Michael Stuart: Senators Sign Tierney; Grade Dorion's Offseason

Wish there was a B+ option. I love what he signed all the RFAs for, both term and dollar. The Murray deal, term and dollar, will depend on how he does, as with all UFA signings but I liked the aggression I liked the fact he drew a line in the sand over Duclair and knew when to walk away. I liked he didn't jump on T. Johnson.

But he should have been in on one of the two deals involving Towes from NYI and Schmidt for VGK. Good players that cost nothing but draft picks, which Sens have ton of. I also thought he should have weponized his cap space to get more 1st Rd picks or move up in the draft.

He's done everything this team needed. He shored up the right side defense while leaving room for prospects to shine.

He added a legitimate scoring threat in his prime up front that doesn't handicap the team when the ELCs are up. A guy who could add a first round pick if we're not ready to contend or will be a nice self rental piece on a bubble team.

He added a two time Stanley Cup champion goalie who either will rebound or will be exposed in the expansion draft for pennies on the dollar.

His draft, while many people are cynical about was well done. He added players from the development systems they know. Remember Tkachuk? Pinto? Dorion can scout. It's his best strength. Let's let him do it. Chabot? Yeah.... The guy is no slouch.

A+. Honestly. We don't know how it turns out but the moves are the right ones. The Murray pick up is the equivalent to the Toronto Andersen pick up. They're not regretting that. Rushing things and not drafting a few more great dmen is what is screwing them. We're drafting a fabulous d corps. The forwards, we're piecing together. But Logan brown, Josh Norris, batherson, Tkachuk, Formenton, Stutz?!?! This is no slouch of a pipeline. These kids can play.

This is a proper rebuild. Good job. I'm excited. Chabot, Murray and chucky headlining games until we're real contenders? Amazing. Go sens go.

They came away from the draft with a couple of nice pieces, and the Dadonov contract seems like one that they’ll be able to move at the deadline. But I was baffled with a few of the other moves.

$6.25M for a goalie who had an objectively terrible season in 2019? Why do that?

Gudbranson? He’s garbage. And why sign a bottom six guy like Tierney to such a high AAV? His ceiling is so low.

I was talking to a buddy of mine about these moves, and his comment was that they’re trying to hit the cap floor. They won’t be competitive for a few years, so these guys are just warm bodies. But if that’s the case, then why not go out and recoup draft picks for bad contacts? I feel like Dorion has completely whiffed on this

Agree with the post above - though it's an A- instead of a B+ from me, which landed a B grade. I'm not sold on the Sanderson pick - his numbers look suspiciously Jared Cowen-y. Tyler Kleven trade up a mystery - imagine, could've used those picks to get Devon Toews instead. Matt Murray shouldn't have cost that much given what other netminders signed for, and Erik Gudbranson won't tilt the scales in the right direction.

But then, I don't think this team is supposed to win next year and other than that, Dorion killed it with Dadonov, the RFA signings, depth signings, Stutzle pick, and other depth picks. What Dorion did will help mend the ill gotten reputation of Ottawa as a non-starter for trades. I like what he's doing.

Agree with the post above - though it's an A- instead of a B+ from me, which landed a B grade. I'm not sold on the Sanderson pick - his numbers look suspiciously Jared Cowen-y. Tyler Kleven trade up a mystery - imagine, could've used those picks to get Devon Toews instead. Matt Murray shouldn't have cost that much given what other netminders signed for, and Erik Gudbranson won't tilt the scales in the right direction.

But then, I don't think this team is supposed to win next year and other than that, Dorion killed it with Dadonov, the RFA signings, depth signings, Stutzle pick, and other depth picks. What Dorion did will help mend the ill gotten reputation of Ottawa as a non-starter for trades. I like what he's doing.
- Bartacus

I think Pierre Dorian did very well and I gave him the highest vote possible. Walking away from Duclair was a good move, his scoring 2 goals in the second half of the season showed he was not an elite player. Good luck to the team that eventually signs him. Dorion’s best move was to grab Sanderson who was still on the board at number 5, it’s amazing that Detroit blew it so badly! Sanderson will surpass Chabot in 2-3 years and will be one the best defenseman in the NHL in 4 years! In any other year he would have gone 1 or 2 but this years draft was possibly the deepest in history.

They came away from the draft with a couple of nice pieces, and the Dadonov contract seems like one that they’ll be able to move at the deadline. But I was baffled with a few of the other moves.

$6.25M for a goalie who had an objectively terrible season in 2019? Why do that?

Gudbranson? He’s garbage. And why sign a bottom six guy like Tierney to such a high AAV? His ceiling is so low.

I was talking to a buddy of mine about these moves, and his comment was that they’re trying to hit the cap floor. They won’t be competitive for a few years, so these guys are just warm bodies. But if that’s the case, then why not go out and recoup draft picks for bad contacts? I feel like Dorion has completely whiffed on this
- AxlRose91

I don't look at it as quite this bleak. I graded things as a "B". I thought they reached a bit with a couple of draft picks where chances are they might of gotten those same players latter on.

As for the Murray deal I like it. Regarding the contract, they are paying extra for Murray's resume of 2 Stanley Cup rings. Can't blame Murray for using that to drive up the price. Wouldn't you?

I like how PD got some muscle to protect the young guys, but I'm just a little afraid that they don't have enough talent to insulate the young guys. I really don't want to see this go bad in a hurry and start a losing culture. NHL is a real tough league for young kids, and I keep reading Sens fans high expectations. Its going to take patience and I think with the AHL uncertainty, players may get pushed ahead a bit too quickly just to keep them playing when the NHL starts back up.

I honestly don't mind Ottawa becoming a big and ugly team to play against. I don't believe Sens have ever had a team like that. I'm not expecting them to suddenly make the playoffs (I predict 25th, maybe 20th if Murray is still good), so having big guys protect the young kids/show them what it means to be a pro/how to handle media/etc. is good in my books.

I honestly don't mind Ottawa becoming a big and ugly team to play against. I don't believe Sens have ever had a team like that. I'm not expecting them to suddenly make the playoffs (I predict 25th, maybe 20th if Murray is still good), so having big guys protect the young kids/show them what it means to be a pro/how to handle media/etc. is good in my books.
- PogBoi

This year Ottawa is bad, gets another good prospect.

Next year competes for a playoff spot.

Optimistically speaking.

I gave him an A because besides maybe some different draft choices what else could you have wanted?

Getting a goalie like Murray was huge! He will stabilize the position and provides the time for one of the young guns to steal the job.

Dadanov was unexpected and a welcome signing. It was actually my doctor that broke the news to me. We were doing our family flu shots and when he was prepping the dose he came back and told me.

I don’t love Gudbranson or Wilson but they’re not going to be big pieces of the team.

I still see us taking a bad contract. Teams still in trouble.

I still see us taking a bad contract. Teams still in trouble.
- DutchSenators

I agree.

But, the longer you hold onto the open cap space, the more valuable it becomes. Also, and, even more important, tighter cap space translates into fewer options and less leverage for next year's players scheduled to become RFA and UFA.

Teams will do what they have to do this year in order to make their cap numbers. However, by next trade deadline, it will have become so much more complicated. The cap is likely frozen for a minimum of 3 more years.

As a general guide, think about it as 10 teams with highly problematic cap management issues today. Another 10 or so that are okay today but with little space for any future maneuvers or new contracts and the final 10 that are capable of absorbing a substantial increase in their player contracts.

There are no easy answers for teams like the Islanders, Lightening, Leafs, Canucks, Oilers, Jets or Ducks. Vegas is playing a high wire act that will crash soon enough and the Blues have already discovered that they were unable to sign their best UFA defenseman.

A decision to to nothing is, in fact, a decision to do something. It is a decision to short the market and hold unto free cap space and wait for the sellers to get even more desperate.

I agree.

But, the longer you hold onto the open cap space, the more valuable it becomes. Also, and, even more important, tighter cap space translates into fewer options and less leverage for next year's players scheduled to become RFA and UFA.

Teams will do what they have to do this year in order to make their cap numbers. However, by next trade deadline, it will have become so much more complicated. The cap is likely frozen for a minimum of 3 more years.

As a general guide, think about it as 10 teams with highly problematic cap management issues today. Another 10 or so that are okay today but with little space for any future maneuvers or new contracts and the final 10 that are capable of absorbing a substantial increase in their player contracts.

There are no easy answers for teams like the Islanders, Lightening, Leafs, Canucks, Oilers, Jets or Ducks. Vegas is playing a high wire act that will crash soon enough and the Blues have already discovered that they were unable to sign their best UFA defenseman.

A decision to to nothing is, in fact, a decision to do something. It is a decision to short the market and hold unto free cap space and wait for the sellers to get even more desperate.
- spatso

Yeah definitely, playing the waiting game is the best we can do now.

B from me.

He got solid pieces in the draft. When you are able to get a prospect of Stuzle's quality, you have to up the grade, even though a monkey could have made the pick. I do feel there were multiple wasted opportunities in the draft to move up and/or take a player later, but it is what it is.

The offseason moves such as Gudbransson and Watson are meh. The signings of Brown and Daddy were good. Getting Murray and signing him was a good move. Bit of a risk considering the last couple of years of play, but his age is right. In indifferent to Tierney. I get you have to have an established NHLer to help the young kids but he is forgettable and replaceable. He's missed on most "mock lineups" usually on these forms. That should tell you something.

I like most of the contracts signed because they don't cripple the team long term. Many people are overlooking this. Having 3 year max deals creates flexibility when you have to sign the next crew of young players. Very smart contracts. You have to plan in the big picture with Melnyk at the helm.

I didn't like the Duclair dealings. Waste of an asset anyway you look at it.

End of the day, the future of this team looks better than it did before. Still lots of work to be done with development.

1st and a prospect (at least) to take one or both of Johnson or Eriksson. Would give him A+ if he can pull it off.

He got a C from me.... I think more accurately it would have been in the C+ to B- area for me.

He did some things that I'm a huge fan of and others that left me shocked and disappointed

With a short season upcoming,its quite plausible they make the playoffs,especially if Murray shines. Wich if that happens could lead to next rfa crop asking big$. But i would consider thst a luxury problem.
So far A for Dorion/Melynk

Dadanov was an A+

Draft appears to be a great success. Only time will tell. A

Gudbranson brings accountability while bringing them towards the ceiling. Not going to play big minutes or put up points, but he gets a B

Letting Duclair walk free - F

Signing Murray to that extension in this tendy-bargain year. D

Tierney/Brown/Anisimov signing. B+

Buying our Ryan and inking a woman beater - F

Thats my take as an impartial viewer. Wish my Devs could have inked Dadanov instead. Jealous of that one.

Gudbranson brings accountability while bringing them towards the ceiling. Not going to play big minutes or put up points, but he gets a B
- bikeguy99

I think Gudbranson may be the most underestimated move that Dorion has made, at least in terms of his projected role. You claim he's not going to play big minutes, yet he was a top-4 D man in Anaheim last season, and the only 2 players on the Senators' roster with anything close to that level of ice time experience are Chabot and Zaitsev. Plus, he plays the RHD position, for which Zaitsev is the only realistic competition for top-4 minutes. I'm not saying I love the trade, but I'm pretty sure Dorion sees this as bolstering the top-4 with a physical dimension, not as a depth move to simply reach the Cap Floor.

I would target Tyler Johnson; 4 years remaining at $5M/AAV, but it would cost for Tampa a 1st (2021) & a 2nd pick (2022)....Pierre, just wait & be patient as the price is gonna be higher & higher for those cap hell teams!

Overall, I'd probably give Dorion a B grade, with some caveats.

DRAFT (B-) - I refuse to give credit for picking Stutzle, since it was a foregone conclusion that one of Byfield/Stutzle was being picked at #3. So I'm judging this far more on the picks of Sanderson, Greig, Jarventie, Kleven, and Sokolov. Personally, I would have been more inclined to target skill, and try to move up more aggressively in the 1st round, but having a blue line core of Chabot/Sanderson at LHD paired with Tkachuk/Stutzle up front legitimately establishes the bedrock identity of the team.

TRADES (B-) - they certainly added quite a bit of physical play and veteran leadership with Murray, Gudbranson, Watson, and Brown. Given the extent to which these can be viewed as direct upgrades on players like Anderson, Borowiecki, Hawryluk, and Englund, I find it hard not to view these moves in a positive light.

SIGNINGS (A) - Dadonov, Brown, and Tierney are all excellent signings, both in terms of salary and term. The less prominent RFA contracts for Paul, Balcers, and Daccord also make a lot of sense. For my money, this is where Dorion did his best work of the summer.

MISC (B) - personally, I have to say that I agree with the Ryan buyout, the decision to let Duclair walk, and not re-signing Anderson, Hainsey, or Borowiecki. That said, the single biggest unaddressed issue for me is the persistent confusion about what's going on at 'C'... but I'll try to have long-term faith that Stutzle will eventually play the #1C role.

Overall, I'd probably give Dorion a B grade, with some caveats.

DRAFT (B-) - I refuse to give credit for picking Stutzle, since it was a foregone conclusion that one of Byfield/Stutzle was being picked at #3. So I'm judging this far more on the picks of Sanderson, Greig, Jarventie, Kleven, and Sokolov. Personally, I would have been more inclined to target skill, and try to move up more aggressively in the 1st round, but having a blue line core of Chabot/Sanderson at LHD paired with Tkachuk/Stutzle up front legitimately establishes the bedrock identity of the team.

TRADES (B-) - they certainly added quite a bit of physical play and veteran leadership with Murray, Gudbranson, Watson, and Brown. Given the extent to which these can be viewed as direct upgrades on players like Anderson, Borowiecki, Hawryluk, and Englund, I find it hard not to view these moves in a positive light.

SIGNINGS (A) - Dadonov, Brown, and Tierney are all excellent signings, both in terms of salary and term. The less prominent RFA contracts for Paul, Balcers, and Daccord also make a lot of sense. For my money, this is where Dorion did his best work of the summer.

MISC (B) - personally, I have to say that I agree with the Ryan buyout, the decision to let Duclair walk, and not re-signing Anderson, Hainsey, or Borowiecki. That said, the single biggest unaddressed issue for me is the persistent confusion about what's going on at 'C'... but I'll try to have long-term faith that Stutzle will eventually play the #1C role.
- khawk

I get people not wanting to give Dorion credit for picking Stuzle. If that is the case, I find the a draft grade of a B- pretty generous.

Sanderson - Probably taken ahead of where he should have been. Not really a knock on the pick, but there was serious skill left on the board by taking a guy who the organization already has a few pieces above him in the depth chart.

Greig - Stereotypical Sens pick. Hard nosed, "well-rounded" player. Probably the biggest meh pick of the draft for the Sens.

*There was serious opportunity to move up in the first round. Especially in the 2nd half of round 1. Was frustrating to see nothing done.*

Jarventie - I didn't mind this pick. Could have been had later though.

Kleven - Cost us two 2nd rounders essentially. Weird pick.

Sokolov - I didn't mind this pick, but again, could have probably had been had later in the draft.

Lets not forget the goalie they drafted in the 3rd round that wasn't even projected to get drafted.

If you take out Stuzle, I feel the draft grade is in the C range. Lots of reaching with picks. May pan out, may not.

I get people not wanting to give Dorion credit for picking Stuzle. If that is the case, I find the a draft grade of a B- pretty generous.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I was certainly vocal about who was left on the board with many of those picks, but I'll acknowledge that both Sanderson/Greig could prove to be underrated picks, even at their drafted positions. Other than 'C', having a strong 'D' is critical to long-term success, and I think they've now established their blue line as the true foundation of the team. That's hard for me to argue against, especially with a relatively large number of draft picks lined for next year as well. I'd also suggest that Greig looks like a potential buzz-saw kind of player... so maybe more of a fan-favorite type than just a "safe" pick like White, Pinto, etc.

Beyond that, I actually don't mind the Kleven pick... other than the perceived need to trade up to get him. He's at least a 3rd pairing guy, who could have a Methot-like role down the road. At the end of the day, he represents a necessary counter-balance to the fleet of smaller/mobile d-men they already have in the system like Brannstrom, Wolanin, Thomson, Lajoie, and Tychonick. It's not what most people focus on, but the combination of size, skating, and character were obviously something they wanted to have in the longer-term prospect system.

I was certainly vocal about who was left on the board with many of those picks, but I'll acknowledge that both Sanderson/Greig could prove to be underrated picks, even at their drafted positions. Other than 'C', having a strong 'D' is critical to long-term success, and I think they've now established their blue line as the true foundation of the team. That's hard for me to argue against, especially with a relatively large number of draft picks lined for next year as well. I'd also suggest that Greig looks like a potential buzz-saw kind of player... so maybe more of a fan-favorite type than just a "safe" pick like White, Pinto, etc.

Beyond that, I actually don't mind the Kleven pick... other than the perceived need to trade up to get him. He's at least a 3rd pairing guy, who could have a Methot-like role down the road. At the end of the day, he represents a necessary counter-balance to the fleet of smaller/mobile d-men they already have in the system like Brannstrom, Wolanin, Thomson, Lajoie, and Tychonick. It's not what most people focus on, but the combination of size, skating, and character were obviously something they wanted to have in the longer-term prospect system.
- khawk

Fair points. I don't mind the draft haul that Dorion came away with.

I think he could have had the same haul plus additional prospects had he been more aggressive in the 1st round and more patient in the subsequent rounds. I was pretty shocked that not one "prospect" was moved in the offseason and only picks were moved. But I guess he likes what he has.

Probably a C+/B- for me:
Draft = C - like others have said the Stuetzle pick was a no brainer but didn't like the other picks or at least at the position they where picked. Agree Dorian is good at finding diamonds in the draft rough - but sometimes the diamonds are just laying in front of you and you don't need to over think it. I hope I am dead wrong here and Dorian eventually looks like a genius in 2 years time.
RFA signings = B - things that needed to be done and didn't do any damage with the terms.
UFA Signings - C+ - again didn't do any damage with the term or cap hits, plug some short term holes that needed to be filled. It certainly seems players are worried about paychecks in the near future and taking what they can get. Could have done some manoeuvring with their cap space and draft picks to get some better pieces. does make sense to add some muscle to protect the young players over the next 3 years.