc) or the bad contracts.

I just don't see anyone equal to Chabot in value, especially at the RD position when u factor in playing mins and contract.
- GrimmdaGoalie

Unless it is a culture thing, like Winnipeg last year. So additon thru subtraction math....

To Ottawa
Tomas Hertl, Mackenzie Weegar OR Noah Hanifin (8 x 6.75)

To Calgary
Shane Pinto, Thomas Chabot (6.5M)

To San Jose
Josh Norris, Dillon Dube, Tyler Boucher, 2024 1st (BOS via DET), 1.5M of Chabot

*Can be adjusted a bit. My gut tells me Chychrun will be the one traded because of his contract and overall value. I'm not opposed to that, I just wish Chabot was making 1.5-2M less OR he needs coaching from Jacques for 4+ months straight
- AlfieisKing

Why are you overpaying for Hertl and Weegar ..... Chabot, Pinto, Norris, Boucher and a 1rst + we retain some salary for Chabot. I would never make that trade. Hertl is just like what we already have ..... an $8 million player who only puts up around 60 points a year, and plays no defence (+/- is atrocious).

At most I would only do Chabot and Chychrun for that package .... but I don't want Hertl. I'll keep Norris instead.

I saw some wickedly revealing stats when sifting through some hockey treads on X. Since the change in coaching the Sens have given up 25% more GA per game. They are allowing 13% more shots per game including 25% more shots coming from the dangerous slot area.

So how do you restructure this team and what would it look like .......




Tkachuk/New acquisition/Batherson
Greig/Stutzle/new acquisition
Giroux/Pinto/Formenton or Joseph

Three balanced lines

Kastelik/Chartier/Kelly ..... maybe an acquisition to replace Kastelik.

Sanderson/Zub
Chychrun or Chabot/new acquisition
Klevin/JBD or a new acquisition

New acquisition or Korpisalo/Sogaard

Buyouts .... 1 year left for Forsberg (unless he will go to LTIR forever), and Hamonic. Total cost to buy both out is around $1.2 to 1.3 million per year for 2
years.

To AHL .... MacEwen

UFA's .... Tarasenko and Kubalik

Trades ..... Norris, Chabot OR Chychrun, Brannstrom .... maybe Joseph

Tell the NHL to take a walk with regards to Formenton. Either suspend him, or the issue is done. We live in country where you are innocent until proven guilty. No innuendo. Everybody else is playing its players from that Canadian Junior team with no repercussions.

In our trades ... no salary retention. We need a top 6 centre and winger, and a top 4 right defenceman who is defensive oriented, and a goalie who can reasonably be assumed to be able to start. We need more veteran players (26-30 years old), on contracts that run 3+ years, at reasonable pay (3-7 million).

So how do you restructure this team and what would it look like .......




Tkachuk/New acquisition/Batherson
Greig/Stutzle/new acquisition
Giroux/Pinto/Formenton or Joseph

Three balanced lines

Kastelik/Chartier/Kelly ..... maybe an acquisition to replace Kastelik.

Sanderson/Zub
Chychrun or Chabot/new acquisition
Klevin/JBD or a new acquisition

New acquisition or Korpisalo/Sogaard

Buyouts .... 1 year left for Forsberg (unless he will go to LTIR forever), and Hamonic. Total cost to buy both out is around $1.2 to 1.3 million per year for 2
years.

To AHL .... MacEwen

UFA's .... Tarasenko and Kubalik

Trades ..... Norris, Chabot OR Chychrun, Brannstrom .... maybe Joseph

Tell the NHL to take a walk with regards to Formenton. Either suspend him, or the issue is done. We live in country where you are innocent until proven guilty. No innuendo. Everybody else is playing its players from that Canadian Junior team with no repercussions.

In our trades ... no salary retention. We need a top 6 centre and winger, and a top 4 right defenceman who is defensive oriented, and a goalie who can reasonably be assumed to be able to start. We need more veteran players (26-30 years old), on contracts that run 3+ years, at reasonable pay (3-7 million).
- OttawaB

If they have to trade chychrun, I wouldnt be overly opposed to retaining salary if it improved the return. He only only signed for one more season, so long term it wouldn't really be a problem.

Am I safe to go to bed?

Nice to see Timmy freewheeling again in 2 out of last 3 games.

I saw some wickedly revealing stats when sifting through some hockey treads on X. Since the change in coaching the Sens have given up 25% more GA per game. They are allowing 13% more shots per game including 25% more shots coming from the dangerous slot area.
- spatso

So you're back on that "Sens shoulda kept DJ Smith wagon again". DJ had to go. Maybe its just the players refusing to change how they play. But DJ was not a good coach. I doubt he may ever see a head coach job in the NHL again.

Am I safe to go to bed?

Nice to see Timmy freewheeling again in 2 out of last 3 games.
- spatso

He's looking awesome. Needs that level of confidence with a TRUE snipper. IF Stutzle had a guy like Heatley was to Spezza, he could compete for the Art Ross

If they have to trade chychrun, I wouldnt be overly opposed to retaining salary if it improved the return. He only only signed for one more season, so long term it wouldn't really be a problem.
- david22

Interesting idea!

I think a package trade (Tarasenko + Chychrun OR Pinto + Chychrun) could get a solid piece.