I beginning to like Kleven more and more. I'm warming to the idea of Guenette over JBD.

But Kleven doesn't have a roster spot (shoots L) unless they move someone or if he is willing to play on off wing.
- GrimmdaGoalie

My expectation is that Kleven will play LD on the 3rd pairing .... or at worst be the 7th d-man to sub in when injuries occur.

I expect Brannstrom (traded) and Hamonic (bought out) to be gone. JBD will be traded, as a RD there is decent value there for a team's defensive depth.
I also expect Chychrun to be traded unless the management/new coach can live with a Chabot/Chychrun pairing. I doubt they play one of them on the 3rd pairing though.

Sanderson/ZUB
Chabot/new RD from a trade or free agency
Klevin/JBD/new guy from a trade/Guenette

Although .... Sanderson/Zub, Chabot/new guy, Chychrun/new guy/JBDd with Kleven as 7th d-man could be the way to start the season.

I would rather use Chychrun as trade bait for a goalie .... Calgary ..... Markstrom ? Or do we take a stab at a younger goalie .... ????

If Sens continue down this path - they won't win sh**.

Jiri Smejkal scores a goal (in his 20th game) who gives a F***. He likely won't even play here next year and if he does, he won't do anything.

They gave away a 7th overall pick back in 2022 for one year of DeBrincat and a late 1st round pick in 2024 (which will be a player that they draft around where JBD was drafted and won't see NHL ice until 2027).

Staios traded Tarasenko (54 points this season) for not even a 2nd round pick. Why tf should we have confidence in this management staff to take this team to contending status. 2 years ago he wasn't even in the NHL in any role!

I don't see this to be negative but rather calling stuff for what it is. I defended Dorion for years but it's obvious that if we put positive spins on things, we don't get anywhere!

gee OTT won to secure 7th OA , who didn't see that one coming and chabot got injured AGAIN, theyy need to trade him and keep chych, cant have a top D missing half the season every year..

gee OTT won to secure 7th OA , who didn't see that one coming and chabot got injured AGAIN, theyy need to trade him and keep chych, cant have a top D missing half the season every year..
- Mithos

I'd trade both.

Plenty of D-men on the market

I like Chychrun's offense. And for all his injury fear he played all season. Chabbot still skates really smoothly but he needs a good coach who can tell him to get over himself. He's not that good. But hes' good enough.
Keep Chabbot and Chychrun. Find two more Zub's for each of them.

I'm fine with the goaltending....if team defense and actual defense is improved. I would trade the 7th for more picks. Trade down repeatedly until you have a good dozen second round picks. Use some. Trade others. We need a tinkering not a tear down. Coach is the biggest thing.

Smeagols first goal was precious

Need to take a deep breath and reset our focus.

Staios interview (TSN) was good. Clearly, he is sending out signals that the core of this team is set and he will not be looking to make significant changes. Maybe, not even in goal?

Multiple contending teams will struggle this summer to stay within the cap. Good veteran players are going to be squeezed out.

I don't think Staios will do too much. He was very careful not to tip his hand.

Sens have about $12m in free cap over this summer. The only big deal needing to be done is Pinto.

If Norris is not going to be able to go, Sens will start the summer with a free cap of $20m

As far as goaltenders are concerned, I would like to see them take a stab at one of the bruins goalies. If they really have to trade one of them, I would be all over that, no idea the cost, but I think we have the assets to get it done, no more bargain bin shopping at the old folks home for goalie's. Regardless though as everyone has stated at some point here, team defense needs to be better or it doesnt matter who is in nets.

I don't want to see Ottawa trade any of its 1rst round picks, or 2nd round picks. We desparately need to restock Belleville with quality potential players. Just look at Belleville now and project that mix out 2-4 years ..... the cupboards are pretty bare. That is the future coming to Ottawa. Unless we start to add quality, in 2-4 years we will have further issues. We need top line talent coming to Ottawa over that time for replacements.

I'm quite okay with a 7th pick. Whether it was 5, 6, or 7 ..... the quality of the player will be pretty decent. There is no significant difference between players at either of those positions to really matter. Unless Ottawa drops to 9th pick due to the lottery, then I wouldn't bother with Iginla (how well have we done drafting sons of past NHL'ers ..... thinking Brown and Boucher). Just pick the best available player . If we win the lottery, great. If not then a 7th pick will be good to go in 2-4 years. Restock the minor leagues. We can try to fill roster spots through trades or free agents (although top free agents won't come here at this point).

I'm prepared to be slow and steady with changes by Staios/Poulin/Bowness. I'd like to see more of a "capologist" added to that team. Fill out the scouting staff, and get a head coach. I don't think Ottawa waits until the end of the playoffs to hire a coach .... as is often the tradition as the NHL does not want "news" detracting from the focus on the playoffs. The Sens will get a head coach once they have narrowed the list down. Also remember, some of the coaches available now may not want to come to the Sens ... we just don't know if Berube, et al want that job.


And as for a previous comment about the Tarasenko trade to Florida by Staios and current management (a lousy return ... commented by someone else). Staios had no choice but the 4rth rounder. Tarasenko had a no trade clause and only wanted to go to Florida. So you either trade him for the 4rth, or you keep him and get nothing. The devil is in the details. Know the details.

Have to admit to a mild case of schadenfreude this morning re: WSH getting the last playoff spot in the East... especially after that garbage icing call late in the 3rd period of the DET-MTL game that led directly to the game-tying goal. It's pretty funny to see people getting salty about Tortorella's decision to pull his goaltender... I wonder how opinions would have changed had PHI scored with the man-advantage. Regardless, all three of the 'young gun' teams in the Atlantic (i.e. DET-BUF-OTT) have a lot of looking in the mirror to do right now, because that last playoff spot was absolutely 100% up for grabs, and it's only going to get harder next season.

Don't want Detroit to make the playoffs. And in a perfect world, Boston loses in the first round.
- GrimmdaGoalie

Boston vs Toronto is a tough one. Don't care a whit about Boston, absolutely loathe the Leafs, not to mention reveling in the schadenfreude of their continued drought. This is one of those rare instances where I root for Boston, even though it hurts my team. How about you folks?

Boston vs Toronto is a tough one. Don't care a whit about Boston, absolutely loathe the Leafs, not to mention reveling in the schadenfreude of their continued drought. This is one of those rare instances where I root for Boston, even though it hurts my team. How about you folks?
- Bartacus

Man, the schadenfreude elves have been working overtime this week... Matthews missing his last chance at 70G in the same game that Kucherov hits 100A is like Maple Leafs performance art. Now TSN is pretending the Leafs are somehow lucky to have drawn the Bruins in the first round, after BOS went 4-0 against them this year. Losing back-to-back games 4-1 to BOS in March was especially lucky, I suppose... as will be not being burdened with home-ice advantage. Guess we'll see how lucky they'll be if they go with Samsonov in goal, who finished the year with the exact save SV% as both Korpisalo/Forsberg.

Boston vs Toronto is a tough one. Don't care a whit about Boston, absolutely loathe the Leafs, not to mention reveling in the schadenfreude of their continued drought. This is one of those rare instances where I root for Boston, even though it hurts my team. How about you folks?
- Bartacus

So, at Christmas, I committed with some family members from the Toronto area to cheer for Leafs in the playoffs as long as Sens were not in the dance.

It is going to be a lot harder than I thought.

Maybe I will cross my fingers when watching. Maybe I will offer to take Mrs. Spatso dancing. I hate dancing almost as much as I dislike the Leaf media.

I don't mind Leaf fans. They are passionate supporters of their team. They have had a painful journey when it comes to the playoffs and I do feel sorry for them and their long suffering history.

Interim head coach Martin moving to advisor role with Senators

Jakob Chychrun does not want to be here lol. It showed in his presser.

This is a strong piece for Staios to move and he has to come with an extension to maximize the trade !!

Jakob Chychrun does not want to be here lol. It showed in his presser.

This is a strong piece for Staios to move and he has to come with an extension to maximize the trade !!
- AlfieisKing

It also showed in his team-worst -30 rating during the season. Chychrun was in the bottom-10 of the entire NHL for +/- among D-men... and one of just 3 D-men on that list that didn't play for one of SJS/CHI. By comparison, Sanderson, Zub, Chabot, & Brannstrom were a combined +15... even Hamonic & Bernard-Docker were only a combined -17. He also took the most penalties among D-men, and played the least PK time of any of the D-men on a one-way NHL contract. Not to mention that the whole point of acquiring him was to play a top-4 role on the RH side despite being a left-handed shot, which he routinely failed to do. If anything, his defensive liabilities only proved why they should have invested those picks in a legitimate RHD who can effectively complement one of Sanderson/Chabot.

...now say all the positive things.

Team friendly deal.
We gave up a ton to get him.
Actually he does want to be here, family in the area.
Was our highest scoring defenseman I believe and was among the leaders in goals for D men.

...now say all the positive things.

Team friendly deal.
We gave up a ton to get him.
Actually he does want to be here, family in the area.
Was our highest scoring defenseman I believe and was among the leaders in goals for D men.
- Octavarium

Positives? His team-friendly deal will only last 1 more year with a high risk of over-payment beyond that, and giving up a ton of assets to acquire someone is hardly a positive. He was only the highest scoring D-man because he played in 82GP, took over 200 shots, and played virtually no PK. When not on the PP, he produced the exact same number of points as Zub... plus Chabot had more Pts/GP, and Sanderson finished just 3Pts back despite playing significantly harder minutes. Not to mention that his -30 rating this year was the worst of any Senators D-man since 2010/11.

He's got a great shot, and it's obviously nice that he has local connections and family in the area, but it's also quite apparent that the initial enthusiasm about the trade has worn off. If they do keep him around next year he had better find another level to his game.

Positives? His team-friendly deal will only last 1 more year with a high risk of over-payment beyond that, and giving up a ton of assets to acquire someone is hardly a positive. He was only the highest scoring D-man because he played in 82GP, took over 200 shots, and played virtually no PK. When not on the PP, he produced the exact same number of points as Zub... plus Chabot had more Pts/GP, and Sanderson finished just 3Pts back despite playing significantly harder minutes. Not to mention that his -30 rating this year was the worst of any Senators D-man since 2010/11.

He's got a great shot, and it's obviously nice that he has local connections and family in the area, but it's also quite apparent that the initial enthusiasm about the trade has worn off. If they do keep him around next year he had better find another level to his game.
- khawk

I believe Chychrun has more value at the trade deadline next year.

And you only trade him away at any time if:
- you get back what you paid for him
- you get back what you need (top pairing RD or scoring winger or goalie)
- if you feel Kleven is ready to step up

I believe Chychrun has more value at the trade deadline next year.

And you only trade him away at any time if:
- you get back what you paid for him
- you get back what you need (top pairing RD or scoring winger or goalie)
- if you feel Kleven is ready to step up
- GrimmdaGoalie

It does not work to try and track individual trades to try and calculate winners and losers based on the individual transactions.

Winning a trade should be entirely secondary. What is important is what is best for the team. You can lose a trade based on a player to player comparison but the team can still win based on a season or playoff outcome.

Sens need a physical Dman who can own the space in front of our own net. They need better goaltending. They need a centre who can play a strong defensive game against the elite forwards of other teams.

What you need should not be compromised by what you paid in any previous transaction. Nor, should you make the mistake of giving up an asset that would negatively impact on the overall progress of the team.

Also, I think there is too much focus on what the Sens need to do in order to make the playoffs. I would much prefer for the emphasis to be on what they need to do to win a Stanley Cup within the next 5 year compete window.

I beginning to like Kleven more and more. I'm warming to the idea of Guenette over JBD.

But Kleven doesn't have a roster spot (shoots L) unless they move someone or if he is willing to play on off wing.
- GrimmdaGoalie

Guenette and Kleven will both be in Ottawa next year. Chychrun and Branstromm will be traded. Staois will get a goal scoring W in a trade and Hamonic will be 7th D. With the addition of a goal scoring W in top 6 we should have a solid bottom 6. The new coach can continue what Martin started and they should be OK at the start of the season and very good after Xmas.

Guenette and Kleven will both be in Ottawa next year. Chychrun and Branstromm will be traded. Staois will get a goal scoring W in a trade and Hamonic will be 7th D. With the addition of a goal scoring W in top 6 we should have a solid bottom 6. The new coach can continue what Martin started and they should be OK at the start of the season and very good after Xmas.
- granpa

Agree with most, except I think Hamonic will be bought out and the Sens will look for someone on the cheap, in their mid 20's to be the 7th dman. Hamonic is simply too slow. JBD would be better at 6th or 7th.
Sanderson ... Zub
Chabot ... ???? from trade or free agency
Kleven .... Guenette .... free agency .... JBD

Guenette and Kleven will both be in Ottawa next year. Chychrun and Branstromm will be traded. Staois will get a goal scoring W in a trade and Hamonic will be 7th D. With the addition of a goal scoring W in top 6 we should have a solid bottom 6. The new coach can continue what Martin started and they should be OK at the start of the season and very good after Xmas.
- granpa

I like the idea of moving up both Kleven and Guenette. I also think Chychrun could be a lot better fit on other teams. Hamonic is a good fit as a #7.

Still think the Sens need elite defensive forward that can line up against some of top centres in the league.

Goaltending? Staios says it is better than we think.

I'm not a Playoff or bust fan at this point. I would like to see the Sens in the playoffs next season, but if they aren't and are at least showing lots more consistency and improvement then I can live with that. This team needs to learn to win. It will take some time to bring in new pieces and integrate them into the team structure. Drafting needs to be redone to rebuild the pipeline. New management/scouting/coaching needs to solidify. This will all take a year or two. Eventually, the next step for this team will be to make the playoffs. They then need to learn to win, and what it takes for playoff success. You can't even think of competing for a Cup until you make the playoffs and learn what it takes to succeed in the playoffs, all the while, continuing to build it all up for consistency in year to year seasons.

I liked Staios's end of the season comments and it gives me some confidence in their rebuild that they won't try something stupid (DeBrincat) or some trade to simply look like they are doing something. It will be methodical IMO. Maybe too slow for some, but real and lasting change takes time and patience.