Michael Stuart: Five Preliminary Takeaways from Ottawa's 2021 Season

Golf is good!

I started the season wanting Dorion and Smith to make sure all the young guys got the bulk of the ice time. I was unhappy over Formenton not being included on the opening night roster, Brannstrom being sent down and Zub not dressing. I was highly agitated by the inclusion of too many designated pylons in the line up.

We can wonder if we had started the season with all the kids in the lineup. Perhaps, we might have made a strong run at an even better result, made the playoffs, won a first round.

But, there is also a counter argument that says we would have likely had the same disastrous start. The kids confidence would have been shattered and we would have negated all the opportunities for growth.

I so hated the Tkachuk draft pick at #4. This year Brady and Chabot became the undisputed team leaders. Leadership is as much a clubhouse issue as an on ice matter. Think about it, by season end, we were led by the veteran tandem of Tkachuk and Chabot.

I watched both the CBC and CTV national news last night. The good news story on both networks were kids gathering in Stutzle's backyard to throw hats over the fence in honour of his three goal game. Hockey is back.

There is a huge buzz in the air. We share a keen anticipation for next year. The pylons contributed to that success and Dorion and Smith both deserve huge credit for the way they managed through this transition year.

" DJ Smith Evolved "

Or management didn't give him any choice. A leopard doesn't change his spots.

Who are you blaming with that comment? Dorion for going out and signing a handful of completely useless veterans OR DJ's steadfast refusal to take them out of the line up for the first third of the season?

I'm not being argumentative. I can see it both ways. Same as Spatso's middle paragraph that paints the picture either way. Arm chair coaches--PLAY THE KIDS--and if he had from the start, would they have pushed for ice? Learned? Would they have been killed nightly as spatso correctly theorizes? Possibly.

Im happy with all the positives. Now comes the critical seasons of "pivot" to winning. Pushing to the playoffs. And this is where Dorion is weak. Assessing PRO talent and bringing in the right people for chemistry and to get them to the next level.

I would use our high draft pick. I would trade for another top 4. I'd name a captain. Anyone will do even Connor Brown or Nick Paul. Anyone NOT named Brady. He cannot be captain.

Who are you blaming with that comment? Dorion for going out and signing a handful of completely useless veterans OR DJ's steadfast refusal to take them out of the line up for the first third of the season?

I'm not being argumentative. I can see it both ways. Same as Spatso's middle paragraph that paints the picture either way. Arm chair coaches--PLAY THE KIDS--and if he had from the start, would they have pushed for ice? Learned? Would they have been killed nightly as spatso correctly theorizes? Possibly.

Im happy with all the positives. Now comes the critical seasons of "pivot" to winning. Pushing to the playoffs. And this is where Dorion is weak. Assessing PRO talent and bringing in the right people for chemistry and to get them to the next level.

I would use our high draft pick. I would trade for another top 4. I'd name a captain. Anyone will do even Connor Brown or Nick Paul. Anyone NOT named Brady. He cannot be captain.
- Octavarium

Next season will be very interesting.

There will be higher expectation, and it will mostly fall on the kids. Unless they bring in another batch of sacrificial Vets, which I wouldn't put past them.

Many of whom are into their second pro seasons, and may experience the typical sophomore slump.

If we go back to regular divisions it will likely be a tougher slew of opponents.

On the captain discussion, if it's not anyone you listed, it has to be Chabot, right?

We can wonder if we had started the season with all the kids in the lineup. Perhaps, we might have made a strong run at an even better result, made the playoffs, won a first round.
But, there is also a counter argument that says we would have likely had the same disastrous start. The kids confidence would have been shattered and we would have negated all the opportunities for growth.
- spatso

It's easy to look back and speculate, but effective player development can't be rushed or taken for granted. The team seemed willing to take a more conservative approach to the 1st third of the season, in order to support the early development of key young forwards like Norris, Batherson, and Stutzle. The 2nd third of the season was more about transition away from the veterans, and factoring in the likes of Brannstrom, Zub, and Formenton. The last third was about further enhancing the lineup with the likes of Pinto, Mete, and Bernard-Docker. You can say that should have happened faster if you want, but at the end of the day 56 games is not a lot of time in which to effectively integrate 9 young players into the lineup. And the fact that they've ended the season on a 9-4-1 run certainly suggests that they've done a relatively good job of setting the team up for success in 2021/22.

It's easy to look back and speculate, but effective player development can't be rushed or taken for granted. The team seemed willing to take a more conservative approach to the 1st third of the season, in order to support the early development of key young forwards like Norris, Batherson, and Stutzle. The 2nd third of the season was more about transition away from the veterans, and factoring in the likes of Brannstrom, Zub, and Formenton. The last third was about further enhancing the lineup with the likes of Pinto, Mete, and Bernard-Docker. You can say that should have happened faster if you want, but at the end of the day 56 games is not a lot of time in which to effectively integrate 9 young players into the lineup. And the fact that they've ended the season on a 9-4-1 run certainly suggests that they've done a relatively good job of setting the team up for success in 2021/22.
- khawk

I would not have agreed with that perspective at the beginning of the season. But, I am delighted with how the season unfolded.

I like the way you grouped the development process into each of the 1/3 segments played out over a very short season.

It would be nice to see them pound on the leafs tonight, destroy their goalie, instill doubt .

Rebuilds always transform rosters over a course of a season. While plugging aging veterans into a lineup was not ideal, it was only a matter of time before more "kids" got their shot. Roster will always be vastly different at the last game of the season than the first.

Fans were impatient at the start and I'd argue are a little ahead of themselves now. Next year, this team should be out of the draft lottery basket, but will still fall a bit behind established teams. Nevertheless, things are moving in the right direction.

Connor Brown deserves more recognition (in general). Unreal season considering expectations.

[It would be nice to see them pound on the leafs tonight, destroy their goalie, instill doubt .]

YES

[It would be nice to see them pound on the leafs tonight, destroy their goalie, instill doubt .]

YES

Agreed on Connor Brown.
I've heard the Zack Smith comparison. I think he has a bit more upside offensively but doesn't drop the gloves like Zack did.

The goalies taking a good step in the right direction was nice too. Was starting to worry about Gusto...now...I want to see more of him.

you can say that again

you can say that again

I still love reading Draft previews, no matter how uncertain things are there.

https://www.tsn.ca/craig-...ospect-rankings-1.1638404

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...ect-rankings-may-edition/

Power solidifying himself as first overall is the only consistency so far.

Beniers seems to be ranked consistently higher than most, but even that varies a fair amount.

[It would be nice to see them pound on the leafs tonight, destroy their goalie, instill doubt .]

YES
- Sage

NO!

So, if I'm reading this right, we need the Sens to lose tonight, SJ to get a point in its last game, and VAN to win at least two of its last five games? That way the Sens land 7th instead of 11th or 12th in the draft order, which might get them Eklund or Mactavish.

Might not matter...after first four guys in this years draft, there apparenlty isn't much difference between 5-15.

I would like jack eichel to be traded to LA for byfield that way we have stutz laffy and byfield all playing in the east. 😉

Can i get a hell yea?🤔

I would like jack eichel to be traded to LA for byfield that way we have stutz laffy and byfield all playing in the east. 😉

Can i get a hell yea?🤔
- SENS-sational

Would Buffalo do that deal? Not sure LA is ready to step up. Word is Eichel is considering a radical form of neck surgery that has never been tried on a hockey player. I am guessing the Eichel file goes very quiet for the next few months.

Every GM is going to look at a possible Eichel deal and think, maybe this has the potential to be a worse deal than San Jose giving up so much for Eric Karlsson.

Would Buffalo do that deal? Not sure LA is ready to step up. Word is Eichel is considering a radical form of neck surgery that has never been tried on a hockey player. I am guessing the Eichel file goes very quiet for the next few months.

Every GM is going to look at a possible Eichel deal and think, maybe this has the potential to be a worse deal than San Jose giving up so much for Eric Karlsson.
- spatso

https://www.nhltraderumor...gs-to-make-offer-for.html



I guess I was right might happen

https://www.nhltraderumors.me/2021/05/trade-rumor-la-kings-to-make-offer-for.html



I guess I was right might happen
- SENS-sational

I am sure Buffalo looks at Ottawa dealing a wounded Karlsson to San Jose and thinks Vilardi, Byfield and a #1 (2021) is a solid ask to make.

It could be a trade that works for both sides. Or, perhaps, a one sided deal that will be bitterly remembered by either the Kings or Sabres.

The Ottawa equivalent of that trade could be Stutzle, Norris and #1 (2021). I don't think you will anyone in the Ottawa fan base ready to sign off on that kind of deal.

I am sure Buffalo looks at Ottawa dealing a wounded Karlsson to San Jose and thinks Vilardi, Byfield and a #1 (2021) is a solid ask to make.

It could be a trade that works for both sides. Or, perhaps, a one sided deal that will be bitterly remembered by either the Kings or Sabres.

The Ottawa equivalent of that trade could be Stutzle, Norris and #1 (2021). I don't think you will anyone in the Ottawa fan base ready to sign off on that kind of deal.
- spatso

A wounded Karlson who won a trophy should have won more and should go down as having the closest thing to "Orr like" skills since...well....ORR. What exactly has Eichel done....except get drafted high?

On another note man I hope they do something with Dadanov god he’s a buzz killer.. love that Kelly kid plays with a lot of heart and fire

Is Parker Kelly's first career goal a metaphor for the turning point for this team?

We often joked teams would always see a young player score their first career goal against this team, it certainly seemed to happen a lot.

Last game of the season, it happens for Ottawa instead.

Something to think about.

Logan Brown looked like he has potential.
Kelly stepped right in.
Ottawa has few rookie first goals vs Tor.
Leafs can be outworked, may not outskill but can can be outworked to beat them. Mtl goes in with that attitude they have a chance.