Sens Writer: Senators sign Korpisalo, Hamonic as UFA

Good write up.

While I like Branstrom’s progress to date to be a top 6 d-man, I’m not over the moon about his 2-mill deal. The only reason for that is because of the cap crunch the team is in. With Chabot, Chychrun, Zub, and Sanderson solidified as the top 4 D, a 2-mill price tag for a 5/6 guy may not be entirely necessary when you have signed Hamonic and JBD to cheaper deals and have Klevan and Thompson knocking on the door.

That said, it’s not a back breaker and injuries will happen, so nice to have. Another step in his game could create a very, very solid 6 d-man unit.

Will be interesting to see how the bottom six forwards shapes out. Possibly will need strong rookie years from the likes of Smejkal, Greig, Sokolov, etc.

Well timed blog. Lots of stuff to chew over. Although not a lot seems to be happening on the surface, I believe this team is being set up to make a run at a playoff position.

Personally, I think you could see Brannstrom moved at the trade deadline to make room for Kleven. Kleven is just far too much of exactly what everyone knows Dorion & Smith love on a 3rd pairing to be kept in the AHL for long. Not to mention what the prospect of a Kleven-Hamonic pairing could mean in terms of setting a physical tone during a late-season playoff hunt.

Some of the AHL signings were also interesting... with both Mathew Highmore and Bokondji Imama having been former Memorial Cup teammates of Chabot & Joseph in Saint John.

Love the Hamonic signing. He adds so much to the bottom of the defence pairings and he is a really strong veteran presence in the locker room. Veteran teams make the playoffs and win Stanley Cups. Potent offensive teams in the regular season often fizzle when having to face a strong defensive team in the playoffs.

Personally, I think you could see Brannstrom moved at the trade deadline to make room for Kleven. Kleven is just far too much of exactly what everyone knows Dorion & Smith love on a 3rd pairing to be kept in the AHL for long. Not to mention what the prospect of a Kleven-Hamonic pairing could mean in terms of setting a physical tone during a late-season playoff hunt.

Some of the AHL signings were also interesting... with both Mathew Highmore and Bokondji Imama having been former Memorial Cup teammates of Chabot & Joseph in Saint John.
- khawk

Klevin/Hamonic sounds really good to me. If Hamonic can support Klevin the way he did Sanderson. it will nice to watch. Add in Chychrun and the Sens are finally getting some size and jam on the back end.

With JBD and Thomsen sitting in the wings, I wonder if Brannstrom gets moved even before the season starts.

If Dorion gets some solid depth players back in a DeBrincat deal this is going to be a very solid team.

With Thompson also now waiver exempt, it would not surprise me to see if Thompson and Brannstrom get traded before the season and Klevin playing the up and down role to Belleville this season.
Or the Sens could go 13 forwards, 8 d-men, and 2 goalies to start the year. The 3rd pairing could see a rotation of 4 guys in and out ..... Bernard-Docker, Brannstrom, Hamonic, and either Klevin or Thompson. At least with Klevin, they cann keep him in Belleville. A team can never have too many defencemen.

And don't go sleeping on the qualities that Guenette can bring either. It will be interesting to see his development this year.

FYI .... good to see the Maple Leafs giving experience to Ottawa's future coach. They named Gruden as head coach of the Marlies.

Ridley Grieg will get a spot next season, and Kastelic has the grit we need to replace Watson. Can Sokolov or Farentie move up?

Personally, I think you could see Brannstrom moved at the trade deadline to make room for Kleven. Kleven is just far too much of exactly what everyone knows Dorion & Smith love on a 3rd pairing to be kept in the AHL for long. Not to mention what the prospect of a Kleven-Hamonic pairing could mean in terms of setting a physical tone during a late-season playoff hunt.

Some of the AHL signings were also interesting... with both Mathew Highmore and Bokondji Imama having been former Memorial Cup teammates of Chabot & Joseph in Saint John.
- khawk

Saint John won the memorial cup in 2011 and 2022. I don't think that group ever won it all. Huberdeau was on the 2011 team.

Saint John won the memorial cup in 2011 and 2022. I don't think that group ever won it all. Huberdeau was on the 2011 team.
- forbetterorWORSE

Saint John didn't win the Memorial Cup in 2017, but they did make it to the Memorial Cup round of the CHL playoffs. They were led by Joseph, Gauthier, Chabot, and Veleno in Memorial Cup scoring that year, but finished 3rd - behind Erie (who had DeBrincat on the roster), and Windsor who hosted and won the tournament.

What is the expected return for a Debrincat trade at this point? About what was given up, or a bit less?

What is the expected return for a Debrincat trade at this point? About what was given up, or a bit less?
- Chunk

Korchinski was drafted #7 by Chicago using the Ottawa pick. He had a very good season in junior. He has a good shot at making the big team this year and becoming a top 4 Dman. No evidence "yet" that other picks from DeBrincat trade will produce NHL players.

What is the expected return for a Debrincat trade at this point? About what was given up, or a bit less?
- Chunk

Id be happy to get a first and a 2nd or third line LW at this point.

I feel he will have more value if he comes back and they trade him in season. A bit of a distraction but might be best for both the player and the team at this point. Only hope he doesn't get hurt and has a similar or better season than last year.

I love how Debrincat's camp is trying to use the Timo Meier deal as the comp. 32 GMs in this league would take Meier over Debrincat if they signed the same exact deal as each other.

Id be happy to get a first and a 2nd or third line LW at this point.

I feel he will have more value if he comes back and they trade him in season. A bit of a distraction but might be best for both the player and the team at this point. Only hope he doesn't get hurt and has a similar or better season than last year.

I love how Debrincat's camp is trying to use the Timo Meier deal as the comp. 32 GMs in this league would take Meier over Debrincat if they signed the same exact deal as each other.
- GrimmdaGoalie

I personally wouldn’t want either at 8.8m.

For argument sake, would you guys deal nylander for debrincat in a 1v1 swap?

If you had to sign 1 of them at, let’s just say 9m..who do you pick?

I personally wouldn’t want either at 8.8m.

For argument sake, would you guys deal nylander for debrincat in a 1v1 swap?

If you had to sign 1 of them at, let’s just say 9m..who do you pick?
- Trilla

Gun to my head? Nylander....seems bigger....showed me something in the playoffs this year.

Nylander wants $10mil, Debrincat wants $8.8.

Think Kleven has surpassed Thomson on the sens D depth chart and will be a starter next year.

Maybe include Thomson as a sweetener in a Debrincat deal? Since he is waiver exempt?

Gun to my head? Nylander....seems bigger....showed me something in the playoffs this year.

Nylander wants $10mil, Debrincat wants $8.8.
- GrimmdaGoalie

Ok so let’s assume nylander wants that number and cat is 8.8.

Are you still taking Nylander?

What is the expected return for a Debrincat trade at this point? About what was given up, or a bit less?
- Chunk

NYI is interested so I’ve read just to get it over and done with I’d take Pageau and a 1st

NYI is interested so I’ve read just to get it over and done with I’d take Pageau and a 1st
- sens4life1971

Hard no Pageau. Over priced and older now and we are set at the C position for the foreseeable future.

Ok so let’s assume nylander wants that number and cat is 8.8.

Are you still taking Nylander?
- Trilla

Neither. Paying that kinda of money for a second line winger is a luxury most teams can't afford.

I'd take Nylander over Debrincat this year. I'd event take him over Debrincat for ONE year, at the higher number.

Think Kleven has surpassed Thomson on the sens D depth chart and will be a starter next year.

Maybe include Thomson as a sweetener in a Debrincat deal? Since he is waiver exempt?
- GrimmdaGoalie

To Ottawa
Travis Konecny, Scott Laughton

To Philadelphia
Mathieu Joseph, Tyler Boucher, Lassi Thomson, Jacob Perreault, '24 1st (ANA)

To Anaheim Ducks
Alex DeBrincat

To Ottawa
Travis Konecny, Scott Laughton

To Philadelphia
Mathieu Joseph, Tyler Boucher, Lassi Thomson, Jacob Perreault, '24 1st (ANA)

To Anaheim Ducks
Alex DeBrincat
- AlfieisKing

Sure...but what you are saying is Konecny and Laughton are worth Debrincat, Boucher, Joseph, Thomson from Ottawa.

And no way does ANA give up Perrault and a first. Or any first round for the nxt two years (aka the rebuild timeline).

I like Konecny. Would like him on the team. Debrincat is not what Philly wants or needs.

From above:

Brady Tkachuk - Josh Norris - Drake Batherson
Tim Stutzle - Claude Giroux - Travis Konecny
Ridly Grieg - Shane Pinto - Scott Laughton
Parker Kelly - Mark Kastelic - Jiri Smejkal

50M = Offense above
21.23 = Defense
6.75 = Goalies
77.98 + 4.146 (Murray, Ryan, Del Zotto) = 82.126M

Sure...but what you are saying is Konecny and Laughton are worth Debrincat, Boucher, Joseph, Thomson from Ottawa.

And no way does ANA give up Perrault and a first. Or any first round for the nxt two years (aka the rebuild timeline).

I like Konecny. Would like him on the team. Debrincat is not what Philly wants or needs.
- GrimmdaGoalie

Perrault is still years away from being a goal scorer close to DeBrincat.

Can you imagine Zegras-DeBrincat?

If Anaheim doesn't give up a 1st they have TONS of prospects (Nico Myatovic, Nathan Gaucher, Olen Zellweger, Jacob Perreault) to trade with to PHI. They will still keep their young core together in Trevor Zegras, Troy Terry, Jamie Drysdale, Mason McTavish, Pavel Mintyukov, and now Leo Carlsson