Michael Stuart: Mike's Mailbag: Part I

Michael Stuart: Mike's Mailbag: Part I
- Michael_Stuart

Yeowww I'm first and super excited to read this.

Kaptaan asks: Do the Ottawa Senators have three players on roster or projected that can compare to the Canucks Calder Nominee trio of Boeser, Pettersson, and Hughes?

OTT has a Hughes his name is Chabot, id take Brady over Boeser any day, Boeser cannot stay healthy, OTT only needs a Pettersson.

I agree and that petterson could be either stutzle/byfield.

Chabot tkachuk byfield/stutzle

OTT has a Hughes his name is Chabot, id take Brady over Boeser any day, Boeser cannot stay healthy, OTT only needs a Pettersson.
- Athrin

Yeah, I take Brady over Boeser every day and twice on Sundays. Like I say, I think there's a number of guys in the Sens system who can be as effective as Boeser.

On the D side, I'm crazy high on Hughes (maybe too high) - to the point where I can't think of another young defender I'd take over him right now. So, if the question is: Does Ottawa have a number one defenseman who can lead the team into the future? The answer is unequivocally yes. Chabot is fantastic. But, do the Senators have someone who can match Hughes? If QH stays on his current trajectory, I don't think so. His rookie season was shaping up to be historic: https://dailyhive.com/van...hughes-rookie-record-pace

Probably could have worded that better in my response. Wasn't meant as a slight at Chabot at all.

Dan asks: Could Ottawa potentially package the number five pick and put an offer together to grab someone like Jonathan Toews? Chicago could benefit from the cap space, Ottawa could use a leader.

Dan is clearly a Chicago fan trying to unload that albatross of a contract.....

not even Chiarelli or Mike Milbury would be dumb enough to make that deal.

Yeah, I take Brady over Boeser every day and twice on Sundays. Like I say, I think there's a number of guys in the Sens system who can be as effective as Boeser.

On the D side, I'm crazy high on Hughes (maybe too high) - to the point where I can't think of another young defender I'd take over him right now. So, if the question is: Does Ottawa have a number one defenseman who can lead the team into the future? The answer is unequivocally yes. Chabot is fantastic. But, do the Senators have someone who can match Hughes? If QH stays on his current trajectory, I don't think so. His rookie season was shaping up to be historic: https://dailyhive.com/van...hughes-rookie-record-pace

Probably could have worded that better in my response. Wasn't meant as a slight at Chabot at all.
- Michael_Stuart

Chabot is fine, but I think some Sens fans need to take off the goggles and I think your Michael was on the right track with his thoughts. Guys like Hughes and Makar are in a league of their own.

Chabot is very good offensively, but there was a bit of a nosedive once the likes of Stone, Duchene, Dzingle, etc left. He hasn't completely proven to me he can single handily run the offense or a powerplay on a consistent basis. There are glimpses from time to time.

His defensive play is a joke. I hate to harp on gifted offensive players defensiveness, but I lost count this season of the amount of overtime games Chabot pressed the offense, wasn't successful, backchecked with the absolute minimum effort to only see the opposing team score to win. It was so incredibly frustrating to watch.

It will be interesting to see how his next season develops. Certainly not writing him off yet.

Chabot is fine, but I think some Sens fans need to take off the goggles and I think your Michael was on the right track with his thoughts. Guys like Hughes and Makar are in a league of their own.

Chabot is very good offensively, but there was a bit of a nosedive once the likes of Stone, Duchene, Dzingle, etc left. He hasn't completely proven to me he can single handily run the offense or a powerplay on a consistent basis. There are glimpses from time to time.

His defensive play is a joke. I hate to harp on gifted offensive players defensiveness, but I lost count this season of the amount of overtime games Chabot pressed the offense, wasn't successful, backchecked with the absolute minimum effort to only see the opposing team score to win. It was so incredibly frustrating to watch.

It will be interesting to see how his next season develops. Certainly not writing him off yet.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

to be fair, Hughes hasn't had to deal with the departure of every single good player on his team or proven that he can "singlehandedly run the offense or powerplay).....his stats would nosedive too if the Canucks all of a sudden got rid of boesser, peterssen, miller, horvat, etc.

also, hughes had 53 pts in 68 games at 20 years old, at 21 Chabot had 55 in 70. I don't think it's wearing goggles to suggest that they're pretty damn close. I think their potential ceilings are almost identical

to be fair, Hughes hasn't had to deal with the departure of every single good player on his team or proven that he can "singlehandedly run the offense or powerplay).....his stats would nosedive too if the Canucks all of a sudden got rid of boesser, peterssen, miller, horvat, etc.

also, hughes had 53 pts in 68 games at 20 years old, at 21 Chabot had 55 in 70. I don't think it's wearing goggles to suggest that they're pretty damn close. I think their potential ceilings are almost identical
- sensarmy_11

That's fair regarding supportive talent. Similar to Makar in Colorado as well.

I just think so many fans want Chabot to be a reincarnation of Karlsson that they are not willing to look at his shortcomings. Of course, there is plenty of time and I'd love to have to eat these words later but just my opinion right now.

It will be an interesting couple of years to see the shift amongst elite defencemen.

That's fair regarding supportive talent. Similar to Makar in Colorado as well.

I just think so many fans want Chabot to be a reincarnation of Karlsson that they are not willing to look at his shortcomings. Of course, there is plenty of time and I'd love to have to eat these words later but just my opinion right now.

It will be an interesting couple of years to see the shift amongst elite defencemen.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Also, in defence of Chabot vs Hughes (and this is in no way me taking shots at Hughes, he’s great), but Hughes played MASSIVELY sheltered minutes. 60% of his shifts started in the ozone, half his pts were on the PP, wasn’t out there on the PK, not out there playing against the other teams best on every shift.

Also, in defence of Chabot vs Hughes (and this is in no way me taking shots at Hughes, he’s great), but Hughes played MASSIVELY sheltered minutes. 60% of his shifts started in the ozone, half his pts were on the PP, wasn’t out there on the PK, not out there playing against the other teams best on every shift.
- sensarmy_11

Agreed, Hughes hasn't been thrown into the fire or dealt with roster deficiencies to nearly the same extend as Chabot. That said, Chabot absolutely needs a far more competent partner than he's had so far, and that includes DeMelo. I'm not sure if Bernard-Docker can handle top-line responsibility (hopefully so), but regardless they need to draft some defencemen with more than just offensive-ability in mind because Brannstrom and Thomson will need quality support as well if they're going to be allowed to play to their strengths.

How many workers did melnyk fire today?

I believe Smith is on notice not formally but he can see the writing on the wall. His work hard system and the work hard game plan and the hardest working team and we lost because we didn't work hard is not enough for the young players and prospects. We saw a lot of them underachieve last year and I don't think that's part of PD's plan.

I believe Smith is on notice not formally but he can see the writing on the wall. His work hard system and the work hard game plan and the hardest working team and we lost because we didn't work hard is not enough for the young players and prospects. We saw a lot of them underachieve last year and I don't think that's part of PD's plan.
- granpa

This post is just ridiculous

I believe Smith is on notice not formally but he can see the writing on the wall. His work hard system and the work hard game plan and the hardest working team and we lost because we didn't work hard is not enough for the young players and prospects. We saw a lot of them underachieve last year and I don't think that's part of PD's plan.
- granpa

I don't think Smith is being judged by the performance of a small number of prospects. Last year was always going to be a loss, so I think the "real" plan for 2019/20 was to implement a culture where hard work was ingrained as an expectation, and work ethic was actively rewarded. This coming year is where I think we'll start to see the real influx of young talent, with more significant roster opportunities being left available for them to shine. There were just too many veteran bodies around last year, including Pageau, Tierney, Duclair, Brown, Namestnikov, Ennis, Anisimov, Ryan, Boedker, and Sabourin. Only 5/10 of those players are set to return next year, and right now only 1/5 of those players are signed beyond the coming year.

That said, I think the excuses run out in 2020/21... and for some of the older prospects like Brown, Paul, Chlapik, and Balcers, it may be their last time to make a case for regular NHL ice time.

I don't think Smith is being judged by the performance of a small number of prospects. Last year was always going to be a loss, so I think the "real" plan for 2019/20 was to implement a culture where hard work was ingrained as an expectation, and work ethic was actively rewarded. This coming year is where I think we'll start to see the real influx of young talent, with more significant roster opportunities being left available for them to shine. There were just too many veteran bodies around last year, including Pageau, Tierney, Duclair, Brown, Namestnikov, Ennis, Anisimov, Ryan, Boedker, and Sabourin. Only 5/10 of those players are set to return next year, and right now only 1/5 of those players are signed beyond the coming year.

That said, I think the excuses run out in 2020/21... and for some of the older prospects like Brown, Paul, Chlapik, and Balcers, it may be their last time to make a case for regular NHL ice time.
- khawk

If Brown, Paul, Chlapik and Balcers don't play in Ottawa they'll play somewhere else.

If Brown, Paul, Chlapik and Balcers don't play in Ottawa they'll play somewhere else.
- granpa

That may be, but my point is that I think you'll begin seeing underachieving prospects being moved out well before you see Smith being held accountable for their performance to the point of losing his job.

Chabot is fine, but I think some Sens fans need to take off the goggles and I think your Michael was on the right track with his thoughts. Guys like Hughes and Makar are in a league of their own.

Chabot is very good offensively, but there was a bit of a nosedive once the likes of Stone, Duchene, Dzingle, etc left. He hasn't completely proven to me he can single handily run the offense or a powerplay on a consistent basis. There are glimpses from time to time.

His defensive play is a joke. I hate to harp on gifted offensive players defensiveness, but I lost count this season of the amount of overtime games Chabot pressed the offense, wasn't successful, backchecked with the absolute minimum effort to only see the opposing team score to win. It was so incredibly frustrating to watch.

It will be interesting to see how his next season develops. Certainly not writing him off yet.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Ottawa needs help at center and on defense, I think they should pick offense at third, likely Byfield and at fifth Drysdale or Sanderson. Right now Sanderson is the flavor of the month but the Senators scouts under Mann are excellent. It will be very interesting to see who they pick.

Hughes looks to be an electric offensive player. With that said, there’s a reason Chabot is currently pencilled in as the 1D for team Canada at the next Olympics. He’s a complete stud and he spent this past year dragging around Hainsey and Zaitsev. Give your heads a shake

That may be, but my point is that I think you'll begin seeing underachieving prospects being moved out well before you see Smith being held accountable for their performance to the point of losing his job.
- khawk

Chabot, White, Brown, Chlapick, Balcers, Lajoie, Brannstrom, Jaros, Batherson all underachieved in Ottawa. Obviously there's a problem and trading 4 - 5 prospects is not going to change anything.

White underachieved this past year but Chabot? Hockey Canada has him pencilled in as 1D at the next olympics -they know a thing or two... maybe try giving the guy a competent partner

White underachieved this past year but Chabot? Hockey Canada has him pencilled in as 1D at the next olympics -they know a thing or two... maybe try giving the guy a competent partner
- AndrewsTheory

White & Chabot were excellent in 2018-19. Maybe the problem is they're not suited for the system the coaching staff is trying to implement because C. Brown, Pageau, Ennis, Anisimov, Borowiecky and Riley overachieved in that program. Questions that need to be answered in 2020-2021.

Dammit Pageau!


Never liked him....

https://www.hockeyfeed.co...fted-by-one-specific-team

wow thats insane hopefully nhl doesnt go against lafs parents and get him in montreal. lol

Are there any competent owners available in the 2020 draft?