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There have been some ugly loses this season but that may have been the ugliest. There was almost zero fight in the game, which speaks volumes as Brady actually fought.
While I have been very adamant that this team needs a true #1 C, it's evident that the teams needs almost everything and it won't be fixed overnight. Kevin, you point out Parker Kelly isn't ready for the NHL, but that tag could be used for several more players on this team. The team does have some injuries, but good teams are able to make it through those tough times. This team just looks like a mediocre AHL team if couple of guys go down.
Dorion and Smith need to be in the hot seat. Enough is enough. There are plenty of semi-qualified guys Eugene could replace them with who are cheap. May as well rock the boat. Not like Dorion and Smith were hot ticket names when they got their jobs.
Looking like the season is more or less a write off. I believe there is some crazy stat/percentage where the standings at American Thanksgiving are more or less the teams that make the playoffs. Good news, we can get excited for yet another draft lottery. |
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Matt Murray - 6G - 0-5 3.26 GAA .890SV% |
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It's strange. I don't feel as much bitterness towards Dorion as I do DJ Smith but it is Dorion who resigned Smith and also signed Matt Murray to that insane deal for no reason at the time. I don't know who available would do a better job than Dorion right now that is available and would come to Ottawa. Same with the coaching job. There is a clear lack of leadership for this team. |
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There have been some ugly loses this season but that may have been the ugliest. There was almost zero fight in the game, which speaks volumes as Brady actually fought.
While I have been very adamant that this team needs a true #1 C, it's evident that the teams needs almost everything and it won't be fixed overnight. Kevin, you point out Parker Kelly isn't ready for the NHL, but that tag could be used for several more players on this team. The team does have some injuries, but good teams are able to make it through those tough times. This team just looks like a mediocre AHL team if couple of guys go down.
Dorion and Smith need to be in the hot seat. Enough is enough. There are plenty of semi-qualified guys Eugene could replace them with who are cheap. May as well rock the boat. Not like Dorion and Smith were hot ticket names when they got their jobs.
Looking like the season is more or less a write off. I believe there is some crazy stat/percentage where the standings at American Thanksgiving are more or less the teams that make the playoffs. Good news, we can get excited for yet another draft lottery.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0
If Pinto and White weren't hurt, Shaw and Kelly wouldn't be up here, plus Gambrell wouldn't be here either.
Ennis is a 4ht line guy, Watson too....Sens have too many guys that are bottom 6 six guys including Paul....but are playing higher up in the line up and the depth shows! The opposition is able to match up easy against Ottawa. Great points though.
Dorion truly needs to do something, nothing major but too many forwards who are perimeter guys and do very little.
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It's strange. I don't feel as much bitterness towards Dorion as I do DJ Smith but it is Dorion who resigned Smith and also signed Matt Murray to that insane deal for no reason at the time. I don't know who available would do a better job than Dorion right now that is available and would come to Ottawa. Same with the coaching job. There is a clear lack of leadership for this team.
- TDBSenatoR
Yup Dorion gave Smith the line up he has! I would fire DJ now and hire Luke Richardson before the Habs fire Ducharme and give Luke the HC job!
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If Pinto and White weren't hurt, Shaw and Kelly wouldn't be up here, plus Gambrell wouldn't be here either.
Ennis is a 4ht line guy, Watson too....Sens have too many guys that are bottom 6 six guys including Paul....but are playing higher up in the line up and the depth shows! The opposition is able to match up easy against Ottawa. Great points though.
Dorion truly needs to do something, nothing major but too many forwards who are perimeter guys and do very little.
- Kevin Francis
Melnyk said publicly that the sens will get a top 6 F and top 4 RHD, put privately melnyk gave Dorion one order/directive that must be followed at all costs, not to increase the payroll and Dorion followed it to a T and that is why the Sens did not trade or sign anyone to help the team, in fact they traded Dadonov for a 6/7 Dman.
Only thing sens fans have to look forward to is a top 3 pick and hope, hope so so hard , they do not frick it up like they did in 2021 |
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Melnyk said publicly that the sens will get a top 6 F and top 4 RHD, put privately melnyk gave Dorion one order/directive that must be followed at all costs, not to increase the payroll and Dorion followed it to a T and that is why the Sens did not trade or sign anyone to help the team, in fact they traded Dadonov for a 6/7 Dman.
Only thing sens fans have to look forward to is a top 3 pick and hope, hope so so hard , they do not frick it up like they did in 2021
- Mithos
Gord Wilson and the other guys on the TSN 1200 panel said it best today on the pregame show!
Stop telling the fans "unparalleled success" or that you will go get a top 6 forward and top 4 D. Or that your proudest day as a GM was the Stone trade or that the rebuild is over. They said, it gives the fan base false hope! SOOOO TRUE!!!! |
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dcz28
Detroit Red Wings |
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Location: Ottawa, ON
Joined: 08.20.2006
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Matt Murray - 6G - 0-5 3.26 GAA .890SV%
- Kevin Francis
Never understood why the Sens traded anything for Murray and even more baffled that they gave him that contract. Wings didn't even have a decent long term goalie when Murray was made available for trade and i didn't want him at all.
I would never sign a goalie long term unless it is a proven elite goalie. They are too much up and downs with goalies that aren't elite and their games can fall off a cliff so quick. I like that Yzerman is going short term with goalies and keep his options open.
As i have said it before, Sens seem to be in a similar position to the Wings. Need a top end center, needs on the blueline and a coach that seems to like big slow defensemen that can't move the puck well along with not holding vets accountable but having no problem benching young guys for the same mistakes the vets do. Sens also seem to play the same stupid collapsing defensive system that the Wings use where they leave the points open to shoot and make plays like it's a PP and you have 6 players trying to play goalie. |
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madmike71
Pittsburgh Penguins |
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Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Joined: 12.21.2006
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Never understood why the Sens traded anything for Murray and even more baffled that they gave him that contract. Wings didn't even have a decent long term goalie when Murray was made available for trade and i didn't want him at all.
I would never sign a goalie long term unless it is a proven elite goalie. They are too much up and downs with goalies that aren't elite and their games can fall off a cliff so quick. I like that Yzerman is going short term with goalies and keep his options open.
As i have said it before, Sens seem to be in a similar position to the Wings. Need a top end center, needs on the blueline and a coach that seems to like big slow defensemen that can't move the puck well along with not holding vets accountable but having no problem benching young guys for the same mistakes the vets do. Sens also seem to play the same stupid collapsing defensive system that the Wings use where they leave the points open to shoot and make plays like it's a PP and you have 6 players trying to play goalie.
- dcz28
It's almost like they did virtually zero research on Murray's last few years in Pittsburgh. I can't imagine anyone watching extensive tape of Murray and deciding to give him anything other than a "prove it" deal. He's injury prone and extremely inconsistent. Very happy the Pens moved on from him. Sick of watching his glove catch mostly air. I think this blogger was the one who labeled him best... Something like "a bad goalie who occasionally has a good game". |
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sens4life1971
Ottawa Senators |
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Location: smiths falls, ON
Joined: 02.16.2014
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Stutzle #1C Batherson
Tkachuk Norris #2RW
Paul Pinto Brown
Sanford white Watson
Chabot Thomson
Sanderson Zub
JBD #4D
#1 Goalie
Gus
Is what they need next year to make Playoffs 👌
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If Pinto and White weren't hurt, Shaw and Kelly wouldn't be up here, plus Gambrell wouldn't be here either.
Ennis is a 4ht line guy, Watson too....Sens have too many guys that are bottom 6 six guys including Paul....but are playing higher up in the line up and the depth shows! The opposition is able to match up easy against Ottawa. Great points though.
Dorion truly needs to do something, nothing major but too many forwards who are perimeter guys and do very little.
- Kevin Francis
Fair, but Pinto isn't even an established NHL player either. He probably wouldn't have made a lot of team's lineups. He's a very raw prospect with good upside. Shaw, Kelly, Mete, Brown, Gambrell, Watson, Murray, and Del Zatto have all had regular NHL time but have not been NHL quality players. Then you have another group that is Sanford, Ennis, Zaitsev, Holden, Tierny, Gustavsson, and Forsberg who may be NHL quality (some seriously debatable) but playing way out of their spot on the depth chart on this team. That is way too many players. Good teams can sustain an injury or two. This team can't.
Mix that with a coach that can't develop a game plan that works and GM unwilling to or unable to surround young talent with veteran talent, results are going to be lack lustre.
Your point about perimeter players is spot on. I have never seen a team so allergic to attacking the net. The board shots at the face-off circle and wrist shots from the hash marks to blue line is getting tiring. |
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GrimmdaGoalie
Ottawa Senators |
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Location: Ottawa, ON
Joined: 01.07.2016
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Stutzle #1C Batherson
Tkachuk Norris #2RW
Paul Pinto Brown
Sanford white Watson
Chabot Thomson
Sanderson Zub
JBD #4D
#1 Goalie
Gus
Is what they need next year to make Playoffs 👌
- sens4life1971
And a coach. And a decent GM. And an owner who has money and who everyone doesn't hate.
But, honestly, yes.
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And a coach. And a decent GM. And an owner who has money and who everyone doesn't hate.
But, honestly, yes.
- GrimmdaGoalie
That Murray for Kane deal looks better and better with the Sens wanting to put Murray on waivers.
Maybe sweeten the deal and see if SJ would take MDZ contract too!
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And a coach. And a decent GM. And an owner who has money and who everyone doesn't hate.
But, honestly, yes.
- GrimmdaGoalie
All 3 would be great! If Eugene is gone, then maybe Alfie and Chris Phillps would return to the front office!
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Stutzle #1C Batherson
Tkachuk Norris #2RW
Paul Pinto Brown
Sanford white Watson
Chabot Thomson
Sanderson Zub
JBD #4D
#1 Goalie
Gus
Is what they need next year to make Playoffs 👌
- sens4life1971
Holden at your 6th D?
What if Gus grabs the starters this role this year, Sogaard could be the back up next year?
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It's almost like they did virtually zero research on Murray's last few years in Pittsburgh. I can't imagine anyone watching extensive tape of Murray and deciding to give him anything other than a "prove it" deal. He's injury prone and extremely inconsistent. Very happy the Pens moved on from him. Sick of watching his glove catch mostly air. I think this blogger was the one who labeled him best... Something like "a bad goalie who occasionally has a good game".
- madmike71
Thanks for jumping in the discussion! Love a Pens perspective....you should listen to this link about Murray from radio here in Ottawa today. It says a few things that you said in your comment. Thanks for stopping by!
https://www.tsn.ca/radio/...teams-in-hockey-1.1726688 |
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Never understood why the Sens traded anything for Murray and even more baffled that they gave him that contract. Wings didn't even have a decent long term goalie when Murray was made available for trade and i didn't want him at all.
I would never sign a goalie long term unless it is a proven elite goalie. They are too much up and downs with goalies that aren't elite and their games can fall off a cliff so quick. I like that Yzerman is going short term with goalies and keep his options open.
As i have said it before, Sens seem to be in a similar position to the Wings. Need a top end center, needs on the blueline and a coach that seems to like big slow defensemen that can't move the puck well along with not holding vets accountable but having no problem benching young guys for the same mistakes the vets do. Sens also seem to play the same stupid collapsing defensive system that the Wings use where they leave the points open to shoot and make plays like it's a PP and you have 6 players trying to play goalie.
- dcz28
You are right in that both coaches use that double pass, bumper pass out of the def. zone but then there is no speed through the neutral zone when you got guys on D that look like they are skatig in sand because these coaches want to play it like the 90's with rough/big guys on the back end! Stopping prospects from progressing seems to be an issue with both teams, like you said, these vets stop plugs don't work. It didn't work here last year, but they tried it again....oh guess....same results!
Thanks for stopping in my friend!
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Fair, but Pinto isn't even an established NHL player either. He probably wouldn't have made a lot of team's lineups. He's a very raw prospect with good upside. Shaw, Kelly, Mete, Brown, Gambrell, Watson, Murray, and Del Zatto have all had regular NHL time but have not been NHL quality players. Then you have another group that is Sanford, Ennis, Zaitsev, Holden, Tierny, Gustavsson, and Forsberg who may be NHL quality (some seriously debatable) but playing way out of their spot on the depth chart on this team. That is way too many players. Good teams can sustain an injury or two. This team can't.
Mix that with a coach that can't develop a game plan that works and GM unwilling to or unable to surround young talent with veteran talent, results are going to be lack lustre.
Your point about perimeter players is spot on. I have never seen a team so allergic to attacking the net. The board shots at the face-off circle and wrist shots from the hash marks to blue line is getting tiring.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0
Great point on Pinto! Many thought he would play half a year in Belleville or more....but he had a great training camp and preseason, plus no depth at center once Colin White went down, so that changed things. He definitely needs to get stronger!
DJ uses the same system as last year that failed for the most part when exiting the defensive zone. That's why he was so happy with Stutzle the last 2 games because he skate through the neutral zone and pin the oppositions ears back!
I cant argue with you at all on your breakdown of the other players, well said! I'm actually doing up a blog for Monday that is going to get into the depth in Ottawa and Belleville! Great post as always.
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Stutzle #1C Batherson
Tkachuk Norris #2RW
Paul Pinto Brown
Sanford white Watson
Chabot Thomson
Sanderson Zub
JBD #4D
#1 Goalie
Gus
Is what they need next year to make Playoffs 👌
- sens4life1971
I've said it before and I'll say it again. You can't be paying your number two LW over eight million dollars.
I hope Brady didn't royally frig up the team by establishing a benchmark of eight million dollars for a second line player who's only playing on the first line because we don't actually have a legitimate first line player. We'll find out when it comes time to sign our number two C, Norris, to his next contract.
Eventually that will need to be fixed but I would wait until at least next year when I have a better idea of what is needed moving forward. My guess is that it will be either a top C or RW or, unfortunately, LW.
When Batherson gets back I would try him with Stutzle at C and Formenton on LW.
PS: Maybe Batherson and Norris and Stutzle will establish themselves as legitimate first liners once our D comes together next year but Brady will never be a legitimate first line LW even if he's paid like one. |
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Giving Murray a chance to play his way into a longer-term deal would have been one thing... but proactively signing him to a 4yr deal to that much $$$ before he'd even played 1 game was something quite different. It's beyond me how Dorion ever got Melnyk to agree to fund that signing, but it only compounds the extent to which they're under a major financial constraint for the next few years. The fact that they would entertain this buyout only reinforces my belief that Zaitsev will be bought out in the off-season as well. Combined, these two buyouts would have the following impact:
SEASON - $$$/AAV
22/23 - $3.3M/$4.6M
23/24 - $3.3M/$3.6M
24/25 - $3.3M/$3.3M
25/26 - $3.3M/$3.3M
It's technically a relatively small price to be paying, vs. the full salary amounts of those 2 players ($11.5M/$12.5M over the next 2 years), but it's really about just getting them both the hell out of the way. They'll achieve a similar goal by not re-signing any of Tierney, Ennis, J. Brown, Sanford, or Mete.
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