Nobody wanted Kubalik, Brannstrom and Kateslick. Or either one of the goalies. Even at discounted rates. That should tell this mgmt team and the fans want they were actually worth.

I'm okay with them not making moves. They did right by Tarasenko but didn't have to do right by the others.

My only worry is that by not moving these guys out, don't create roster spots to see what we have in some of the BSens like Kleven etc.

Gotta get the right coach. I'll be pissed if they wait too long and lose Berube and Gruden to other teams.

Bigger work comes this off season.

Nobody wanted Kubalik, Brannstrom and Kateslick. Or either one of the goalies. Even at discounted rates. That should tell this mgmt team and the fans want they were actually worth.

I'm okay with them not making moves. They did right by Tarasenko but didn't have to do right by the others.

My only worry is that by not moving these guys out, don't create roster spots to see what we have in some of the BSens like Kleven etc.

Gotta get the right coach. I'll be pissed if they wait too long and lose Berube and Gruden to other teams.

Bigger work comes this off season.
- GrimmdaGoalie

Chabot is injured again, that is most likely why Branny is a still a sens

Nobody wanted Kubalik, Brannstrom and Kateslick. Or either one of the goalies. Even at discounted rates. That should tell this mgmt team and the fans want they were actually worth.

I'm okay with them not making moves. They did right by Tarasenko but didn't have to do right by the others.

My only worry is that by not moving these guys out, don't create roster spots to see what we have in some of the BSens like Kleven etc.

Gotta get the right coach. I'll be pissed if they wait too long and lose Berube and Gruden to other teams.

Bigger work comes this off season.
- GrimmdaGoalie

Agreed, when you look at the limited return for more established players like Toffoli, Dumba, and Zucker, it really shows the extent to which the market just wasn't there. Kubalik/Brannstrom might have been last-minute deals if there had been a run on depth players, but that didn't really seem to manifest. And rather than deal with a soft trade deadline market, the draft will probably be a better time for the Chychrun/Chabot trade to be made. That's a deal where they need to maximize the return, and really make a significant targeted roster adjustment.

Much as I like the Katchouk waiver claim, it feels underwhelming to not have even rolled the dice on a single more significant player with NHL experience. I'd thought someone like Beauvillier might have been on their radar, especially since he's known to both Jack Capuano and potential future head coach John Gruden, in addition to being a speedy two-way francophone winger... but I guess they really weren't all that interested if all CHI could get back was a 5th round pick. I guess we'll just have to hear all about patience for another 3 months as this season grinds to a yet another disappointing close.

Did you ever stop to think that Dumba, Hertl, etc. would never re-sign to stay in Ottawa unless we overpaid them. You must have loved what Dorion did over the years (because this is exactly what he did). Why would we trade away picks/players to get another player who is becoming a UFA. They are not re-signing to stay in Ottawa at this point. Plus these guys are probably all on the back nine of their careers.
- OttawaB

Hertl is signed longterm. But Not sure what Ottawa could have offered. San Jose would have wanted a first, and no way Ottawa would give that up.

Hertl is signed longterm. But Not sure what Ottawa could have offered. San Jose would have wanted a first, and no way Ottawa would give that up.
- david22

Why not give a 1st? I would give up DET's - which will be a pick around where Bernard Docker was selected

I'm so confused. This is a top 2 center with a TON of upside. By the age of 25 he had 24 playoff goals. Been to a cup finals. At 6.5M - vs Josh Norris - he would be solid imo

Look at the cup winners & their top 6-7 players:

St.Louis: O'Reilly (CAN) Pietrangelo (CAN) Parayko (CAN) Tarasenko (RUS) Schenn (CAN) Perron (CAN) Schwartz (CAN) Bouwmeester (CAN)

Tampa: Stamkos (CAN) Kucherov (RUS) Point (CAN) Hedman (SWE) Vasilevskiy (RUS) Killorn (CAN) McDonagh (USA)

Colorado: Mackinnon (CAN) Makar (CAN) Toews (CAN) Landeskog (SWE) Rantanen (FIN) Kadri (CAN)

Vegas: Stone (CAN) Eichel (USA) Pietrangelo (CAN) Theodore (CAN) Stephenson (CAN) Marchessault (CAN) Barbashev (RUS) Karlsson (SWE)

My take: I'll beat this dead horse until something changes but if you look at the cup winners it's easy to see what wins in the playoffs. If it was players from Mexico winning all these cups I would go out and draft Mexican players. This core needs more top end Canadian talent. Giroux would be solid but he is past his prime to be here when we contend. Only team I saw win without top end Canadian talent is the Washington Capitals - who had the greatest goal scorer of ALL TIME, John Carlsson, 2 #1 goalies and stars in Kuznetsov and Backstrom. They still had Tom Wilson but every other team - including Chicago and Pittsburgh - needed those star Canadian pieces. Not only Toews and Crosby - but Seabrook and Keith or Letang and Schultz. So when I see how this team was constructed:

Tkachuk (USA) Sanderson (USA) Norris (USA) Batherson (CAN) Chabot (CAN) Stutzle (GER)

My thoughts are this team needs to move out Norris without question. Macklin Celebrini or Cayden Lindstrom would be solid. I like Batherson and Chabot but they need to their game to another level, with Chabot he needs to play with that offensive flair - he needs a defensive D-man like Zub, not JBD!

Winning a Stanley Cup is a process. Las Vegas successfully rejigged the process formula by accelerating the acquisition of a core line up by trading away prime assets. I doubt another team can duplicate their moxie. And, now, because their formula is well understood it is not going to be easy for multiple teams to try and pull off the same stunt. The Hertl deal will be the last Vegas hijack.

The trade deadline deal that deserves some attention is the deal that never happened. Ullmark refused to waive his "no move" for the Bruins to move him to LA for PLD. PLD would have been an outstanding acquisition for the Bruins in facing Matthews in the first round and the overall size and grit of Florida in a second round.

Look at the cup winners & their top 6-7 players:

St.Louis: O'Reilly (CAN) Pietrangelo (CAN) Parayko (CAN) Tarasenko (RUS) Schenn (CAN) Perron (CAN) Schwartz (CAN) Bouwmeester (CAN)

Tampa: Stamkos (CAN) Kucherov (RUS) Point (CAN) Hedman (SWE) Vasilevskiy (RUS) Killorn (CAN) McDonagh (USA)

Colorado: Mackinnon (CAN) Makar (CAN) Toews (CAN) Landeskog (SWE) Rantanen (FIN) Kadri (CAN)

Vegas: Stone (CAN) Eichel (USA) Pietrangelo (CAN) Theodore (CAN) Stephenson (CAN) Marchessault (CAN) Barbashev (RUS) Karlsson (SWE)

My take: I'll beat this dead horse until something changes but if you look at the cup winners it's easy to see what wins in the playoffs. If it was players from Mexico winning all these cups I would go out and draft Mexican players. This core needs more top end Canadian talent. Giroux would be solid but he is past his prime to be here when we contend. Only team I saw win without top end Canadian talent is the Washington Capitals - who had the greatest goal scorer of ALL TIME, John Carlsson, 2 #1 goalies and stars in Kuznetsov and Backstrom. They still had Tom Wilson but every other team - including Chicago and Pittsburgh - needed those star Canadian pieces. Not only Toews and Crosby - but Seabrook and Keith or Letang and Schultz. So when I see how this team was constructed:

Tkachuk (USA) Sanderson (USA) Norris (USA) Batherson (CAN) Chabot (CAN) Stutzle (GER)

My thoughts are this team needs to move out Norris without question. Macklin Celebrini or Cayden Lindstrom would be solid. I like Batherson and Chabot but they need to their game to another level, with Chabot he needs to play with that offensive flair - he needs a defensive D-man like Zub, not JBD!
- AlfieisKing

Canadian players make up over 40% of the entire NHL... so their relative prevalance on successful playoff rosters is hardly unexpected. The Senators already have Chabot, Giroux, Batherson, and Chychrun making up 1/2 of the team's top-8 players, plus Joseph/Grieg are the best defensive forwards on the team... so they're not exactly lacking in Canadian players. Plus, virtually every Cup-winning team in the past 15 years has had at least 2-3 non-Canadian players in their top-5 elite core. And for those who question the non-Canadian roots of the Senators' drafted core of Tkachuk, Stutzle, and Sanderson, how much closer to a Stanley Cup would they be with Hayton, Drysdale, and Quinn? Because that would be their "elite" core if they'd drafted the next-highest Canadian player using those exact same picks.

It's fundamentally mistaken to presume that where your born defines your ability. There are hundreds of Canadian-born players that I wouldn't want near my playoff roster, and i would take Alfredsson, Chara, or Hossa every single time if I could. Similarly, drafting the likes of Cowen, Lazar, and Ceci in 1st round didn't exactly result in any great achievements. It's not about where players are born, it's about the way they play. And it's quite evident that the young players on this team were coached to cut corners for offensive advantage. Equally telling is that most of the roster players with pro experience elsewhere have a much better understanding of the two-way game (e.g. Giroux, Zub, Joseph, even Tarasenko). Regardless of their passport, the Senators need to have a better team structure and stronger defensive play throughout the lineup in order to get to the level of play required to contend for a Stanley Cup.

Canadian players make up over 40% of the entire NHL... so their relative prevalance on successful playoff rosters is hardly unexpected. The Senators already have Chabot, Giroux, Batherson, and Chychrun making up 1/2 of the team's top-8 players, plus Joseph/Grieg are the best defensive forwards on the team... so they're not exactly lacking in Canadian players. Plus, virtually every Cup-winning team in the past 15 years has had at least 2-3 non-Canadian players in their top-5 elite core. And for those who question the non-Canadian roots of the Senators' drafted core of Tkachuk, Stutzle, and Sanderson, how much closer to a Stanley Cup would they be with Hayton, Drysdale, and Quinn? Because that would be their "elite" core if they'd drafted the next-highest Canadian player using those exact same picks.

It's fundamentally mistaken to presume that where your born defines your ability. There are hundreds of Canadian-born players that I wouldn't want near my playoff roster, and i would take Alfredsson, Chara, or Hossa every single time if I could. Similarly, drafting the likes of Cowen, Lazar, and Ceci in 1st round didn't exactly result in any great achievements. It's not about where players are born, it's about the way they play. And it's quite evident that the young players on this team were coached to cut corners for offensive advantage. Equally telling is that most of the roster players with pro experience elsewhere have a much better understanding of the two-way game (e.g. Giroux, Zub, Joseph, even Tarasenko). Regardless of their passport, the Senators need to have a better team structure and stronger defensive play throughout the lineup in order to get to the level of play required to contend for a Stanley Cup.
- khawk

I'm glad with your response. I think there's some valid points that I agree with (it's not the case I want a team full of 18 skaters all from Canada).

I will have a longer response for this, but the evidence is overwhelming the last 20 years (since the salary cap came in) - even before then but let's just use the last 20 years. Only the Capitals in 2018 and Red Wings in 2008 won cups without having their core/best players be Canadian players and/or Sweedish. I think Brady Tkachuk is a EXCELLENT piece but we need a true #1 D-man that is Canadian OR another top 3 forward. Again, it's not just the fact that there's 40% Canadian - the core pieces that have won cups are the kind of players Sens should go after.

I really like Ridly Grieg .... and I'm ok with Shane Pinto to as a playoff kind of player. Not sure about everyone else. We need a top 6F with Giroux gone and DeBrincat's shoes were never filled. I wish we signed Norris or signed him to a bridge contract!

Senko 2G in his FLA debut

Senko 2G in his FLA debut
- Mithos

2G and 3 points in first 2 games.

But can't wait for Sens to have that 3rd round pick in 2025. Watching it turn into absolutely sh*t 5 years later will be a fun ride.

I've had enough of the excuses for poor hockey decisions. DeBrincat didn't have to be traded to DET. We got nothing for a guy that went to the all star game. Like wtf is going on here? Why are fans having to deal with so much during this rebuild?

Staios has a lot to do this off season and this is actually a good thing - to lose all these games. If they get a top 3 pick, it's a very successful year, if it's outside top 5 this is just brain dead thinking. Staying mediocre is the worst

Has any team had 3 7-game losing streaks before?

Has any team had 3 7-game losing streaks before?
- PogBoi

in 92, OTT had 2 11 games loosing streaks and a 14 games losing streak

2G and 3 points in first 2 games.

But can't wait for Sens to have that 3rd round pick in 2025. Watching it turn into absolutely sh*t 5 years later will be a fun ride.

I've had enough of the excuses for poor hockey decisions. DeBrincat didn't have to be traded to DET. We got nothing for a guy that went to the all star game. Like wtf is going on here? Why are fans having to deal with so much during this rebuild?

Staios has a lot to do this off season and this is actually a good thing - to lose all these games. If they get a top 3 pick, it's a very successful year, if it's outside top 5 this is just brain dead thinking. Staying mediocre is the worst
- AlfieisKing

I never believed that replacing DJ would result in a significant improvement in the Sens overall play. I repeatedly warned that we should get ready to pay a significant dislocation cost that comes from wrong headed organizational change.

And, I don't want to hear a bunch whiners claiming they have a right to be critical. I never criticized your right to criticism. I was critical of your assumptions and conclusions. I am okay with folks going on to find new things to be critical about. But, at least have the decency to recognize that the LA Kings are giving a lot of credit to DJ for the recent turn around in their game.

I have no problems with Jacques Martin he has done his best in trying to play a very bad hand.

I am concerned with Brady continuing to make noises that the Sens would have been better off if DJ had been allowed to continue on as coach.

I do have a problem with some bloggers and commentators who keep pushing for more changes and not recognizing that the core group of this team is outstanding and right now the most important ingredients are patience and stability.

Winning a Stanley Cup is a process. Las Vegas successfully rejigged the process formula by accelerating the acquisition of a core line up by trading away prime assets. I doubt another team can duplicate their moxie. And, now, because their formula is well understood it is not going to be easy for multiple teams to try and pull off the same stunt. The Hertl deal will be the last Vegas hijack.

The trade deadline deal that deserves some attention is the deal that never happened. Ullmark refused to waive his "no move" for the Bruins to move him to LA for PLD. PLD would have been an outstanding acquisition for the Bruins in facing Matthews in the first round and the overall size and grit of Florida in a second round.
- spatso

Las Vegas definitely has the management and ownership to make things happen. I am sure Stone will be ready for game 1 or 2 of the first round. I like management that pushes to the limits of what they can for their team. If the players are expected to push to their limits its easier to get them to do it when the organization is doing it off the ice.
We might see round 2 of florid vs vegas this year. Imo that would be very exciting final

I never believed that replacing DJ would result in a significant improvement in the Sens overall play. I repeatedly warned that we should get ready to pay a significant dislocation cost that comes from wrong headed organizational change.

And, I don't want to hear a bunch whiners claiming they have a right to be critical. I never criticized your right to criticism. I was critical of your assumptions and conclusions. I am okay with folks going on to find new things to be critical about. But, at least have the decency to recognize that the LA Kings are giving a lot of credit to DJ for the recent turn around in their game.

I have no problems with Jacques Martin he has done his best in trying to play a very bad hand.

I am concerned with Brady continuing to make noises that the Sens would have been better off if DJ had been allowed to continue on as coach.

I do have a problem with some bloggers and commentators who keep pushing for more changes and not recognizing that the core group of this team is outstanding and right now the most important ingredients are patience and stability.
- spatso

Change is neccesary now. As long as it is smartly done. I don't mind if it is part of the core, in fact i think that would be prudent.
In retrospect perhaps they should have left dj as the headcoach and brought martin in as the assitant. It could have been a 1A and 1B head coach style . Alfredsson was uneccesary and literally brought nothing to the coaching behind the bench.
Of course Brady is frustated and every other player on the team. It will happen with perpetual losing and being so young increases the i want it now syndrome.
In retrospect chabot should have been made captain, he was older and been here longer. Brady was too young and inexperienced . I am sure that was part of the carrot dangled to get him to sign that contract

I never believed that replacing DJ would result in a significant improvement in the Sens overall play. I repeatedly warned that we should get ready to pay a significant dislocation cost that comes from wrong headed organizational change.

And, I don't want to hear a bunch whiners claiming they have a right to be critical. I never criticized your right to criticism. I was critical of your assumptions and conclusions. I am okay with folks going on to find new things to be critical about. But, at least have the decency to recognize that the LA Kings are giving a lot of credit to DJ for the recent turn around in their game.

I have no problems with Jacques Martin he has done his best in trying to play a very bad hand.

I am concerned with Brady continuing to make noises that the Sens would have been better off if DJ had been allowed to continue on as coach.

I do have a problem with some bloggers and commentators who keep pushing for more changes and not recognizing that the core group of this team is outstanding and right now the most important ingredients are patience and stability.
- spatso

With all due respect, claiming that the team would somehow have been better off with DJ Smith as coach is nothing short of delusional. The LA Kings are an outstanding defensive team with a playoff-quality roster and Cup-experienced leadership, so maybe DJ can help them out in other ways - but he absolutely failed to teach this team how to be successful in the NHL. Now it's true there are roster deficiencies with the team, but most teams have some kind of roster deficiency and manage not to repeatedly find themselves in last place. What's been exposed this season is the team's serious lack of defensive fundamentals, the lack of accountability that has settled in to this group, and the emotional immaturity of its leadership.

Case in point, the demonstrable sulking that players like Tkachuk/Stutzle showed in the 10 games after DJ's firing was nothing short of unprofessional, and quite frankly may have led the new ownership group to seriously question their long-term viability. Leaders are typically measured by their bad days more than their good days, and if they think the adversity of a coach being fired when they're playing like a last-place team is too much to handle, they'll fold like a paper cup in the grind of the post-season. In fact, this may already be rearing its head with their repeated inability to 'find their game' until their season becomes inconsequential. But the only thing legitimately problematic about the DJ Smith firing is that they weren't able to replace him with a more immediate long-term solution. Hopefully that's addressed early in the off-season, and they can move forward in a better direction.

With all due respect, claiming that the team would somehow have been better off with DJ Smith as coach is nothing short of delusional. The LA Kings are an outstanding defensive team with a playoff-quality roster and Cup-experienced leadership, so maybe DJ can help them out in other ways - but he absolutely failed to teach this team how to be successful in the NHL. Now it's true there are roster deficiencies with the team, but most teams have some kind of roster deficiency and manage not to repeatedly find themselves in last place. What's been exposed this season is the team's serious lack of defensive fundamentals, the lack of accountability that has settled in to this group, and the emotional immaturity of its leadership.

Case in point, the demonstrable sulking that players like Tkachuk/Stutzle showed in the 10 games after DJ's firing was nothing short of unprofessional, and quite frankly may have led the new ownership group to seriously question their long-term viability. Leaders are typically measured by their bad days more than their good days, and if they think the adversity of a coach being fired when they're playing like a last-place team is too much to handle, they'll fold like a paper cup in the grind of the post-season. In fact, this may already be rearing its head with their repeated inability to 'find their game' until their season becomes inconsequential. But the only thing legitimately problematic about the DJ Smith firing is that they weren't able to replace him with a more immediate long-term solution. Hopefully that's addressed early in the off-season, and they can move forward in a better direction.
- khawk

Well said and written, i couln't agree more .
Your wordsmithing and construction of precise and understandable opinions is top notch

With all due respect, claiming that the team would somehow have been better off with DJ Smith as coach is nothing short of delusional. The LA Kings are an outstanding defensive team with a playoff-quality roster and Cup-experienced leadership, so maybe DJ can help them out in other ways - but he absolutely failed to teach this team how to be successful in the NHL. Now it's true there are roster deficiencies with the team, but most teams have some kind of roster deficiency and manage not to repeatedly find themselves in last place. What's been exposed this season is the team's serious lack of defensive fundamentals, the lack of accountability that has settled in to this group, and the emotional immaturity of its leadership.

Case in point, the demonstrable sulking that players like Tkachuk/Stutzle showed in the 10 games after DJ's firing was nothing short of unprofessional, and quite frankly may have led the new ownership group to seriously question their long-term viability. Leaders are typically measured by their bad days more than their good days, and if they think the adversity of a coach being fired when they're playing like a last-place team is too much to handle, they'll fold like a paper cup in the grind of the post-season. In fact, this may already be rearing its head with their repeated inability to 'find their game' until their season becomes inconsequential. But the only thing legitimately problematic about the DJ Smith firing is that they weren't able to replace him with a more immediate long-term solution. Hopefully that's addressed early in the off-season, and they can move forward in a better direction.
- khawk

My issue was never about Smith as a coach. I always believed both Dorion and Smith would need to go. My issue has always the same. It is about organizational dislocation. What happened was entirely predictable. I had no issue with Smith and I am fine with Jacques Martin. Folks who believe this was about a coaching problem are in full denial about what is happening on the ice before our own eyes.

From the beginning of the new ownership taking over I have expressed concern that any organization can only handle so much change. When organizational change turns into chaos people begin to turn off the voices advocating for organizational growth and transition.

With the chaos that has now been created, the next stage can be far more frightening than what has happened so far. The guys you might want to move will choose to try to stay. The players that you want to keep start looking for a ticket out of town.

Let's be really careful before we start dumping all over these kids. Clearly they were distressed in losing the only NHL coach they have had. Maybe they have not handled it very well. But, I don't want to see bloggers and commentators pouring even more gas on the fire.

Draft Lottery Watch 2024

1. Chicago - 37 points - 18 games remaining
2. San Jose - 39 points - 19 games remaining
-------------------------------------------
Realistically these are the top 2 slots at draft lottery in May
-------------------------------------------
3. Anaheim - 49 points - 19 games remaining
4. Columbus - 54 points - 18 games remaining
5. Ottawa - 54 points - 20 games remaining
6. Arizona - 57 points - 18 games remaining
7. Montreal - 58 points - 18 games remaining
--------------------------------------------
Unless PIT or BUF start loosing, the Sens most likely draft anywhere from 5th-7th. If Sens get a 8th pick or lower I'll be VERY disappointed. So question is, who are taking 5th, 6th, or 7th?

My issue was never about Smith as a coach. I always believed both Dorion and Smith would need to go. My issue has always the same. It is about organizational dislocation. What happened was entirely predictable. I had no issue with Smith and I am fine with Jacques Martin. Folks who believe this was about a coaching problem are in full denial about what is happening on the ice before our own eyes.

From the beginning of the new ownership taking over I have expressed concern that any organization can only handle so much change. When organizational change turns into chaos people begin to turn off the voices advocating for organizational growth and transition.

With the chaos that has now been created, the next stage can be far more frightening than what has happened so far. The guys you might want to move will choose to try to stay. The players that you want to keep start looking for a ticket out of town.

Let's be really careful before we start dumping all over these kids. Clearly they were distressed in losing the only NHL coach they have had. Maybe they have not handled it very well. But, I don't want to see bloggers and commentators pouring even more gas on the fire.
- spatso

Seems to me that teams like Vegas, Florida, Tampa, Colorado .... all handled organizational and structural change very well. In the end, in Ottawa we are seeing:
1) Lack of accountability
2) Core and leadership group are/were too young and not ready
3) Poor team structure (hello Dorion)
4) Poor team coaching and lack of any credible structure ... except the "attaboy", "way to go guys", let's get out there and play hockey. ./.... a la DJ Smith and the rah rah coaching program.

Where we are is just being accentuated by the fact that the core of this team don't know how to properly lead and just don't want to accept change, especially if it affects their point production. Let's face it ... for this group , hard work may be just too hard.


As for players who may start to want to move .... their contracts say otherwise and its time to man up and start earning their dough and stop sulking.

^^^^^

Fair post. Vegas, Florida, Tampa all have SIGNIFICANT benefit when it comes to the salary cap. FLA and TBL had to wait MANY years after drafting top players in Stamkos, Hedman, Barkov and others to make a cup finals or win one. FLA still needs to get the job done.

Colorado did an excellent job keeping the core together but when you draft MacKinnon 1st overall and Makar 4th - your talking about HHOF players without a doubt, and likely one of the best players in this generation. Do the Sens have that? Stutzle has the highest ceiling IMO. I think he can be a 1000 GP & 1000P player when it's all said and done. I can't say that about Brady as confidently, although he will be amazing in the off season. Sanderson is a stellar D-man but his game hasn't taken the steps I thought it would this year. With that said, I have no doubt he will have a great career if healthy.

The Avs also developed a great coach in house with Bednar and got key playoff performers over the years (Kadri, Lehkonen*, Burakovsky, Nichushkin). Bringing over Darcy Kuemper from Arizona was a great move too.

The Sens have brough Giroux and Tarasenko - but sadly the mix didn't work well. Injuries played a role but Norris and Chabot have been allocated WAY too much money based off 1 career years. Add to that the DeBrincat deal and having nothing to show for many 1st round picks (Thomson, Benard Docker, Brannstrom, Boucher, the Dadonov trade) it's a recipe for disaster. The Sens got good pieces in Pinto, Grieg, and Zub. Add to the team but the goaltending is really suspect in this organization.

^^^^^

Fair post. Vegas, Florida, Tampa all have SIGNIFICANT benefit when it comes to the salary cap. FLA and TBL had to wait MANY years after drafting top players in Stamkos, Hedman, Barkov and others to make a cup finals or win one. FLA still needs to get the job done.

Colorado did an excellent job keeping the core together but when you draft MacKinnon 1st overall and Makar 4th - your talking about HHOF players without a doubt, and likely one of the best players in this generation. Do the Sens have that? Stutzle has the highest ceiling IMO. I think he can be a 1000 GP & 1000P player when it's all said and done. I can't say that about Brady as confidently, although he will be amazing in the off season. Sanderson is a stellar D-man but his game hasn't taken the steps I thought it would this year. With that said, I have no doubt he will have a great career if healthy.

The Avs also developed a great coach in house with Bednar and got key playoff performers over the years (Kadri, Lehkonen*, Burakovsky, Nichushkin). Bringing over Darcy Kuemper from Arizona was a great move too.

The Sens have brough Giroux and Tarasenko - but sadly the mix didn't work well. Injuries played a role but Norris and Chabot have been allocated WAY too much money based off 1 career years. Add to that the DeBrincat deal and having nothing to show for many 1st round picks (Thomson, Benard Docker, Brannstrom, Boucher, the Dadonov trade) it's a recipe for disaster. The Sens got good pieces in Pinto, Grieg, and Zub. Add to the team but the goaltending is really suspect in this organization.
- AlfieisKing

This is a really good post!

Sens' issues are much more complex than the positive/negative influence of the head coach. If nothing else the effort of Jacques Martin confirms the issue is more complex than coaching.

My caution is about the need to vigorously ignore the voices that will now want to turn on the kids and blame them for the overall failure of the team. Last summer the fan base was supremely positive. This summer expect the fan base to be achingly ugly and bitter.

Now the critics can't blame the coaching. And, they can't admit they were wrong in their assumptions that the problem was Smith. So, watch them turn on the players. That is the easy part to predict. The harder part is the recoil action from the better players who will choose to dislike Ottawa and their fans. This is not rocket science. This is how it works.

I hope I am wrong.

Now the critics can't blame the coaching. And, they can't admit they were wrong in their assumptions that the problem was Smith. So, watch them turn on the players. That is the easy part to predict. The harder part is the recoil action from the better players who will choose to dislike Ottawa and their fans. This is not rocket science. This is how it works.

- spatso

The dumpster fire of a season and the inability to produce consistent results 2 months after the coaching change are proof that the issues with the team run deep. However, coaching was absolutely a significant part of the problem. The lack of structure, lack of attention to details, lack of player development and lack of accountability are a big part of the current problems.

Thomas Chabot is perhaps the best example of this. He is a very talented offensive defenceman who is great at moving the puck up ice and leading the charge. However, his defensive play has regressed over the past 4 years, not improved. There is a lack of intensity and detail in his game that should have been dealt with by capable coaching that focused on doing the small things, doing them right and being accountable to make good plays. What we have instead is a player that can win games with excellent offence but contributes to many losses when he is not fully engaged or fails to make the right, simple play.

I really like Thomas Chabot. He is a great talent who cares about the team. However he has been overplayed and underdeveloped.

That doesn't change the fact that the biggest issue was Dorion. There was poor asset management and poor roster construction. The trading of future assets to land the "missing piece" has left the organization in the current situation. The big positive is that there are some very high quality players to build around.

After 62 games last season the Sens were 3 points out of a wild card in the standings.

It is worth making a list of significant changes from last year to this year.

Over the last few years we saw steady positive progression. This year, the regression in team performance is stunning.

When you have this level of collapse, it almost always involves multiple causes.

When you have this kind of collapse, organizations tend to overreact believing it is necessary to make significant corrective changes. Most often, the corrective cure is highly problematic.

The players do not like Jacques Martin. The players loved DJ.

Staios needs to be really careful choosing the next coach.

Would I rehire DJ? No.

Would I extend Martin? No.

Would I hire an old style systems coach like Martin? Never!

Would I hire a players coach? Yes!