Jared Crozier: Boucher Day

Karlsson was not physically able to do what he usually did in the first half of the season. Sens did not get solid goaltending. Coaching was a marginal factor in the face of those two considerations.

How many rookies and what kind of ice time do they get next year? And, is Boucher able to coach a team that has a strong rookie presence? He is a great technical coach. Perhaps he would very effective under the changing style.

Would it be acceptable to say the Sens season wasn't the greatest for more reasons than just poor play/results?

Next season may see a more settled season both on & off, but will they be contending for a playoff position - there's some pretty fair opposition in the conference?

So I think the coach comes back & tries to stabilise his group & hopefully get some good results.

It's probably going to be another circus though due to Karlsson unless he's traded at the draft. So why spend money to buy pop corn & Fanta when you go know it's not helping you??

Not a fan of drafting Tkachuck at #4.

He is same age as Formenton (3 days difference in birthdate). Yet his BU Terrier production is 1/2 of what the London Knight achieved this year.

Maybe we are going to see another Dman picked at #4. The choice is between Boqvist, Bouchard, Hughes and Dobson. If Dobson takes his team to Memorial Cup final, he could go even higher than 4th (perhaps 3rd). He is moving up fast. Dobson is showing at least as much (or more) as Chabot did in his draft year.


Would the Sens use the 4th pick to select another Dman? Montreal certainly needs to add that future #1 D. Zadina could drop to 4.

Wahlstrom (centre or forward) has had great numbers in the USHL and some scouts believe he will break into the top 5. Only Auston Matthews and Bellows have put up better USHL stats.

Not a fan of drafting Tkachuck at #4.

He is same age as Formenton (3 days difference in birthdate). Yet his BU Terrier production is 1/2 of what the London Knight achieved this year.

Maybe we are going to see another Dman picked at #4. The choice is between Boqvist, Bouchard, Hughes and Dobson. If Dobson takes his team to Memorial Cup final, he could go even higher than 4th (perhaps 3rd). He is moving up fast. Dobson is showing at least as much (or more) as Chabot did in in draft year.


Would the Sens use the 4th pick to select another Dman? Montreal certainly needs to add that future #1 D. Zadina could drop to 4.

Wahlstrom (centre or forward) has had great numbers in the USHL and some scouts believe he will break into the top 5. Only Auston Matthews and Bellows have put up better USHL stats.
- spatso

I just dohn't see Zadina dropping to 4. I'd love for it to happen, but him and Svechnikov are both definitively penciled in at 2 and 3, despite montreal desiring a potential number 1 dman.

Tkachcuck seems to be a pretty quintessential "safe, Ottawa" draft choice. That hasn't worked out too well in recent years, but he appears to be a diferent sort of player than the 15-20 spots they usually draft. He seems to be very highly touted. I think it's almost guarenteed he winds up here.

I just dohn't see Zadina dropping to 4. I'd love for it to happen, but him and Svechnikov are both definitively penciled in at 2 and 3, despite montreal desiring a potential number 1 dman.

Tkachcuck seems to be a pretty quintessential "safe, Ottawa" draft choice. That hasn't worked out too well in recent years, but he appears to be a diferent sort of player than the 15-20 spots they usually draft. He seems to be very highly touted. I think it's almost guarenteed he winds up here.
- david22

Larry Brooks NY Post reporting that the Rangers (7th pick) are targeting Sens as a potential trading partner to enable them to move up in draft. Rangers have three first round picks.

Larry Brooks NY Post reporting that the Rangers (7th pick) are targeting Sens as a potential trading partner to enable them to move up in draft. Rangers have three first round picks.
- spatso

So, what would it cost to move from 7 to 4?

So, what would it cost to move from 7 to 4?
- david22

Oops Rangers dropped to 9th.

Rangers have the Tampa pick (probably 31st) and Bruins 25th and I am guessing they would offer one of those picks. Ottawa already has two first round picks (Pittsburgh) and adding another would give them three first rounders.

My assumption is that if the Sens deal Karlsson they would add at least one more first round pick or the equivalent in a top prospect (or both).

Keep the coach if he agrees to prove the following in the first 10 to 201 games :
- Stop juggling lines
- Improve the Power Play
- Improve the Penalty Kill
- Practice, Practice, Practice

If the conditions are not met, fire him...

Yep i say keep the coach as well. Not many brighter options available anyways,and this carousel of coaches is becoming redonkulous. Not that those are 2 good reasons to keep a coach that failed last year. I think Boucher like the whole organization has this next year to prove to everyone .That they can and did learn from such a miserable season and are capable of improving from it.
and if the players arent aboard 100% ...ship them out asap

Keep Boucher. He wasn't the sole reason the season was a wash.

Don't take Tkachuck at 4. See if someone drops (unlikely) or go with anyone else in the top 10. I like Boqvist but Wahlstrom is intriguing.

Oh, and don't trade Karlsson.

Keep Boucher. He wasn't the sole reason the season was a wash.

Don't take Tkachuck at 4. See if someone drops (unlikely) or go with anyone else in the top 10. I like Boqvist but Wahlstrom is intriguing.

Oh, and don't trade Karlsson.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Curious at your apprehension towards Tkachuck?

I'm wary as his numbers don't appear to be as good as some argue, but most scouts all agree he belongs at the 4 spot.

Curious at your apprehension towards Tkachuck?

I'm wary as his numbers don't appear to be as good as some argue, but most scouts all agree he belongs at the 4 spot.
- david22

I love the idea of drafting him. His family pedigree is clearly there. He could make the NHL sooner rather than later and he fits into our system

I love the idea of drafting him. His family pedigree is clearly there. He could make the NHL sooner rather than later and he fits into our system
- Maverick1818

Agreed. Just look at his brother, if you could draft Matthew at number 4 this year you'd be crazy not to.

Agreed. Just look at his brother, if you could draft Matthew at number 4 this year you'd be crazy not to.
- forbetterorWORSE

I feel like he is a bit more offensive minded than his bother and less of a pest.

Curious at your apprehension towards Tkachuck?

I'm wary as his numbers don't appear to be as good as some argue, but most scouts all agree he belongs at the 4 spot.
- david22

please draft him so our teams can have the Shane Bowers vs brady tkachuk argument for years to come

please draft him so our teams can have the Shane Bowers vs brady tkachuk argument for years to come
- DDM-Coga

I'd be happy with tkachuk but I have a feeling they will take Dobson, especially if karlsson is gone.

LOL... no changes to next year's coaching staff. That's what should happen when 30th in the league and bottom 5 in both special teams. Penny pinching trumps everything in Ottawa.

LOL... no changes to next year's coaching staff. That's what should happen when 30th in the league and bottom 5 in both special teams. Penny pinching trumps everything in Ottawa.
- grim

Being one OT goal away from the Stanley Cup Finals against the eventual Champs the year before saved him and understandably so.

Being one OT goal away from the Stanley Cup Finals against the eventual Champs the year before saved him and understandably so.
- AlfieFever

For sure... at least for Boucher... but the entire staff? I am not a fan, looks like you are... like this decision?

I would have like to seen some change on staff. Is it neccesary..I dont know,but some change would have signalled that we have pinpointed some of our weaknesses and made some changes. The PK and PP have been dreadful for ever now, Its hard to even quantify why..I am going to say 50/50 players and coaches. If they can fix that at least, to even a halfway of the league standards they will be in a wild card fight

and the b-sens ...have to be shaken up coachesa/gm

LOL... no changes to next year's coaching staff. That's what should happen when 30th in the league and bottom 5 in both special teams. Penny pinching trumps everything in Ottawa.
- grim

cant wait for the 2019 draft now....GIVE ME JACK HUGHES

cant wait for the 2019 draft now....GIVE ME JACK HUGHES
- DDM-Coga

settle down, you.



first order of business is offer sheeting stone.

settle down, you.



first order of business is offer sheeting stone.
- Tumbleweed

For sure... at least for Boucher... but the entire staff? I am not a fan, looks like you are... like this decision?
- grim

I'm not a fan. I never felt like the Sens were a dangerous team capable of taking over a game under Boucher. It's like they were always lucky to get the win. The defensive approach left me always wanting more. It seemed to be a waste of offensive talent. And the powerplay was terrible. I hate that down-low triangle and cross crease passing. It rarely worked.

That said, he had great success the first season and terrible failure the next. I guess it's fair to see what next season has in store. Here's hoping he evolves his "style".