Zak MacMillan: Sens' Offseason Notes Senators' 2025 offseason notes

Mason McTavish to Ottawa.

I would support the move.

Mason McTavish to Ottawa.

I would support the move.
- spatso

Sure...if he's a first line RW. If he's a Center, we don't need him unless you send Pinto as part of the deal.

Saw this on another website, projected lines for the Sens next year:

Brady Tkachuk -- Tim Stutzle -- Drake Batherson
David Perron -- Dylan Cozens -- Claude Giroux
Ridly Greig -- Shane Pinto -- Fabian Zetterlund
Nick Cousins -- Lars Eller -- Michael Amadio

Jake Sanderson -- Artem Zub
Thomas Chabot -- Nick Jensen/Jordan Spence
Tyler Kleven -- Jordan Spence/Mantipalo/Yamerchuk

Spares - Zach MacEwen, Arthur Kayliev, Nick Matinpalo


I would suggest the Zetterlund is first line rw, batherson 2nd, giroux third. Or u move cozens to 1 rw, move Pinto to 2 c, and giroux to three c.

But they are pretty much set. With enough cap space to make moves in season or at TDL.

If they are in playoff spot come Feb, they add, especially if they can get a 1st line RW.

If they aren't, Perron and giroux and zub and all of the 4th line available. Then they go big name hunting next year.

Without a first round pick next year, their options are limited. They can't even offer sheet someone. Any serious 1st liner is going to cost them one of Pinto or Batherson or Grieg. But I think the team is set.

So you see the issue is with MacTavish...if he is 1st line RW, then it would cost them Batherson plus. If he is a 2 C, with Cozens moving up to 1st line RW, then it costs them Pinto.

Saw this on another website, projected lines for the Sens next year:

Brady Tkachuk -- Tim Stutzle -- Drake Batherson
David Perron -- Dylan Cozens -- Claude Giroux
Ridly Greig -- Shane Pinto -- Fabian Zetterlund
Nick Cousins -- Lars Eller -- Michael Amadio

Jake Sanderson -- Artem Zub
Thomas Chabot -- Nick Jensen/Jordan Spence
Tyler Kleven -- Jordan Spence/Mantipalo/Yamerchuk

Spares - Zach MacEwen, Arthur Kayliev, Nick Matinpalo


I would suggest the Zetterlund is first line rw, batherson 2nd, giroux third. Or u move cozens to 1 rw, move Pinto to 2 c, and giroux to three c.

But they are pretty much set. With enough cap space to make moves in season or at TDL.

If they are in playoff spot come Feb, they add, especially if they can get a 1st line RW.

If they aren't, Perron and giroux and zub and all of the 4th line available. Then they go big name hunting next year.

Without a first round pick next year, their options are limited. They can't even offer sheet someone. Any serious 1st liner is going to cost them one of Pinto or Batherson or Grieg. But I think the team is set.

So you see the issue is with MacTavish...if he is 1st line RW, then it would cost them Batherson plus. If he is a 2 C, with Cozens moving up to 1st line RW, then it costs them Pinto.
- GrimmdaGoalie

Nobody blinked when they moved Norris + for Cozens.

Barely a murmur from fans when Zetterlund was acquired.

I think it might cause a bit more noise if they moved Batherson+ for Mactavish.

But, I think the front office team (and, I believe these hockey thinkers are a very studious group) are ready to pull the trigger on a huge deal to build on the Sens firepower and grit. They believe in the mix they are building. Do they have the size and enough jam to challenge Florida? Right now, today, they are better positioned than any team in the East to win a bar fight against the Panthers.

Heyyyy, I finally got unbanned! Only took a couple months. Flyers fans sure are sensitive. (Question was asked if Flyers should sign Bennet to 10 million. Florida is F'd in 3 years)

Anyway... Trading Batherson only makes sense if you get a player who is significantly better. His contract is almost untradeable because of how low the cap hit is. Don't know how/who would trade for that unless it's a cap strapped team... But Ottawa kinda is, so I don't get the chatter.

Dog days of July thoughts:

Overall, I like this teams centres. Not sure Eller is the 4th line answer at this stage in his career but would be happy to be proven wrong. You still have Giroux who can take faceoffs and slide around the lineup, although he is regressing too.

The wings, honestly, are a little underwhelming if you take into consideration the highly likely regression of Perron and Giroux’s games. Zetterlund is a gamble, but I think it could be a good one. I liked his play when he came over. I think Batherson has another level in his game. Although, I have been saying that for a couple of years now. I wouldn’t trade him. Bet on the talent, keep him, and play him with skilled guys.

I don’t think a lot of people are giving Matinpalo and Spence enough credit to their games. They should be upgrades on the right side on defence. Matinpalo/Klevan pairing was solid the last part of the season and playoffs. Talk to any Kings fan and they will tell you that they were not happy with losing Spence. I am cautiously optimistic that Matinpalo and/or Spence are adequate options for an injured Jensen. We don’t have to worry about Hamonic anymore. Upgrade in itself.

To me, Ullmark needs a big year. He was ok last year but you won’t hear me argue he was one of the league’s best. He is a top 10 paid goaltender and should be top 10 in goalie statistics across the board. I would like to see Green have a better contingency plan in place for his games played to avoid injuries. Last year it was a little all over the place. Get some consistency in and you should see better results. Although my bold prediction is that Meriläinen becomes the teams undisputed #1 goalie in 2 seasons time.

Heyyyy, I finally got unbanned! Only took a couple months. Flyers fans sure are sensitive. (Question was asked if Flyers should sign Bennet to 10 million. Florida is F'd in 3 years)

Anyway... Trading Batherson only makes sense if you get a player who is significantly better. His contract is almost untradeable because of how low the cap hit is. Don't know how/who would trade for that unless it's a cap strapped team... But Ottawa kinda is, so I don't get the chatter.
- PogBoi

I got banned twice. Once for a post I didn't do. And once for implying Zak wasn't real. Some weirdness there - I mean Eklund himself takes so much abuse and implied garbage.

Glad to have you back!

I think there is going to be no news on the Sens front until training camp. And even training camp might be a little boring. Interested to see if Kailyev can push for a spot.

Its an absolute no brainer what you need to do.

2027 1st, 2026 2nd, Perron & Jensen to the Pens for Karlson (1/2 ret) and Rackell.

Those two would be great fits for your team and little impact to your cap position after retaining on Karlsson.

Its an absolute no brainer what you need to do.

2027 1st, 2026 2nd, Perron & Jensen to the Pens for Karlson (1/2 ret) and Rackell.

Those two would be great fits for your team and little impact to your cap position after retaining on Karlsson.
- MacPatty

Its not bad. I just think Dubas can get more for Rackell at trade deadline on his own, and I think HE thinks he can get more for Karlsson. And then there becomes the whole issue if Karlsson wants to come back.

Its an absolute no brainer what you need to do.

2027 1st, 2026 2nd, Perron & Jensen to the Pens for Karlson (1/2 ret) and Rackell.

Those two would be great fits for your team and little impact to your cap position after retaining on Karlsson.
- MacPatty

Issue is Erik Karlsson is on the wrong side of 30 and this team struggled mightily when Chychrun (an offensive defenseman) was in the lineup. I am not sure it’s worth the nice story of a reunion. He’d have to play with Klevan (3rd pairing) or Sanderson (1st pairing). A Chabot/Karlsson pairing would be catastrophic.

However, the small chance he bounces back to 2023 form is always a tempting thought and Rakell would be a brilliant fit.

Issue is Erik Karlsson is on the wrong side of 30 and this team struggled mightily when Chychrun (an offensive defenseman) was in the lineup. I am not sure it’s worth the nice story of a reunion. He’d have to play with Klevan (3rd pairing) or Sanderson (1st pairing). A Chabot/Karlsson pairing would be catastrophic.

However, the small chance he bounces back to 2023 form is always a tempting thought and Rakell would be a brilliant fit.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I don't like the Karsson option.

This team is being shaped to take a run at Florida.

If they add on the back end, they do not need more skill. They need to get bigger, stronger and meaner.

Nobody blinked when they moved Norris + for Cozens.

Barely a murmur from fans when Zetterlund was acquired.

I think it might cause a bit more noise if they moved Batherson+ for Mactavish.

But, I think the front office team (and, I believe these hockey thinkers are a very studious group) are ready to pull the trigger on a huge deal to build on the Sens firepower and grit. They believe in the mix they are building. Do they have the size and enough jam to challenge Florida? Right now, today, they are better positioned than any team in the East to win a bar fight against the Panthers.
- spatso

Mason McTavish would be an A+ addition to the team and exactly the type of player the team should target. It all comes down to price.