Trevor Shackles: Thursday Think Tank Thoughts on Tkachuk, Pierre Dorion lying, Melnyk selling, and more

Chlapik was best player for Sens last night. Stone with Tkachuck looked like a fit. Was not a fan for drafting Tkachuck at #4. But so far he looks far better than I expected.

Tierney played okay. But as Stone and Tkachuck started to connect it seemed like Tierney was odd man out in attack zone.

There are some really good kids in camp. The fight to stay with the big team has a long way to go. But, the drop off after the top 30 in camp is significant. I assume a large roster cut will happen soon.

Thinking 4th line Skille might stick around too. Vet with experience and fills a roster spot cheap too.

Thinking Ottawa could be a tough team to play against overall, one of those nothing to lose teams that wont be easily rolled over.

Actually seeing Karlsson put on the teal (which is gross to begin with), was the worst

Stone was the Sens best player in my opinion. Which he should be if we're being honest.

I that Tkachuck looked good for his first game (preseason or not). Not great, but he had a decent net presence. Look forward to seeing more of him.

Chlapik had some nice moves, and scored the only goal. I think he is going to have a better chance of making the team out of camp.

Tierny looked good at the start of the game, didn't notice him so much after.

Chlapik was best player for Sens last night. Stone with Tkachuck looked like a fit. Was not a fan for drafting Tkachuck at #4. But so far he looks far better than I expected.

Tierney played okay. But as Stone and Tkachuck started to connect it seemed like Tierney was odd man out in attack zone.

There are some really good kids in camp. The fight to stay with the big team has a long way to go. But, the drop off after the top 30 in camp is significant. I assume a large roster cut will happen soon.
- spatso

looks like someone had a late summer overdose of the red kool-aid.

looks like someone had a late summer overdose of the red kool-aid.
- Tumbleweed

Be patient. October 27 is the date.

I will be ready with my blue review, as promised.

watched both games......obviously outclassed by a better team in both games, but still some areas for optimism for the future (assuming Melnyk leaves at some point)

Tkachuk looks like he's going to be a beast. didn't like the pick when it was made but he's growing on me.

chaplik, formenton, batherson, and wolanin all look NHL ready now....hopefully they'll all be given a legit chance to make the team

brown and white didn't look great, but they didn't look bad either. hopefully they'll pick it up.

disappointed that we didn't see Gustavvson (sp?) play. Andy and Hogberg looked okay, the other 2 goalies looked like poop.

one thing I'm not looking forward to is the ABSOLUTE TIRE FIRE that our D will be in it's own end. our goalies are going to face just an absurd amount of rubber this season....our D is atrocious.

anyways, still pissed at the organization and won't spend a penny on this team until Melnyk is gone.....but it's still fun to watch hockey.

Thinking 4th line Skille might stick around too. Vet with experience and fills a roster spot cheap too.

Thinking Ottawa could be a tough team to play against overall, one of those nothing to lose teams that wont be easily rolled over.
- Roadrunner75

I think they'll score some goals.....they're going to be fast, and like you said, have nothing to lose.

but man, that defence is going to be awful......they're going to get rolled over, especially on the PK.

watched both games......obviously outclassed by a better team in both games, but still some areas for optimism for the future (assuming Melnyk leaves at some point)

Tkachuk looks like he's going to be a beast. didn't like the pick when it was made but he's growing on me.

chaplik, formenton, batherson, and wolanin all look NHL ready now....hopefully they'll all be given a legit chance to make the team

brown and white didn't look great, but they didn't look bad either. hopefully they'll pick it up.

disappointed that we didn't see Gustavvson (sp?) play. Andy and Hogberg looked okay, the other 2 goalies looked like poop.

one thing I'm not looking forward to is the ABSOLUTE TIRE FIRE that our D will be in it's own end. our goalies are going to face just an absurd amount of rubber this season....our D is atrocious.

anyways, still pissed at the organization and won't spend a penny on this team until Melnyk is gone.....but it's still fun to watch hockey.
- sensarmy_11

Good comments.

Some real bonehead plays by D in both games.

Surprised Chabot did not dress for either game.

Formenton looks like a vet, plays a serious two way game. Same for Chlapik.

Brown was a little better than I expected. He used his big body effectively as the game wore on.

Huge difference in shape and size of ice surface of the two games. First night the game was so confined by the narrow end boards. Made play very choppy, no flow. It was same for both teams so really not able to gauge the impact of NHL speed on the young guys in the first game.

If Karlsson wanted to stay why did he pick up the puck at the end of his last game as a Senator? If Melnyk was the reason he didn't want to re-sign in Ottawa, why would he say "...they decided to go in that direction, and I respect that"? Having the owner not sell the team is not a "direction" and it's not something that is negotiable.

There's BS on both sides. I think the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Karlsson would have like to stay in Ottawa if there circumstances were different, but they weren't/aren't. The Sens would have liked to keep him but the dark cloud that seems to follow him was too much at his asking price. The Sens also recognized that they weren't going to compete with Tampa, Toronto, Washington, Pittsburgh, and Boston over the next 2-3 years and figured it's best to rebuild now to be successful when those teams start to decline.

How'bout that Balcers kid. Had some nice plays and good speed...until he got a head shot against the boards that went without a penalty.

If Karlsson wanted to stay why did he pick up the puck at the end of his last game as a Senator? If Melnyk was the reason he didn't want to re-sign in Ottawa, why would he say "...they decided to go in that direction, and I respect that"? Having the owner not sell the team is not a "direction" and it's not something that is negotiable.

There's BS on both sides. I think the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Karlsson would have like to stay in Ottawa if there circumstances were different, but they weren't/aren't. The Sens would have liked to keep him but the dark cloud that seems to follow him was too much at his asking price. The Sens also recognized that they weren't going to compete with Tampa, Toronto, Washington, Pittsburgh, and Boston over the next 2-3 years and figured it's best to rebuild now to be successful when those teams start to decline.
- AlfieFever

A full rebuild done the right way requires a complete crash and burn. When you have a great player like Karlsson the temptation is to add to the team and try to win now. As we have seen so many times. if Ottawa goes into the third period tied Karlsson could take over the game.

A year from now everyone will be excited about the rebuild and nobody will want to go back on the young fast team they are building.

Good comments.

Some real bonehead plays by D in both games.

Surprised Chabot did not dress for either game.

Formenton looks like a vet, plays a serious two way game. Same for Chlapik.

Brown was a little better than I expected. He used his big body effectively as the game wore on.

Huge difference in shape and size of ice surface of the two games. First night the game was so confined by the narrow end boards. Made play very choppy, no flow. It was same for both teams so really not able to gauge the impact of NHL speed on the young guys in the first game.
- spatso

I was disappointed with Brown. He played kind of soft for a huge guy. I was more impressed with Batherson. Didn't think he was that big.

How'bout that Balcers kid. Had some nice plays and good speed...until he got a head shot against the boards that went without a penalty.
- AlfieFever

I agree... I didn't watch the full game so I missed that last play.

Still, this is going to be a VERY ugly season. It's F'in retarded they don't have their 1st pick

I agree... I didn't watch the full game so I missed that last play.

Still, this is going to be a VERY ugly season. It's F'in retarded they don't have their 1st pick
- AlfieisKing

In my mind the Avs will get the #1 overall next draft. I'm treating it as a fact, so if it doesn't happen, I will be delighted, and if it does happen, I will have already dealt with it. But yeah, it suuuucks.

If Karlsson wanted to stay why did he pick up the puck at the end of his last game as a Senator? If Melnyk was the reason he didn't want to re-sign in Ottawa, why would he say "...they decided to go in that direction, and I respect that"? Having the owner not sell the team is not a "direction" and it's not something that is negotiable.

There's BS on both sides. I think the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Karlsson would have like to stay in Ottawa if there circumstances were different, but they weren't/aren't. The Sens would have liked to keep him but the dark cloud that seems to follow him was too much at his asking price. The Sens also recognized that they weren't going to compete with Tampa, Toronto, Washington, Pittsburgh, and Boston over the next 2-3 years and figured it's best to rebuild now to be successful when those teams start to decline.
- AlfieFever

what the (frank) are you talking about? dark cloud? the guy is a top 5 player in the entire league, was a fan favorite, and a great guy in the community. there is no (frank)ing cloud hanging over this team, other than the massive poop storm that is the combination of horrible owner/incompetent gm

In my mind the Avs will get the #1 overall next draft. I'm treating it as a fact, so if it doesn't happen, I will be delighted, and if it does happen, I will have already dealt with it. But yeah, it suuuucks.
- AlfieFever

I guess that's the best way to look at it.

That said, it's unacceptable. There's no way fans should expect to shallow that pill - it's more than insanity that in a year you claim to have a rebuild you let go of a 1st overall pick (future all star).

Why the F*** are we even having a hockey team if that's the way you operate it?

I would trade Duchene + Stone for that 1st + Soderberg.
Burn the mofo to the ground but don't be stupid and expect you can build a contender around Chabot, White, Brown, Tkachuk. Other than Brady and Thomas, no one really is a sure thing become a top line player.

what the (frank) are you talking about? dark cloud? the guy is a top 5 player in the entire league, was a fan favorite, and a great guy in the community. there is no (frank)ing cloud hanging over this team, other than the massive poop storm that is the combination of horrible owner/incompetent gm
- sensarmy_11

exactly. Anyone thinking that Karlsson shouldn't be paid AT LEAST 11m needs to give their head a shake. The guy has given Ottawa more than enough - played on 1 ankle last year.... sigh... some people have short term memory

I guess that's the best way to look at it.

That said, it's unacceptable. There's no way fans should expect to shallow that pill - it's more than insanity that in a year you claim to have a rebuild you let go of a 1st overall pick (future all star).

Why the F*** are we even having a hockey team if that's the way you operate it?

I would trade Duchene + Stone for that 1st + Soderberg.
Burn the mofo to the ground but don't be stupid and expect you can build a contender around Chabot, White, Brown, Tkachuk. Other than Brady and Thomas, no one really is a sure thing become a top line player.
- AlfieisKing

I love how you say, in the same paragraph, "trade Duchene + stone for that 1st + soderberg" and then "don't be stupid"......making that trade would be the dictionary definition of stupid. I wouldn't even trade stone for that, let alone stone AND Duchene.

every rebuild needs some core vets......the leafs still had kadri, JVR, and signed marleau.

Ottawa can't have a team with nothing but rookies and bottom six plugs, that's just dumb.

Be patient. October 27 is the date.

I will be ready with my blue review, as promised.
- spatso

you made that up right?
nobody asked you to stop posting. unless you mean the voices you hear

I love how you say, in the same paragraph, "trade Duchene + stone for that 1st + soderberg" and then "don't be stupid"......making that trade would be the dictionary definition of stupid. I wouldn't even trade stone for that, let alone stone AND Duchene.

every rebuild needs some core vets......the leafs still had kadri, JVR, and signed marleau.

Ottawa can't have a team with nothing but rookies and bottom six plugs, that's just dumb.
- sensarmy_11

While I agree, they might have to be.

While I agree, they might have to be.
- david22

maybe, if they flat out say they have no intention of re-signing........but you don't trade them voluntarily. that being said, dorion is dumb enough to do it, so they're probably gone

I'm glad that at least a couple people have noticed that the team has an absurd lack of quality on the blue line. How getting a top-4 d-man back in the Karlsson trade wasn't a breaking point is beyond me, but at this point the only d-man on the roster who has "proven" they can handle 20min/GP+ of NHL ice time is Ceci. Many will suggest that Chabot is ready for that kind of role, but that's a pretty big jump for him in terms of doing that without any kind of veteran support.

Out of necessity, they may be one of the first teams to formally adopt a formal 7 d-men system, so that the likes of Wideman, DeMelo, Borowiecki, Wolanin, and Harpur can support a defence-by-committee approach. That would also allow them to replenish injuries with the likes of Jaros, Bergman, Lajoie, and Englund without too much issue. Otherwise, I just don't see any kind of realistic structure to their top-4 defence pairings.

maybe, if they flat out say they have no intention of re-signing........but you don't trade them voluntarily. that being said, dorion is dumb enough to do it, so they're probably gone
- sensarmy_11

I've mentioned before, but the Brassard trade had made me optimistic that he could get a good return for both. Both are better a lot than Brassard. Although he wasn't a rental.

The Karlsson trade has shook that optimism, but a deadline rental trade should be straight forward enough, even for Dorion.