NHL Entry Draft 2023 NHL Draft Thread

[Xspyrit]

Sens have absolutely no draft capital or prospects and people want them to try and trade for a goalie.

Sens prospect pool, draft capital and current cap situation is reminiscent of a team that has been making the playoffs for years, won a few rounds and is looking to go all in to win it all

We went through a 6 years (which is long NOWADAYS) earth scorching rebuild for that. And someway somehow, some people think Dorion has managed this thing properly... Go figure

I hope not. He is going to be an unbelievable player. They may luck into that one.

Man, the 4 teams ahead of the Habs need to draft Bedard, Fantilli, Carlsson and Michkov.

Only 1 of these to the East conference. 2 of them would just lower our chances to eventually win a round

 

[BondraTime]

Chychrun trade is perfectly fine to me. Has another 2 years at a bargain cap hit, injuries aside.

DBC trade is tough to swallow without a pre agreed upon extension like those traded for big assets tend to come with. That Fiala trade doesn’t happen if he isn’t signing, just like the DBC trade shouldn’t have happened without him signing.

I understand the optics of the trade, don’t understand the economics of the trade, as they don’t make sense in the slightest.

I had a stance that whichever GM pays DBC huge money long term will regret it, even before there was an inkling the Sens would look at him. I still have that stance, and there is no bias towards it whatsoever other than how I’ve felt about the player king before he was a Sen.

 

[Xspyrit]

I've been very vocal about DeBrincat this season. He's a top line winger but not the high end player some think he is and certainly not worth close to his QO

He's basically a Bobby Ryan without size. And he didn't have the unfortune to run into the injuries Bobby did.

Our high end young players absolutely are the envy of the league. What are you talking about?

We had the most envious position after the 2020 draft, but then Dorion happened.

Yeah Montreal and their idiot fanbase can suck for a while as far as I am concerned. I made a bet with one of my friend that they’d be out of the playoffs as long as we currently have been.

I dislike their fanbase with a passion, makes me laugh when they say « nO pLaYoFfS fOr 6 YeArS. » they’re at 2 and counting plus they wouldnt have made the playoffs in a normal season during covid. Man f*** them

They brought in serious management and coaching staff though so I wouldn't hold unto that hope. If we miss next year, they could make it before us, which would utterly laughable and we'd be back to be the laughing stock of the league.

No pressure

A Dorion off-season could be : overpay DeBrincat, bring back Gambrell, Watson and Holden, trade a good prospect for a Talbot level goalie and think we are "done rebuilding".

Only new ownership can save us from ourselves

Debrincat at 8 million a year is a negative asset. Theyre better off recouping picks and spreading out the cap space. This team has no depth up front and is way too easy to play against -31 small easy to play against. No thanks.

Yes, I'd much rather have Nick Paul and Connor Brown than Alex DeBrincat and Parker Kelly while saving a million. Considering how much we struggled 5v5, the explanation is in the results.

 

[Micklebot]

Our high end young players absolutely are the envy of the league. What are you talking about?

Idk about envy of the league but certainly top end

This is from around Christmas, we ranked 5th in 24 and under players and prospects, and imo they are underestimating Sanderson big time and arguably sleeping on Stützle too

Young Dallas Stars shine brightest in TSN’s Core 4 Under-24 NHL player ranking | TSN

Dallas lives up to its team name with a constellation of young Stars that stands as best in the NHL, while the Canadiens and Senators also show plenty of promise in our ranked list of players under the age of 24.

www.tsn.ca

Now, well move back with no pick this draft and guys aging out, but the point is we have a very strong young group, Dorion sacrificed a lot in futures but for the most part made sure any returns were young enough to fit medium and longer term plans

 

[DaveMatthew]

Sens prospect pool, draft capital and current cap situation is reminiscent of a team that has been making the playoffs for years, won a few rounds and is looking to go all in to win it all

Well... it's not really that simple.

Jake Sanderson is 20 years old and Tim Stutzle is 21 years old.

Athletic ranked Minnesota as the top prospect pool in the NHL this year. The top two on their list? Jesper Wallstedt (20 years old) and Marco Rossi (21 years old).

If our top young players were still in the AHL and on our "Athletic prospect list", nobody would be worried about our prospect pool. But because they're already impact players in the NHL, we should be concerned?

I guess it's understandable since this is "Hockey's Future", but this boards infatuation with prospect lists is odd. I'd rather have a 21 year old producing in the NHL than a 21 year old on a prospect list written by Scott Wheeler.

 

[maclean]

Beyond the outside chance of us lucking into the number 2 pick, there weren't a lot of consolation prizes waiting for us. Montreal getting bumped, top picks going west, it's something

 

[Big Muddy]

Even if you think DeBrincat isn't a good fit here and the team needs to move on from him, he definitely has more value than Korchinski, and probably more value than Marco Kasper or Matt Savoie. The Sens won't lose him for nothing, and if Dorion can get proper value back for DeBrincat in the event of a trade, then it will still be a positive move.

This trade was short term focused.

Senators are now in the position to try to sign him to a reasonable extension, or in essence, Debrincat will be rightly regarded as an ill-timed, expensive rental. With a term of just one-year and a QO salary of $9 m, that will limit the market of potential suitors. That's why allowing potential suitors to talk to Debrincat's camp will be important to expand the market.

Other than trying to pump up the value of team for the sale to new owners, and perhaps Dorion trying to save his job, there won't be much in the way of longer term benefits if Debrincat is moved this summer.

Other than the reasons that I've already mentioned, there wasn't any real necessity in this kind of trade as the Senators core was still very young and inexperienced. The Senators had time on their side and didn't need to make the move they did when they did.

 

[Big Muddy]

I wanted him to go to the Ducks tbh.

Ya, I really didn't want Chicago as the landing spot. I preferred a relative underdog like the Ducks or Blue Jackets, although CBJ would be problematic for us in that they are in the Eastern Conference.

 

[sennysensen]

I wonder if the Sens cut bait on Debrincat and trade him for a mid to late first rounder.

Being that he's a Detroit native, I wonder if Detroit will trade their 9th overall pick for Alex if they immediately sign him to a long term deal? Sort of a sign and trade.

I'd rather save ADB's money for a need like Korpisalo, and to pay Chychrun and Sanderson in a couple years.

 

[Alf Silfversson]

He was no where to be found in the fast hard games. I dont know what Marner has to do with it. Debrincat at 8 million is a bad investment with the cap this team has committed to the other forwards it has right now. This team needs players that are hard to play against and good 5 on 5 he is neither of those things. If you make 8 million you have to be able to drive the play or at the very least be a hard matchup for the opposition.

This team has absolutely no prospects and no picks id take the trade back for DBC in a second.

I'm not saying he'll be a playoff beast but you also just basically described Brayden Point when discussing DBC. The best clutch playoff goal scorer of the last few years.

The playoffs takes all kinds. I think the common theme is razor sharp focus and mental toughness rather than physical attributes (within reason of course). Until we get there we won't know if DBC is a playoff player or not. Same goes for Tkachuk, Stü, Batherson or any of our other players.

 

[L'Aveuglette]

Ya, I really didn't want Chicago as the landing spot. I preferred a relative underdog like the Ducks or Blue Jackets, although CBJ would be problematic for us in that they are in the Eastern Conference.

I also think he would've instantly made the Ducks competitive(not a playoff team yet mind you) while he'll be festering in mediocrity for the first 4-5 years of his career on that black hole of a roster in Chicago. Big waste of an elite player.

 

[aragorn]

Since the Sens did not get a top 5 pick, the next best scenario was a Western team winning the lottery for the Sens. Chicago has a pretty depleted roster now & Bedard going there shouldn't be a factor for a while.

 

[bicboi64]

Absolute joke that Chicago was even in a position to win the lotto. NHL should've taken multiple first round picks from them. Since winning the Lotto, the Hawks have made $5+ million in revenue. The same ownership that covered up the sexual assault is benefiting from the lotto win. Connor Bedard & the Blackhawks: Already a Money-making Match

The $2 million fine they got for their sexual assault cover up is a joke. The yotes asked more questions during a pre-draft event, they lose a 1st and 2nd, the Hawks have one of the most disgusting scandals in recent memory, $2 million fine. Everyone involved in management needs a life time ban, but ownership should've been forced to sell.

The NHL is willing to hammer down on CBA violations, but not actual disgusting crimes. I hope Bedard shows some backbone and refuses to sign with the Hawks if drafted.

 

[tstracuzza]

Absolute joke that Chicago was even in a position to win the lotto. NHL should've taken multiple first round picks from them. Since winning the Lotto, the Hawks have made $5+ million in revenue. The same ownership that covered up the sexual assault is benefiting from the lotto win. Connor Bedard & the Blackhawks: Already a Money-making Match

The $2 million fine they got for their sexual assault cover up is a joke. The yotes asked more questions during a pre-draft event, they lose a 1st and 2nd, the Hawks have one of the most disgusting scandals in recent memory, $2 million fine. Everyone involved in management needs a life time ban, but ownership should've been forced to sell.

The NHL is willing to hammer down on CBA violations, but not actual disgusting crimes. I hope Bedard shows some backbone and refuses to sign with the Hawks if drafted.

you're right.. but for Bedard not to sign is jeopardizing his fortunes, don't pin it on him having backbone...

 

[Xspyrit]

Well... it's not really that simple.

Jake Sanderson is 20 years old and Tim Stutzle is 21 years old.

Athletic ranked Minnesota as the top prospect pool in the NHL this year. The top two on their list? Jesper Wallstedt (20 years old) and Marco Rossi (21 years old).

If our top young players were still in the AHL and on our "Athletic prospect list", nobody would be worried about our prospect pool. But because they're already impact players in the NHL, we should be concerned?

I guess it's understandable since this is "Hockey's Future", but this boards infatuation with prospect lists is odd. I'd rather have a 21 year old producing in the NHL than a 21 year old on a prospect list written by Scott Wheeler.

Not really the point though. I guess the only way to re-explain is to look elsewhere? I mean, some other teams started to learn losing in the playoffs while some of their stars were young. You don't have to wait that they reach 25 y/o. Actually, it would be kind of a bad thing

Tampa Bay? won 2 cups straight, made another final. Could have gone deeper this year but they are simply exhausted. They made another Cup final in 2014-15 and ECF in 2015-16. They have had their core players for a while and had their share of success in the regular season and playoffs. They have been extending their window with Stamkos, Hedman, Kucherov, Vasilevskiy, etc and have been trading their late firsts to do it. Their prospect pool is weak of course and are fighting against the cap every year. We didn't make the playoffs even once and our pool, draft capital and cap situation is starting to look like theirs. How is that not concerning?

New Jersey? They are in the 2nd round and just had a 112 pts season. They traded their very late 1st this year to get Meier sure, but they still have the rest of their draft capital and amazing prospects to come. Sure, they did very poorly in the last decade prior that but that's what our last decade is starting to look like... in a hurry

Colorado? Since turning things around in 2017-18 (partially thanks to Dorion), they made the playoffs 6 straight years and won 6 rounds (including a Cup). They have their 1st round picks for the foreseeable future and only traded one last year (a late one to fix a cap issue). I can't compare their pool with ours but they have a lot of elite talent under 27 y/o

Of course, I am not comparing with Buffalo or Toronto rebuilds, I am comparing to successful ones because that's what we want to achieve If I am not mistaken...

I don't care about Wheeler, I don't care about Hockey's future or the Athletic but I care about what I am seeing and I find that our potential stock has dropped a lot since after the 2020 draft. Things were going well until then even despite some of the mess Dorion had already did (Zibanejad and Duchene trades, etc)

This is the first year we got out of the basement (barely), our pool, draft capital should be stacked and our cap situation should be in a perfect position as we speak. But keeping to think that Dorion is a good manager is exactly why our earth scorching rebuild isn't at the most envious position in the league when it should be.

 

[Hale The Villain]

I wonder if the Sens cut bait on Debrincat and trade him for a mid to late first rounder.

Being that he's a Detroit native, I wonder if Detroit will trade their 9th overall pick for Alex if they immediately sign him to a long term deal? Sort of a sign and trade.

I'd rather save ADB's money for a need like Korpisalo, and to pay Chychrun and Sanderson in a couple years.

If it comes down to getting a mid-late 1st rounder or renting DeBrincat for the year, I have a strong suspicion Dorion would just keep DeBrincat on his 9M QO for next season.

Detroit isn't going to trade the 9th pick for DeBrincat. Maybe the 18th OVR pick, but I also can't see Dorion trading DeBrincat in the division to a team that will be trying to compete for the same wildcard spot as us, so it may be a moot point.

 

[DaveMatthew]

Not really the point though. I guess the only way to re-explain is to look elsewhere? I mean, some other teams started to learn losing in the playoffs while some of their stars were young. You don't have to wait that they reach 25 y/o. Actually, it would be kind of a bad thing

Tampa Bay? won 2 cups straight, made another final. Could have gone deeper this year but they are simply exhausted. They made another Cup final in 2014-15 and ECF in 2015-16. They have had their core players for a while and had their share of success in the regular season and playoffs. They have been extending their window with Stamkos, Hedman, Kucherov, Vasilevskiy, etc and have been trading their late firsts to do it. Their prospect pool is weak of course and are fighting against the cap every year. We didn't make the playoffs even once and our pool, draft capital and cap situation is starting to look like theirs. How is that not concerning?

New Jersey? They are in the 2nd round and just had a 112 pts season. They traded their very late 1st this year to get Meier sure, but they still have the rest of their draft capital and amazing prospects to come. Sure, they did very poorly in the last decade prior that but that's what our last decade is starting to look like... in a hurry

Colorado? Since turning things around in 2017-18 (partially thanks to Dorion), they made the playoffs 6 straight years and won 6 rounds (including a Cup). They have their 1st round picks for the foreseeable future and only traded one last year. I can't compare their pool with ours but they have a lot of elite talent under 27 y/o

Of course, I am not comparing with Buffalo or Toronto rebuilds, I am comparing to successful ones because that's what we want to achieve If I am not mistaken...

I don't care about Wheeler, I don't care about Hockey's future or the Athletic but I care about what I am seeing and I find that our potential stock has dropped a lot since after the 2020 draft. Things were going well until then even despite some of the mess Dorion had already did (Zibanejad and Duchene trades, etc)

This is the first year we got out of the basement (barely), our pool, draft capital should be stacked and our cap situation should be in a perfect position as we speak. But keeping to think that Dorion is a good manager is exactly why our earth scorching rebuild isn't at the most envious position in the league when it should be.

Tampa Bay assembled their "core" in drafts between 2008 and 2014. In that 6-year span, they drafted Hedman, Stamkos, Kucherov, Vasilevskiy, Drouin (traded for Sergachev) and Point.

Since 2014, they've really only drafted one player of note: Anthony Cirelli (3rd round in 2015). Other than that, it was guys like Cal Foote, Nolan Foote, Ross Colton, Taylor Raddysh, etc.

After their core was in place, drafting/prospects didn't play into their success all that much, and it took the core 6 seasons to win the cup after they were all on the team.

Our core is in place: Stützle, Tkachuk, Sanderson, Chabot, Norris, Batherson, Pinto, Chychrun, and (maybe) Debrincat.

They will determine whether we're a winning team over then next 5-7 years. If you don't think that core will ever be good enough, having a couple extra 1sts won't change our fate.

If they are good enough, all we'll need is a few guys to fill in 3rd/4th line spots, and chances are, a couple of Kleven, Boucher, Ostapchuk, Crookshank, Hamara, Donovan, etc, will be able to do that.

 

[Xspyrit]

Well... it's not really that simple.

Jake Sanderson is 20 years old and Tim Stutzle is 21 years old.

Athletic ranked Minnesota as the top prospect pool in the NHL this year. The top two on their list? Jesper Wallstedt (20 years old) and Marco Rossi (21 years old).

If our top young players were still in the AHL and on our "Athletic prospect list", nobody would be worried about our prospect pool. But because they're already impact players in the NHL, we should be concerned?

I guess it's understandable since this is "Hockey's Future", but this boards infatuation with prospect lists is odd. I'd rather have a 21 year old producing in the NHL than a 21 year old on a prospect list written by Scott Wheeler.

There's also a few problems within the 13 most important skaters. Not having cap space, good prospects or draft capital won't solve much when problems arise.

Top-9 : Stutzle, Tkachuk, Norris, Giroux, Batherson, DeBrincat, Greig, Pinto, ?????????

Top-4 : Chabot, Sanderson, Chychrun, Zub

- Norris has had a few shoulder injuries and just missed a whole season
- Giroux is 35 y/o and only has 2 years left
- Batherson needs to be "guided" in much better hockey systems or he'll cost you defensively. He only has 4 years left on his bargain contract and is already 25 y/o
- Same for DeBrincat defensively. Already 25 y/o and it doesn't appear that he wants to be here long term. His QO and past numbers with Kane also indicates that he could end up being overpaid. To me, he's not better than Batherson, just smaller.
- Greig and Pinto are young and hopefully will be good to be part of a high quality Top-9
- We don't have a 9th guy at the moment. Joseph is a fine 3rd liner but we need more if we want to WIN.
- Chabot turns 27 y/o next season, never made the playoffs.
- Chychrun only has 2 years left and is injury-prone
- Zub has 3 years left and has regressed this season. He will turn 28 in October

We will still need a lot of things to go "right" for us to become competitive. Many other teams face these challenges to stay competitive... See the difference?

I wonder if the Sens cut bait on Debrincat and trade him for a mid to late first rounder.

Being that he's a Detroit native, I wonder if Detroit will trade their 9th overall pick for Alex if they immediately sign him to a long term deal? Sort of a sign and trade.

I'd rather save ADB's money for a need like Korpisalo, and to pay Chychrun and Sanderson in a couple years.

I'd trade DeBrincat for that 9th OA pick in a heartbeat... Wings fans don't sound very interested though... I wonder if they would be if we take on Copp's contract. He's a bit overpaid but he's a solid player, extremely versatile, which would help in case of needs or injuries.

DeBrincat for Copp + 1st (9th OA) + 2nd

Tkachuk - Stutzle - Giroux
Copp - Norris - Batherson
Greig - Pinto - xxxxxxx
Crookshank - Kastelic - Joseph
Kelly

Invest the difference between ADB and Copp in a solid veteran who can play RW. Maybe Connor Brown?

 

[Gil Gunderson]

There's also a few problems within the 13 most important skaters. Not having cap space, good prospects or draft capital won't solve much when problems arise.

Top-9 : Stutzle, Tkachuk, Norris, Giroux, Batherson, DeBrincat, Greig, Pinto, ?????????

Top-4 : Chabot, Sanderson, Chychrun, Zub

- Norris has had a few shoulder injuries and just missed a whole season
- Giroux is 35 y/o and only has 2 years left
- Batherson needs to be "guided" in much better hockey systems or he'll cost you defensively. He only has 4 years left on his bargain contract and is already 25 y/o
- Same for DeBrincat defensively. Already 25 y/o and it doesn't appear that he wants to be here long term. His QO and past numbers with Kane also indicates that he could end up being overpaid. To me, he's not better than Batherson, just smaller.
- Greig and Pinto are young and hopefully will be good to be part of a high quality Top-9
- We don't have a 9th guy at the moment. Joseph is a fine 3rd liner but we need more if we want to WIN.
- Chabot turns 27 y/o next season, never made the playoffs.
- Chychrun only has 2 years left and is injury-prone
- Zub has 3 years left and has regressed this season. He will turn 28 in October

We will still need a lot of things to go "right" for us to become competitive. Many other teams face these challenges to stay competitive... See the difference?



I'd trade DeBrincat for that 9th OA pick in a heartbeat... Wings fans don't sound very interested though... I wonder if they would be if we take on Copp's contract. He's a bit overpaid but he's a solid player, extremely versatile, which would help in case of needs or injuries.

DeBrincat for Copp + 1st (9th OA) + 2nd

Tkachuk - Stutzle - Giroux
Copp - Norris - Batherson
Greig - Pinto - xxxxxxx
Crookshank - Kastelic - Joseph
Kelly

Invest the difference between ADB and Copp in a solid veteran who can play RW. Maybe Connor Brown?

Copp has a 10-team NTC. That contract is kinda scary too.

 

[Bileur]

DBC plays alot harder than Mitch Marner.

The fact that a sandwich with moldy meat tastes better than a shit sandwich doesn’t make me want to eat the moldy meat sandwich.

 

[DaveMatthew]

There's also a few problems within the 13 most important skaters. Not having cap space, good prospects or draft capital won't solve much when problems arise.

Top-9 : Stutzle, Tkachuk, Norris, Giroux, Batherson, DeBrincat, Greig, Pinto, ?????????

Top-4 : Chabot, Sanderson, Chychrun, Zub

- Norris has had a few shoulder injuries and just missed a whole season
- Giroux is 35 y/o and only has 2 years left
- Batherson needs to be "guided" in much better hockey systems or he'll cost you defensively. He only has 4 years left on his bargain contract and is already 25 y/o
- Same for DeBrincat defensively. Already 25 y/o and it doesn't appear that he wants to be here long term. His QO and past numbers with Kane also indicates that he could end up being overpaid. To me, he's not better than Batherson, just smaller.
- Greig and Pinto are young and hopefully will be good to be part of a high quality Top-9
- We don't have a 9th guy at the moment. Joseph is a fine 3rd liner but we need more if we want to WIN.
- Chabot turns 27 y/o next season, never made the playoffs.
- Chychrun only has 2 years left and is injury-prone
- Zub has 3 years left and has regressed this season. He will turn 28 in October

We will still need a lot of things to go "right" for us to become competitive. Many other teams face these challenges to stay competitive... See the difference?

I mean, this is the case for every team. Our good young players have to continue developing and avoid injuries, otherwise, we likely won't ever be a contender. This is true. If Jack Hughes didn't play a full season and vault himself into superstar status this year, the Devils aren't where they are.

With that said, I fail to see how we'd be in better shape if instead of Chychrun we had the 12th OA pick this year, and used it to select Brayden Yager.

We'd still be saying "Man if Yager doesn't turn out we won't be competitive – we need a lot of stuff to go right for us! What if he doesn't make the team until 2027?"

You've also taken a very glass-half-empty view. You forgot:

• Tim Stützle just scored 90 points at 21 years old - something very few players have ever done
• Brady Tkachuk is 23 and already a PPG power forward, of which there are 2 in the entire league (his brother being the other)
• Jake Sanderson has proven to be an absolute stud on the back-end

The idea that we need to already know who our "9th guy" is to be competitive is pretty crazy. Guys like that are interchangeable and can be found through mid-round draft picks, free-agent signings, minor trades or even the waiver wire.

In 2018/19, the Avalanche had assembled a core of MacKinnon, Rantanen, Landeskog and Makar. And they all hit. That's all that mattered. Everything around those guys was interchangeable and constantly in flux.

We need better coaching, and we need better goaltending. Those are the two glaring holes. Our pool of young players and allotment of draft picks is not of concern.

 

[BankStreetParade]

I mean, this is the case for every team. Our good young players have to continue developing and avoid injuries, otherwise, we likely won't ever be a contender. This is true. If Jack Hughes didn't play a full season and vault himself into superstar status this year, the Devils aren't where they are.

With that said, I fail to see how we'd be in better shape if instead of Chychrun we had the 12th OA pick this year, and used it to select Brayden Yager.

We'd still be saying "Man if Yager doesn't turn out we won't be competitive – we need a lot of stuff to go right for us! What if he doesn't make the team until 2027?"

You've also taken a very glass-half-empty view. You forgot:

• Tim Stützle just scored 90 points at 21 years old - something very few players have ever done
• Brady Tkachuk is 23 and already a PPG power forward, of which there are 2 in the entire league (his brother being the other)
• Jake Sanderson has proven to be an absolute stud on the back-end

The idea that we need to already know who our "9th guy" is to be competitive is pretty crazy. Guys like that are interchangeable and can be found through mid-round draft picks, free-agent signings, minor trades or even the waiver wire.

In 2018/19, the Avalanche had assembled a core of MacKinnon, Rantanen, Landeskog and Makar. And they all hit. That's all that mattered. Everything around those guys was interchangeable and constantly in flux.

We need better coaching, and we need better goaltending. Those are the two glaring holes. Our pool of young players and allotment of draft picks is not of concern.

Isn't he the same poster who runs the Sens Board Prospect rankings polls?

Let's see...
2018: 1. Chabot 2. Tkachuk 3. Logan Brown 4. Colin White 5. Drake Batherson 6. Alex Formenton 7. Filip Gustavsson ... 22. Nick Paul
2019: 1. Batherson 2. Brannstrom 3. Logan Brown 4. JBD 5. Lass Thomson 6. Norris. 7. Wolanin 8. Formenton ... 11. Gustavsson
2020: 1. Batherson 2. Norris 3. Brannstrom 4. Logan Brown 5. JBD 6. Alex Formenton 7. Shane Pinto ... 13. Zub ... 16. Gustavsson 25. Kastelic

We don't have a great prospect pool anymore, according to him, yet between 2018 and 2020 (didn't bother with 2021 + 2022) we produced some of our best players in the 6+ rankings. As a matter of fact, looking back, you'd find it downright laughable that Norris was considered a lesser prospect on this board than Logan Brown. Gustavsson has become the latest poster boy for inept asset management and all his stock did was slip, according to the same group of voters. I'm sure he's going to write a 45 paragraph rebuttal that rambles on and on about god knows what but I'm honestly wondering what credibility this person has? They keep making these polls every year and they seem to be hilariously wrong almost every year. Shouldn't that be enough for them to realize that predicting prospect success is a lot harder than it looks and that you can get diamonds in the rough at any time, that make your prospect pool look better overnight?

 

[DueDiligence]

The fact that a sandwich with moldy meat tastes better than a shit sandwich doesn’t make me want to eat the moldy meat sandwich.

If you're starving you will.

 

[DueDiligence]

I mean, this is the case for every team. Our good young players have to continue developing and avoid injuries, otherwise, we likely won't ever be a contender. This is true. If Jack Hughes didn't play a full season and vault himself into superstar status this year, the Devils aren't where they are.

The idea that we need to already know who our "9th guy" is to be competitive is pretty crazy. Guys like that are interchangeable and can be found through mid-round draft picks, free-agent signings, minor trades or even the waiver wire.

If you look at the Leafs right now the problem stems from their "core 4 " underperforming and having questionable goaltending. Tampa and Boston lost because their core players were hurt and/or underperformed and their stud goalies did not play well.
Bottom line is that the Sens need their young core to continue to develop and perform at a star level in the playoffs. (The only extra to that is a good reliable goaltender.) If that group doesn't perform its irrelevant what forwards 7-12 and Dmen 4-6 do.

 

[Ouroboros]

Prospect alarmists can relax - Byron Bader has the Sens 17th on his most recent organizational rankings.

We're so back.