Trevor Shackles: Thursday Think Tank: Trade Deadline Approaching Thoughts on the Senators heading into the deadline

The Sens should be assessed a delay of "game" penalty, in delaying the trades "game" for all other teams from initiating on a more serious nature, until deciding where at least the immediate future will hold for both Duchene and Stone.

That delay, outside of the much lower level completed deal between the Bruins and Wild made yesterday, along with word that the Capitals have supposedly agreed to some trade, but in needing cap space, must wait until 12:00 pm today for Devante Smith-Pelley to either be claimed, or clear waivers he was put on yesterday. Rumors are that at least being headed the Caps way could be Carl Hagelin and/or Kyle Clifford from the Kings in some kind of deal.

However, with the joking aside from my first paragraph, is the feeling in Ottawa that there may be a good chance of Stone still re-signing with the Sens since unlike Duchene, there was no mention of him also not being allowed to play in tonight's game at New Jersey?
Stone would be an even bigger risk to lose to a sudden injury than Duchene, with the greater amount of teams that would be interested in him. It's likely a toss up among Stone or Panarin generating the best return for any player of any team, who may finally become officially available prior to this deadline.

Sens can probably say "mission accomplished."

They have successfully managed down expectations. We are now to the point where some fans are saying they "hope" the Sens will be able to get deals done before the deadline. Oh, the irony. We are going to once again spike the football to celebrate the departure of Alfredsson, Spezza, Zibanejad, Methot, Karlsson, Turris, Dzingle, Duchene, Ceci, Stone and a few others I may have forgotten.

I entirely support the rebuild. There is no choice but to go all in on the only option that remains viable.

Ludicrous to think they will not get a deal done to move somebody out and avoid spending money. They are very adept at shedding players. It is one thing the Melnyk management group does very well.

My first trade choice is Duchene to the Islanders for Dobson. But, I am a huge Dobson fan. Going into the draft I would have been content if the Sens had picked him at #4 (obviously I am now very happy with Tkachuk).

I don't like the Nashville prospects.

I hope for a deal that sends Stone to Winnipeg can get done. It is a great fit. But, Stone is such a huge "team" player and difference maker. Watch for a surprise team to step up.

My first trade choice is Duchene to the Islanders for Dobson. But, I am a huge Dobson fan. Going into the draft I would have been content if the Sens had picked him at #4 (obviously I am now very happy with Tkachuk).

I don't like the Nashville prospects.

I hope for a deal that sends Stone to Winnipeg can get done. It is a great fit. But, Stone is such a huge "team" player and difference maker. Watch for a surprise team to step up.
- spatso

Tolvanen is one of the best affiliated prospects in the NHL, and would instantly be our #1 prospect (I don't consider tkachuk and Chabot prospects obviously).

Tolvanen is better than anything the isles have to offer

Tolvanen is one of the best affiliated prospects in the NHL, and would instantly be our #1 prospect (I don't consider tkachuk and Chabot prospects obviously).

Tolvanen is better than anything the isles have to offer
- sensarmy_11

I can't find the evidence that suggests he would be better than Batherson, Brown, Formenton or even Balcer.

Balcer put up much better AHL numbers. He clearly has the potential to be a top 6 skater. He has been jerked around since being called up but still has 3 goals and 3 assists with limited ice time. Surprised to see Tierney on pace for 50+ point season.

Dorion sure looks like he's in over his head.

Balcer put up much better AHL numbers. He clearly has the potential to be a top 6 skater. He has been jerked around since being called up but still has 3 goals and 3 assists with limited ice time. Surprised to see Tierney on pace for 50+ point season.

Tienry has been a pleasant surprise. I think he could be a guy to keep around most of the rebuild. He's an RFA when his contract expired and still only 24.

Also think Balcers will be good once he gets some consistency, I doubt he'll play another game in Belleville at this rate.

Good lord I would love to have Mark Stone on the Bruins.

DeBrusk - Krejci - Stone would be phenomenal.

Tienry has been a pleasant surprise. I think he could be a guy to keep around most of the rebuild. He's an RFA when his contract expired and still only 24.

Also think Balcers will be good once he gets some consistency, I doubt he'll play another game in Belleville at this rate.
- david22

Right now the Sen's prospect pool is looking pretty solid. I need to see more evidence before I am convinced that Brown can stay healthy and play as a #1 in the NHL. 5 guys probably make the big jump next year (Balcers, Batherson, Brown, Formenton and Wolanin). Not sure if Nick Paul gets one more shot. He has nice chemistry and is a good fit with Brown and Batherson.

So, where do you want to fit additional prospects? Are you hoping they can compete for an NHL job right away or are you looking for something further down the road? 2020 is supposed to be a huge draft. Do give maximum priority to that draft?

Good lord I would love to have Mark Stone on the Bruins.

DeBrusk - Krejci - Stone would be phenomenal.
- MrBeanTown

I would love to see Stone on the Bruins. But then I'd have to grapple with feelings of cheering them to lose to make the first round pick better (assuming they get one), or wanting a team I like/Stone to do well.

Especially if they play the leafs like is likely.

Right now the Sen's prospect pool is looking pretty solid. I need to see more evidence before I am convinced that Brown can stay healthy and play as a #1 in the NHL. 5 guys probably make the big jump next year (Balcers, Batherson, Brown, Formenton and Wolanin). Not sure if Nick Paul gets one more shot. He has nice chemistry and is a good fit with Brown and Batherson.

So, where do you want to fit additional prospects? Are you hoping they can compete for an NHL job right away or are you looking for something further down the road? 2020 is supposed to be a huge draft. Do give maximum priority to that draft?
- spatso

Do they need to leave some players in Belleville, or that less of a priority? This season and next.

Brown's still a question mark IMO. His skating I think might be what holds him back from being a number 1. But I'm starting to think he may be able to develop into a good second line center.

I would love to see Stone on the Bruins. But then I'd have to grapple with feelings of cheering them to lose to make the first round pick better (assuming they get one), or wanting a team I like/Stone to do well.

Especially if they play the leafs like is likely.
- david22

Easy to cheer for San Jose. Sens get extra first round pick if Sharks make it through to SCF. Maybe you could cheer for a Bruins/Shark final and two extra first rounders.

Do they need to leave some players in Belleville, or that less of a priority? This season and next.

Brown's still a question mark IMO. His skating I think might be what holds him back from being a number 1. But I'm starting to think he may be able to develop into a good second line center.
- david22

Tierney's numbers are almost the same as Turris' and Tierney has not had the big ice time that Turris got in Ottawa. White's numbers are great but he has benefited from playing with Stone and Tkachuk. Pageau is still the best defensive player against other teams top lines.

There is not much space for Brown unless he can take on the role of a #1.

I can't find the evidence that suggests he would be better than Batherson, Brown, Formenton or even Balcer.

Balcer put up much better AHL numbers. He clearly has the potential to be a top 6 skater. He has been jerked around since being called up but still has 3 goals and 3 assists with limited ice time. Surprised to see Tierney on pace for 50+ point season.
- spatso

Literally every prospect ranking has him in the top 10, and we’ll ahead of every guy in our system that you mentioned.

Literally every prospect ranked no has him in the top 10, and we’ll ahead of every guy in our system that you mentioned.
- sensarmy_11

Understand. But prospect ranking systems are draft and team sensitive. So, for example, the top pick for any team is likely always ranked ahead of a third or fourth round pick in the post draft rankings. Hard to find any ranking that includes Batherson in the top 50. But, I can find you prospect rankings that include Formenton. Brown is still included as the Sens top prospect on some lists.

I could be entirely wrong but I see nothing in the Nashville numbers that suggests they have an elite prospect in their system.

Understand. But prospect ranking systems are draft and team sensitive. So, for example, the top pick for any team is likely always ranked ahead of a third or fourth round pick in the post draft rankings. Hard to find any ranking that includes Batherson in the top 50. But, I can find you prospect rankings that include Formenton. Brown is still included as the Sens top prospect on some lists.

I could be entirely wrong but I see nothing in the Nashville numbers that suggests they have an elite prospect in their system.
- spatso

There are no rankings that include formenton. He isn’t a top 50 prospect.

You’re very obviously not looking impartially at prospects if you think batherson and formenton are ranked ahead of tolvanen.

Tolvanen has slipped in the eyes of many evaluators.

Corey Pronman had Drake Batherson ranked ahead of Tolvanen in his mid season ranking of NHL prospects at the Athletic.

https://theathletic.com/7...son-nhl-prospect-ranking/

Tolvanen is certainly still worth targeting though.

Tolvanen has slipped in the eyes of many evaluators.

Corey Pronman had Drake Batherson ranked ahead of Tolvanen in his mid season ranking of NHL prospects at the Athletic.

https://theathletic.com/7...son-nhl-prospect-ranking/

Tolvanen is certainly still worth targeting though.
- SensFan25

MacKenzie (who I think is a much better judge than pronman) as well as NHL.com had Tolvanen at 7 and Batherson at 23

I can't see pronman's numbers, I refuse to pay for that (frank)ing site.....but if he's soured on Tolvanen, he's the only one who has.

all that to say, my initial point was that spatso's opinion that "Nashville had nothing to target" is absurd. Tolvanen and Fiala are both top 50 affiliated prospects, and would both be VERY high in our prospect pool (likely on the NHL roster if acquired)

all that to say, my initial point was that spatso's opinion that "Nashville had nothing to target" is absurd. Tolvanen and Fiala are both top 50 affiliated prospects, and would both be VERY high in our prospect pool (likely on the NHL roster if acquired)
- sensarmy_11

Fiala has played 200GP already... hardly a prospect, and quite frankly I'd be disappointed if they had to settle for him as the main player asset, instead of pulling one of Tolvanen or Fabbro. If it's the Islanders, Dobson may be a reach but I'd definitely target Wilde, because you really can't have enough quality RHD in your system. Along those lines, I'd love to see Dorion sneak a prospect like Fredric Allard out of Nashville as the 'lesser prospect'.

My first trade choice is Duchene to the Islanders for Dobson. But, I am a huge Dobson fan. Going into the draft I would have been content if the Sens had picked him at #4 (obviously I am now very happy with Tkachuk).

I don't like the Nashville prospects.

I hope for a deal that sends Stone to Winnipeg can get done. It is a great fit. But, Stone is such a huge "team" player and difference maker. Watch for a surprise team to step up.
- spatso

Good, because we don't like the idea of giving them away for a rental player. Tell your GM to ignore ours and I'll do the same.

Good, because we don't like the idea of giving them away for a rental player. Tell your GM to ignore ours and I'll do the same.
- FoxMulder

Uh oh you called them a rental player.

Fiala has played 200GP already... hardly a prospect, and quite frankly I'd be disappointed if they had to settle for him as the main player asset, instead of pulling one of Tolvanen or Fabbro. If it's the Islanders, Dobson may be a reach but I'd definitely target Wilde, because you really can't have enough quality RHD in your system. Along those lines, I'd love to see Dorion sneak a prospect like Fredric Allard out of Nashville as the 'lesser prospect'.
- khawk

sorry, I said fiala but I meant fabbro.......but weird F names.

I’ll be shocked if Ottawa gets a legitimate prospect for any of the UFAs that will be dealt. Teams generally don’t trade their prized prospects for anything. Just doesn’t tend to happen. But stranger things have happened.

I’m hoping that Dorion can at least get some 1sts that he can use either to draft well (this year or next) or use in packages for trades.

Really have to temper your expectations with Dorion trying to pull off a years worth of work in one week. The Duchene sitting or not sitting just shows the disconnect in the organization.

I’d love to see GM change in the off season if the team goes full rebuild.

I’ll be shocked if Ottawa gets a legitimate prospect for any of the UFAs that will be dealt. Teams generally don’t trade their prized prospects for anything. Just doesn’t tend to happen. But stranger things have happened.

I’m hoping that Dorion can at least get some 1sts that he can use either to draft well (this year or next) or use in packages for trades.

Really have to temper your expectations with Dorion trying to pull off a years worth of work in one week. The Duchene sitting or not sitting just shows the disconnect in the organization.

I’d love to see GM change in the off season if the team goes full rebuild.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I think that as long as melnyk is owner Dorion will be the GM. he's Melnyk's little female dog, works for less than any other GM in the league, and spews whatever bullpoop Melnyk wants (no matter how ridiculous) to the media.

he's basically the Senators "Sarah Huckabee" to our "Donald Trump"