Kevin Francis: Brady Tkachuk or Eugene Melnyk the problem in contract talks?

Mete and Branny played like all stars after Chabot got injured and helped carry the team to one of the best records to end the season out of al other teams last season and how does the team reward them, by bringing in 2 old diminished LDs in Del Zotto and Holden to take their spots and they get screwed for playing well.

Melnyk does not give a crap about the team, the players or the on ice product, all he cares about is the nice little peasants keep buying sens poop to fill his empty bank account. his only goal is to build the cheapest playoff making team possible not a cup contender.

This is a shame. Can’t say this player doesn’t give his all for the SENS.

Why is everyone so hard on Del Zotto for someone that played a full season for Torts and play every game he must be doing something good cause we all know Torts don’t like lazy ass players lol 🤷‍♂️
As for Tkachuk he’s not worth more then 8 million and if he has to sit out games to come to his senses so be it
I’m tired of these greedy ass players 🤦‍♂️

It's more important to the team that a realistic salary structure for the team is maintained if they are ever to truly contend for the cup.

I have no idea what both sides are looking for but I would want Brady on a very tradable bridge deal if he is looking for big money, especially one of those deals that force a big QO.

If Brady's camp wants to play cutthroat offer him a short term deal at 5 to 6 mil with no bonuses of any kind or he can play golf because he's not going to be playing hockey anywhere.

I like Brady a lot. Who doesn't? I just like the team more. I'd be looking to trade for unprotected first round picks of bottom feeders this coming year along with players that fill a need. Drysdale in Anaheim or Seider in Detroit, either one would make me happy.

My first choice of course would be to have Brady stay but not if it means that the coming young stars will have to go.

If it's Melnyk that is being unreasonable then where are those tar and feathers?

Mete and Branny played like all stars after Chabot got injured and helped carry the team to one of the best records to end the season out of al other teams last season and how does the team reward them, by bringing in 2 old diminished LDs in Del Zotto and Holden to take their spots and they get screwed for playing well.
- Mithos

Mete exceeded most people's expectations because of his quickness, but you can't just overlook the fact that he only put up 2pts in 14GP... which is actually less production than he had in MTL before they waived him. Brannstrom had a better year and hopefully he continues to develop, but does anyone seriously not see the struggles he still has in his own zone? So I'm sorry, but the only d-man outside of Chabot who played like an all-star was Artem Zub... which is why a lot of pundits have him penciled in for the Russian Olympic team.

These things aren't always negative. If Del Zotto & Zaitsev really are set to be the 2nd pairing, that could mean we'll see a Chabot-Zub 1st pairing... which could be the best top-pairing they've had in years. Plus, a Del Zotto/Zaitsev pair would have relatively good shut-down potential (both were in the top-20 in hits by D-men last year), and might be trusted by Smith to absorb some of the tougher d-zone minutes, and let Chabot rest up and play with more pace. As for Holden, his presence on the 3rd pairing might even make it possible for Brannstrom to play on his preferred RH-side, which many have suggested is the only way to maximize his potential.

I'm not typically one for blind optimism, but let's maybe at least see how things unfold before jumping off the cliff.

So sick of Melnyk and this type of BS. For all the other 31 teams, you always talk about GM vs player in these contract negotiations. Ottawa is the only team where it’s always a three way battle between player, GM, and owner. I can’t tolerate Melnyk’s massive ego for one more second. If they screw up the Tkachuk situation, I honestly might take the year off from hockey. That’s not even a joke or superlative. That’s how frustrated I am with this team.

GOD I hate this guy!

Obviously Melnyk is a tool but...

It's good to see someone attempting to slow GM stupidity. Minny just signed a player that will probably have a similar impact on games as Brady for 9 mill per for 5 years only 2 of which are UFA...

I expect Ottawa is (frank)ed but if they get Brady for a reasonable hit and term it will be a nice change from what is happening around the league.

My best guess is that the key area of disagreement is the desire by the Tkachuk camp to have significant bonus money to reduce taxes and Melnyk's stubbornness in limiting or avoiding them.

Let's package brady and Logan brown to NYR for lafreniere and strome/chytil/ or maybe a zibby return?


Laffy and stutzle together 😊😊😊

If a bonus type of addition to the contract is the final hurdle, as many are all of a sudden saying today (not sure the actual source), then just give him his effin bonus. He’s “the guy” here. He’s (gonna be) our captain. If not him, who?

If a bonus type of addition to the contract is the final hurdle, as many are all of a sudden saying today (not sure the actual source), then just give him his effin bonus. He’s “the guy” here. He’s (gonna be) our captain. If not him, who?
- PavohnDatsvares

As I understand it one of the things these bonuses are about is setting up a large QO, if it's a bridge deal, which would come back to bite you down the road when you should be contending for the cup.

On the other hand if it's a long term deal then I agree - give him the money.

As I understand it one of the things these bonuses are about is setting up a large QO, if it's a bridge deal, which would come back to bite you down the road when you should be contending for the cup.

On the other hand if it's a long term deal then I agree - give him the money.
- Whatisavailable

I just hate how we always mess around with our star players. We think we’re gonna be the only team in the league to not ever hand out a bonus? Melnyk and Dorion are obsessed with doing things “our way”, while the rest of the league has developed and adapted to new ways of structuring contracts. Guys like Brady often get bonuses. That’s just the way she goes.

Pay that man!

For me it was between Brady and Chabot for the "C". Now it's clearly Chabot's.

I just hate how we always mess around with our star players. We think we’re gonna be the only team in the league to not ever hand out a bonus? Melnyk and Dorion are obsessed with doing things “our way”, while the rest of the league has developed and adapted to new ways of structuring contracts. Guys like Brady often get bonuses. That’s just the way she goes.

Pay that man!
- PavohnDatsvares

Exactly, you adapt as an organization, as the league changes. Just like teams copy other teams success when they win the Stanley Cup! You cant deal with player contracts, with that of 10 years ago. It's not 2012 anymore!!!

If a bonus type of addition to the contract is the final hurdle, as many are all of a sudden saying today (not sure the actual source), then just give him his effin bonus. He’s “the guy” here. He’s (gonna be) our captain. If not him, who?
- PavohnDatsvares

When the coach continuously says Brady is the guy that stirs the drink, then how do you all of sudden play hard ball with him. Both camps know what Brady's worth is, stop with the nonsense and stop messing with the on-ice product. Finally management has the players they want, etc....management controls the teams success, so this contract holdout is on the owner when it all boils down to bonuses!!!

Let's package brady and Logan brown to NYR for lafreniere and strome/chytil/ or maybe a zibby return?


Laffy and stutzle together 😊😊😊
- SENS-sational

As long as Dorion is GM, ZIbby aint coming back here! oh the stories I could tell

My best guess is that the key area of disagreement is the desire by the Tkachuk camp to have significant bonus money to reduce taxes and Melnyk's stubbornness in limiting or avoiding them.
- SensFan25

You arent guessing, you are actually right on the money! Just look at Dahlin's deal today, bonus money, etc....it's the only reason this contract isnt done yet.

For me it was between Brady and Chabot for the "C". Now it's clearly Chabot's.
- Maverick1818

I'm inclined to agree - I actually think Chabot is a better face for the franchise, in terms of operating as a small-market Canadian team with a large bilingual fan base. Plus, if you want to change the culture of your team in terms of things like hardline negotiations, maybe try going out of your way to reward the foundational guy who agreed to sign an $8Mx8yr deal an entire year before he had to, without any question or drama whatsoever. Tkachuk may be the "big brother" of the team, but if I was forced to choose between him and Chabot, there's no question that I would take Chabot.

My best guess is that the key area of disagreement is the desire by the Tkachuk camp to have significant bonus money to reduce taxes and Melnyk's stubbornness in limiting or avoiding them.
- SensFan25

You arent guessing, you are actually right on the money! Just look at Dahlin's deal today, bonus money, etc....it's the only reason this contract isnt done yet.

So sick of Melnyk and this type of BS. For all the other 31 teams, you always talk about GM vs player in these contract negotiations. Ottawa is the only team where it’s always a three way battle between player, GM, and owner. I can’t tolerate Melnyk’s massive ego for one more second. If they screw up the Tkachuk situation, I honestly might take the year off from hockey. That’s not even a joke or superlative. That’s how frustrated I am with this team.

GOD I hate this guy!
- PavohnDatsvares

Yup, so true! 3 people involved but nothing is done in a normal manner with this team all due to the owner. It's pretty sad!

I'm inclined to agree - I actually think Chabot is a better face for the franchise, in terms of operating as a small-market Canadian team with a large bilingual fan base. Plus, if you want to change the culture of your team in terms of things like hardline negotiations, maybe try going out of your way to reward the foundational guy who agreed to sign an $8Mx8yr deal an entire year before he had to, without any question or drama whatsoever. Tkachuk may be the "big brother" of the team, but if I was forced to choose between him and Chabot, there's no question that I would take Chabot.
- khawk

Interesting take and way to look at it. I tend to agree.

Unless there's another Bruce... Garrioch's involvement on Sens press is pretty clear (it already was, but you know). You can hear Dorion say, "Bruce, I want to talk about rookie camp." after they tried to stop the press conference.

https://youtu.be/_7VIvH0bzYs?t=1181

This is a shame. Can’t say this player doesn’t give his all for the SENS.
- Tee56

It's a shame this Sens fanbase has an owner like this, who continues to alienate people in this city, from business owners to just your regular fan.

Unless there's another Bruce... Garrioch's involvement on Sens press is pretty clear (it already was, but you know). You can hear Dorion say, "Bruce, I want to talk about rookie camp." after they tried to stop the press conference.

https://youtu.be/_7VIvH0bzYs?t=1181
- PogBoi

Ok so that is gold!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for posting!!!!!!!!!