That's just it! He skates and moves like Patrick Kane but needs that finish !
- AlfieisKing

He needs a new bloody stick, it always looks too small and the blade too thin, feels like he used it all through his junior career and his game grew out of it but he never did. Watching pucks spin off his blade or hop over his blade sucks. Congrats to the leafs though, it sucks lol, but Congrats your big boys came out tonite and closed it out.

Well played series.. You guys have a lot to look forward to next season

Apparently pacioretty scored the winner for montreal when Ottawa was down 3-0 nd pushed it to game six

How funny would it be if Marner signs with the Sens lolololol

How funny would it be if Marner signs with the Sens lolololol
- PogBoi

I do have it on good authority that he's leaving.

I am very curious to see what injury Greig had. Apparently he could barely walk, lol.

As a long time Leafs fan, I want to congratulate your team in Ottawa. Their potential is trending upwards. They're young and impressionable and with time will become perennial contenders. They're just getting their feet wet. No despair, it's the learning curve. It took the Leafs young players 9 years to get here and there's no shame losing in 6. I like your young defense and the compete level of your forwards. Make no mistake, they're here for the long haul. It will be nice to see the Sens and Habs move into playoff contention going forward. Boston finally succumbed to their inevitable aging and lack of draft capital and have fallen in the standings. Soon, Tampa will join them and then Florida. Toronto is at their peak right now and will have an open window for a few more years. I'm predicting the Sens to make it to 3rd in the Atlantic next year.

If I'm a GM, and ALL things considered, I'm bringing a D-man to my organization:

1) Cale Makar
2) Quinn Hughes
3) Rasmus Dahlin
4) Jake Sanderson
5) Moritz Seider
6) Thomas Harley
- AlfieisKing

Settle down, lol

In all honesty, nice effort by the Sens. It was nice seeing the Battle of Ontario again, I’m so damn sick of FLA and TB.

Brady is a stud, and Ullmark seems competent. I wish Stutzle didn’t dive so much, but he’s got some skill. They should be a playoff team next year too.

I’m not sure Cozens and Chabot are worth $15M, but what can you do.

Now on to FLA, who were apparently not even trying for the last month of the season. That team is so damn stacked at every position. Should be fun!

Settle down, lol

In all honesty, nice effort by the Sens. It was nice seeing the Battle of Ontario again, I’m so damn sick of FLA and TB.

Brady is a stud, and Ullmark seems competent. I wish Stutzle didn’t dive so much, but he’s got some skill. They should be a playoff team next year too.

I’m not sure Cozens and Chabot are worth $15M, but what can you do.

Now on to FLA, who were apparently not even trying for the last month of the season. That team is so damn stacked at every position. Should be fun!
- AxlRose91

We'll agree to disagree on Sanderson, but he has been getting wide praise from people this season and series.

I also think Chabot is fine at 8 per, with the cap going up especially. He's looked much better now that Sanderson is shouldering much of the load, which should occur even more next year and beyond. Reminds me a bit of Phaneuf's game when he played behind Karlsson.

Cozens is the real wildcard I'll agree. He showed flashes, but they really need hi to find that level he showed from time to time, but on a permanent basis. There is a nice precedent of former sabres doing that as soon as they leave Buffalo, so hopefully it occurs again.

I am open to trading Dylan Cozens and Drake Batherson FOR THE RIGHT price. They have tons more to grow but Tkachuk and Stutzle belong on line 1. These two could've done more this series

Now comes "looking ahead to next year"....

Assuming all RFAs get signed:
- D is set. Kleven and Mantipalo surprised and impressed later on. Jensen....no so much, but the assumption is Yamerchuk replaces him after next year.
- 10 forward spots set....Timmy, Brady, Grieg, Batherson, Grieg, Pinto, Amadio, Zetterlund (they don't waste a 2nd to NOT resign him), Cozens, Perron.

That leaves 2 spots open.

What do we do with that?

Now comes "looking ahead to next year"....

Assuming all RFAs get signed:
- D is set. Kleven and Mantipalo surprised and impressed later on. Jensen....no so much, but the assumption is Yamerchuk replaces him after next year.
- 10 forward spots set....Timmy, Brady, Grieg, Batherson, Grieg, Pinto, Amadio, Zetterlund (they don't waste a 2nd to NOT resign him), Cozens, Perron.

That leaves 2 spots open.

What do we do with that?
- GrimmdaGoalie

Zetterlund was alright, I think the team expected more, but he will most certainly be re-signed. He should offer some depth scoring, but you wonder where he slots in.

Forsberg walks. Likely Cousins too. Good luck to both but both are replaceable.

Big question is do they sign Giroux, and if so, for what? Same question with Gaudette. I mean, they wont come back with the exact same roster, will they?

Is Merilaninen ready to be a backup to Ullmark and is that best for him and the team?

Overall, impressive showing by the Sens these playoffs. Could have won any of those games outside of game 1. Leafs won’t last long against the Panthers. I’d go as far as saying Panthers in 4.

Klevan impressed me the most of all Sens players. We have a stud shutdown D there. He looked poised, imposing, and made very few mistakes.

There needs to be more finishing ability. I think this might come in house with Cozens having a full year in Ottawa and Batherson learning playoff hockey. You can’t really afford to move Batherson with that friendly contract. Let Cozen’s marinate.

I am not sure what to do with Giroux. I felt Perron had a more effective playoff has a veteran. You do need vets but not overpay for them. If Giroux were to take a deal in the 3-mill range, keep him, but anything more, I think you have to explore other options.

Ullmark played well in game 5 but he never looked like an 8-mill goalie in these playoffs. He was not the reason they lost, and I don’t think we have a goaltending issue, but he will want to have a good summer to get back to Vezina level. I would not be shocked if Levi Merilainene pushes him in the next couple of seasons.

I’ll be interested to hear of the injuries to the likes of Greig, Tkachuk, and Jensen. Painfully clear they were playing hurt.

Overall, impressive showing by the Sens these playoffs. Could have won any of those games outside of game 1. Leafs won’t last long against the Panthers. I’d go as far as saying Panthers in 4.

Klevan impressed me the most of all Sens players. We have a stud shutdown D there. He looked poised, imposing, and made very few mistakes.

There needs to be more finishing ability. I think this might come in house with Cozens having a full year in Ottawa and Batherson learning playoff hockey. You can’t really afford to move Batherson with that friendly contract. Let Cozen’s marinate.

I am not sure what to do with Giroux. I felt Perron had a more effective playoff has a veteran. You do need vets but not overpay for them. If Giroux were to take a deal in the 3-mill range, keep him, but anything more, I think you have to explore other options.

Ullmark played well in game 5 but he never looked like an 8-mill goalie in these playoffs. He was not the reason they lost, and I don’t think we have a goaltending issue, but he will want to have a good summer to get back to Vezina level. I would not be shocked if Levi Merilainene pushes him in the next couple of seasons.

I’ll be interested to hear of the injuries to the likes of Greig, Tkachuk, and Jensen. Painfully clear they were playing hurt.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Giroux is no longer suited for top 6, 3rd liner yes, problem is amadio, he would need to be moved to the 4th line so Giroux can go 3RW, they still need him for face offs.

as for Bath...seriously people it was his first playoffs.

We'll agree to disagree on Sanderson, but he has been getting wide praise from people this season and series.

I also think Chabot is fine at 8 per, with the cap going up especially. He's looked much better now that Sanderson is shouldering much of the load, which should occur even more next year and beyond. Reminds me a bit of Phaneuf's game when he played behind Karlsson.

Cozens is the real wildcard I'll agree. He showed flashes, but they really need hi to find that level he showed from time to time, but on a permanent basis. There is a nice precedent of former sabres doing that as soon as they leave Buffalo, so hopefully it occurs again.
- david22

He’s a good defenseman, but there are obviously several names you’d put ahead of him, if you’re starting a team. That was my only point.

And good call re: ex-Sabres! You could make an all-star team from guys they unloaded.

How I see Ottawa Senators currently

Brady Tkachuk -- Tim Stutzle -- [Top 6 goal scoring RW]
[20-25g, 200ft LW] -- Dylan Cozens -- Drake Batherson
Ridly Grieg -- Shane Pinto -- Michael Amadio
[4th line LW] -- [4th line C] -- [4th line RW]

Jake Sanderson -- Artem Zub
Thomas Chabot -- Nick Jensen
Tyler Kleven -- [Bottom D-man either PP or PK specialist]

Linus Ullmark -- Leevi Meriläinen

Bold means it's pretty much set in stone.

Going off above, I am certainly open to trading Thomas Chabot

To Philadelphia: David Perron, Thomas Chabot, 19th pick, '27 1st
To Ottawa: Travis Konecny, Travis Sanheim

2025 - 2026 Ottawa Senators

Brady Tkachuk - Tim Stutzle - Travis Konecny
Claude Giroux - Dylan Cozens - Drake Batherson
Ridly Grieg - Shane Pinto - Fabian Zetterlund
*AHL call up** -- Adam Gaudette - Michael Amadio

Jake Sanderson -- Artem Zub
Travis Sanheim - Nick Jensen
Tyler Kleven - Carter Yakemchuk

Linus Ullmark -- Levi Merilainen

F (52M without Gads + Z) D (24M without Kleven) G (~9.1M)
= $ 85.1M without signing Gaudette, Zetterlund, Kleven

How I see Ottawa Senators currently

Brady Tkachuk -- Tim Stutzle --
- AlfieisKing[Top 6 goal scoring RW]
[20-25g, 200ft LW] -- Dylan Cozens -- Drake Batherson
Ridly Grieg -- Shane Pinto -- Michael Amadio
[4th line LW] -- [4th line C] -- [4th line RW]

Jake Sanderson -- Artem Zub
Thomas Chabot -- Nick Jensen
Tyler Kleven -- [Bottom D-man either PP or PK specialist]

Linus Ullmark -- Leevi Meriläinen

Bold means it's pretty much set in stone.

I feel Matinpalo is ok for a 6th D. Although, it would be nice to get a new RH D to bump Zub and Jensen down the depth chart but might be unrealistic with the contracts back there and Klevan due for a raise.

I wonder if Brock Boeser is on the radar. Shoots right. Proven top 6. Stock is a bit low. I think you keep Zetterlund as well. Let him marinate with Cozens for a full year.

Depth on the 4th line is a little up in the air. I would like to see a legitimate 4th line centre. Jack Roslovic would be interesting.

I don’t think you can address all 3 with big money guys but could address one or two.

I feel Matinpalo is ok for a 6th D. Although, it would be nice to get a new RH D to bump Zub and Jensen down the depth chart but might be unrealistic with the contracts back there and Klevan due for a raise.

I wonder if Brock Boeser is on the radar. Shoots right. Proven top 6. Stock is a bit low. I think you keep Zetterlund as well. Let him marinate with Cozens for a full year.

Depth on the 4th line is a little up in the air. I would like to see a legitimate 4th line centre. Jack Roslovic would be interesting.

I don’t think you can address all 3 with big money guys but could address one or two.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

How did I forget about Matinpalo. I want to see 1 more full year of him for sure. He has really impressed.

I would love to see Kleven get 3 years @3M or 5 years @3.8-4M. He is such a steady D-man I think he has the chance to be an excellent 2nd pairing D-man if he can get a bit more offence to his game. He had 4 goals in his rookie season, which might seem like a lot but with such focus on his defensive game, I can see him producing more points overall.

I had Brock Boeser in my lines originally! I was thinking of maybe moving Batherson for a Konecy. Travis Sanheim would be a significant upgrade over Chabot. Batherson will command about 7-8M in the summer of 2027 anyways

I like Jack Roslovic a lot but see him more as a 3rd liner, or at least he should get paid as one with 22 goals this season (3rd most on CAR)

Brock Boeser is slow as hell.

Brock Boeser is slow as hell.
- PogBoi

He has things in common with Spatso at least. Speaking of which, where is that fella hiding these days?

Next year, 2026 is a deeper draft but we have no idea where we would place. Maybe Ottawa takes another step forward, or maybe other teams improve and/or we get injuries and Ottawa takes a step back. Who knows.

You’re the GM ….. which pick do you give up.

Obviously not easy, and you would want to hear from your scouts as well. Let’s also face facts, either 2025 or 2026 first round picks will not be playing for the Senators for 4 or 5 more years, especially if the picks are beyond the 10th pick.


Draft Pick Summary
Round 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2025 1 0 1 1 1 1 1
2026 1 1 3 0 1 2 0
2027 1 1 1 1 1 1 1


From the above chart, if we gave up this year’s 1rst round pick , we would also have no 2nd round pick as well which means we don’t draft until round 3.
If we decide to keep the 2025 pick we can also continue to hope that Bettman rescinds the penalty and makes it a 2nd round pick like he did with New Jersey in the Kovalchuk fiasco.
My view …. Take our medicine now in 2025. That way the team starts fresh in 2026 and 2027 to begin remaking the farm system. Use free agency and an increase in cap space to fill the holes.


So, the last question ……….. what do you do with Giroux. The age factor may be finally creeping into the equation. He definitely had a fall back in the last part of the season. He is a free agent. Do you sign him ……. How many years? AAV? I would say 2 years at 4 million , max. But where does he play? I wonder if he even sniffs the top 2 lines as the Sens must also re-sign Zetterlund ….. maybe 3-4 years at 4 million-5 million.

Stutzle/Tkachuk/???
Cozens/Batherson/Zetterlund
Pinto/Amadio/Greig

Where would Perron fit? Is he still good enough to play top 2 line minutes?
RFA …. Zetterlund
UFA ….. Giroux, Gaudette, Cousins, Highmore
Who is potentially ready from Belleville …. Stephen Halliday (possible top 2 lines), Crookshank (for 4rth line energy?). But that is it. For a team with playoff ambitions, the pickings are slim and will probably need free agents to fill holes.

On defence …..
Sanderson/Zub
Chabot/Jensen
Klevin/Matinpalo

Both Klevin and Matinpalo are RFA’s and I expect we will keep both.
I suspect one of Dennis Gilbert, Guenette, or Sebrango could be the depth 7th and 8 d-man …… or we get a free agent.
Hamonic is a UFA …. Bye, bye.
Yakemchuk might be ready, but I doubt that a d-man can make the jump directly from Juniors to the NHL. I think he will see at least a season in Belleville. Why rush him.


In Goal …..
Ullmark and probably Merilainen. Merilainen is only 23 years old but appears ready to assume backup to Ullmark. The problem with both goalies is that they tend to fight injuries with increased ice time. What do the Sens do with Sogaard? Sogaard did not have a good year and was often injured and took a step back. However, the Sens can’t send him back to Belleville unless he clears waivers. But will another team claim Sogaard and then have to keep him on their NHL roster all year long. That may be the thing that keeps Sogaard from moving and giving him a full year to maybe find his form again. On the bright side, we still have several other promising goalies in the pipeline who could see ice time in Belleville ……. Reidler, and Nikitin … but both are only 20.

Next year, 2026 is a deeper draft but we have no idea where we would place. Maybe Ottawa takes another step forward, or maybe other teams improve and/or we get injuries and Ottawa takes a step back. Who knows.

You’re the GM ….. which pick do you give up.

Obviously not easy, and you would want to hear from your scouts as well. Let’s also face facts, either 2025 or 2026 first round picks will not be playing for the Senators for 4 or 5 more years, especially if the picks are beyond the 10th pick.


Draft Pick Summary
Round 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2025 1 0 1 1 1 1 1
2026 1 1 3 0 1 2 0
2027 1 1 1 1 1 1 1


From the above chart, if we gave up this year’s 1rst round pick , we would also have no 2nd round pick as well which means we don’t draft until round 3.
If we decide to keep the 2025 pick we can also continue to hope that Bettman rescinds the penalty and makes it a 2nd round pick like he did with New Jersey in the Kovalchuk fiasco.
My view …. Take our medicine now in 2025. That way the team starts fresh in 2026 and 2027 to begin remaking the farm system. Use free agency and an increase in cap space to fill the holes.


So, the last question ……….. what do you do with Giroux. The age factor may be finally creeping into the equation. He definitely had a fall back in the last part of the season. He is a free agent. Do you sign him ……. How many years? AAV? I would say 2 years at 4 million , max. But where does he play? I wonder if he even sniffs the top 2 lines as the Sens must also re-sign Zetterlund ….. maybe 3-4 years at 4 million-5 million.

Stutzle/Tkachuk/???
Cozens/Batherson/Zetterlund
Pinto/Amadio/Greig

Where would Perron fit? Is he still good enough to play top 2 line minutes?
RFA …. Zetterlund
UFA ….. Giroux, Gaudette, Cousins, Highmore
Who is potentially ready from Belleville …. Stephen Halliday (possible top 2 lines), Crookshank (for 4rth line energy?). But that is it. For a team with playoff ambitions, the pickings are slim and will probably need free agents to fill holes.

On defence …..
Sanderson/Zub
Chabot/Jensen
Klevin/Matinpalo

Both Klevin and Matinpalo are RFA’s and I expect we will keep both.
I suspect one of Dennis Gilbert, Guenette, or Sebrango could be the depth 7th and 8 d-man …… or we get a free agent.
Hamonic is a UFA …. Bye, bye.
Yakemchuk might be ready, but I doubt that a d-man can make the jump directly from Juniors to the NHL. I think he will see at least a season in Belleville. Why rush him.


In Goal …..
Ullmark and probably Merilainen. Merilainen is only 23 years old but appears ready to assume backup to Ullmark. The problem with both goalies is that they tend to fight injuries with increased ice time. What do the Sens do with Sogaard? Sogaard did not have a good year and was often injured and took a step back. However, the Sens can’t send him back to Belleville unless he clears waivers. But will another team claim Sogaard and then have to keep him on their NHL roster all year long. That may be the thing that keeps Sogaard from moving and giving him a full year to maybe find his form again. On the bright side, we still have several other promising goalies in the pipeline who could see ice time in Belleville ……. Reidler, and Nikitin … but both are only 20.
- OttawaB

SS wants to be fired, Sens leaning towards keeping 2025 first-rounder, says Staios

what a utter freaking Moron SS is. OTT 2026 1st will be top 10. what the freaking hell is wrong with OTT having management that would not pass a IQ to determine if they smarter than a retard. this idiot actually thinks OTT is a good team...he is killing his career because wh the hell would hire a moron who forfeited a top 10 pick in a deep draft to keep 21st OA in a weak draft.

In my opinion, this team needs to win with the current core by 2027/2028 season. A draft pick in 2026 might not be ready to go by then but maybe one taken in 2025. Additionally, bank on your team improving, advancing further in the playoffs next season and the 2026 first round pick value becomes quite low.

Ideally the NHL lessens the penalty after the playoffs. The punishment does not fit the ‘crime.’

I think Staios likes this team, but I would not put a big trade involving one of Dorion’s signings passed him. I think the Cozens/Norris swap worked well for Ottawa. I wonder if a guy like Zub might be in line to be swapped.

Before the playoffs, I did have a feeling that Stu might be a guy Staios might have shopped around but his play in the first round probably cemented his place in the core. If anything, a move is required to get a winger that can play up to his speed and IQ.

In my opinion, this team needs to win with the current core by 2027/2028 season. A draft pick in 2026 might not be ready to go by then but maybe one taken in 2025. Additionally, bank on your team improving, advancing further in the playoffs next season and the 2026 first round pick value becomes quite low.

Ideally the NHL lessens the penalty after the playoffs. The punishment does not fit the ‘crime.’

I think Staios likes this team, but I would not put a big trade involving one of Dorion’s signings passed him. I think the Cozens/Norris swap worked well for Ottawa. I wonder if a guy like Zub might be in line to be swapped.

Before the playoffs, I did have a feeling that Stu might be a guy Staios might have shopped around but his play in the first round probably cemented his place in the core. If anything, a move is required to get a winger that can play up to his speed and IQ.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Buttman reduced the penalty from the NJD/kovalchuck affair from, forfeit to 30th OA because of new ownership. so if he does same with OTT that 2026 1st is 32nd.

OTT chances of making the playoffs are closer to 0% than to 1%, NYR wont crap out like they did this season, NJD is a better team that OTT so they or NYR would get WC1, that leaves BOS, MTL, DET, NYI, CBJ and OTT to fight for WC2.

if NYI goes rebuild mode that takes them out.
if BOS stands pat and swayman sucks again that takes them out (what are chances Swayman sucks again and that BOS does nothing in offseason).
MTL will be better than this season
DET,CBJ,PIT are all wild cards IMO as they can go either way.

only way OTT comes out ahead is if the 1st is reduced to a 2nd round pick.

if it is reduced to 32nd OTT loses out in all scenarios.

top 10 pick in 2026 is vastly better than 21st and 32nd OA picks.