Kevin Francis: Sens sign Derick Brassard to a 1 year deal! Zaitsev decision looming?!

A little surprised, as I'm not sure where he will slot in on the roster. Is he going to spend most of his time on the 4th line? Or will he be the 13th forward, mostly filling in in the top 9 when someones injured.

A little surprised, as I'm not sure where he will slot in on the roster. Is he going to spend most of his time on the 4th line? Or will he be the 13th forward, mostly filling in in the top 9 when someones injured.
- david22

PD is actually looked ahead to possible injuries, something of which he didn't last year when there was zero depth and they were dressing 4-6 AHLers that weren't capable of playing at the NHL level. Gambrell should get sent down leaving Brassard and Kastelic, even Kelly as the 13th forward. Kelly had a very underwhelming camp.

i find it funny that with Talbot injured for 2 months that everyone still thinks the D is more of a concern, i think that is a indictment on OTTs D that is considered so bad that loosing a 1B G is not enough to change what ails OTT

What are the hopes from the fanbase this year up there in Ottawa?

I hope my man Giroux serves you well. Is he finally going to get some line mates who can put the puck in the net? Philly didn’t serve him well in that aspect for much of his career, and it’s a shame.

He has always been a fantastic set up guy, and they usually just paired him with other playmakers. He never benefited from a true sniper other than a brief stint with Jagr, and that paid off pretty well for both of them.

Still, the man’s career numbers are pretty damn solid. I’d like to see him thrive for one last stretch.

i find it funny that with Talbot injured for 2 months that everyone still thinks the D is more of a concern, i think that is a indictment on OTTs D that is considered so bad that loosing a 1B G is not enough to change what ails OTT
- Mithos

No doubt your team needs to upgrade its D but with Talbot out, heaven forbid Forsberg even gets nicked up. What would ottawa do then?

wow

Brassard said he was going to retire over the summer and I think Tierney would be a better depth choice.

What are the hopes from the fanbase this year up there in Ottawa?

I hope my man Giroux serves you well. Is he finally going to get some line mates who can put the puck in the net? Philly didn’t serve him well in that aspect for much of his career, and it’s a shame.

He has always been a fantastic set up guy, and they usually just paired him with other playmakers. He never benefited from a true sniper other than a brief stint with Jagr, and that paid off pretty well for both of them.

Still, the man’s career numbers are pretty damn solid. I’d like to see him thrive for one last stretch.
- Hesh_

Flyer fan obviously, but have watched Sens pre season. Him and Debrincat have had instant chemistry and their PP with Pinto has looked like a group that’s played together for a decade. Him and Debrincat might do some serious damage. Ottawas offense should be right up there with anyone, the top 6 at least.

Brassard played his way onto the team, and will play an important role as a guy who can shift up to a top-6 scoring role without much problem, or significantly disrupting the 3rd line. That means you don't lose an effective checking line (Pinto/Joseph) just because of a minor injury up-front. That's a lot more important than just having another random 4th line grinder on the bench, especially when it's even-money (he's making $750K).

I counted 12 defensemen already on the Arizona roster or In the system that will play at least one game this season.

Brassard said he was going to retire over the summer and I think Tierney would be a better depth choice.
- Shady1962

Really? Chris Tierney? Brassard did quite well over the preseason, clicked quite nicely with the second PP unit when there, has still been 50% or better in the face-off circle, is a serviceable veteran that you can easily sit in the press box when needed and plug and play on almost any line....plus he's not Chris Tierney (which is a bonus just in itself).

Harmless signing. Brass has been decently productive everywhere he's gone, a helpful add for any team especially at league min. Outside the HC situation there's no reason to believe this team can't weather it out this season, though it likely takes some seasoning. We'll see with this coaching.

Brassard said he was going to retire over the summer and I think Tierney would be a better depth choice.
- Shady1962

Respectfully, did you watch Tierney last year? He cant skate at the pro level anymore from back issues, he was a nightmare last year and Florida put him on waivers during the pre-season, so that tells you even Maurice saw that he cant play at the NHL level anymore.

What are the hopes from the fanbase this year up there in Ottawa?

I hope my man Giroux serves you well. Is he finally going to get some line mates who can put the puck in the net? Philly didn’t serve him well in that aspect for much of his career, and it’s a shame.

He has always been a fantastic set up guy, and they usually just paired him with other playmakers. He never benefited from a true sniper other than a brief stint with Jagr, and that paid off pretty well for both of them.

Still, the man’s career numbers are pretty damn solid. I’d like to see him thrive for one last stretch.
- Hesh_

Thanks for jumping in the chat! Giroux has shown great chemistry with Debrincat and I can see Norris maybe centering that line instead of Stutzle. He is a great pro and all Sens fans want Giroux to succeed. Giroux will be great this city and team!

I counted 12 defensemen already on the Arizona roster or In the system that will play at least one game this season.
- Shady1962

But one game means nothing.....it boils down to guys that play and compete at the NHL for more than one game, how about half a season? Right! Yotes are a mess on defense......

Really? Chris Tierney? Brassard did quite well over the preseason, clicked quite nicely with the second PP unit when there, has still been 50% or better in the face-off circle, is a serviceable veteran that you can easily sit in the press box when needed and plug and play on almost any line....plus he's not Chris Tierney (which is a bonus just in itself).
- Jman6687

I am harsh on PD but I applaud this signing, he recognizes that last year the team had no exp. or depth at the forward position and it absolutely killed them with injuries and covid. PD is hopefully looking ahead to adversity with the team by having the proper depth and exp. Tierney, he was a train wreck last year!

Harmless signing. Brass has been decently productive everywhere he's gone, a helpful add for any team especially at league min. Outside the HC situation there's no reason to believe this team can't weather it out this season, though it likely takes some seasoning. We'll see with this coaching.
- Bartacus

Brass can play all special teams, he can move up and down the lineup when injuries occur.....he's beyond a capable vet that can insulate some of the younger guys too! I really like this signing. Lets face it, Parker Kelly was so average in the preseason, that with Brass he can play all 3 forward positions.

Flyer fan obviously, but have watched Sens pre season. Him and Debrincat have had instant chemistry and their PP with Pinto has looked like a group that’s played together for a decade. Him and Debrincat might do some serious damage. Ottawas offense should be right up there with anyone, the top 6 at least.
- ClaudeFather

Beyond agreed my friend!

Ridley Greig sent down to Belleville.

With the minor injury to Zub today in practice......Zaitsev still with the team......JBD or Thomson are better options!

With the minor injury to Zub today in practice......Zaitsev still with the team......JBD or Thomson are better options!
- Kevin Francis

stupidity or incompetency, i say both. both rookies outplayed Zeitsev on their bad days and he will play Zeitsev.....

With the minor injury to Zub today in practice......Zaitsev still with the team......JBD or Thomson are better options!
- Kevin Francis

JBD and Thomson played 100 times better than Zaitsev during camp. DJ and Dorion need to smarten up and actually play the best players. THis is absolutely ridiculous.

stupidity or incompetency, i say both. both rookies outplayed Zeitsev on their bad days and he will play Zeitsev.....
- Mithos

Exactly, lets just stop the stupidity and play the better players which are JBD and Thomson.

Brass can play all special teams, he can move up and down the lineup when injuries occur.....he's beyond a capable vet that can insulate some of the younger guys too! I really like this signing. Lets face it, Parker Kelly was so average in the preseason, that with Brass he can play all 3 forward positions.
- Kevin Francis

Brassard is better than Kelly and Gambrell. Dorion and DJ need to stop.