Guest Writer: Senators look to continue winning streak, despite another front-office dist

I would put Motte on the 3rd line with Pinto and Batherson , and I wouldn’t trade him like everyone says he’s a penalty killing specialist you would just have to replace him anyways
The rest I would get rid of even rfa Brannstrom
He’s had his time with the club and it’s up 🤷‍♂️

Now as for the game Saturday I hope they have a strong start and not come out flat against Oilers
Who’s already played what 3 games so far since break … Ottawa had way too much time off so let’s cross our fingers they come out full steam with lots of energy 🤙

Here's the updated sign-up sheet for the guest-writers rotation. I'll count this one as good enough for "Blog A", at least to keep things rolling until "Blog B" comes in after the Islanders game. I'll take "Blog C" as well, just to give a bit of a runway for people to start thinking/drafting up their ideas in writing.

If anyone else wants to contribute, please let me know.

Blog A - Sat. Feb. 11 - EDM@OTT - khawk
Blog B - Mon. Feb. 13 - CGY@OTT
Blog B - Tue. Feb. 14 - OTT@NYI - Octavarium
Blog C - Fri. Feb. 17 - CHI@OTT - khawk
Blog D - Sun. Feb. 19 - STL@OTT
Blog D - Mon. Feb. 20 - OTT@BOS - Gord_Wilson_2.0

Blog E - Fri. Feb. 24 - OTT@CAR
Blog E - Sat. Feb. 25 - OTT@MTL
Blog F - Mon. Feb. 27 - DET@OTT
Blog F - Tue. Feb. 28 - DET@OTT

There's still no word on how long this "no writer" business will be going on, so I guess we'll just keep on truckin'. For those who have signed up, I'll send a private note with an email/process for submitting your written pieces.

Good post!

In regards to Dorion and his possible trades, that scares me a lot! Anyone in his potion with new ownership taking over has to be worried about their job. Dorion’s thinking is probably we have to make the playoffs or I’m back to being a scout. The chances of the Sens making the playoffs is slim to none. I just hope the 3 man interim bosses keep Dorion in check and force DJ to give our prospects some NHL experience.

A+ Ken.

A job really well done by you.

I know there are whole bunch of us who really appreciate your initiative and leadership in making this happen.

Fabulous hockey game at 3-3.

Nice to have Sens hockey back and even better that it's a fun game to watch with lots of action and speed.

I'd like to thank Ken for taking the initiative and look forward to hearing from Khawk, Octavarium and Gord_Wilson_2.0.

soft as hell GWG let in by forsberg.....

Here's the updated sign-up sheet for the guest-writers rotation. I'll count this one as good enough for "Blog A", at least to keep things rolling until "Blog B" comes in after the Islanders game. I'll take "Blog C" as well, just to give a bit of a runway for people to start thinking/drafting up their ideas in writing.

If anyone else wants to contribute, please let me know.

Blog A - Sat. Feb. 11 - EDM@OTT - khawk
Blog B - Mon. Feb. 13 - CGY@OTT
Blog B - Tue. Feb. 14 - OTT@NYI - Octavarium
Blog C - Fri. Feb. 17 - CHI@OTT - khawk
Blog D - Sun. Feb. 19 - STL@OTT
Blog D - Mon. Feb. 20 - OTT@BOS - Gord_Wilson_2.0

Blog E - Fri. Feb. 24 - OTT@CAR
Blog E - Sat. Feb. 25 - OTT@MTL
Blog F - Mon. Feb. 27 - DET@OTT
Blog F - Tue. Feb. 28 - DET@OTT

There's still no word on how long this "no writer" business will be going on, so I guess we'll just keep on truckin'. For those who have signed up, I'll send a private note with an email/process for submitting your written pieces.
- khawk

Looks like the boys had a bit too much sun and Kool-aid during the break. Very sloppy hockey and not much energy.

I wish people would stop the narrative that fights help swing momentum. The random Kane/Brady fight did nothing. Brady is too valuable to risk a hand injury in a random fight.

I am not sure I support the long all-star break. Having 10+ days between NHL games is a ridiculous model. Especially, when players check out and party in the sun.

Hope Forsberg is ok.

no more Sanderson, no more forsberg, incoming overpay panic trade for a plug G by dorion

Well that went south in a hurry. I thought they were doing OK for the second half of the first and second period but then a couple of bad goals and not any response to speak of.

Joseph doesn't belong with Stutzle and Tkachuk. Greig and Giroux play well together. Pinto and Batherson play well together.

Sanderson had a strong game and I hope he's not hurt too badly.

Tough to lose Forsberg but the silver lining to this cloud might be a better lottery position but much more importantly Dorion won't be a buyer at the deadline.

Sens ran out of gas in 3rd. Not surprising after an 11 day layoff.

Hope Sanderson is not seriously injured.

Well that went south in a hurry. I thought they were doing OK for the second half of the first and second period but then a couple of bad goals and not any response to speak of.

Joseph doesn't belong with Stutzle and Tkachuk. Greig and Giroux play well together. Pinto and Batherson play well together.

Sanderson had a strong game and I hope he's not hurt too badly.

Tough to lose Forsberg but the silver lining to this cloud might be a better lottery position but much more importantly Dorion won't be a buyer at the deadline.
- Whatisavailable

My thoughts exactly. On a night when their D/G were facing a major test, Chabot utterly crapped the bed with an embarrassing -4 performance, and they managed to lose both Sanderson and Forsberg to injury. They're now missing both their #1A and #1B goaltenders, have dropped to 10pts back of a playoff spot, and they now have the 3rd worst record in the Eastern Conference. Quite frankly, it's not clear how it could have gone much worse for them. Moneypuck.com just dropped their playoff odds to 12.9%, so we'll most likely see a movement to start shedding UFA talent from the roster.

Sens ran out of gas in 3rd. Not surprising after an 11 day layoff.

Hope Sanderson is not seriously injured.
- spatso

I wouldn't mind if Sens fall in the standings here. Doesn't make a lick of a difference imo if the Sens finish 6th worst or 11th worst!

My thoughts exactly. On a night when their D/G were facing a major test, Chabot utterly crapped the bed with an embarrassing -4 performance, and they managed to lose both Sanderson and Forsberg to injury. They're now missing both their #1A and #1B goaltenders, have dropped to 10pts back of a playoff spot, and they now have the 3rd worst record in the Eastern Conference. Quite frankly, it's not clear how it could have gone much worse for them. Moneypuck.com just dropped their playoff odds to 12.9%, so we'll most likely see a movement to start shedding UFA talent from the roster.
- khawk

Well let's look at that -4 for Chabot.

First goal McDavid banks one in off of Forsberg. Don't see how that could be attributed to Chabot.

On the second goal Chabot is taking the puck deep down the left side and when he does that DeBrincat is supposed to hang back and cover for him at the point but instead DeBrincat cluelessly just glides on towards the net and then has to scramble to try and get back taking the penaltty. That's on DeBrincat not Chabot.

On the third goal McDavid crosschecks Chabot off the ouck but he recovers and has the situation under control. Pinto comes flying on over for some reason rather than covering the open man, McLeod, in front. That's on Pinto not Chabot.

On the fourth goal PoolParty gets behind Chabot on a great feed but that's a weak goal that should be put on Forsberg.

On the fifth goal Ryan takes a wild chop at the puck and it finds the net. That's just luck. Maybe Chabot should have played Ryan a little tighter so he doesn't have a chance at contact with the puck except then maybe he gets called for interference. Not sure.

Anyway it ends up a -4 for Chabot and that's what people see so it's gang up on Chabot time again. This is a worrisome trend because Chabot has been their only saving grace on D playing way too many minutes a night with lousy D partners for years and this has clearly has hurt his development. You can see spurts of his wonderful offensive game from time to time and hopefully with the development of Sanderson he will slowly work his way out of the one speed straight jacket Smith forced him into for so long.

Well let's look at that -4 for Chabot.

First goal McDavid banks one in off of Forsberg. Don't see how that could be attributed to Chabot.

On the second goal Chabot is taking the puck deep down the left side and when he does that DeBrincat is supposed to hang back and cover for him at the point but instead DeBrincat cluelessly just glides on towards the net and then has to scramble to try and get back taking the penaltty. That's on DeBrincat not Chabot.

On the third goal McDavid crosschecks Chabot off the ouck but he recovers and has the situation under control. Pinto comes flying on over for some reason rather than covering the open man, McLeod, in front. That's on Pinto not Chabot.

On the fourth goal PoolParty gets behind Chabot on a great feed but that's a weak goal that should be put on Forsberg.

On the fifth goal Ryan takes a wild chop at the puck and it finds the net. That's just luck. Maybe Chabot should have played Ryan a little tighter so he doesn't have a chance at contact with the puck except then maybe he gets called for interference. Not sure.

Anyway it ends up a -4 for Chabot and that's what people see so it's gang up on Chabot time again. This is a worrisome trend because Chabot has been their only saving grace on D playing way too many minutes a night with lousy D partners for years and this has clearly has hurt his development. You can see spurts of his wonderful offensive game from time to time and hopefully with the development of Sanderson he will slowly work his way out of the one speed straight jacket Smith forced him into for so long.
- Whatisavailable

That was really good evaluation of what happened on the goals.

First game back after 11 days, first two periods were highly entertaining. Wheels came off in the 3rd.

I thought Sanderson was best player on the ice until he went down.

Let's not do anything dumb over the rest of the season.

This is a really good team.

I know there are whole bunch of us who really appreciate your initiative and leadership in making this happen.
- spatso

Indeed!

Chychrun's a healthy scratch, about to be (allegedly) traded. I wonder if our team's still in the mix...

Well let's look at that -4 for Chabot.

First goal McDavid banks one in off of Forsberg. Don't see how that could be attributed to Chabot.

On the second goal Chabot is taking the puck deep down the left side and when he does that DeBrincat is supposed to hang back and cover for him at the point but instead DeBrincat cluelessly just glides on towards the net and then has to scramble to try and get back taking the penaltty. That's on DeBrincat not Chabot.

On the third goal McDavid crosschecks Chabot off the ouck but he recovers and has the situation under control. Pinto comes flying on over for some reason rather than covering the open man, McLeod, in front. That's on Pinto not Chabot.

On the fourth goal PoolParty gets behind Chabot on a great feed but that's a weak goal that should be put on Forsberg.

On the fifth goal Ryan takes a wild chop at the puck and it finds the net. That's just luck. Maybe Chabot should have played Ryan a little tighter so he doesn't have a chance at contact with the puck except then maybe he gets called for interference. Not sure.

Anyway it ends up a -4 for Chabot and that's what people see so it's gang up on Chabot time again. This is a worrisome trend because Chabot has been their only saving grace on D playing way too many minutes a night with lousy D partners for years and this has clearly has hurt his development. You can see spurts of his wonderful offensive game from time to time and hopefully with the development of Sanderson he will slowly work his way out of the one speed straight jacket Smith forced him into for so long.
- Whatisavailable

Chabot "only" got 21 min of ice time last night. Still the going rate of ice time for a #1 d-man. Played one of his worst game of the season. I feel very strongly that the ice time is not the issue. The goals were not entirely his fault but he certainly isn't doing anything above and beyond as a #1 d-man should. Defensively or offensively. With the contract he has, more should be there.

I just wish he didn't look like he was stuck in first gear all game long. Always looks slow and indecisive. I am not sure that is on DJ. It might just be what it is. Similar to Jay Bouwmeester back in the day. Great skating d-man, but just can't get to an elite level as people want but a good 3/4 guy behind a better 1/2 d-man. You are onto something with Sanderson developing. I feel more comfortable with Sanderson as the #1 guy come October 2023 rather than Chabot. The issue is, Chabot is getting #1 d-man money.

Chabot "only" got 21 min of ice time last night. Still the going rate of ice time for a #1 d-man. Played one of his worst game of the season. I feel very strongly that the ice time is not the issue. The goals were not entirely his fault but he certainly isn't doing anything above and beyond as a #1 d-man should. Defensively or offensively. With the contract he has, more should be there.

I just wish he didn't look like he was stuck in first gear all game long. Always looks slow and indecisive. I am not sure that is on DJ. It might just be what it is. Similar to Jay Bouwmeester back in the day. Great skating d-man, but just can't get to an elite level as people want but a good 3/4 guy behind a better 1/2 d-man. You are onto something with Sanderson developing. I feel more comfortable with Sanderson as the #1 guy come October 2023 rather than Chabot. The issue is, Chabot is getting #1 d-man money.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

It was a bad 3rd period. Last impressions are often long lasting. I thought the Sens, especially Sanderson, were outstanding over the first two periods and everything fell apart starting with a really soft goal.

At the second period intermission, I though the Sens might just pull it off...but I think they paid the price for the layoff.

No doubt we are beginning to focus on setting up for a very good next year. But I would like for the Sens to play some winning hockey over the next 8 weeks. Build on the expectations for next year. No tanking. And, if a very good RHD comes up at this time grab him as part of the prep for next year.

It was a bad 3rd period. Last impressions are often long lasting. I thought the Sens, especially Sanderson, were outstanding over the first two periods and everything fell apart starting with a really soft goal.

At the second period intermission, I though the Sens might just pull it off...but I think they paid the price for the layoff.

No doubt we are beginning to focus on setting up for a very good next year. But I would like for the Sens to play some winning hockey over the next 8 weeks. Build on the expectations for next year. No tanking. And, if a very good RHD comes up at this time grab him as part of the prep for next year.
- spatso

I agree with that. I feel a bit bamboozled after such a productive summer but obviously not enough was done.

My wishes for October 2023:
- New ownership with emphasis on accountability of management and growth of the franchise
- New GM and coach. Self explanatory.
- Solidify the defence. I am not sold just one new guy will help. I think it might be a bigger project than that and some tough lineup choices.
- Solidify goaltending. This team needs a net minder who can make big saves at key times. Not necessarily Vezina calibre, but doesn't allow the goals the completely take the wind out of the sails.
- Solidify the bottom six. Not priority and may be addressed with a healthy Norris, developed Grieg, etc. but guys like Watson, Gambrell, Kelly, and Brassard should not have spots in the lineup.

This likely isn't realistic for an 8 month turnaround but this team has to take a step very soon. A long term signed core, depleted prospect pool, players entering their prime, and a couple of entry level contracts, make the road to being a contender more important than past years.

For fun:

To Arizona: Chabot, Zaitsev, 2023 2nd, 2024 2nd

To Ottawa: Vejmelka, Chychrun, 2023 4th

- Address goaltending with a guy with decent underlying numbers on a poor team.
- Swap Chabot and Chychrun.
- Chychrun is cheaper (which may cost you a pick) and allows you some cap flexibility for holes in lineup.
- Lose a 2nd for a cap dump of Zaitsev.

Maybe Sens would need a prospect in the mix.

As I said, for fun.

For fun:

To Arizona: Chabot, Zaitsev, 2023 2nd, 2024 2nd

To Ottawa: Vejmelka, Chychrun, 2023 4th

- Address goaltending with a guy with decent underlying numbers on a poor team.
- Swap Chabot and Chychrun.
- Chychrun is cheaper (which may cost you a pick) and allows you some cap flexibility for holes in lineup.
- Lose a 2nd for a cap dump of Zaitsev.

Maybe Sens would need a prospect in the mix.

As I said, for fun.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

the question would be why would ARI do thins, this don't help their rebuild and moving Chabot maybe a little harder because if his 8M cap instead of chychs 4.6m

I agree with that. I feel a bit bamboozled after such a productive summer but obviously not enough was done.

My wishes for October 2023:
- New ownership with emphasis on accountability of management and growth of the franchise
- New GM and coach. Self explanatory.
- Solidify the defence. I am not sold just one new guy will help. I think it might be a bigger project than that and some tough lineup choices.
- Solidify goaltending. This team needs a net minder who can make big saves at key times. Not necessarily Vezina calibre, but doesn't allow the goals the completely take the wind out of the sails.
- Solidify the bottom six. Not priority and may be addressed with a healthy Norris, developed Grieg, etc. but guys like Watson, Gambrell, Kelly, and Brassard should not have spots in the lineup.

This likely isn't realistic for an 8 month turnaround but this team has to take a step very soon. A long term signed core, depleted prospect pool, players entering their prime, and a couple of entry level contracts, make the road to being a contender more important than past years.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Really good. I think you could add a bit of meat unto those bones and it would make for a pretty decent Guest column.

Ottawa hockey fans are pretty sharp observers. Most see this team as something so much better than the result we saw over the first half of the year.

I would like see more reflections around how we get to the next level. No radical surgery. Lets keep building on the really strong base going forward.

Forsberg out for rest of season and Sanderson out at least 2 weeks