Kevin Francis: Matt Murray not on the ice for practice! Sens fans in for a long season?!

Seems like a series of bad decisions and bad luck have really set this season up to be another lottery. Just a couple months ago, there was so much promise, thoughts of being in mix for playoffs; now we're back researching top picks for next year. Painful.

I just updated the blog with the lines/pairings from practice too!

Seems like a series of bad decisions and bad luck have really set this season up to be another lottery. Just a couple months ago, there was so much promise, thoughts of being in mix for playoffs; now we're back researching top picks for next year. Painful.
- CooCooKaChoo

Pierre McGuire must be losing his mind seeing this team barely get above the cap floor. Then the Tkachuk saga, now Murray injured again!

Considering that Gustavsson greatly outplayed Murray last year, losing Murray should not be a negative in terms of on ice results.

Considering that Gustavsson greatly outplayed Murray last year, losing Murray should not be a negative in terms of on ice results.
- SensFan25

I guess it just tests their depth at both the NHL and AHL levels. Plus that is 6 million that could be spent elsewhere then!

DJ Smith hinted at dressing 7 dmen opening night!

I really like the Paul Pinto Brown line 👌

Dude got sick and needed a day off. In most careers that isnt headline news but unfortunately this is the NHL. Not that much reason to worry imo.

Why is Smith in love with Josh Brown? He is terrible, not mobile and can't make a pass

Also if you want that kind of player than it must be a forward, that way your defence is not short handed while they are in the box

So I read that DJ is gonna name leaders on team what’s everyone’s guess 🤔

Chabot C
Brown A
Watson A when he’s back
Until then ziatsev or Paul A

I really like the Paul Pinto Brown line 👌
- sens4life1971

It's terrific! Just think if we had Brady, that top line and this line would be solid. That way team's couldn't match up their D pairings as easily against Ottawa.

Dude got sick and needed a day off. In most careers that isnt headline news but unfortunately this is the NHL. Not that much reason to worry imo.
- ahjnkn

He was sick yesterday too, if he isn't on the ice tomorrow then the team isn't telling us something! Then people will wonder if it's covid related.

So I read that DJ is gonna name leaders on team what’s everyone’s guess 🤔

Chabot C
Brown A
Watson A when he’s back
Until then ziatsev or Paul A
- sens4life1971

Thursday they announce it, I am putting it in my blog tonight as well, so you beat me to it lol! Paul had an A last year, so I think Chabot, Brown and Paul with the A. They won't name a captain.

WOW!

https://www.tsn.ca/colora...kinnon-covid-19-1.1705513

If Norris were able to match Suzuki in terms of scoring progression, then he would probably get something comparable. However, there's almost no chance Norris will have a chance to prove himself in the playoffs to nearly the extent that Suzuki has, so he'll have to do more than just put up a 60pts scoring pace... which just doesn't seem all that likely given their roster. If he puts up something like a 25G/30A season in 2021/22, I could see Norris getting $6.0M x8yrs... or a bit less, if he goes the Batherson-6yrs route.

He was sick yesterday too, if he isn't on the ice tomorrow then the team isn't telling us something! Then people will wonder if it's covid related.
- Kevin Francis

If it is either COVID or flu/influenza, best he is not there at all until all risk of spread is diminished or gone entirely. This is the kind of thing that can tear through and rip apart teams and their performance, and is a lot more common than many people assume. Seems the Sens get a regular bi-annual flu exposure episode, with terrible results that follow off the ice. I remember the last one in particular the Sens had was a doozy. Dean Brown talked about it regularly for a week straight.

Same thing with other sports leagues as well across the continent(s), the more pro sports there are, the higher the incidence, severity and mortality rates of influenza outbreaks among athletes and/or fans attending games. You would hope flu shots would also be mandatory for athletes given the known risks it poses but no one seems willing to enforce it across leagues, likely for the same reasons/reactions we saw related to COVID:

https://researchrepositor...ntext=econ_working-papers


https://www.researchgate....mong_Serie_A_soccer_teams

If Norris were able to match Suzuki in terms of scoring progression, then he would probably get something comparable. However, there's almost no chance Norris will have a chance to prove himself in the playoffs to nearly the extent that Suzuki has, so he'll have to do more than just put up a 60pts scoring pace... which just doesn't seem all that likely given their roster. If he puts up something like a 25G/30A season in 2021/22, I could see Norris getting $6.0M x8yrs... or a bit less, if he goes the Batherson-6yrs route.
- khawk

The longer Brady isn't signed, the more other teams will focus on that top unit, shut them down and then Norris's production won't equate to what he might think he is worth. Like you said, with Nick at least he had playoff production too.

Serves to note that Norris is Tkachuk's best friend on the team. If playing hardball nets positive for the Tkachuk camp, don't doubt Norris will play his buddy's same game next year when it's his turn to sign.

Serves to note that Norris is Tkachuk's best friend on the team. If playing hardball nets positive for the Tkachuk camp, don't doubt Norris will play his buddy's same game next year when it's his turn to sign.
- Bartacus

No doubt! Same agent too!

Serves to note that Norris is Tkachuk's best friend on the team. If playing hardball nets positive for the Tkachuk camp, don't doubt Norris will play his buddy's same game next year when it's his turn to sign.
- Bartacus

I'd agree that this is a more significant risk than Dorion/Melnyk realize. The implication of their attempted hardball with Tkachuk suggests they're fearful of being held to account for bringing the payroll up to a reasonably competitive level, which really isn't going to sit well with the agents for Stutzle, Norris, Sanderson, etc. They need to cut out the nickle/dime crap very soon, because nobody is listening to the BS they're trying to public message about the rebuild being over, unprecedented success, or empty promises about spending money. Or how you're looking to add a "top-6 forward" by dumpster-diving through the $hitheap of players other teams are throwing away.

I'd agree that this is a more significant risk than Dorion/Melnyk realize. The implication of their attempted hardball with Tkachuk suggests they're fearful of being held to account for bringing the payroll up to a reasonably competitive level, which really isn't going to sit well with the agents for Stutzle, Norris, Sanderson, etc. They need to cut out the nickle/dime crap very soon, because nobody is listening to the BS they're trying to public message about the rebuild being over, unprecedented success, or empty promises about spending money. Or how you're looking to add a "top-6 forward" by dumpster-diving through the $hitheap of players other teams are throwing away.
- khawk

And like you have said a few times, bridge deals in TB proved great down the road. Then if a player stumbles in the bridge deal you can either deal the player or re-sign for less, rather than be locked in for 8 years. Hence the Colin White deal is what fans are still angry about.

They need to cut out the nickle/dime crap very soon, because nobody is listening to the BS they're trying to public message about the rebuild being over
- khawk

If what people have been saying on here is true (that we offered BT an 8x$8M contract), that's not nickel-and-diming to me. It, in fact, strikes me as a fair offer.

If what people have been saying on here is true (that we offered BT an 8x$8M contract), that's not nickel-and-diming to me. It, in fact, strikes me as a fair offer.
- Panzer_IVA

Fair offer, sure but why no short term deal if they are not nickel-and-diming?

They are trying to get Brady paid less in years 5,6, and 7 then he would if he signs a bridge deal and needs to be resigned again. This also assumes he plays well, wants to stay in Ottawa and Ottawa is a contender at that time, which they won't be the case with these Mickey Mouse negotiations.

Sens have some decent players signed to contract, give Brady what he wants and let the pieces fall into place. There is no reason why this team can't be competitive in 2-3 years if done right and the prospects they brag about pan out.

Very few long term deals work out. Swallow the pride and sign the kid. The greatest Senator to ever play never had long term deals and no one said boo. Sort of sad to see this all occur to a game that we should all just be enjoying, especially with fewer tarps over seats this season.

So I read that DJ is gonna name leaders on team what’s everyone’s guess 🤔

Chabot C
Brown A
Watson A when he’s back
Until then ziatsev or Paul A
- sens4life1971

No captain will be named. Give the current team a year to gel and see where you are at. A dark horse like Stu or Batherson may become a legitimate option. Hell Brown might be a great option if he continues to put real solid years together. The fact Chabot hasn't been named captain, leads me to believe, they'd prefer someone else but who knows.