(Rumours) OTT Sens potential moves and rumblings

[EddieVedder]

9 minutes ago, Me_ said:

No.

Even ott isnt that stupid. 

[aqua59]

4 hours ago, RWJC said:

Interesting article from Sens blogger about potential moves and some of the mess GM Dorion has created:

Per Kevin Francis:

 

 

July will be a very telling month for the Ottawa Senators as GM Pierre Dorion embarks on the NHL Entry Draft in less than a week, followed by free agency beginning on July 13th. All signs point to Dorion making a big move on draft day, as management will be gauging what players are taken ahead of their 7th overall pick in the draft. Dorion has held talks with the Arizona Coyotes going back to the trade deadline and in recent days he has revisited those talks in the hopes of unloading Nikita Zaitsev's remaining two years on his contract while acquiring with a top 6 forward or top 4 defensemen. I've been told that the Coyotes would rather move on from Clayton Keller due to the amount of term he has remaining on his deal versus that of Jacob Chychryn.

 

Keller has 6 years left with a 7.15M AAV while Chychryn has 3 years left at 4.6M AAV. Personally, the Sens need to keep the puck out of their net before adding more scoring if they have any hope of contending for a playoff this coming season. I'm told Arizona's first priority in any trade is to try to move Keller before Chychryn. Ottawa has offered Arizona, their 7th overall pick plus a 2nd round pick that they acquired from Tampa Bay, Egor Sokolov and I have yet to find another prospect that would be a part of any deal, plus sending Zaitsev's contract to the Coyotes for Keller.

More to come in the next few days as we approach the draft. 
 

 

With the NHL buyout period beginning yesterday, you can count out Matt Murray being bought out with 15 million owing on his contract over the next two years. All signs point to Michael Del Zotto being bought out unless for some unforeseen reason Dorion is able to trade him. The most likely buyout candidate is Colin White. Still, I've been told Dorion has been instructed to do whatever it takes to trade White and his three years remaining on his deal, due to the amount of money that was paid out yesterday in bonuses(3.25 M for MDZ and Hamonic) and previous players bought out/salary retained via trade(2.187M for Ryan and Phaneuf) When you factor in the US dollar exchange rate, it's closer to 7 million Canadian.

 

The club is paying Pierre McGuire an additional 500k per year for the next two years too. Don't forget Dorion retained 600k of Nick Paul's contract this past season too but they wouldn't agree to pay him an additional one million on a 4 year deal. It's no wonder ownership has expressed their displeasure with how Dorion has been quick to fix mistakes by throwing more dollars out the door.

 

Conversely, if ownership would've spent proper dollars on hockey ops, Dorion would've made better decisions when it comes to the pro-scouting side of things, possibly wiping out some of the money that has been poorly allocated to the wrong players.  

 

When it comes to Connor Brown, I've been told that Brown feels the Sens won't offer him fair market value in advance of becoming a UFA next summer. He's referenced to those close to him that he sees his contract situation playing out the same way Nick Paul's recent contract situation ended this past spring. Add to the fact that he's not confident at all in Dorion negotiating in good faith as it was Dorion that released the numbers on the contract offer to one specific outlet in hopes of getting the fanbase on management's side and it wouldn't surprise me if Dorion trades Brown this off-season.

 

Don't fool yourself Sens fans, this GM tries to tell the fanbase that he doesn't negotiate player contracts through the media, but it's the exact opposite as Dorion gets that info out there if he feels they won't be able to retain a player. I know for a fact that Sens captain Brady Tkachuk was very adamant in his end of season meeting with Dorion to keep Brown as he views him as an integral piece of the team as they begin to contend for the playoffs. Tkachuk was also very persistent with Dorion in upgrading the team's facilities, the Sens captain wanted his voice heard so let's see if Dorion tries to keep his leadership group happy.

 

Factor in Thomas Chabot being as animated as he's ever been in his end of season exit meeting, reiterating he doesn't want to go another season with an average defense core, he really wants a consistent top 4 defense partner for the coming season. Chabot added that he wants to play more quality minutes in the hopes of becoming more productive on the offensive end as he did during the 2018-19 season. 

 

I've been told that Ottawa is exploring the possibility of extending an RFA offer sheet to RW/C Martin Necas. After being selected in the first round five years ago, his production in his first three full NHL seasons have been solid for the role and minutes he's been given by Rod Brind'Amour.

 

With Carolina having to re-sign numerous free agents, the Canes can't keep everyone and with the Canes having already given Ethan Bear permission to seek out an offer sheet, Necas is the other player that Carolina knows they might lose to an offer sheet this summer.

 

Anthony Deangelo is due a big raise but is an RFA to go with Ian Cole and Brendan Smith being UFA's on defense. Couple that with Carolina's priority of keeping UFA Vincent Trochek, while trying to re-sign Max Domi and Nino Neiderreiter, that 19 million in remaining cap space will dry up pretty fast. It's definitely something to keep an eye on over the next few weeks!  

One topic of conversation that came up recently from a few of the Sens players is how they are bothered with how LA's rebuild has gone much quicker, on top of already making the playoffs. Some players have made it known that when you have more productive results with player acquisitions when you invest properly in hockey ops.

 

With the recent promotion of Trent Mann to AGM and Ryan Bowness taking on the dual role with Mann, only one new face has been added to the management side of things after losing Peter MacTavish and firing Pierre McGuire. There need to be a lot more quality hockey people added to the Sens management group in the coming weeks.  

 

Some other quick Sens notes as we approach the draft.  

1 - Look for Ottawa to possibly draft Shean Donovan's son, Jorian who played this past season with the Hamilton Bulldogs in the OHL after being selected 6th overall in the OHL draft back in 2020. He's ranked in the upper 80's of most draft rankings and the Sens have two picks in the third round. Something to keep an eye on. 

2 - Jack Capuano interviewed for the Flyers head coaching job last month and is said to not be overly happy here in Ottawa. I don't see him remaining with the team past this coming season. In a change of tune by Dorion, Pierre allowed Capuano to actually interview for a head coaching job, as he was not given permission to interview for one this past season, being told he might be needed to replace DJ Smith. Now with Troy Mann being a top candidate to be elevated to the NHL coaching staff over the course of next season, I think Capuano who once thought the best way to return to the main boss behind the bench was in Ottawa is realizing that Mann is at the top of Dorion's list now. 

3 - Ottawa will gauge the UFA market and see what type of term and dollars it would take to get a player they covet if they can't acquire one of the two pieces they are looking to add this summer via the trade route. Travis Konecny is still a possible trade target if the Keller deal can't get done. Although I'm told moving Zaitsev's contract is as much a priority as figuring out the status of White. 
 

4 - Keep an eye out for Alex Formenton possibly being moved if Ottawa can retain Brown on an extension. It's no secret that Formenton and DJ don't get along at all. There have been rumblings about Formenton since the season ended. 

Good read. I think after reading this I'd say Ottawa is in the same position as Vancouver.  

 

The optics of a desperate GM signing bad contracts followed by more bad contracts. 

 

Ottawa ownership should look at Vancouver's time with JB and see sooner is better when it comes to pulling the trigger on getting a new GM. 

 

Ottawa will face yet another rebuild.

[Angry Goose]

Id like to see OTT offer sheet M Tkachuk.  Theyve got the draft picks.  Brady’s there.  That would definitely invigorate their fan base

[rekker]

17 minutes ago, Angry Goose said:

Id like to see OTT offer sheet M Tkachuk.  Theyve got the draft picks.  Brady’s there.  That would definitely invigorate their fan base

Oh ya baby! Popcorn time. 

[Coconuts]

2 hours ago, Devron said:

The earth starts to rumble 

If you live in the PNW does it ever stop? 

[Coconuts]

58 minutes ago, Angry Goose said:

Id like to see OTT offer sheet M Tkachuk.  Theyve got the draft picks.  Brady’s there.  That would definitely invigorate their fan base

And most importantly, it'd be hilarious 

[JM_]

6 hours ago, rekker said:

Maybe we can offload Dickinson on them. 

that would be good. Pearson and Dickie for a 2nd and 5th. 

[RWJC]

Just now, JM_ said:

that would be good. Pearson and Dickie for a 2nd and 5th. 

Per Drance:

 

The Canucks are unlikely to pursue a buyout with center Jason Dickinsonthis month, notes Thomas Drance of The Athletic (subscription link). Vancouver acquired the 26-year-old last summer with the hope that he could be a quality third-line center, signing him to a three-year deal that carries a $2.65MM cap hit.  However, Dickinson managed to put up just five goals and six assists in 62 games this past season, numbers that aren’t close to justifying that cap hit.  But since a buyout cost wouldn’t yield considerably higher savings than waiving and demoting him, the Canucks may be better off keeping him around or flipping him for another player that’s similarly underachieving.

[JM_]

12 minutes ago, RWJC said:

Per Drance:

 

The Canucks are unlikely to pursue a buyout with center Jason Dickinsonthis month, notes Thomas Drance of The Athletic (subscription link). Vancouver acquired the 26-year-old last summer with the hope that he could be a quality third-line center, signing him to a three-year deal that carries a $2.65MM cap hit.  However, Dickinson managed to put up just five goals and six assists in 62 games this past season, numbers that aren’t close to justifying that cap hit.  But since a buyout cost wouldn’t yield considerably higher savings than waiving and demoting him, the Canucks may be better off keeping him around or flipping him for another player that’s similarly underachieving.

but Hamonic  

[coryberg]

3 hours ago, EddieVedder said:

Even ott isnt that stupid. 

We are talking about the guy who said the Canucks wanted a 4th, they offered a 5th and the nucks said no so they gave a 3rd.

 

[Goal:thecup]

12 hours ago, JM_ said:

that would be good. Pearson and Dickie for a 2nd and 5th. 

I see what you are getting at but I am not in a big hurry to lose Pearson.

 

Ranked 42nd best LW by Fantasy Hockey (ignoring obvious joke here).

Puts him firmly as a 2nd line LW; coincidently(?), he is also the 42nd highest paid.

 

On the Canucks, we only have 6 wingers out of the 8 expected on 4 lines.

Boeser, Garland, Pearson, Kuzmenko, Podkolzin, and Highmore.

 

 

[IBatch]

13 minutes ago, Goal:thecup said:

I see what you are getting at but I am not in a big hurry to lose Pearson.

 

Ranked 42nd best LW by Fantasy Hockey (ignoring obvious joke here).

Puts him firmly as a 2nd line LW; coincidently(?), he is also the 42nd highest paid.

 

On the Canucks, we only have 6 wingers out of the 8 expected on 4 lines.

Boeser, Garland, Pearson, Kuzmenko, Podkolzin, and Highmore.

 

 

Don't even need to go to the rankings to understand Pearson's value to us - and 31 other teams in the league.   It's quite simple really, just going by basic stats, and not knowing the player - IF that player is of UFA age AND he's producing 1 point per 100k, he's contributing well to your team.    We have a lot worse cap on our team then Pearson.    And i was on the trade Pearson trade heavily before JB went out and shed all that cap to bring in an expensive top four D, and a real wild card in Garland (who works out even better then Pearson...).   Intangibles and other side of the puck also matter...absolutely.   Pearson gets more props there and does Garland.    

 

As for OTT, glad to hear that their young core is pushing their organization forward.   Funny how some are picking on Dorian where as during the bubble people were freaking out because well OTT surged two seasons ago.   One thing OTT has done very well their last two cores is draft very very well.    As a result they have capital. 

 

As for the OP ... it's a pretty dense person that's not paying much attention that compares LA with them.   LA re-tooled around their aging core of vets, whereas OTT traded theirs completely away.   No Zib.  No Stone.  No EK.  No Duchene (which they rectified to a certain point), no support vets either like Pageu.    Goofy that NHL players can be that slow given it's their sport.    They still have a Kopitar, a Doughty and a Quick etc.   Not much else though.   What OTT lacks is exactly that.   And a goalie.   OTT is a good target for us to trade with.   They've got quite a few players i'd be interested in for some of our vets.     That said UFAs might be the smarter move for them to start plugging holes.   Like us, they also have to deal with 53% tax.... 

[JM_]

26 minutes ago, Goal:thecup said:

I see what you are getting at but I am not in a big hurry to lose Pearson.

 

Ranked 42nd best LW by Fantasy Hockey (ignoring obvious joke here).

Puts him firmly as a 2nd line LW; coincidently(?), he is also the 42nd highest paid.

 

On the Canucks, we only have 6 wingers out of the 8 expected on 4 lines.

Boeser, Garland, Pearson, Kuzmenko, Podkolzin, and Highmore.

 

 

just curious - where is Mikheyev on that same list? 

[JM_]

1 minute ago, IBatch said:

Don't even need to go to the rankings to understand Pearson's value to us - and 31 other teams in the league.   It's quite simple really, just going by basic stats, and not knowing the player - IF that player is of UFA age AND he's producing 1 point per 100k, he's contributing well to your team.    We have a lot worse cap on our team then Pearson.    And i was on the trade Pearson trade heavily before JB went out and shed all that cap to bring in an expensive top four D, and a real wild card in Garland (who works out even better then Pearson...).   Intangibles and other side of the puck also matter...absolutely.   Pearson gets more props there and does Garland.    

 

As for OTT, glad to hear that their young core is pushing their organization forward.   Funny how some are picking on Dorian where as during the bubble people were freaking out because well OTT surged two seasons ago.   One thing OTT has done very well their last two cores is draft very very well.    As a result they have capital. 

 

As for the OP ... it's a pretty dense person that's not paying much attention that compares LA with them.   LA re-tooled around their aging core of vets, whereas OTT traded theirs completely away.   No Zib.  No Stone.  No EK.  No Duchene (which they rectified to a certain point), no support vets either like Pageu.    Goofy that NHL players can be that slow given it's their sport.    They still have a Kopitar, a Doughty and a Quick etc.   Not much else though.   What OTT lacks is exactly that.   And a goalie.   OTT is a good target for us to trade with.   They've got quite a few players i'd be interested in for some of our vets.     That said UFAs might be the smarter move for them to start plugging holes.   Like us, they also have to deal with 53% tax.... 

moving Pearson and Dickie as a package to Ottawa gives us cap flexibility to add in more speed and maybe even size to the group. We can't go with the same bottom 6 from last year imo. 

[Goal:thecup]

3 minutes ago, JM_ said:

just curious - where is Mikheyev on that same list? 

I couldn't find him on either of their LW or RW lists.

https://www.fantasypros.com/nhl/rankings/rw.php

[Goal:thecup]

3 minutes ago, JM_ said:

moving Pearson and Dickie as a package to Ottawa gives us cap flexibility to add in more speed and maybe even size to the group. We can't go with the same bottom 6 from last year imo. 

I don't consider Pearson bottom 6.

But I see what you mean, and replacing wingers is probably the easiest position.

Also, the bottom 2 winger spots are saved on my list for my Oglethorpes. 

[IBatch]

9 minutes ago, JM_ said:

moving Pearson and Dickie as a package to Ottawa gives us cap flexibility to add in more speed and maybe even size to the group. We can't go with the same bottom 6 from last year imo. 

Who is playing second line LW then?   A Miller trade further muddies the waters ... Personally i don't see Dickie as a big as problem as some.   Paying to move him means we do just that.   And for how much cap savings compared to just putting him in the AHL for depth?   What the team needs is our stars to play like stars.   EP looked to be doing that under Bruce, especially down the stretch but sure had a terrible start.   For us to have fair value he needs to get 80 or so points ... was on pace for 45 goals and 95 points down the stretch.   We need ELCs to balance the books too.   For that to occur, i'd rather Pearson score 45 or more points playing with Horvat, keep his value high, then try and create a 3rd line around him.   Dickie and Poolman are issues ... but those issues could also possibly go away just by using them.   Management and the coaching staff won't be sad to see Dickie score 25 points and keep the puck out of our own net for example.    Pearson has value, because he's not a cap dump.   Both these guys if and when they go, cap will be replaced by someone else.   Until they've seen Kuzmo in action and he can win a spot i doubt they trade Pearson.    His value goes up at the TDL. 

Edited July 3, 2022 by IBatch

[JM_]

Just now, Goal:thecup said:

I don't consider Pearson bottom 6.

But I see what you mean, and replacing wingers is probably the easiest position.

Also, the bottom 2 winger spots are saved on my list for my Oglethorpes. 

its about making moves that change the skill set in the group. I think we need more size and speed, and Pearson is likely one of the easier moves we could make. If we can send Dickie (or if one can dream, Poolman) with him all the better imo.

 

He's movable because he's still a good player.

[Ilya Mikheyev]

19 hours ago, RWJC said:

 

4 - Keep an eye out for Alex Formenton possibly being moved if Ottawa can retain Brown on an extension. It's no secret that Formenton and DJ don't get along at all. There have been rumblings about Formenton since the season ended. 

Omg, how can the Canucks land Formenton. With his speed and size, PK ability, etc., he's definitely the type of player the Canucks need in their top-9.

[JM_]

1 minute ago, IBatch said:

Who is playing second line LW then?  

hopefully someone with more speed or bulking up our bottom 6 

 

1 minute ago, IBatch said:

 

A Miller trade further muddies the waters ... Personally i don't see Dickie as a big as problem as some.   Paying to move him means we do just that.   And for how much cap savings compared to just putting him in the AHL for depth?   What the team needs is our stats to play like stars.   EP looked to be doing that under Bruce, especially down the stretch but sure had a terrible start.   For us to have fair value he needs to get 80 or so points ... was on pace for 45 goals and 95 points down the stretch.   We need ELCs to balance the books too.   For that to occur, i'd rather Pearson score 45 or more points playing with Horvat, keep his value high, then try and create a 3rd line around him.   Dickie and Poolman are issues ... but those issues could also possibly go away just by using them.   Management and the coaching staff won't be sad to see Dickie score 25 points and keep the puck out of our own net for example.    Pearson has value, because he's not a cap dump.   Both these guys if and when they go, cap will be replaced by someone else.   Until they've seen Kuzmo in action and he can win a spot i doubt they trade Pearson.    His value goes up at the TDL. 

Dickie was awful. Part of that might be Green shattering his confidence for sure but he also may have been sheltered in Dallas, not sure. Whatever it is he just wasn't a fit or useful here. I agree a buyout isn't ideal at all, the only reason I can see it happening is if there's a trade where we just have to have that 1.7 in cap space savings.