Kevin Francis: A look at the Sens defense/Max Domi in a Sens uniform?

Max Domi for a 2022 4th and Tierney.
Brannstrom should not be traded for Phil (frank)ing Kessel. Good grief.

Brannstrom is only 21 and was the corner stone of the mark stone trade. Giving up on him this young would be foolish. Let him develop in the AHL and give him sheltered minutes in the NHL. By no means am i comparing him to Victor Hedman, but it took Hedman 5 seasons before he popped off. Patience is everything with prospects.

Ottawa needs to stop getting players whose main upside is that they could be flipped out in February for a marginal pick upgrade.

it is looking like dorion is just throwing poop at a wall and seeing what sticks, considering what the panthers traded for reinhart OTT could have solved their C or RW problem easily but passed for some reason. the only reason that would be valid for passing on reinhart is if reinhart said he would not re-sign in OTT.

do not be surprised if OTT goes for a cheap stepan 2.0 remember who the owner is

Chabot-delzotto
mete/branny-zub
branny/mete-zeitzev
Holden-brown

talks with OTTs RFAs has yet to start....

talks with OTTs RFAs has yet to start....
- Mithos

I thought I read somewhere (last week?) that qualifying offers had been sent out?

I thought I read somewhere (last week?) that qualifying offers had been sent out?
- Panzer_IVA

they have.....and every credible media person covering the team has said the RFA negotiations is well under way.

anyone who posts under a fake name who claims to have "insider info" is full of poop.

I don't mind the idea of trading for Domi (even though I'm not entirely convinced he's good enough at C to solve the problem), but the pattern of his trades isn't to be traded for a high-end prospect, so much as another forward who might benefit from a change of scenery (i.e. Galchenyuk, Andersen). Even if the Senators are done with Brannstrom (and that's a major "if"), I'd suggest the most logical trade fit would be someone like Colin White, which might actually be a decent fit for both teams. Personally, I'd still prefer to see them target any of Giroux, Hertl or Dvorak... but I'm increasingly thinking they'll just wind up overpaying for someone like Strome or Henrique.

I'm also less convinced about the perceived Brannstrom fallout. He may be the antithesis of the "big-body" d-man, but if the criticism of his 2019/20 season was a lack of production and keeping up with the NHL game, he tripled his point total in 2020/21 (nearly matching Reilly's PPG rate as the 2nd best scoring D), handled over 1:30min/gp more ice time, went from a -9 to a +3, and played a much feistier game (25PIM in 30GP, plus a fight). That's exactly the kind of progress you'd want to see in a guy like Brannstrom, plus he's still cost-controlled on his ELC, and is only 21... which makes for some major optics problems if they trade him for some kind of stopgap veteran.

Also, the bolstering of affordable blue line depth should hardly be a surprise. They went into last season with 8D lined up (Chabot, Zaitsev, Gudbranson, Reilly, Wolanin, Zub, Brown, Coburn)... and if they're serious about giving Bernard-Docker some AHL development time this year, then they've got 8D lined up for this year (Chabot, Zaitsev, Brannstrom, Zub, Del Zotto, Holden, Mete, Brown). There's even a reasonable rate of attrition in place, with 2 players set to become UFA in each of the next 2 years (Holden/Brown this year, Zub/Del Zotto next year), which allows for long-term room for the likes of Bernard-Docker, Thomson, and Sanderson.

We would be foolish to trade Brannstrom right now and honestly, with how much PD praised himself for getting Brannstrom. I can't see him admitting we lost a trade by trading him away.

As for Domi.... I absolutely love the idea if we are trading away a mid rounder. That seems like a clear pick up to me... Plus it would be fun watching leaf fans get mad about it lol

Max Domi for a 2022 4th and Tierney.
Brannstrom should not be traded for Phil (frank)ing Kessel. Good grief.
- Unholy_Forward

You truly dont need to throw in Tierney. Trade him out later in the season for another asset. Domi can be had right now for a mid round pick. Just that alot of teams dont want to pay his salary, when Ottawa just shed 11.25 mil for 2 years with Dadonov gone.

Brannstrom is only 21 and was the corner stone of the mark stone trade. Giving up on him this young would be foolish. Let him develop in the AHL and give him sheltered minutes in the NHL. By no means am i comparing him to Victor Hedman, but it took Hedman 5 seasons before he popped off. Patience is everything with prospects.
- BryDiddy

Well if he doesn't have a good start to the season, DJ Smith won't be patient, he showed that last year. Brannstrom was up and down too much. They should've just left in the AHL all year! He is so small, like Marc Methot said on Ottawa radio, Brannstrom better be great at something if you are that small on defense in today's NHL! At least with Hedman he had the size.

Ottawa needs to stop getting players whose main upside is that they could be flipped out in February for a marginal pick upgrade.
- CooCooKaChoo

Sadly over the last 2 years that has been their philosophy, but I think as they challenge for the playoffs that idea will end soon.

it is looking like dorion is just throwing poop at a wall and seeing what sticks, considering what the panthers traded for reinhart OTT could have solved their C or RW problem easily but passed for some reason. the only reason that would be valid for passing on reinhart is if reinhart said he would not re-sign in OTT.

do not be surprised if OTT goes for a cheap stepan 2.0 remember who the owner is

Chabot-delzotto
mete/branny-zub
branny/mete-zeitzev
Holden-brown

talks with OTTs RFAs has yet to start....
- Mithos

I will say, I am as perplexed as you are with the Reinhart miss. 25 goal guy and truly wouldve fit in nicely behind Norris.

Talks are ongoing with the Sens RFA's. Lately Ottawa has been very good at keeping things under wraps.

they have.....and every credible media person covering the team has said the RFA negotiations is well under way.

anyone who posts under a fake name who claims to have "insider info" is full of poop.
- sensarmy_11

We are all waiting on what will happen with Logan Brown. The more I talk to people, the more I think the Mette contract gets done well before his hearing.

I don't mind the idea of trading for Domi (even though I'm not entirely convinced he's good enough at C to solve the problem), but the pattern of his trades isn't to be traded for a high-end prospect, so much as another forward who might benefit from a change of scenery (i.e. Galchenyuk, Andersen). Even if the Senators are done with Brannstrom (and that's a major "if"), I'd suggest the most logical trade fit would be someone like Colin White, which might actually be a decent fit for both teams. Personally, I'd still prefer to see them target any of Giroux, Hertl or Dvorak... but I'm increasingly thinking they'll just wind up overpaying for someone like Strome or Henrique.

I'm also less convinced about the perceived Brannstrom fallout. He may be the antithesis of the "big-body" d-man, but if the criticism of his 2019/20 season was a lack of production and keeping up with the NHL game, he tripled his point total in 2020/21 (nearly matching Reilly's PPG rate as the 2nd best scoring D), handled over 1:30min/gp more ice time, went from a -9 to a +3, and played a much feistier game (25PIM in 30GP, plus a fight). That's exactly the kind of progress you'd want to see in a guy like Brannstrom, plus he's still cost-controlled on his ELC, and is only 21... which makes for some major optics problems if they trade him for some kind of stopgap veteran.

Also, the bolstering of affordable blue line depth should hardly be a surprise. They went into last season with 8D lined up (Chabot, Zaitsev, Gudbranson, Reilly, Wolanin, Zub, Brown, Coburn)... and if they're serious about giving Bernard-Docker some AHL development time this year, then they've got 8D lined up for this year (Chabot, Zaitsev, Brannstrom, Zub, Del Zotto, Holden, Mete, Brown). There's even a reasonable rate of attrition in place, with 2 players set to become UFA in each of the next 2 years (Holden/Brown this year, Zub/Del Zotto next year), which allows for long-term room for the likes of Bernard-Docker, Thomson, and Sanderson.
- khawk

I always love to read your input, you put alot of thought into your posts!

Domi is the cheapest route and we all know Ottawa loves to go that route. Although I am with you, Giroux would be incredible here. But it would take alot to get him. Hertl would be next on my list. I am not so sure the Yotes want to move Dvorak.

With Brannstrom, sometimes numbers can be deceiving too. He doesn't do anything great and unfortunately at moments during games, sticks out for the wrong reasons.

It never hurts to have too many D-men as they say. As the season wears on, injuries happen,etc...I wouldnt mind seeing Thomson getting a few games this year.

We would be foolish to trade Brannstrom right now and honestly, with how much PD praised himself for getting Brannstrom. I can't see him admitting we lost a trade by trading him away.

As for Domi.... I absolutely love the idea if we are trading away a mid rounder. That seems like a clear pick up to me... Plus it would be fun watching leaf fans get mad about it lol
- Maverick1818

Domi is at the right asking price considering how his season went last year! Yes, true on Leafs fans, it would be comical to see/hear them if Ottawa ever acquired him.

We would be foolish to trade Brannstrom right now and honestly, with how much PD praised himself for getting Brannstrom. I can't see him admitting we lost a trade by trading him away.

As for Domi.... I absolutely love the idea if we are trading away a mid rounder. That seems like a clear pick up to me... Plus it would be fun watching leaf fans get mad about it lol
- Maverick1818

Brannstrom reminds me of a less dynamic Makar.
Trading him now is foolish, completely agreed, but I think at some point one of Chabot or Branny will be traded for a position of need.
I believe Stutzle/Norris/Pinto will be our 1-2-3 up the middle so trading for an Eichel or something equivalent seems like a lateral move. If anything bringing in that much talent might affect the development of our young studs.

You have to understand that this team is incredibly talented. The only ingredients that are lacking is Sanderson being NHL ready - aka a stay at home defenseman, and a bonafide starter. Whether that is Murray, Gussy or Soogard is up in the air.

Don’t rush the rebuild. Look at where Toronto is paying players who have proven nothing.
I repeat do not rush the rebuild.

I’d agree with the acquisition of Domi but I believe he is a head case which is detrimental to a teams culture and locker room. If it’s only a one year idea I am in. Worst case he ends up playing top-9 minutes and helps take some additional offensive pressure off of the young studs.




Stutzle is a gem.

Brannstrom reminds me of a less dynamic Makar.
Trading him now is foolish, completely agreed, but I think at some point one of Chabot or Branny will be traded for a position of need.
I believe Stutzle/Norris/Pinto will be our 1-2-3 up the middle so trading for an Eichel or something equivalent seems like a lateral move. If anything bringing in that much talent might affect the development of our young studs.

You have to understand that this team is incredibly talented. The only ingredients that are lacking is Sanderson being NHL ready - aka a stay at home defenseman, and a bonafide starter. Whether that is Murray, Gussy or Soogard is up in the air.

Don’t rush the rebuild. Look at where Toronto is paying players who have proven nothing.
I repeat do not rush the rebuild.

I’d agree with the acquisition of Domi but I believe he is a head case which is detrimental to a teams culture and locker room. If it’s only a one year idea I am in. Worst case he ends up playing top-9 minutes and helps take some additional offensive pressure off of the young studs.




Stutzle is a gem.
- Unholy_Forward

Why does everyone think Stutzle going to play Center 🤦‍♂️ he’s gonna stay on the wing just suits him better, he can take the odd FO’s

I personally don’t like Brannstrom he gets pushed off puck way to easy can’t have that on the back end..
Being small is one thing but if ya not strong on puck specially on Defence you’re useless back there …
Use Brannstrom Tierny Brown picks whatever it takes to get A solid Center

Mete signed 1 year, 1.2m contract with OTT

Mete signed today: $1.2M on a one year. Arbitration string along case written all over it.

I think Ottawa would be silly to trade Brannstrom now. He’s fast, offensively gifted, smart and trying to adapt his play style. And again he is a 21 year old who is playing and capable of being a top-4 NHL dman for years. He has Adam Fox breakout-type player written all over him if/when he earns the coach’s trust. And he will…

He’s not David Rundblad 2.0 like others are making him out to be here. He will be a 45-55 point d-man who can run a dangerous #1 or #2 power play, just give him time. If he progresses as much this year as he did last, he’ll be a lock in the top-4 on a Sens playoff team in no time. Has Torey Krug pre-STL style progression written all over him.

Mete signed 1 year, 1.2m contract with OTT
- Mithos

Fair cap hit, lets see how he does for a full season with DJ Smith.

Mete signed today: $1.2M on a one year. Arbitration string along case written all over it.

I think Ottawa would be silly to trade Brannstrom now. He’s fast, offensively gifted, smart and trying to adapt his play style. And again he is a 21 year old who is playing and capable of being a top-4 NHL dman for years. He has Adam Fox breakout-type player written all over him if/when he earns the coach’s trust. And he will…

He’s not David Rundblad 2.0 like others are making him out to be here. He will be a 45-55 point d-man who can run a dangerous #1 or #2 power play, just give him time. If he progresses as much this year as he did last, he’ll be a lock in the top-4 on a Sens playoff team in no time. Has Torey Krug pre-STL style progression written all over him.
- ahjnkn

I don't see him Brannstrom as a top 4 in Ottawa especially with what is coming up the pipe in JBD and Sanderson. He loses many 50/50 physical battles, bumped off the puck too easily. Just my 2 cents. But good for discussion.

Why does everyone think Stutzle going to play Center 🤦‍♂️ he’s gonna stay on the wing just suits him better, he can take the odd FO’s

I personally don’t like Brannstrom he gets pushed off puck way to easy can’t have that on the back end..
Being small is one thing but if ya not strong on puck specially on Defence you’re useless back there …
Use Brannstrom Tierny Brown picks whatever it takes to get A solid Center
- sens4life1971

I am with you on Brannstrom. With JBD and Sanderson, plus Thomson on the way, you have Chabot too. I dont see him ever getting into the top 4 on this team.

Brannstrom reminds me of a less dynamic Makar.
Trading him now is foolish, completely agreed, but I think at some point one of Chabot or Branny will be traded for a position of need.
I believe Stutzle/Norris/Pinto will be our 1-2-3 up the middle so trading for an Eichel or something equivalent seems like a lateral move. If anything bringing in that much talent might affect the development of our young studs.

You have to understand that this team is incredibly talented. The only ingredients that are lacking is Sanderson being NHL ready - aka a stay at home defenseman, and a bonafide starter. Whether that is Murray, Gussy or Soogard is up in the air.

Don’t rush the rebuild. Look at where Toronto is paying players who have proven nothing.
I repeat do not rush the rebuild.

I’d agree with the acquisition of Domi but I believe he is a head case which is detrimental to a teams culture and locker room. If it’s only a one year idea I am in. Worst case he ends up playing top-9 minutes and helps take some additional offensive pressure off of the young studs.




Stutzle is a gem.
- Unholy_Forward

Ideally Ottawa would like to play Stutzle on the wing for another season before seeing if he can play center long term.

Mete signed 1 year, 1.2m contract with OTT
- Mithos

But I thought you said that RFA negotiations hadn’t even started.