I think some people are going to be disappointed with the moves that Staios will be making, especially if they think he's going after other team's 20 year-old D-men. They're trying to put a winning product on the ice next year, and the priority will be on supporting the existing young players with more veteran and defensive support - not making them an even younger team with less experience. They've addressed the issue between the pipes, but that's just the start. They need a top-4 quality RHD who's ready to play 20min/GP at the NHL-level, has some physical presence, and not put up another -30 at even-strength. They need an established 3rd line forward who can give them some legitimate shut-down ability, and bolster the league's 4th worst PK. And then probably another more physical forward to bolster the 3rd/4th lines, and help establish more of a menacing forecheck.

I could be wrong, but I think you'll see the players they go after fitting into that general framework far more so than them going after anyone with less than 100GP at the NHL level.
- khawk

You are right on target in setting the Sens needs at a more physical forward. Sens need something to offset some of the pressure on Brady. Other teams impose there own physical presence directed at Brady and on too many nights it becomes a one man show.

What to hell is Washington doing? They have added PLD and now Margiapane. They are already $2m+ over the cap and have 5 players to sign including McMichael.

I doubt the Sens would deal Tom Wilson...but if they do, Sens should be first in line.

Also, Caps are tight but they have options as their AHL farm team (Hershey) just won a second consecutive Calder Cup.

Im confused on this Necas player from Carolina. IF he's so amazing why aren't they keeping him? Is it just $$$ ?

Having partially watched 2 Ullmark video interviews.
I would collectively call it the Ralph Wiggum shows.starring ottawa " media "
Questions were horrible on both interviews and frankly embarrassing.
One youtube performance was like watching grandma and pa who don't know how to operate video calls. The questions were asked by names on the screen before switching to video of Ullmark.
Just because your on youtube does not make you relevant.
But the Ralph Wiggum award goes to the wiggum that asked " do you like to draw"
Both shows were unbearable and turned off.
The only takeaway i got , was Linus Ullmark did not choose to be a Senator .

Tampa garbage for way they treat their captain

I think some people are going to be disappointed with the moves that Staios will be making, especially if they think he's going after other team's 20 year-old D-men. They're trying to put a winning product on the ice next year, and the priority will be on supporting the existing young players with more veteran and defensive support - not making them an even younger team with less experience. They've addressed the issue between the pipes, but that's just the start. They need a top-4 quality RHD who's ready to play 20min/GP at the NHL-level, has some physical presence, and not put up another -30 at even-strength. They need an established 3rd line forward who can give them some legitimate shut-down ability, and bolster the league's 4th worst PK. And then probably another more physical forward to bolster the 3rd/4th lines, and help establish more of a menacing forecheck.

I could be wrong, but I think you'll see the players they go after fitting into that general framework far more so than them going after anyone with less than 100GP at the NHL level.
- khawk

Why would I propose we go after 20-24 year olds (dmen) from other teams? Because we have zip, zilch, nada in the way of younger promising d-men coming up through the ranks. And even if we draft a few this year, they are years away from being viable NHL dmen. Simply going after oldies such as Tanev (who may have experience) will only plug holes for a year or 2 and then they turn into Hamonic, dead weights on the roster and overpaid. I prefer to collect more youth on the blue line .... guys who can play now or in a year and can be with the team in 5-8 years. I want to play the patience game rather then blowing the wad on doddering oldies that are done in a few years. I want dmen whose best days are coming, not on the downside.

Why would I propose we go after 20-24 year olds (dmen) from other teams? Because we have zip, zilch, nada in the way of younger promising d-men coming up through the ranks. And even if we draft a few this year, they are years away from being viable NHL dmen. Simply going after oldies such as Tanev (who may have experience) will only plug holes for a year or 2 and then they turn into Hamonic, dead weights on the roster and overpaid. I prefer to collect more youth on the blue line .... guys who can play now or in a year and can be with the team in 5-8 years. I want to play the patience game rather then blowing the wad on doddering oldies that are done in a few years. I want dmen whose best days are coming, not on the downside.
- OttawaB

I'm not saying you need to like it, or that I necessarily endorse it. I'm just saying you should probably expect it. As of right now, they're the 7th worst team in the NHL, and one of the biggest disappointments. They have less than 1 year to show Ullmark/Giroux that it's worth re-signing in OTT as prominent veterans, and they only have 3 years to prove the same thing to Tkachuk/Chabot or else they'll have to trade them. So I think you can forget about them rolling the dice on unproven talent - games need to start being won, and that means right out of the gate in October.

Wow the sportsnet feed is awkward and clunky.

First shocker of the draft...

Wow... Beckett Sennecke at #3 to ANA. Everyone reset their draft predictions... could be someone available at #7 we weren't expecting.

Hearing there's a chance the Rangers might buyout Jacob Trouba... which I just don't understand. Is there any chance Staios tries to move in on that? A buyout would have a $4M cap hit for the first 2 seasons, so in theory anything up to a $4M salary retention would be even-money. What kind of offer would you make NYR for Trouba at maybe $3M retention (i.e. $5M x 2 years).

Wow... Beckett Sennecke at #3 to ANA. Everyone reset their draft predictions... could be someone available at #7 we weren't expecting.
- khawk

Celebrini, Levshunov, Sennecke, Lindstrom, Demidov, Iginla...

They have their choice of the remaining D-men. I'd do D!ckinson, but we'll see what happens.

Celebrini, Levshunov, Sennecke, Lindstrom, Demidov, Iginla...

They have their choice of the remaining D-men. I'd do D!ckinson, but we'll see what happens.
- khawk

OTT draft Yakemchuck

OTT draft Yakemchuck
- Mithos

Congrats to him and the giant zit on his lip

Celebrini, Levshunov, Sennecke, Lindstrom, Demidov, Iginla...

They have their choice of the remaining D-men. I'd do D!ckinson, but we'll see what happens.
- khawk

Not really 100% thrilled with Yakemchuk, but he's an all-round RHD with size, offensive ability, and a physical game. Hard not to feel like they could have traded down, but it's a decent pick.

Not really 100% thrilled with Yakemchuk, but he's an all-round RHD with size, offensive ability, and a physical game. Hard not to feel like they could have traded down, but it's a decent pick.
- khawk

remember teams have their own draft rankings. Yakemchuck is a OTT type Dman, he wont score as many points as Parehk but he loves to plaster other teams players into the boards.

remember teams have their own draft rankings. Yakemchuck is a OTT type Dman, he wont score as many points as Parehk but he loves to plaster other teams players into the boards.
- Mithos

I definitely like the physical edge, and he can obviously shoot the puck - but some of the skating/defensive limitations give me pause. The risk is that he just knows how to push around junior-age players. Of course, I have the same reservations about Parekh taking advantage of junior-level defensive gaps. And you can always teach a player better defensive habits... whereas you can't teach being 6'3, or plastering people through the board.

I definitely like the physical edge, and he can obviously shoot the puck - but some of the skating/defensive limitations give me pause. The risk is that he just knows how to push around junior-age players. Of course, I have the same reservations about Parekh taking advantage of junior-level defensive gaps. And you can always teach a player better defensive habits... whereas you can't teach being 6'3, or plastering people through the board.
- khawk

now it up to the sens development team.

Feel the sens could have done what Philly did and still got their guy oh well we won't know for a couple of years

I definitely like the physical edge, and he can obviously shoot the puck - but some of the skating/defensive limitations give me pause. The risk is that he just knows how to push around junior-age players. Of course, I have the same reservations about Parekh taking advantage of junior-level defensive gaps. And you can always teach a player better defensive habits... whereas you can't teach being 6'3, or plastering people through the board.
- khawk

https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/vi...-carter-yakemchuk~2937853

Don't mind the pick. I don't love addressing a hole with the existing NHL club looking to be competitive next year via a draft. Yakemchuk won't be ready to help this squad for 3-4 years. Seems like there were a couple of more dynamic picks available or could have moved down in the draft.

Nevertheless, it wasn't a whiff like Tyler Boucher. He seems like a guy who if developed well could be a very good d-man. But you can say that about any prospect.

Staios should have a few moves/signings in the next week or so.

Tkachuk
Katchouk
Ostapchuck
Yakemchuck

Sheesh

How much wood could Tkachuk chuck if Yakemchuck chucks an Ostachuck ?

How much wood could Tkachuk chuck if Yakemchuck chucks an Ostachuck ?
- GrimmdaGoalie

We need some new coaches. Goalie coach Clint Malarchuk. Power Play specialist Dale Hawerchuk.

Not really 100% thrilled with Yakemchuk, but he's an all-round RHD with size, offensive ability, and a physical game. Hard not to feel like they could have traded down, but it's a decent pick.
- khawk

I didn't expect ANYONE to say anything negative. That's usually how it works - team drafts a player and we don't analyze or criticize.

Buium or Silyaev would've been my pick but with 9 teams passing on both, maybe that says a lot. No way this pick can afford not to be a SOLID pick. He has to be a top paring D-man or Solid top 3 on a playoff team logging big mins

Don't mind the pick. I don't love addressing a hole with the existing NHL club looking to be competitive next year via a draft. Yakemchuk won't be ready to help this squad for 3-4 years. Seems like there were a couple of more dynamic picks available or could have moved down in the draft.

Nevertheless, it wasn't a whiff like Tyler Boucher. He seems like a guy who if developed well could be a very good d-man. But you can say that about any prospect.

Staios should have a few moves/signings in the next week or so.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Yakemchuk is one of the oldest players in the draft, and he's certainly more physically mature than most. I can see one more year in the WHL and then 1 year in the AHL, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was seeing 3rd pairing call-up work in the NHL by his 3rd year post-draft. That would be comparable to the development curve Braden Schneider had with NYR. No doubt he'll be directed to play more of a complete game over the next couple of years.

If he's still on the board at #39, I could see them going after W Teddy Stiga - who despite being undersized is a very smart, high-motor, player who could be a future two-way 3rd line/PK mainstay for years to come.

San Jose trading up from 14 to 11 a day before the draft - and then to taking Sam Diickinson along with Macklin Celebrini - they are far and away the winners from this draft unless someone hits a home run in the later drafts.

I would've loved to see Ottawa get into top 15 by moving 15 & 39 but Ullmark is a great pick up - but he also needs to be resigned. If Sens do that, then they had an excellent draft week.