Kevin Francis: Ottawa has edge over Montreal with young core and prospects!

Joshua Roy should be there for mtl.


Other than that, Habs have a lot of picks for the next 2 seasons and this year their own will be very high.

Great blog.

An important factor is leadership and I think the Sens have moved strongly to let the kids take on the overall responsibility for moving forward. Montreal needs to let a few of their veteran players move and give a chance for the young guys to step up.

If Montreal is building from the back out, and sticking to it, they likely should consider trading Suzuki at peak value as well. He’s never gonna be a Point per Game, #1C capable of shutting down other true #1’s in the league. Better to sell on his remaining upside than to be caught holding the bag on it.

I like Savard for the money and the fact he will help grow Guhle playing opposite him on the right. I can see Edmundsson doing the same for Barron next year with Romanov being the tweener and likely drawing a pairup with a surprisingly offensively adept (and likely signable) Wideman.

In 2022/2023 keep your eyes out for: Theo Lindstein, Simon Forsmark, Nathan Drapeau, Dylan MacKinnon, Jack Martin, Maveric Lamoreaux, and perhaps even a Joshua Niedermayer and Matthias Havelid as the guys will be drafted and looked to take over for future deadline trade bait guys like Edmundsson and Savard, with the hope being that by then, today’s kids can bring the list of draft-eligibles along just as the tradebait vets brought them along.

What this also means is that the window for contention won’t be looked at as being opwn again for another 3-4 years.

By then, Gibson Homer could be the future in net, as Cayden doesn’t seem to be a sneaky Carter or Carey or starter if not barely.

If Montreal ISN’T planning to grow from the back out, they look no further than Ottawa for ab example of what building from the front back looks like. Quick off the line, but less long term upside projection because Parayko’s and Makar’s don’t go up for sale. And someone with better taxation and weather will always be there to lure away the overpriced Pietrangelo’s. Gotta grow yours Centers and D. You can always buy a goaltender and wings.

Joshua Roy should be there for mtl.


Other than that, Habs have a lot of picks for the next 2 seasons and this year their own will be very high.
- deadpoulet

Respectfully, if you read how Kevin played it out, if a player has played pro he would be on the list. Roy is still playing junior and hasn't played in Laval or Montreal.

Great blog.

An important factor is leadership and I think the Sens have moved strongly to let the kids take on the overall responsibility for moving forward. Montreal needs to let a few of their veteran players move and give a chance for the young guys to step up.
- spatso

If Montreal can shed even 3 of those contracts which doesn't include the biggest loner Hoffman, the biggest introvert in that dressing room, then maybe they can start to let the youth lead that team. I will take Ottawa 100 times over Montreal next year when you look at the direction of both teams.

Now I hope Gallagher gets run every shift tonight. Little know what! Guy was the biggest diver his first few years in the league.

After watching both teams a ton this year, Ottawa is easily better set up for success in the coming years than the gong show in Montreal.

Respectfully, if you read how Kevin played it out, if a player has played pro he would be on the list. Roy is still playing junior and hasn't played in Laval or Montreal.
- LawyerSens4Life

I missed that out, thanks

Keep your head up to Gallagher hope someone plays pop goes the weasels head tonight lol
This isn’t about winning tonight it’s about shutting up the weasel 👊

Heres hoping Stuzle plays with a chip on his shoulder tonight.

Points and PMI and hits

Would help my fantasy team too

I missed that out, thanks
- deadpoulet

We all read things too fast sometimes. Being a lawyer, my clients are guilty of it sometimes too. That being said, both teams have some great draft picks playing junior and I would go as far to say that I think Montreal has some better young kids drafted still playing junior than Ottawa. But Ottawa has better AHL kids(prospects) than Montreal does. Both teams are at different places in their respective prospect pool. Just with junior kids, will their skills develop into pro skills.

Heres hoping Stuzle plays with a chip on his shoulder tonight.

Points and PMI and hits

Would help my fantasy team too
- david22

I got a feeling Stutzle plays with a crazy edge tonight.

Keep your head up to Gallagher hope someone plays pop goes the weasels head tonight lol
This isn’t about winning tonight it’s about shutting up the weasel 👊
- sens4life1971

Glad you said it lol, but you are so correct sir.

I heard maybe Chabot play tonight

I heard maybe Chabot play tonight
- Crosside

I think its offical now

I think its offical now
- david22

Yes he is in the lineup and so is Sabourin! As if the league wont be watching now, he was called up for one reason. How is DJ calling the personnel decisions? I kid you not, to all of you....I messaged a local media contact last night at 9pm as I was told DJ wanted Sabourin called up. The contact said to me, no way they do that, no way PD lets DJ call the shots, well low and behold it has happened!

Heres hoping Stuzle plays with a chip on his shoulder tonight.

Points and PMI and hits

Would help my fantasy team too
- david22

Looks like they will have Sabourin on one line and Watson on another line. Meaning Gallagher can expect to get his share of humble pie.

Looks like they will have Sabourin on one line and Watson on another line. Meaning Gallagher can expect to get his share of humble pie.
- Kevin Francis

Would be great to see Stutzle hit him with a brutal hit then say don’t lay there it’s embarrassing 😂😂

Would be great to see Stutzle hit him with a brutal hit then say don’t lay there it’s embarrassing 😂😂
- sens4life1971

Yes so true! But Sabourin in Brown. I hope Zaitsev comes out as he has been the worst defenseman for Ottawa since Chabot went out with injury. But instead MDZ will be made to be the scapegoat. Yet again, this is another glaring problem with this coach, he doesn't know how to ice a lineup. As a GM I would be worried about him next year on top of all his other issues that we have witnessed this year.

If Montreal is building from the back out, and sticking to it, they likely should consider trading Suzuki at peak value as well. He’s never gonna be a Point per Game, #1C capable of shutting down other true #1’s in the league. Better to sell on his remaining upside than to be caught holding the bag on it.

I like Savard for the money and the fact he will help grow Guhle playing opposite him on the right. I can see Edmundsson doing the same for Barron next year with Romanov being the tweener and likely drawing a pairup with a surprisingly offensively adept (and likely signable) Wideman.

In 2022/2023 keep your eyes out for: Theo Lindstein, Simon Forsmark, Nathan Drapeau, Dylan MacKinnon, Jack Martin, Maveric Lamoreaux, and perhaps even a Joshua Niedermayer and Matthias Havelid as the guys will be drafted and looked to take over for future deadline trade bait guys like Edmundsson and Savard, with the hope being that by then, today’s kids can bring the list of draft-eligibles along just as the tradebait vets brought them along.

What this also means is that the window for contention won’t be looked at as being opwn again for another 3-4 years.

By then, Gibson Homer could be the future in net, as Cayden doesn’t seem to be a sneaky Carter or Carey or starter if not barely.

If Montreal ISN’T planning to grow from the back out, they look no further than Ottawa for ab example of what building from the front back looks like. Quick off the line, but less long term upside projection because Parayko’s and Makar’s don’t go up for sale. And someone with better taxation and weather will always be there to lure away the overpriced Pietrangelo’s. Gotta grow yours Centers and D. You can always buy a goaltender and wings.
- 13of39

I agree, both teams are definitely trying to build from the back end out with goaltending and defense. Hard to say if Suzuki will live up to his contract. But if you can buy low and sell high, then if you are Montreal you do it. Great post!

I agree, both teams are definitely trying to build from the back end out with goaltending and defense. Hard to say if Suzuki will live up to his contract. But if you can buy low and sell high, then if you are Montreal you do it. Great post!
- Kevin Francis

Suzuki has 58 points in 78 games, not bad for being on one of the worst teams in the NHL this year and had a bad start...

OTT PP completely disorganized

Did I just see a power play of Kastelic, Parker Kelly and MDZ?

A coach with not a clue in the world.

Did I just see a power play of Kastelic, Parker Kelly and MDZ?

A coach with not a clue in the world.
- Whatisavailable

Nuts! But at least DJ scratched Zaitsev, or should I say PD told him too, if he wanted sabourin.

Suzuki has 58 points in 78 games, not bad for being on one of the worst teams in the NHL this year and had a bad start...
- Mithos

True!