Nothing wrong with Forsberg. I imagine he gets back to above .900 this season. He was a .909, .917, .902 before the awful last season the team in general had.

I don't think his contract is too big a hit either. Him and Ullmark will be a fine tandem for Ottawa this season and I still think Sogaard will get a decent number of games in to build up confidence.

Coming around on the Jensen deal but I think the main thing I don't like about it was the 3rd round pick. Why not a 2nd, maybe even a 1st? That might be a stretch tho. But meh.
- TDBSenatoR

Considering we helped WASH out and they are STILL in cap hell, I thought a 2nd at least.

Considering we helped WASH out and they are STILL in cap hell, I thought a 2nd at least.
- GrimmdaGoalie

Seriously, they have two seconds next year. I went to double check on cap friendly , and fogot its offically gone.


Puckpedia seems OK though.

Look...

In a perfect world, the Sens are in a playoff spot come next years TDL. I don't see it - that is why it is perfect world. Other teams in the East got better (WSH and NJ)

In a good world, the Sens are in 9th place in the East, battling for the last Wild Card spot, come TDL. They show improvement. Which is good...but makes things harder come TDL.

In a probable world, they show some improvement but are not in a playoff battle come TDL. At that point, if both are unsigned at a reasonable number, Giroux and Ullmark are traded. We should get good value for both for playoff teams.

In the worst world....same poop different day...they suck to start off with, are out of it by American Thanksgiving, and are battling for top 5 lottery pick by January. At that point...watch out....could be more rumblings about Brady leaving.
- GrimmdaGoalie

The issue is if the team is hanging around 9th or 10th, which is fairly possible. The team will have to decide about trading them or taking the risk. They'll like take the risk and keep them rather than throw in the towel yet again.

Depending where they finish, that forfeited pick will start to be on everyone's minds even if they have one ore year to decide.

The main issue is the Sens only have $3.6 million in cap space left.

Only 11 forwards (assuming Norris is ready to start).
Only 6 defencemen of which both JBD and Hamonic play the 3rd pairing and are both righties.
2 goalies.


Let's assume they bring in Klevin as the 3rd pair left d-man with JBD (not ideal) or with Hamonic (a pilon). That adds Klevins salary of $916,000

Then let us assume they bring in 2 of the 4 guys listed here ..... (and MacEwen is the 13th forward)
Crookshank $775,000
Jarventie $894,000
Ostapchuk $825,000
Halliday $950,000

We would be left with around $900.000 to $1.4 million left in cap space. Not enough to really go out and sign a bottom 6 forward (Nick Cousins) or a bottom pairing d-man.

We would have to release JBD, Hamonic, MacEwen (isn't he kind of redundant at this point ... a fighter who can't win a fight ..... he is taking up space a younger player could have on the 4rth line to develop). I also argue to trade or waive Forsberg and go get a cheaper back-up. Getting rid of some of these guys would free up more cap space.
I still can't figure out why they didn't buy out Hamonic. MacEwen can just be sent to Belleville to free up space (his cap hit is not relevant).

Tkachuk/Stutzle/Batherson
Giroux/Pinto/Norris
Perron/Greig/Ostapchuk or Halliday or Crookshank
Amadio/Gregor/and sign a guy like Nick Cousins

Sanderson/Zub
Chabot/Jensen
Klevin/ ???
back-up is Guenette

Ullmark/ ???

Assuming we could get a credible back-up goalie, 3rd pairing d-man (to share with Guenette), and Nick Cousins at $1.5 million EACH then we would still have in excess of a million to $1.5 million in cap space (ditch JBD, Hamonic, Forsberg)
- OttawaB

Really good article over at the Athletic about opening night roster potential.

and then this about Forsberg:

First two seasons in Ottawa: 54 games, 25-21-5, .916 save percentage and 2.88 GAA

Last two seasons in Ottawa: 58 games, 26-23-2, .896 save percentage and 3.24 GAA

Is that drop off due to DJ and bad D....or is it a player drop off?

If he can do a .908 save percentage and be .550 as a back up, I'd be okay with that for just one year.

the D, the lack of structure...the asinine coaching decisions a serious strain to both knees that could have been more serious but ultimately wasn't. I think Ullmark will push him to be better.

Look...

In a perfect world, the Sens are in a playoff spot come next years TDL. I don't see it - that is why it is perfect world. Other teams in the East got better (WSH and NJ)

In a good world, the Sens are in 9th place in the East, battling for the last Wild Card spot, come TDL. They show improvement. Which is good...but makes things harder come TDL.

In a probable world, they show some improvement but are not in a playoff battle come TDL. At that point, if both are unsigned at a reasonable number, Giroux and Ullmark are traded. We should get good value for both for playoff teams.

In the worst world....same poop different day...they suck to start off with, are out of it by American Thanksgiving, and are battling for top 5 lottery pick by January. At that point...watch out....could be more rumblings about Brady leaving.
- GrimmdaGoalie

Not to be cynical, but there is definitely a Back-To-The-Future timeline out there where all of Ullmark, Giroux, and Tkachuk don't return next season. The first two are impending UFA and certainly have the option of leaving, and as I mentioned earlier in a discussion point Tkachuk has a NMC that activates in his contract after next season, and extends over the last 3 years of his contract. It will be a major decision point for both Tkachuk and the team, and so there's no question that next year MUST be different in terms of the on-ice product if they expect all 3 to be key parts of their competitive window.

That said, their major regression last year was 100% under DJ Smith. Despite having the benefit of the easiest part of the schedule he had them at a 11-15-0 record, which is a 69 points pace. When they shifted to Martin they put up a 26-26-4 record, which is a 82 point pace - even without accounting for the more difficult schedule, or the fact that many of those games were played without Norris/Tarasenko in the lineup. That would have been much closer to the 86 point season from the year before, and would have put them in the Wild Card conversation.

It may be the product of rose-colored glasses, but I have to believe that if the switch from Smith to Martin in the middle of a chaotic disaster of a season can lead to a 13 points swing despite losing key talent from the roster, it hardly seems a stretch to suggest they could improve by at least 10 points with the benefit of solid roster upgrades, and a more stable coaching environment. When I look in the Eastern Conference, yes all of FLA, BOS, TOR, NYR, TBL, and CAR will be good again, but I think WSH and NYI are highly vulnerable. I'll put my money down right now on 2 of OTT, NJD, BUF or DET taking those two playoff spots next season.

Look...

In a perfect world, the Sens are in a playoff spot come next years TDL. I don't see it - that is why it is perfect world. Other teams in the East got better (WSH and NJ)

In a good world, the Sens are in 9th place in the East, battling for the last Wild Card spot, come TDL. They show improvement. Which is good...but makes things harder come TDL.

In a probable world, they show some improvement but are not in a playoff battle come TDL. At that point, if both are unsigned at a reasonable number, Giroux and Ullmark are traded. We should get good value for both for playoff teams.

In the worst world....same poop different day...they suck to start off with, are out of it by American Thanksgiving, and are battling for top 5 lottery pick by January. At that point...watch out....could be more rumblings about Brady leaving.
- GrimmdaGoalie

Man the standards have dropped .....

I think the reality is if we get off to another poopty start, it will be more of an issue with players like Tkachuk/Stutzle/Batherson/Norris/etc being at fault. This failure falls on the players at this point and the fact that their upside potential has been badly misjudged. So trading them ... trading Tkachuk for instance won't be because Tkachuk wants out, but the fact the Sens want to move on because he can't play a certain style of responsible defensiveness. So if Tkachuk wants a trade, it will be because he failed to grow as a player. It will be a matter of having to rebuild and restructure restructure because the players aren't performing.

Not to be cynical, but there is definitely a Back-To-The-Future timeline out there where all of Ullmark, Giroux, and Tkachuk don't return next season. The first two are impending UFA and certainly have the option of leaving, and as I mentioned earlier in a discussion point Tkachuk has a NMC that activates in his contract after next season, and extends over the last 3 years of his contract. It will be a major decision point for both Tkachuk and the team, and so there's no question that next year MUST be different in terms of the on-ice product if they expect all 3 to be key parts of their competitive window.

That said, their major regression last year was 100% under DJ Smith. Despite having the benefit of the easiest part of the schedule he had them at a 11-15-0 record, which is a 69 points pace. When they shifted to Martin they put up a 26-26-4 record, which is a 82 point pace - even without accounting for the more difficult schedule, or the fact that many of those games were played without Norris/Tarasenko in the lineup. That would have been much closer to the 86 point season from the year before, and would have put them in the Wild Card conversation.

It may be the product of rose-colored glasses, but I have to believe that if the switch from Smith to Martin in the middle of a chaotic disaster of a season can lead to a 13 points swing despite losing key talent from the roster, it hardly seems a stretch to suggest they could improve by at least 10 points with the benefit of solid roster upgrades, and a more stable coaching environment. When I look in the Eastern Conference, yes all of FLA, BOS, TOR, NYR, TBL, and CAR will be good again, but I think WSH and NYI are highly vulnerable. I'll put my money down right now on 2 of OTT, NJD, BUF or DET taking those two playoff spots next season.
- khawk

CAR D w3as decimated this offseason and the replacements are far below those they replaced they could see serious decline.

TBL also hurt they D by trading Sergy to sign Guentzle they should struggle too like CAR

FLA lost Montour, a big part of their D since ehkblad missing 30+ games a year they should have trouble too.

PIT is done being competitive, NYI no chance, BUF oof poor BUF fans

DET has a joke for a D core outside Seider and they G tandem might be the worst in the division.

if OTT don't suck they have a shot at top 3 in the division.

Man the standards have dropped .....
- AlfieisKing

Meh...I'm being realistic. Maybe tempering expectations after what happened last year and what happened after the Summer of Pierre.

I think the team can battle for a playoff spot.

Lot of IF's involved:
- if they get off to a good start
- if they get the goaltending
- if the D improves
- if they have a defensive plan/structure
- if they buy into the coaching
- if Norris stays healthy
- if EVERYONE stays healthy (depth gonna be an issues)
- if one or two teams fall in the East and one or two teams don't rise past Ottawa (Looking at WSH, NJD, DET, PHIL)

A lot of IFs. And a lot of teams in the East have those IFs, especially those last 4.

Sens had a -26 goal differential this year.

Chychrun was -30 on his plus/minus

Ullmark had a .923 save % for the Bruins.

If Sens can reverse their -26 goal differential they will be contenders for a playoff spot just by gettingeven on a +1 on their goal differential.

If Ullmark plays enough games and maintains a .900 save percentage the Sens will compete for a playoff spot.

Meh...I'm being realistic. Maybe tempering expectations after what happened last year and what happened after the Summer of Pierre.

I think the team can battle for a playoff spot.

Lot of IF's involved:
- if they get off to a good start
- if they get the goaltending
- if the D improves
- if they have a defensive plan/structure
- if they buy into the coaching
- if Norris stays healthy
- if EVERYONE stays healthy (depth gonna be an issues)
- if one or two teams fall in the East and one or two teams don't rise past Ottawa (Looking at WSH, NJD, DET, PHIL)

A lot of IFs. And a lot of teams in the East have those IFs, especially those last 4.
- GrimmdaGoalie

There are always IFs in every season. We also must assume IFs exist with all the other teams. Like what happens if one of the top teams gets decimated by injuries ? Or goaltending snaps? ..... We won't know.

All I want to see is this team play with defensive structure and good goaltending. I want to see absolute / definite progress in the growth of this teams core. If we don't see this then it is time to shake up the core.

Man...Daniel Sprong just sitting there. Sens should offer a one year deal at $1.5 with bonus money attached. Perfect third line winger. Amadio drops down to the 4th in that scenario.


Suter signing for the league min. with bonus money attached is the way the Sens should go.

Or, they wait, offering PTO's with promises of ice time and being traded to a contender.

Or, they wait, for teams to get desperate.

Man...Daniel Sprong just sitting there. Sens should offer a one year deal at $1.5 with bonus money attached. Perfect third line winger. Amadio drops down to the 4th in that scenario.


Suter signing for the league min. with bonus money attached is the way the Sens should go.

Or, they wait, offering PTO's with promises of ice time and being traded to a contender.

Or, they wait, for teams to get desperate.
- GrimmdaGoalie

They have about $3.5m. on the cap. Precious money. Not a lot. The money will be better spent later on.

Man...Daniel Sprong just sitting there. Sens should offer a one year deal at $1.5 with bonus money attached. Perfect third line winger. Amadio drops down to the 4th in that scenario.


Suter signing for the league min. with bonus money attached is the way the Sens should go.

Or, they wait, offering PTO's with promises of ice time and being traded to a contender.

Or, they wait, for teams to get desperate.
- GrimmdaGoalie

I have to disagree with this. Sprong is a fast skater and can provide supporting offense, but he's also butter soft and hasn't played even a single minute of SH ice time in the past 2 seasons with SEA/DET (i.e. his most significant NHL timeframe). He might be able to score 20G/40Pts with sheltered ice time, but that's just the point... your 3rd line players shouldn't need sheltered ice time. The fact that he's played for 5 teams in the last 6 years, was a UFA last year because he received no QO, and is still on the UFA market now should be an indication that he's far from a perfect anything.

Man...Daniel Sprong just sitting there.
- GrimmdaGoalie

I do not think he fits the vision of what the team is building. A 3rd line player on this team needs to be able to skate, check hard, chip in offence and chew nails.

Just read that apparently the Utah team may be looking to trade Victor Soderstrom, a right d-man ...... at 6 feet tall and almost 200lbs.
An uber competitive two-way defenceman who thinks the game at the highest level, A gifted skater, his ability to traverse all three zones is best described as smooth and effortless. He never looks disinterested and it's always apparent just how badly he wants to win. His vision and awareness is great, allowing him to play a responsible yet dynamic brand of hockey. He's a dangerous puck-carrier with a great shot. Defensively, he makes good decisions quickly and consistently, never looking out of place when pitted up against the other team's top players. He pressures the opposition and limits options, never getting in the way of his goalie. (Curtis Joe, EP 2019)

Looks like Soderstrom is being passed on the depth charts in Utah. Only 53 NHL games over 4 seasons. Only 23 years old.

To me this shouts of trade to give guys a new start somewhere else.

How about Ottawa trades Jacob Bernard-Docker to Utah for Victor Soderstrom, straight up. Soderstrom is an RFA right now so would need to be re-signed ..... but I figure a new start, and $775,000 to $825,000 for 2 years would get the job done.