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Forums :: Blog World :: Michael Stuart: The Unsung Hero
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Michael Stuart
Ottawa Senators
Location: "Caresi > Corsi"
Joined: 10.24.2011

Nov 15 @ 11:27 AM ET
Michael Stuart: The Unsung Hero
Bartacus
Ottawa Senators
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 01.08.2019

Nov 15 @ 11:57 AM ET
I really hope the Chabot-Zaitsev experiment ends and they make Demelo Chabot's Methot long term. Unfortunately this team has a pathology with long contracts and assumes those players must fit together because they'll both be in the room for the foreseeable future. Frankly didn't like the trade, even with Connor Brown included - taking on Zaitsev is basically the equivalent of signing Ceci long term. To think we could have Taylor Hall... What do you think it would take to lock him up for say 4-5 years Michael? You have to think his agents know what he does to the game - could he be had sub 3M?
Sens Writer
Location: Vancouver, BC
Joined: 08.19.2013

Nov 15 @ 12:02 PM ET
It's relatively clear that DeMelo punches well above his weight, and is probably the 2nd best d-man on the roster, at least in terms of current performance. The biggest issue to him signing long-term will be Zaitsev already being on the books as a RHD who is signed to a multi-year deal. Even so, he could also be a valuable trade commodity at the deadline, and I have no problem with going that route. Selling high on players like DeMelo, Pageau, Brown, or Tierney should absolutely be part of Dorion's game plan - especially if their stock is unexpectedly high.

Teams get into cap trouble when they over-commit to average players. Given the existing prospect depth in the system and the wealth of high-round picks in the next 2 drafts, they shouldn't have to overpay for 2nd/3rd line forwards, 2nd/3rd pairing d-men, or back-up goaltenders for most of the next decade.
Michael Stuart
Ottawa Senators
Location: "Caresi > Corsi"
Joined: 10.24.2011

Nov 15 @ 12:04 PM ET
I really hope the Chabot-Zaitsev experiment ends and they make Demelo Chabot's Methot long term. Unfortunately this team has a pathology with long contracts and assumes those players must fit together because they'll both be in the room for the foreseeable future. Frankly didn't like the trade, even with Connor Brown included - taking on Zaitsev is basically the equivalent of signing Ceci long term. To think we could have Taylor Hall... What do you think it would take to lock him up for say 4-5 years Michael? You have to think his agents know what he does to the game - could he be had sub 3M?
- Bartacus


Me too, but Zaitsev/Chabot were back together at practice today...
Octavarium
New York Islanders
Joined: 01.03.2007

Nov 15 @ 12:10 PM ET
you just don't know how woolanin and lajoie and all their other D prospects will shape out.

You KNOW what you've got in this guy.
Sign him.
Bartacus
Ottawa Senators
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 01.08.2019

Nov 15 @ 12:21 PM ET
Me too, but Zaitsev/Chabot were back together at practice today...
- Michael_Stuart


Noooooooooo

I mean, I guess they're trying to lose? Realistically I'd prefer having Demelo at Zaitsev's contract (though I believe he could be had quite a bit cheaper), and Zaitsev shipped out. Hopefully TC can bolster Zaitsev's game so somebody mistakes him for a player of value, because I'm getting a real Alzner vibe from him.

DD not playing with TC is making me think DJ Smith isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. Like somebody who vigorously forces two mismatched puzzle pieces together.
Michael Stuart
Ottawa Senators
Location: "Caresi > Corsi"
Joined: 10.24.2011

Nov 15 @ 1:33 PM ET
Noooooooooo

I mean, I guess they're trying to lose? Realistically I'd prefer having Demelo at Zaitsev's contract (though I believe he could be had quite a bit cheaper), and Zaitsev shipped out. Hopefully TC can bolster Zaitsev's game so somebody mistakes him for a player of value, because I'm getting a real Alzner vibe from him.

DD not playing with TC is making me think DJ Smith isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. Like somebody who vigorously forces two mismatched puzzle pieces together.

- Bartacus


Yeah, I don't know how anyone watches the tape from last game objectively and concludes that DeMelo and Chabot should be split, or that Chabot should go back with Zaitsev specifically.
Gord_Wilson_2.0
Ottawa Senators
Joined: 10.11.2011

Nov 15 @ 1:56 PM ET
Demelo to me is in the same pool as Pageau. Stock will likely never be higher. Great for a trade, not so great for a resigning.

Depth defensemen do not retain their level of play for a long period of time. Signing them long term is poor management, generally. Just look around the league at average d-men getting 6+ mill per year. Any holes in the depth can be rectified with AHL promotions and cheaper free agent alternatives, if you have savvy management. This team is an a rebuild and 2-4 years away for being competitive, so clogging the bottom lines/pairing with average players on pricey contracts is a step in the wrong direction. Focus on getting a new core first, then focus on depth of the roster.

Even is Demelo if a good partner for Chabot now, Chabot should be able to play with other d-men if he is actually the franchise d-man we signed him for. Not every fit will be perfect, but no need to break the bank because his first real NHL partner was a success.

Get some assets from a desperate team at the deadline.
Panzer_IVA
Ottawa Senators
Location: Ottawa, ON
Joined: 01.02.2018

Nov 15 @ 2:39 PM ET
Demelo to me is in the same pool as Pageau. Stock will likely never be higher. Great for a trade, not so great for a resigning.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I'd say resign both if the numbers (contract length and $/yr) make sense.
MarkStoned
Ottawa Senators
Joined: 11.02.2015

Nov 15 @ 2:52 PM ET
I'd offer demelo 3.5x5 after letting him run on the top pairing for a few months. Age? Non issue. Quality of play? Best defender on the team not named Chabot. If management and the coaching staff can realize this we have a top pairing defender for half of anyone elses. The guy can flat out play and has the underlying stats and eye test to validate his worth.

JGP I'd offer 3.5 x 5 as well. He may get more on the open market but not likely the term. He's a guy I want on this team and could be the solid vet we need for this rebuild. 7 million is potentially a reasonable get for these two players. The downside is minimal and the upside is something we can count on. Even if they were not to pan out... Those are still reasonable dollars that don't handicap this team.

The zait contract is what is annoying. We could've traded ceci for a 7th... Or let him walk....but no... We took on a huge crippling contract to get Connor brown. Don't get me wrong, I like brown. But not if he cost zait contract and especially not if we had to pay another player in addition to him.
spatso
Ottawa Senators
Location: jensen beach, FL
Joined: 02.19.2007

Nov 15 @ 2:57 PM ET
Zaitsev played 25 minutes last game. Chabot played 22. Sen's won.

Clearly Smith does not know what he is doing and the Sens were just lucky.

Fire Smith?

Bench Zaitsev?

spatso
Ottawa Senators
Location: jensen beach, FL
Joined: 02.19.2007

Nov 15 @ 3:05 PM ET
Demelo to me is in the same pool as Pageau. Stock will likely never be higher. Great for a trade, not so great for a resigning.

Depth defensemen do not retain their level of play for a long period of time. Signing them long term is poor management, generally. Just look around the league at average d-men getting 6+ mill per year. Any holes in the depth can be rectified with AHL promotions and cheaper free agent alternatives, if you have savvy management. This team is an a rebuild and 2-4 years away for being competitive, so clogging the bottom lines/pairing with average players on pricey contracts is a step in the wrong direction. Focus on getting a new core first, then focus on depth of the roster.

Even is Demelo if a good partner for Chabot now, Chabot should be able to play with other d-men if he is actually the franchise d-man we signed him for. Not every fit will be perfect, but no need to break the bank because his first real NHL partner was a success.

Get some assets from a desperate team at the deadline.

- Gord_Wilson_2.0


This is very good.

Also, Sens free CAP is a huge advantage.

They can do deals at the deadline that other teams are not likely able to pull off.

I would like to see them add another 1st and two 2nd round picks at the deadline.

They have at least a half dozen guys in their system who will be pushing for jobs next year (not counting what they will add in the next draft). They need a few veterans to provide leadership in the dressing room and on the road. But, right now it is all about creating opportunity for the kids.
Gord_Wilson_2.0
Ottawa Senators
Joined: 10.11.2011

Nov 15 @ 3:35 PM ET
I'd offer demelo 3.5x5 after letting him run on the top pairing for a few months. Age? Non issue. Quality of play? Best defender on the team not named Chabot. If management and the coaching staff can realize this we have a top pairing defender for half of anyone elses. The guy can flat out play and has the underlying stats and eye test to validate his worth.

JGP I'd offer 3.5 x 5 as well. He may get more on the open market but not likely the term. He's a guy I want on this team and could be the solid vet we need for this rebuild. 7 million is potentially a reasonable get for these two players. The downside is minimal and the upside is something we can count on. Even if they were not to pan out... Those are still reasonable dollars that don't handicap this team.

The zait contract is what is annoying. We could've traded ceci for a 7th... Or let him walk....but no... We took on a huge crippling contract to get Connor brown. Don't get me wrong, I like brown. But not if he cost zait contract and especially not if we had to pay another player in addition to him.

- MarkStoned

This is dangerous thinking on a bottom feeder team that has a cheap owner. The money you have offered is reasonable in a perfect world, but really not realistic. Pag alone is probably going to get 5-6 given the centre icemen climate in the NHL.

Both guys are at their peak right now. A 2nd/3rd line centre and a depth defenseman who happens to play well with Chabot. You have to expect regression and if there is even slight regression they become close to “annoying Zaitsev contracts”.
Michael Stuart
Ottawa Senators
Location: "Caresi > Corsi"
Joined: 10.24.2011

Nov 15 @ 3:45 PM ET
Demelo to me is in the same pool as Pageau. Stock will likely never be higher. Great for a trade, not so great for a resigning.

Depth defensemen do not retain their level of play for a long period of time. Signing them long term is poor management, generally. Just look around the league at average d-men getting 6+ mill per year. Any holes in the depth can be rectified with AHL promotions and cheaper free agent alternatives, if you have savvy management. This team is an a rebuild and 2-4 years away for being competitive, so clogging the bottom lines/pairing with average players on pricey contracts is a step in the wrong direction. Focus on getting a new core first, then focus on depth of the roster.

Even is Demelo if a good partner for Chabot now, Chabot should be able to play with other d-men if he is actually the franchise d-man we signed him for. Not every fit will be perfect, but no need to break the bank because his first real NHL partner was a success.

Get some assets from a desperate team at the deadline.

- Gord_Wilson_2.0


I don't disagree with you. I just fear that the market for a depth D who doesn't look fancy, but produces really strong underlying numbers, won't be all that attractive. If the best you're doing is a late-round pick, and re-signing him to a short-term deal at reasonable rate is an option, I'd lean towards the latter. If the years or dollars get out of hand, then trading absolutely makes sense.

One distinction: It's not just Chabot he plays well with. He seems to be effective wherever he plays.
TheCalSen
Ottawa Senators
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Joined: 05.07.2014

Nov 15 @ 10:36 PM ET
No room for him. Jaros, Wolanin and Lajoie are/will be better than him.
We got Chabot, Thompson, Branny and JBD as potentially a top-4.
How long are you going to sign Demelo for?
If he wants 1-2 years, that can work but anything more would be taking away a spot from a better/younger player.
david22
Ottawa Senators
Joined: 04.15.2008

Nov 16 @ 9:01 AM ET
Belleville appears to be pulling things together, although the goalies are still getting lit up.



Abromov's been playing well, and Balcers had two goals last night (who i thought would have been higher on the depth chart), curious if he gets a call up sometime soon, if there's an injury.
Athrin
Joined: 07.07.2016

Nov 16 @ 9:31 AM ET
No room for him. Jaros, Wolanin and Lajoie are/will be better than him.
We got Chabot, Thompson, Branny and JBD as potentially a top-4.
How long are you going to sign Demelo for?
If he wants 1-2 years, that can work but anything more would be taking away a spot from a better/younger player.

- TheCalSen



nah they can sign him to a 4-5 year deal around the 3-4.5m and he will be 100% tradable if one of the prospect breaks out
sensarmy_11
Location: NS
Joined: 06.01.2009

Nov 16 @ 10:21 AM ET
No room for him. Jaros, Wolanin and Lajoie are/will be better than him.
We got Chabot, Thompson, Branny and JBD as potentially a top-4.
How long are you going to sign Demelo for?
If he wants 1-2 years, that can work but anything more would be taking away a spot from a better/younger player.

- TheCalSen


how can you possibly assume that all of those guys are going to be better than Demelo. most of them haven't even played an AHL game yet, let alone an NHL game, and none of the ones who have are better than demelo......... (outside of the truly elite high picks) dmen prospects are a crapshoot.

we expected Lee, Cowen, Ceci, etc to all be legit top 4 dmen.......how'd that work out.

we already know what Demelo is...and more importantly, we know that he's a great partner for Chabot (not sure why Smith can't figure that out). it would be stupid to get rid of a player who is still young, who is good right now, and who's contract will likely end up being a bargain.....just in case all of our D prospects turn into top 4 guys
SensFan25
Ottawa Senators
Location: ON
Joined: 08.24.2006

Nov 16 @ 1:46 PM ET
Screw it. Let's trade all the UFAs now and get our tank on.
Demelo, Pageau, Hainsey, Borowieki and Namestnikov. Send 'em packing for a good return.
PavohnDatsvares
Ottawa Senators
Location: Ottawa, ON
Joined: 05.03.2016

Nov 16 @ 3:48 PM ET
And all Numbnuts Smith wants to do is bury him on the third pairing with Boro.

Chabot DeMelo
Hainsey Zaitsev
Borowiecki 'X'

Or

Chabot DeMelo
'X' Zaitsev
Borowiecki Hainsey


I've been saying it ALL SEASON!