Michael Stuart: Senators Sink Red Wings in Shootout

Thumbs down: SJS win
Thumbs up: NJ and LA go to OT with LA winning
Thumbs down: Brady not scoring again

I do no think OTT will finish in the bottom 5, i do no think OTT will get any top 5 picks and this will cripple any chance of OTT being anything but a NHL farm team for other NHL teams.

The Sens will not finish in the bottom 5??? Of course we will

I missed the mailbag so here we go (in the hope you can take them into account):

- What should we do with all the picks? Draft, trade up or make a move for roster improvements (e.g. a RHD )?
- What is the future of Wolanin?
- Do you see Joey Daccord as a NHL starter in the future? or more like a career back-up? He has really impressed me this season.

Cheers.

I missed the mailbag so here we go (in the hope you can take them into account):

- What should we do with all the picks? Draft, trade up or make a move for roster improvements (e.g. a RHD )?
- What is the future of Wolanin?
- Do you see Joey Daccord as a NHL starter in the future? or more like a career back-up? He has really impressed me this season.

I've seen him play in Belleville a few times & he looks like an NHL defenseman. He has the skill, the poise & the vision of an NHL D. His passes are accurate, he can skate & shoot, he's creative and he processes the game like an NHL D.

I missed the mailbag so here we go (in the hope you can take them into account):

- What should we do with all the picks? Draft, trade up or make a move for roster improvements (e.g. a RHD )?
- What is the future of Wolanin?
- Do you see Joey Daccord as a NHL starter in the future? or more like a career back-up? He has really impressed me this season.

Cheers.
- DutchSenators

I've seen Wolanin play in Belleville a few times & he looks like an NHL defenseman. He has the skill, the poise & the vision of an NHL D. His passes are accurate, he can skate & shoot, he's creative and he processes the game like an NHL D.

Thumbs down: SJS win
Thumbs up: NJ and LA go to OT with LA winning
Thumbs down: Brady not scoring again

I do no think OTT will finish in the bottom 5, i do no think OTT will get any top 5 picks and this will cripple any chance of OTT being anything but a NHL farm team for other NHL teams.
- Athrin

Stay out of the top three. Both you and NJ.

Based on current standings Sens would be guaranteed two picks in the top 8.

You will have had an outstanding draft if you get any 2 of:

Stutzle
Drysdale
Raymond
Perfetti
Rossi
Holtz

Sens/Sharks combination have best odds of winning #1 and also have best odds of drafting in top 3.

If the Sens win a lottery pick, Lafreniere and Byfield draw into the discussion.

Islanders have not won since the Pageau trade and that pick is also beginning to smile upon us. But, I expect Dorion to bundle that pick with other assets to acquire a first line player.

Stay out of the top three. Both you and NJ.
- RafiDRW

Why? You have the 31st all locked up.

Based on current standings Sens would be guaranteed two picks in the top 8.

You will have had an outstanding draft if you get any 2 of:

Stutzle
Drysdale
Raymond
Perfetti
Rossi
Holtz

Sens/Sharks combination have best odds of winning #1 and also have best odds of drafting in top 3.

If the Sens win a lottery pick, Lafreniere and Byfield draw into the discussion.

Islanders have not won since the Pageau trade and that pick is also beginning to smile upon us. But, I expect Dorion to bundle that pick with other assets to acquire a first line player.
- spatso

I keep hoping they drop out of the playofs, Only problem is that none of the teams behind the Isles are doing that well either. Columbus has played several games more.

Best case in my opinion, is the Isles have to play the Bruins and the Sens wind up with a pick around 18 (I think?).

Which would admittedly be pretty great too.

I keep hoping they drop out of the playofs, Only problem is that none of the teams behind the Isles are doing that well either. Columbus has played several games more.

Best case in my opinion, is the Isles have to play the Bruins and the Sens wind up with a pick around 18 (I think?).

Which would admittedly be pretty great too.
- david22

only team doing good is rangers, CLB is crashing, CAR will crash because they do not have a NHL caliber tender, FLA is meh so NYI might make playoffs out of sheer luck.

The trade deadline is done and the next thing to look forward to for non-playoff teams is the draft lottery. So I ask sens fans here if you win lafreniere, is it a priority for the next top pick to be a Center or if the next best player is a winger/drysdale is available do you make that pick. Not saying you might not have that next 1st line Center already in the system but a guy that’s more likely be an elite 1st line C could be the difference maker. Personally I wouldn’t be shocked if the sens take Rossi from the 67’s. If the guy was taller he’d probably be a lock for top 5

Who I hope the Sens draft:

1) Stuzle
2) A.L
3) Raymond
4) Hotlz
5) Byfield

I do no think OTT will finish in the bottom 5, i do no think OTT will get any top 5 picks and this will cripple any chance of OTT being anything but a NHL farm team for other NHL teams.

You must be an absolute joy to be around. Such a positive attitude and outlook must bring smiles to everyone around you.

Who I hope the Sens draft:

1) Stuzle
2) A.L
3) Raymond
4) Hotlz
5) Byfield
- AlfieisKing

If you genuinely think stutzle is better than Lafreniere then you’re insane.

Ottawa Sun, today, on Chabot:

The offence has always been there, but Smith suggests there has also been an evolution in his defensive game.

“He’s boxing out better, he’s defending better, he’s being harder on guys,” he said. “That’s going to allow him, in my opinion, to be the best defenceman in the world at some point.”

Let's hope the Ducks and the Devils have a 3 point game and that the Kings can beat the Knights.

If you genuinely think stutzle is better than Lafreniere then you’re insane.
- sensarmy_11

What I'm saying is that I'd be happier if they get Stutzle. How does my opinion make me insane? It's an opinion....

Let's hope the Ducks and the Devils have a 3 point game and that the Kings can beat the Knights.
- HoweHatrick

Close. Devils win and LA also wins.

I am content if both Sens picks stay in top 5 to guarantee two top 8 selections.

After Lafrenierre is taken 1st overall, there are no guarantees who will be the next best NHL player. If Sens second pick drops to #8, I like Rossi and Perfetti. Good chance one of them will still be available in the 8 slot. Also like Drydale. Never wrong to take the top defensive prospect when your draft discussion is dominated forward talent.

What I'm saying is that I'd be happier if they get Stutzle. How does my opinion make me insane? It's an opinion....
- AlfieisKing

that's like saying "man, McDavid is great, but my opinion is that i'd prefer Dylan Strome"

Lafreniere is the CLEAR, BY FAR, best player in this draft.....it's not close, and it's unanimous by every scout, GM, coach, hockey fan, expert, cat, dog, and mouse.....except you

that's like saying "man, McDavid is great, but my opinion is that i'd prefer Dylan Strome"

Lafreniere is the CLEAR, BY FAR, best player in this draft.....it's not close, and it's unanimous by every scout, GM, coach, hockey fan, expert, cat, dog, and mouse.....except you
- sensarmy_11

This is a powerful draft. Some might argue that, in a different year, a player could have gone #1 overall. For example, Ottawa 67's coach compares Rossi with Hichieare (first overall pick of a couple years ago).

You are right, Lafreniere is the best talent. No contest.

However, there is remarkable talent available after #1.

When the discussion goes sideways it is because some fans dismiss Lafreniere as a hope too far.

Critical issue...do you trust Dorion and his staff to come out of the draft with elite value?

This is a powerful draft. Some might argue that, in a different year, a player could have gone #1 overall. For example, Ottawa 67's coach compares Rossi with Hichieare (first overall pick of a couple years ago).

You are right, Lafreniere is the best talent. No contest.

However, there is remarkable talent available after #1.

When the discussion goes sideways it is because some fans dismiss Lafreniere as a hope too far.

Critical issue...do you trust Dorion and his staff to come out of the draft with elite value?
- spatso

i'm not debating whether or not Stutzle is good.....i'm debating the sanity of someone saying that they'd prefer him over lafreniere.

I will be absolutely disappointed if we don't end up with lafreniere, but I acknowledge that we'll be coming out of this draft, likely (assuming the standings remain somewhat consistent) with 2 elite players. the difference that Alfie can't seem to realize is that lafreniere isn't elite, he's generational. if a GM took stutzle over lafreniere he'd be fired before he got back to his draft table.

i'm not debating whether or not Stutzle is good.....i'm debating the sanity of someone saying that they'd prefer him over lafreniere.

I will be absolutely disappointed if we don't end up with lafreniere, but I acknowledge that we'll be coming out of this draft, likely (assuming the standings remain somewhat consistent) with 2 elite players. the difference that Alfie can't seem to realize is that lafreniere isn't elite, he's generational. if a GM took stutzle over lafreniere he'd be fired before he got back to his draft table.
- sensarmy_11

Gotta go with sensarmy on this. I think generational talent might be stretching, but Lafreniere should be #1 on everyone’s list. No need to overthink it. No guarantees in the draft, of course, but gotta start somewhere.

Critical issue...do you trust Dorion and his staff to come out of the draft with elite value?
- spatso

Trust is a strong word...

Given the very strong talent at the top of the draft, I would say that I am hopeful and optimistic.

However, there are poor choices even in the best drafts. Just look at 2015:
3 - Dylan Strome
6 - Pavel Zacha
11 - Lawson Crouse
12 - Denis Gurianov
13 - Jakub Zboril
Strome and Crouse were the 4th and 5th ranked North American players. Zacha was ranked 8th.

The trade deadline is done and the next thing to look forward to for non-playoff teams is the draft lottery. So I ask sens fans here if you win lafreniere, is it a priority for the next top pick to be a Center or if the next best player is a winger/drysdale is available do you make that pick. Not saying you might not have that next 1st line Center already in the system but a guy that’s more likely be an elite 1st line C could be the difference maker. Personally I wouldn’t be shocked if the sens take Rossi from the 67’s. If the guy was taller he’d probably be a lock for top 5
- RedC21

I think Ottawa's top picks will be Ws & Ds. Dorion said he likes what he has at center (Brown, Pinto, Norris, Beaudin ) plus what's on big team. If he can't get Lafreniere, I think he'll draft a European player. They won't draft a small player with early picks unless an Erik Karlson is available.