Sens Writer: Senators Defeated by Jets; Lose 5th Straight Game

Oliver Wahlstrom on waivers... Could he be a useful 12th forward?

They are choking big time, it’s winning time not excuses time.

With no Brady, no Norris and no Pinto ......... of course they are not going win. You can say you can't use this as an excuse .... but that is bull poop. Of course it is a legit excuse.

I'm reaching a point where I do have some questions/issues. We are not winning the Cup this year so maybe we look to jiggle the handle a bit.

Brady Tkachuk ... I am worried that he was so intense playing for Team USA that he jeopardized his play on Ottawa. How long will this injury nag him. He and his brother were so intense that they played themselves into injuries. So how about trading him to Florida ...
For all of these changes, let's set aside the salary cap issues and no trade clauses for the moment.

Brady + Norris + 3nd round pick in exchange for Barkov and Lundell. To take on Brady, Florida would have to part with a significant salary like Barkov. No salary retention.
OR
Trade Tkachuk and Norris to St. Louis for Thomas and Kyrou.


Then I turn to Dallas ..... trade Chabot for Harley (both lefty d-men).

Then to Seattle .... McCann ( 2 more years at $5 million) and Yanni Gourde (how long is he on LTIR for ..... and a UFA at year end). Figure out a group of guys
without trading Pinto and any top 6 ......

Just some thoughts. But it is clear we need to do something to shake up a stagnant injury prone lineup.

Without question - the Ottawa Senators are playing their way OUT of the playoffs. It's frustrating because the Sens have the best chance to do so in almost 8 years.

W1 - Detroit - 66 PTS (23 Games left)
W2 - Columbus - 66 PTS (23 games left)
----------------------------------------------
9th - NY Rangers - 62 PTS (24 games left)
10th - Ottawa - 62 PTS (24 games left)
11th - Boston - 62 PTS (22 games left)


Key games!
VS DET (Mar 10) @DET (Mar 27)
VS CBJ (Mar 29) VS CBJ (Apr 6) @CBJ (Apr 8)

If I'm Steve Staios - I'm looking at how can I win these 5 games in particular. It's time to make some moves and add some offence/scoring to this team! Getting Norris and Pinto back is just 1 thing, even then, they were having difficult scoring

you take 3 of the top 5 forwards from ANY team in the NHL and they will struggle.

They lost to best team in the West and the East. and Tampa Bay. Montreal was a tire fire but that could be cuz of the layoff. I want to see how they will do against the lower ranked teams. if they lose to SJ...then the sky is falling.

I think they have the 2nd easiest sked going forward.

Bigger issue for me is Ullmark. Seems streaky.

Everyone back on the ice today at practice. So that's good.
Jensen left the ice today but got up quick - still......that's not good.

I am kind of shocked by the lack of an urgent attitude during this losing streak. The Sens were in a good position a handful of games ago and now they are tied with Boston who have more or less conquered that this year, they are not making the playoffs.

I don’t know what Brady’s injury was, but I was not inspired by the comments essentially saying he wanted to rest now to be good for later. Especially when you already have 2 other top 6 forwards out of the lineup. This team is not able to pick and choose when they can win games. They have shown far too often they just don’t have the consistency for that.

While I am disappointed by the results, I am more disappointed about the attitude with them. Even on social media people just seem content with how things are. Annoyed we lost-but we will get them next time! I am not sure what is going on. Maybe it’s because the 4 nations interrupted the slump, so it doesn’t seem as long of a slump? But man, the playoff window is closing in a hurry.

Everyone keeps saying the Sens have an easy schedule the rest of the way, but it really isn’t now that they have faltered so much. 15 games in March. 3 against teams in lottery contention. 4 against teams higher than them in the standings. The rest are against teams in the Eastern Conference dogfight in the standings. Feels like the schedule the whole year not considering home and road games.

Positive news that Brady, Pinto, and Norris should be back soon, but they need to right the ship fast and have an excellent month of hockey. Not a lot of room for error.

Without question - the Ottawa Senators are playing their way OUT of the playoffs. It's frustrating because the Sens have the best chance to do so in almost 8 years.

W1 - Detroit - 66 PTS (23 Games left)
W2 - Columbus - 66 PTS (23 games left)
----------------------------------------------
9th - NY Rangers - 62 PTS (24 games left)
10th - Ottawa - 62 PTS (24 games left)
11th - Boston - 62 PTS (22 games left)


Key games!
VS DET (Mar 10) @DET (Mar 27)
VS CBJ (Mar 29) VS CBJ (Apr 6) @CBJ (Apr 8)

If I'm Steve Staios - I'm looking at how can I win these 5 games in particular. It's time to make some moves and add some offence/scoring to this team! Getting Norris and Pinto back is just 1 thing, even then, they were having difficult scoring
- AlfieisKing

Well the deadline is March 7th, so even if you let it go down to the wire, Karlsson will be able to get in a couple practices with the team before that stretch of games.

He keeps getting hotter as you guys are falling off. Common sense should prevail here with Karlsson leading the Sens back into the playoffs. Unfortunately for Staios he is getting more expensive to acquire by the day....

I am kind of shocked by the lack of an urgent attitude during this losing streak. The Sens were in a good position a handful of games ago and now they are tied with Boston who have more or less conquered that this year, they are not making the playoffs.

I don’t know what Brady’s injury was, but I was not inspired by the comments essentially saying he wanted to rest now to be good for later. Especially when you already have 2 other top 6 forwards out of the lineup. This team is not able to pick and choose when they can win games. They have shown far too often they just don’t have the consistency for that.

While I am disappointed by the results, I am more disappointed about the attitude with them. Even on social media people just seem content with how things are. Annoyed we lost-but we will get them next time! I am not sure what is going on. Maybe it’s because the 4 nations interrupted the slump, so it doesn’t seem as long of a slump? But man, the playoff window is closing in a hurry.

Everyone keeps saying the Sens have an easy schedule the rest of the way, but it really isn’t now that they have faltered so much. 15 games in March. 3 against teams in lottery contention. 4 against teams higher than them in the standings. The rest are against teams in the Eastern Conference dogfight in the standings. Feels like the schedule the whole year not considering home and road games.

Positive news that Brady, Pinto, and Norris should be back soon, but they need to right the ship fast and have an excellent month of hockey. Not a lot of room for error.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Not using injuries as an excuse just an explanation. For example, what is more troublesome now....a banged up Sens losing 5 in a row or the relatively healthy oilers losing 5 in a row?

Well the deadline is March 7th, so even if you let it go down to the wire, Karlsson will be able to get in a couple practices with the team before that stretch of games.

He keeps getting hotter as you guys are falling off. Common sense should prevail here with Karlsson leading the Sens back into the playoffs. Unfortunately for Staios he is getting more expensive to acquire by the day....
- MacPatty

Being 100% objective - how has he been defensively?

While it would be absolutely wonderful to see Karlsson rejoin the Sens - with Daniel Alfredsson behind the bench coaching him - acquiring a 10M D-man means he has to be on the top line. It also means that the Sens would have to move out a contract and the name Thomas Chabot makes the most sense. I don't see how adding Karlsson and subtracting Chabot makes them better. Offensively Karlsson will provide more - but Chabot is 32nd in the NHL in points while Karlsson is 11th. Sounds like a lot but I wonder what things look like with Chabot with Letang on the PP with Crosby. I believe the difference of EV points is single digits between the two. Then there is a difference of 31 with respect to +/-.

When you factor age, contract (2M savings) - I don't see Karlsson coming to Ottawa - not to mention Karlsson is RD which throws of the pairings.

The only way I think of making that deal it would have to including Rackell (something like Rakell & Karlsson for Chabot & Perron+)

Being 100% objective - how has he been defensively?

While it would be absolutely wonderful to see Karlsson rejoin the Sens - with Daniel Alfredsson behind the bench coaching him - acquiring a 10M D-man means he has to be on the top line. It also means that the Sens would have to move out a contract and the name Thomas Chabot makes the most sense. I don't see how adding Karlsson and subtracting Chabot makes them better. Offensively Karlsson will provide more - but Chabot is 32nd in the NHL in points while Karlsson is 11th. Sounds like a lot but I wonder what things look like with Chabot with Letang on the PP with Crosby. I believe the difference of EV points is single digits between the two. Then there is a difference of 31 with respect to +/-.

When you factor age, contract (2M savings) - I don't see Karlsson coming to Ottawa - not to mention Karlsson is RD which throws of the pairings.

The only way I think of making that deal it would have to including Rackell (something like Rakell & Karlsson for Chabot & Perron+)
- AlfieisKing

Karlsson is about the same player he has always been... He makes gaffes that make you shake your head, but he still has magic transitioning on the attack.

It's really hard to judge the way he is playing for the Pens. It's a Trainwreck and our goalies have allowed a goal on the first shot in like 25% of games. Seeing him in the 4 Nations really showed that when he has great players to play with, he is still an excellent player.

Earlier in the season I thought that Chabot or Norris would come back due to their back loaded contracts. Norris has really put it together though, so I can't imagine he'd be available. We need a guy like Chabot, but for you it's like stealing from one hand to give to the other. Also, I think Chabot and Karlsson would be a fantastic pair.

I think a trade would likely look like one of Zub or Jensen, I prefer Jensen. Then we'd likely take back Perron as a dead salary. We'd throw in a depth forward and hopefully get a pick back from you. I'd just as well not take one of your RD but that is where the cap gets dicey.

Pinto would be attractive to Dubas, picks, prospects. Id honestly just like to see Karlsson go back and help push that team into the playoffs and there is definitely a path to get there.

Apparently JJ Peterkya might be available from Sabres. He's Timmy's friend and former line mate. He's someone the Sens should look into. My assumption is 1st rd pick plus prospect. Maybe greig.

Sens have 3 games coming up. 2 against really bad teams. They have get 4 pts in those games to justify making moves at the deadline to ADD players.

Right now the Sens are 4 pts out. If by the end of weds game they are 8 pts out, they should sell.

Problem is, they don't have much to offer, UFA wise. Giroux has value but sends a bad message. Zub? Any number of the UFA 3rd or 4th liners could go. Forsberg, maybe.

Not using injuries as an excuse just an explanation. For example, what is more troublesome now....a banged up Sens losing 5 in a row or the relatively healthy oilers losing 5 in a row?
- GrimmdaGoalie

In fairness the Oilers are cruising until the playoffs where they have done quite well in recent years, when their best players go into beast mode. Oilers won't miss the playoffs, not much to lose or play for rigjt now, while the other team is fighting for their playoff lives. Maybe not the best comparison, but that's like asking if a 5 game losing streak is more trouble in the preseason or regular season.

Well the deadline is March 7th, so even if you let it go down to the wire, Karlsson will be able to get in a couple practices with the team before that stretch of games.

He keeps getting hotter as you guys are falling off. Common sense should prevail here with Karlsson leading the Sens back into the playoffs. Unfortunately for Staios he is getting more expensive to acquire by the day....
- MacPatty

Are you Karlsson's agent?

Pinto would be attractive to Dubas, picks, prospects. Id honestly just like to see Karlsson go back and help push that team into the playoffs and there is definitely a path to get there.
- MacPatty

Karlsson being added to the Sens (taking away a key D-man like Zub or Jensen) is not the answer. Sorry but 90%+ of fans - and the GM most importantly - would pass

Apparently JJ Peterkya might be available from Sabres. He's Timmy's friend and former line mate. He's someone the Sens should look into. My assumption is 1st rd pick plus prospect. Maybe greig.
- GrimmdaGoalie

I would do Pinto, JJ is a legit top 6 and would be a BEAUTY with Stutzle. I don't think that happens WITHIN the division - JJ is comparable to Batherson in terms of value

We will take the points and the moral victory but you can't have that horrible line change that late in the game and we can't keep rolling out the same 6 forwards and 4 Def all the time and expect to win close games. Sens bench keeps getting shorter.

Love the fact they were down 3 and didn't fold. Last year...that would have happened.

We will take the points and the moral victory but you can't have that horrible line change that late in the game and we can't keep rolling out the same 6 forwards and 4 Def all the time and expect to win close games. Sens bench keeps getting shorter.

Love the fact they were down 3 and didn't fold. Last year...that would have happened.
- GrimmdaGoalie

That line change might explain why Pinto - the hot hand - doesn't get a sniff in OT or the shootout.

So they got 5 pts out of 6 before the deadline.

Now they become buyers.

Donato looked really good tonight

But if I'm the sens, I only use that 1st rd pick to get a guy who is under contract for next cpl years. Or an rfa.

JJ peyerka anyone?

So they got 5 pts out of 6 before the deadline.

Now they become buyers.

Donato looked really good tonight

But if I'm the sens, I only use that 1st rd pick to get a guy who is under contract for next cpl years. Or an rfa.

JJ peyerka anyone?
- GrimmdaGoalie

OTT is not should not be trading the 2025 1st but forfeiting it, 2026 1st IS going to be top 5-10.

ya they got 5 of 6 points, you forget to mention they BARELY beat the 2 WORST teams in the NHL for 4 of those points.

OTT is not should not be trading the 2025 1st but forfeiting it, 2026 1st IS going to be top 5-10.

ya they got 5 of 6 points, you forget to mention they BARELY beat the 2 WORST teams in the NHL for 4 of those points.
- Mithos

Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. Let's face it .... 2 points is 2 points. It doesn't matter how you got them. The Leafs lost to Sharks .... any team can beat any other team on a given night.

And I do agree, we should not be trading our first pick away at this point.

OTT is not should not be trading the 2025 1st but forfeiting it, 2026 1st IS going to be top 5-10.
- Mithos