Player Discussion Brady Tkachuk (LW) - Part XI

[Xspyrit]

You can basically make an argument like this about most teams in the league, whether it’s their defense or goaltending or offense or not being built for playoffs etc. Outside of the truly elite teams, they all come with significant question marks. The teams that come out of that are the ones who do manage to address their issues.

Will Staios be able to? Who knows. I don’t think he has a significantly more difficult task than the average team. But the reality is only a few of those teams will be successful in getting there.

Of course, few teams are going to be perfect and even contenders are not. But look at the last 5 winners (Florida, Vegas, Colorado, Tampa x 2), are we close to that? I think we might have what it takes in terms of defense and goaltending but I don't see the forward group as nearly good enough unfortunately.

I think Staios had a really hard task because :

- He needs to forfeit a 1st round pick soon
- We have one of the worst pools in the league, which is really anti-climatic for a rebuilding team
- He inherited very tough files in Chychrun and Korpisalo, We have to be satisfied with the way he was able to handle it. Sucks that Jensen is not younger though because we will have nothing left from that after next season.
- He has to start making the playoffs because the team is overdue and at risk of having one of the longest playoffs droughts in NHL history. So there is pressure to win
- There is pressure to win from the fans and medias, but also from the players. Who knows if guys like Tkachuk, Chabot, Batherson, etc will want to stay if the team doesn't start making the playoffs at the very least?

 

[Xspyrit]

As a habs fan though, he’d be happy to see the Sens collapse from within.

Not only this "joke" was stupid from the start considering how long I have been a Sens fan and how much I have defended them on the internet, but making it several times is something else... Are you like 12 mentally?

I know some are struggling with this type of comments but so sorry if I am not a blind homer lol. Blind homers were exactly the reason why I didn't want to be a Habs fan 30 years ago when the Nordiques left as too many were still in the "24 Cups derp bubble". I couldn't stand blind homers and still can't. As annoying and useless as flies.

After watching so many stars leave Ottawa for decades, how blind do you have to be to not see that it is POSSIBLE that Tkachuk decides that he wants to leave?

The team is learning how to play a team defensive game. Their scoring will go down while they learn that. Once they figure it out and get comfortable with it, the scoring will pick back up. The same thing happened when Jacques Martin took over the first time. Went from a pure defensive team, then once they got comfortable playing that way they turned into one of the top scoring teams in the league.

Back up to where? The team has been BELOW average in GF/GP since 2020-21 : 19th, 26th, 18th, 20th, 21st this season

Also, do you think we have nearly as much talent (in relation to the rest of the league, of course) as the early 2000's Sens?

I have talked about "team defense" for years, that was my main and only critic about DJ Smith. Many people were just blaming the goalies, I was already talking about "team defense". It was really important to evolve in that aspect so I commend Green's work but where do you expect the scoring to come from exactly?

In the meantime go watch your Habs and make more posts about how Ottawa should blow it up because there's no way to improve a team that is maybe only a piece or two away from being a contender.


I'm willing to bet Brady thinks much more highly about this team than you do.

Look, you can choose to be a blind homer all you want, I choose not. But instead of making stupid childish remarks, could you point out what RATIONALLY does not work in my arguments?

Your first point was good but I have shown where we were ranked in GF/GP for years. Do you have anything else?

Also, wtf "blowing it up"? Trading Tkachuk and Norris ONLY is blowing it up? IF he was looking to leave (I mean, if a guy wants to leave, do you have any other choice?), I would trade them and continue to build around Stutzle, Sanderson, Pinto, Greig, Batherson, Chabot, and the guy obtained, etc

 

[Erik Alfredsson]

Not only this "joke" was stupid from the start considering how long I have been a Sens fan and how much I have defended them on the internet, but making it several times is something else... Are you like 12 mentally?

I know some are struggling with this type of comments but so sorry if I am not a blind homer lol. Blind homers were exactly the reason why I didn't want to be a Habs fan 30 years ago when the Nordiques left as too many were still in the "24 Cups derp bubble". I couldn't stand blind homers and still can't. As annoying and useless as flies.



Back up to where? The team has been BELOW average in GF/GP since 2020-21 : 19th, 26th, 18th, 20th, 21st this season

Also, do you think we have nearly as much talent (in relation to the rest of the league, of course) as the early 2000's Sens?

I have talked about "team defense" for years, that was my main and only critic about DJ Smith. Many people were just blaming the goalies, I was already talking about "team defense". It was really important to evolve in that aspect so I commend Green's work but where do you expect the scoring to come from exactly?



. This is ONLY because I have Montreal in my location, this wouldn't have "happened" if nothing was written lol as many other people are capable at looking at things without being controlled by ridiculous biases.

Look, you can choose to be a blind homer all you want, I choose not. But instead of making stupid childish remarks, could you point out what RATIONALLY does not work in my arguments?

Your first point was good but I have shown where we were ranked in GF/GP for years. Do you have anything else?

Also, wtf "blowing it up"? Trading Tkachuk and Norris ONLY is blowing it up? IF he was looking to leave (I mean, if a guy wants to leave, do you have any other choice?), I would trade them and continue to build around Stutzle, Sanderson, Pinto, Greig, Batherson, Chabot, etc

It's not about being a blind homer, it's about how dumb it is to talk about trading away Brady and Norris. Completely pointless to even discuss him wanting to leave, because there's nothing the team can do about that if that happens.

The team hasn't had a full healthy lineup in that timeframe btw, this is the first year we've actually been able to run Stutzle, Norris, Pinto down the middle, and look how much better the team is playing as a result. You can whine about GF all you want, but the fact is the team is in a playoff spot, so they are actively competing with this roster you have no confidence in.

Florida got Reinhart for Devon Levi and a 1st. They picked up Forsling off of waivers. They picked up Verhaeghe as a Free Agent then he broke out. Obviously the team isn't on the level of Florida yet, no idea why you'd expect them to be, they're trying to make the playoffs for the first time in 7 years. But Florida wasn't on the level of Florida for a long time before all of sudden a few smart moves gave them key supporting pieces.

 

[Xspyrit]

It's not about being a blind homer,

lol YES it is. I talk about something (and based of what I have read in this thread, I am FAR from being the only one) that makes you anxious so it hurts your feelings a little bit and look how you react... so childish, so butthurt, so ridiculous

Do you really think I am a Habs fan?

it's about how dumb it is to talk about trading away Brady and Norris. Completely pointless to even discuss him wanting to leave, because there's nothing the team can do about that if that happens.

ok so that's the reason we CAN'T talk about it? lol it's even more stupid than I anticipated

Are you guys for real? This is a message board, let people talk what they want to talk about

On the page where I made my first comment, 3 of the 10 posters before me made a comment about it. It's not like I was suddenly making things up out of nothing.

The guy is American, his brother plays and won in Florida. His parents live in St-Louis. He probably wants to win like everyone else. Sens will have to present very strong arguments for him wanting to stick around. Until then and until he signs an extension with Ottawa, there is the very real possibility that he will want to pursue his career somewhere else. We can talk how it's a possibility for Chabot and Batherson too if we don't reach the next levels.

The team hasn't had a full healthy lineup in that timeframe btw, this is the first year we've actually been able to run Stutzle, Norris, Pinto down the middle, and look how much better the team is playing as a result. You can whine about GF all you want, but the fact is the team is in a playoff spot, so they are actively competing with this roster you have no confidence in.

I'm not whining lol. I am pointing out that it will need to be better if we want to become a better team. I also never said I have no confidence in this roster, where the f*** did you get that from?

Or wait, are you talking about no confidence in them to be a serious Cup contender? You really think this roster has the potential to win the Cup? Wow ok maybe I am wrong but based on my hockey experience/knowledge, I really don't see it.

I am very happy with the season so far as we are usually out by the end of November. However, we basically wasted the last 2-3 seasons due to Dorion ineptitude, so we unfortunately can't get all this time back. These seasons would have been great to start making the playoffs and start to learn losing in the playoffs.

Florida got Reinhart for Devon Levi and a 1st. They picked up Forsling off of waivers. They picked up Verhaeghe as a Free Agent then he broke out. Obviously the team isn't on the level of Florida yet, no idea why you'd expect them to be, they're trying to make the playoffs for the first time in 7 years. But Florida wasn't on the level of Florida for a long time before all of sudden a few smart moves gave them key supporting pieces.

First time in 8 years.

I have much more faith in Staios ability to do something that I had in Dorion so maybe he's able to pull a few moves that will help this team reach contender status. Until then, the NEEDS are still there. Do you expect that it will NOT be talked about on a message board?

 

[DylanSensFan]

I'm still not sure why this is a topic. If Brady wanted to leave, we wouldn't have re-signed him in the first place. Brady has come a long way this season in changing his game. I am thoroughly impressed with Brady becoming more defensively aware as a player and learning to translate that defense into offensive chances.

So my question for Xsyprit is, why would we trade a highly skilled player who is barely 25 and still developing his game for a player who is nearly 30 and has already reached his known potential? How does this benefit our team long term? It doesn't make any sense to me whatsoever.

 

[Erik Alfredsson]

lol YES it is. I talk about something (and based of what I have read in this thread, I am FAR from being the only one) that makes you anxious so it hurts your feelings a little bit and look how you react... so childish, so butthurt, so ridiculous

Do you really think I am a Habs fan?



ok so that's the reason we CAN'T talk about it? lol it's even more stupid than I anticipated

Are you guys for real? This is a message board, let people talk what they want to talk about

On the page where I made my first comment, 3 of the 10 posters before me made a comment about it. It's not like I was suddenly making things up out of nothing.

The guy is American, his brother plays and won in Florida. His parents live in St-Louis. He probably wants to win like everyone else. Sens will have to present very strong arguments for him wanting to stick around. Until then and until he signs an extension with Ottawa, there is the very real possibility that he will want to pursue his career somewhere else. We can talk how it's a possibility for Chabot and Batherson too if we don't reach the next levels.



I'm not whining lol. I am pointing out that it will need to be better if we want to become a better team. I also never said I have no confidence in this roster, where the f*** did you get that from?

Or wait, are you talking about no confidence in them to be a serious Cup contender? You really think this roster has the potential to win the Cup? Wow ok maybe I am wrong but based on my hockey experience/knowledge, I really don't see it.

I am very happy with the season so far as we are usually out by the end of November. However, we basically wasted the last 2-3 seasons due to Dorion ineptitude, so we unfortunately can't get all this time back. These seasons would have been great to start making the playoffs and start to learn losing in the playoffs.



First time in 8 years.

I have much more faith in Staios ability to do something that I had in Dorion so maybe he's able to pull a few moves that will help this team reach contender status. Until then, the NEEDS are still there. Do you expect that it will NOT be talked about on a message board?

Considering how often you complain about the Sens and how often you compare them to the mighty Habs and their successful rebuild (despite always doing worse than us in the standings), yeah I think you are, and I know I'm not the only one. Maybe you just don't want to admit it to yourself.

I have no idea why you're getting all crazy. Nobody thinks this roster can win a cup right now. They're not expected to. You make your roster better. You weren't even talking about the needs of the team, you were saying how the team shouldn't be afraid to trade Brady because the team isn't on Florida's level and they have no prospects and have to surrender a pick. I'm saying that's a bad opinion because every team should be afraid to trade a guy like Brady, you keep a player like that at all costs, you don't be quick to trade him because the team isn't good enough to win a cup right now.

 

[PlayOn]

Of course, few teams are going to be perfect and even contenders are not. But look at the last 5 winners (Florida, Vegas, Colorado, Tampa x 2), are we close to that? I think we might have what it takes in terms of defense and goaltending but I don't see the forward group as nearly good enough unfortunately.

I think Staios had a really hard task because :

- He needs to forfeit a 1st round pick soon
- We have one of the worst pools in the league, which is really anti-climatic for a rebuilding team
- He inherited very tough files in Chychrun and Korpisalo, We have to be satisfied with the way he was able to handle it. Sucks that Jensen is not younger though because we will have nothing left from that after next season.
- He has to start making the playoffs because the team is overdue and at risk of having one of the longest playoffs droughts in NHL history. So there is pressure to win
- There is pressure to win from the fans and medias, but also from the players. Who knows if guys like Tkachuk, Chabot, Batherson, etc will want to stay if the team doesn't start making the playoffs at the very least?

No I don’t think we’re close.

But at the age of 23:

- Gustav Forsling was on waivers
- Sam Reinhart had never put up a PPG season
- Carter Verhaege had never played an NHL game
- Barkov had never won a Selke (he also put up his first superstar level season in his D+6, same with Matthew Tkachuk)

My point isn’t to say our players are going to be like this. But a lot of them are still quite young. I used 23 as the age but Reinhart was 26 in his first PPG season as an example.

I don’t think we know what a lot of these guys are going to be at their peak. We can guess but imo our success is going to come down moreso to the players we have than who we replace Claude Giroux with. I am not downplaying the importance of the rest of the roster, so much as I believe that a lot of what makes you a true contender is how good your top 6-7 players are - the rest you can address with good management. I think Stützle and Sanderson in particular have pretty massive upside.

The Sens have said they believe Yakemchuk is gonna be a top dman in the league. The difference between team quality if they are right vs wrong on that alone is substantial. It’s a fun discussion, but I don’t think we really have the answers - you just have to let it play out. And obviously there will be moves along the way we don’t expect, no one was putting Ullmark in our net 3 years ago.

 

[Xspyrit]

No I don’t think we’re close.

But at the age of 23:

- Gustav Forsling was on waivers
- Sam Reinhart had never put up a PPG season
- Carter Verhaege had never played an NHL game
- Barkov had never won a Selke (he also put up his first superstar level season in his D+6, same with Matthew Tkachuk)

My point isn’t to say our players are going to be like this. But a lot of them are still quite young. I used 23 as the age but Reinhart was 26 in his first PPG season as an example.

Yeah some good points and as I have said in the past, everything will be in Staios' hands but he will have to do a near flawless job to turn this team into a contender. It's logic as his predecessor had already exhausted the error margin a GM normally has for a team building. The Ullmark trade gives some hope that he knows what he is doing

Stutzle, Sanderson, Greig and Kleven are still young but the rest of the team is or very close to its prime/peak. Chabot is 28, Norris and Tkachuk are 25, Pinto is 24, Batherson is 26. Giroux, Jensen, Perron and Ullmark (soon Zub) are in their 30's

The progression has to come from the first 4 guys listed and hopefully Yakemchuk and 2-3 prospects becoming much better than anticipated.

I don’t think we know what a lot of these guys are going to be at their peak. We can guess but imo our success is going to come down moreso to the players we have than who we replace Claude Giroux with. I am not downplaying the importance of the rest of the roster, so much as I believe that a lot of what makes you a true contender is how good your top 6-7 players are - the rest you can address with good management. I think Stützle and Sanderson in particular have pretty massive upside.

The Sens have said they believe Yakemchuk is gonna be a top dman in the league. The difference between team quality if they are right vs wrong on that alone is substantial. It’s a fun discussion, but I don’t think we really have the answers - you just have to let it play out. And obviously there will be moves along the way we don’t expect, no one was putting Ullmark in our net 3 years ago.

ok but let's say Pinto becomes a 0.8 PPG forward when Giroux retires, where would have the team progressed? In the end, we'd only have replaced Giroux production and 2-way play. Remember in his first season with Ottawa, Giroux reached a career high in goals with very strong 2-way play and near PPG production

I agree that Stutzle and Sanderson are going to be great but frankly, we'll need a lot more than that. Look at the Oilers with McDrai... the Leafs with Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Tavares, etc.

Also it's true that Yakemchuk becoming a big time player could have a huge impact on our future, he would replace Jensen differently but having a Sanderson-Chabot-Yakemchuk-Zub Top-4 could be incredible. As I said I think we have what it takes in terms of defense and goaltending. I just see the huge question marks about the offense. Stutzle is key but outside of that, we don't have a lot of creativity and offensive catalysts. Batherson can do it at times but disappears a bit for long stretches. Tkachuk is more a complimentary 1st line power forward who will produce depending on his linemates. It really drops after that and we don't have much in the system. I really like guys like Norris, Pinto and Greig but they are quality support players IMO.

So of course we don't have all the answers but at the same time what would be the purpose of a forum like this if we wouldn't discuss these things?

 

[Ice-Tray]

Not only this "joke" was stupid from the start considering how long I have been a Sens fan and how much I have defended them on the internet, but making it several times is something else... Are you like 12 mentally?

I know some are struggling with this type of comments but so sorry if I am not a blind homer lol. Blind homers were exactly the reason why I didn't want to be a Habs fan 30 years ago when the Nordiques left as too many were still in the "24 Cups derp bubble". I couldn't stand blind homers and still can't. As annoying and useless as flies.

After watching so many stars leave Ottawa for decades, how blind do you have to be to not see that it is POSSIBLE that Tkachuk decides that he wants to leave?



Back up to where? The team has been BELOW average in GF/GP since 2020-21 : 19th, 26th, 18th, 20th, 21st this season

Also, do you think we have nearly as much talent (in relation to the rest of the league, of course) as the early 2000's Sens?

I have talked about "team defense" for years, that was my main and only critic about DJ Smith. Many people were just blaming the goalies, I was already talking about "team defense". It was really important to evolve in that aspect so I commend Green's work but where do you expect the scoring to come from exactly?



Look, you can choose to be a blind homer all you want, I choose not. But instead of making stupid childish remarks, could you point out what RATIONALLY does not work in my arguments?

Your first point was good but I have shown where we were ranked in GF/GP for years. Do you have anything else?

Also, wtf "blowing it up"? Trading Tkachuk and Norris ONLY is blowing it up? IF he was looking to leave (I mean, if a guy wants to leave, do you have any other choice?), I would trade them and continue to build around Stutzle, Sanderson, Pinto, Greig, Batherson, Chabot, and the guy obtained, etc

It’s not really a joke though is it?

It’s a very special perspective that you have, I mean, you constantly talk up the habs while downplaying our team, now you’re worked up about trading the Captain and Norris and pretending like that wouldn’t signal blowing up the team.

You get called on this stuff all the time, and are again now. I’m not sure what you expect when posting unpopular opinions on a team’s board. Do as you will of course, but you get the heat too.

The irony is that you continually try and convince people in here that you’re a Sens fan, but no one doubts you’re a habs fan.

 

[bicboi64]

Xspyrit, there's no point arguing with some of the posts being made.

Anything other than absolute veneration of Tkachuk is going to be met with backlash and people are just going to call you a Habs fan because they're too afraid to consider that one day Tkachuk might not be a Senator.

We haven't had Sens hockey in a while, Tkachuk is playing well on the international stage and unless we go on a downward spiral, any consideration of moving Tkachuk is just going to lead to petty name calling and personal attacks.

Now back to BTkachuk's on ice play, I hope the intensity he brings on the ice doesn't get him injured (just read that MTkatchuk has a lower body injury). If we want to make the playoffs, BTkachuk needs to be on the ice and scoring goals

 

[Xspyrit]

Xspyrit, there's no point arguing with some of the posts being made.

Anything other than absolute veneration of Tkachuk is going to be met with backlash and people are just going to call you a Habs fan because they're too afraid to consider that one day Tkachuk might not be a Senator.

We haven't had Sens hockey in a while, Tkachuk is playing well on the international stage and unless we go on a downward spiral, any consideration of moving Tkachuk is just going to lead to petty name calling and personal attacks.

Now back to BTkachuk's on ice play, I hope the intensity he brings on the ice doesn't get him injured (just read that MTkatchuk has a lower body injury). If we want to make the playoffs, BTkachuk needs to be on the ice and scoring goals

Thanks man, seriously, if there was more of "these", I'd literally want to quit on being a Sens fan. They don't even understand the SACRIFICE it requires to be a fan of a team FROM a city that also has a team, particularly the one that is "the most storied franchise" in the league. If I were to finally become a Habs fan after all these years, my friends would actually organize a big party and I don't think I'd have to pay for tickets the rest of the season lol. So yes sometimes it sucks to not be a fan of your own city's team. And agreed, the Sens will need Tkachuk to play more like the last 2 years rather than the last 2 months. Actually, it will be hard to make the playoffs without Tkachuk AND Batherson being much better than they have been recently.

And you're right that there's no point. I have already started responding but I'll stop after that. Thanks for the support, it's kind of frustrating being called a "traitor" after all the time and money invested in your favorite team. I still have 104 Sens hockey cards that are numbered one of one, so the only one copy in the world. This one being the most expensive (I refused 3-4 K offers) :

 

[Ice-Tray]

Xspyrit, there's no point arguing with some of the posts being made.

Anything other than absolute veneration of Tkachuk is going to be met with backlash and people are just going to call you a Habs fan because they're too afraid to consider that one day Tkachuk might not be a Senator.

We haven't had Sens hockey in a while, Tkachuk is playing well on the international stage and unless we go on a downward spiral, any consideration of moving Tkachuk is just going to lead to petty name calling and personal attacks.

Now back to BTkachuk's on ice play, I hope the intensity he brings on the ice doesn't get him injured (just read that MTkatchuk has a lower body injury). If we want to make the playoffs, BTkachuk needs to be on the ice and scoring goals

Strawman.

 

[bicboi64]

Thanks man, seriously, if there was more of "these", I'd literally want to quit on being a Sens fan. They don't even understand the SACRIFICE it requires to be a fan of a team FROM a city that also has a team, particularly the one that is "the most storied franchise" in the league. If I were to finally become a Habs fan after all these years, my friends would actually organize a big party and I don't think I'd have to pay for tickets the rest of the season lol. So yes sometimes it sucks to not be a fan of your own city's team. And agreed, the Sens will need Tkachuk to play more like the last 2 years rather than the last 2 months. Actually, it will be hard to make the playoffs without Tkachuk AND Batherson being much better than they have been recently.

Gotta disagree with the bolded mate. I hope we get BTkachuk of the last two months in terms of defensive play but just a little more offense. We'll end up having to grind out close scoring games but I think the way Staios is constructing the roster, that's our best case scenario right now.

Would love to see Tkachuk in some more OT situations because we might get a few more clutch goals from him.

 

[PlayOn]

Yeah some good points and as I have said in the past, everything will be in Staios' hands but he will have to do a near flawless job to turn this team into a contender. It's logic as his predecessor had already exhausted the error margin a GM normally has for a team building. The Ullmark trade gives some hope that he knows what he is doing

Stutzle, Sanderson, Greig and Kleven are still young but the rest of the team is or very close to its prime/peak. Chabot is 28, Norris and Tkachuk are 25, Pinto is 24, Batherson is 26. Giroux, Jensen, Perron and Ullmark (soon Zub) are in their 30's

The progression has to come from the first 4 guys listed and hopefully Yakemchuk and 2-3 prospects becoming much better than anticipated.



ok but let's say Pinto becomes a 0.8 PPG forward when Giroux retires, where would have the team progressed? In the end, we'd only have replaced Giroux production and 2-way play. Remember in his first season with Ottawa, Giroux reached a career high in goals with very strong 2-way play and near PPG production

I agree that Stutzle and Sanderson are going to be great but frankly, we'll need a lot more than that. Look at the Oilers with McDrai... the Leafs with Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Tavares, etc.

Also it's true that Yakemchuk becoming a big time player could have a huge impact on our future, he would replace Jensen differently but having a Sanderson-Chabot-Yakemchuk-Zub Top-4 could be incredible. As I said I think we have what it takes in terms of defense and goaltending. I just see the huge question marks about the offense. Stutzle is key but outside of that, we don't have a lot of creativity and offensive catalysts. Batherson can do it at times but disappears a bit for long stretches. Tkachuk is more a complimentary 1st line power forward who will produce depending on his linemates. It really drops after that and we don't have much in the system. I really like guys like Norris, Pinto and Greig but they are quality support players IMO.

So of course we don't have all the answers but at the same time what would be the purpose of a forum like this if we wouldn't discuss these things?

I don’t think Pinto or even Tkachuk are necessarily at their peak. Pinto is 24 but he’s missed a lot of hockey - I think his ceiling is quite a bit higher than we are seeing. Norris too, although that’s a more complicated case with the shoulder, maybe he doesn’t get there.

I also think the growth of a player has a domino effect on the roster as do the additions of specific players. So if Pinto develops, it’s not just him that it benefits, but his linemates too whoever they are. Sometimes it can slide people into roles they are better suited for too. Look at Chabot - he’s thriving with a stable partner and with Sanderson shouldering some of the load. 4 years ago he didn’t have that luxury. So I think it is a lot more complicated than just us struggling to score, it could be that 2 pieces totally changes that dynamic, it could also be that a lot more work is needed. I tend to believe it’s the former but of course I could be wrong.

Our forward lines have no chemistry. We don’t even have set lines because nothing has worked. What if you find a winger that complements Stützle and Tkachuk - sort of like Vilardi with Scheifele and Connor - how much would that elevate us? There are for sure missing elements, I just don’t think we can assume that there are no fixes internally or that we can’t find them.

 

[Xspyrit]

Considering how often you complain about the Sens and how often you compare them to the mighty Habs and their successful rebuild (despite always doing worse than us in the standings), yeah I think you are, and I know I'm not the only one. Maybe you just don't want to admit it to yourself.

lol so you think that I have been in denial for close to 30 years? I live in Montreal, almost all my friends who care about hockey are Habs fans. I have been invited so many times in games or playoffs events and usually I decline because I don't want to bring down their experience by not cheering Habs goals/wins.

Maybe you're struggling with understanding who you are but it doesn't mean everybody is like that lol

The fact that we have to justify "complaining" about a team that is at risk of missing the playoffs for the 8th season in a row is dumbfounding. If this team was a contender, my positive/negative comments ratio would of course be much higher but sorry, with all that has transpired since 2018, all the criticism has been deserved and I am far from being the only one who has complained about this team. Having to justify it is utterly ridiculous, the vast majority of Sens fans have complained for years. Your type with the likes of Ice-tray, Aragorn and a few other pansies are actually in a very small minority but I understand, every team has insufferable blind homers.

And I haven't even called their rebuild "successful", I said it was trending really well, which was debated vividly by some. It looks like it was not that crazy since they had the same number of points at some point and finished 1 pt behind last season. Keep in mind that they were in Stanley Cup finals in 2021 when we were in our 4th rebuild season, a moment where we could have seen some progress if we didn't have a terrible GM that some of you unjustifiably defended at all costs. So yes I am very frustrated that we're not miles and miles ahead and this is because we were stuck with Pierre Dorion.

I have no idea why you're getting all crazy.

lol I am the one "getting all crazy"? Am I the one calling other posters fans of another team? Am I the one telling others what they have the right to think or talk about? Sigh.

Nobody thinks this roster can win a cup right now. They're not expected to. You make your roster better. You weren't even talking about the needs of the team, you were saying how the team shouldn't be afraid to trade Brady because the team isn't on Florida's level and they have no prospects and have to surrender a pick. I'm saying that's a bad opinion because every team should be afraid to trade a guy like Brady, you keep a player like that at all costs, you don't be quick to trade him because the team isn't good enough to win a cup right now.

wtf you're going on about? I initially responded to a Sens fan who lives in Ottawa who said "there is zero chance he re-signs with the Sens". Strange but you didn't pick up on him

I said it was a realistic possibility. If you don't think so, maybe it's because you prefer to ignore it and keep your head in the sand, very simple.

Then I asked what could convince him to stay in Ottawa? I suggested that winning a Cup would do the trick

Then I said that the "team's outlook has to be a priority over emotional attachment". It doesn't seem to be your case so I am ACCUSING you of NOT being a Senators fan but a Tkachuk fan. You should be banned from this forum.

See how stupid and childish it sounds?

 

[Xspyrit]

It’s not really a joke though is it?

It’s a very special perspective that you have, I mean, you constantly talk up the habs while downplaying our team,

Constantly? lol probably not even 0.01% of my total posts and MOST of these posts are actually responding to other posters quoting me about a single comment.

Go cry more when somebody downplays your poor little team. Was I too generous when I said 12 y/o mentally? You're so emo lol

now you’re worked up about trading the Captain and Norris and pretending like that wouldn’t signal blowing up the team.

Trading 2 players when one WOULD WANT TO LEAVE is not "blowing up the team"

Also, how the hell would you be able to keep a player IF he wants to leave? Do you guys even live in reality?

You get called on this stuff all the time, and are again now. I’m not sure what you expect when posting unpopular opinions on a team’s board. Do as you will of course, but you get the heat too. The irony is that you continually try and convince people in here that you’re a Sens fan, but no one doubts you’re a habs fan.

Frankly, I doubt there's many people "of that kind" here that would believe such idiocy. I get called out by a few pansies and that's all. It's frustrating but every team is going to have insufferable homers, just inevitable I guess.

I have posted hundred Sens prospects polls, I have 30K+ posts and at least 99% are Sens related, I have defended Sens players a LOT on the main boards and many posters here have been witnesses. I have driven to Ottawa many times before the rebuild and paid to attend some games. I had one of the best Sens hockey card collection out there.

I am not posting unpopular opinions, MANY Sens fans (and even more outside of the Sens fanbase) think that Tkachuk WANTING to pursue his career in the US is a REAL possibility. You're just getting emotionally carried away. You're not in control, your poor little emotions are.

 

[Erik Alfredsson]

lol so you think that I have been in denial for close to 30 years? I live in Montreal, almost all my friends who care about hockey are Habs fans. I have been invited so many times in games or playoffs events and usually I decline because I don't want to bring down their experience by not cheering Habs goals/wins.

Maybe you're struggling with understanding who you are but it doesn't mean everybody is like that lol

The fact that we have to justify "complaining" about a team that is at risk of missing the playoffs for the 8th season in a row is dumbfounding. If this team was a contender, my positive/negative comments ratio would of course be much higher but sorry, with all that has transpired since 2018, all the criticism has been deserved and I am far from being the only one who has complained about this team. Having to justify it is utterly ridiculous, the vast majority of Sens fans have complained for years. Your type with the likes of Ice-tray, Aragorn and a few other pansies are actually in a very small minority but I understand, every team has insufferable blind homers.

And I haven't even called their rebuild "successful", I said it was trending really well, which was debated vividly by some. It looks like it was not that crazy since they had the same number of points at some point and finished 1 pt behind last season. Keep in mind that they were in Stanley Cup finals in 2021 when we were in our 4th rebuild season, a moment where we could have seen some progress if we didn't have a terrible GM that some of you unjustifiably defended at all costs. So yes I am very frustrated that we're not miles and miles ahead and this is because we were stuck with Pierre Dorion.



lol I am the one "getting all crazy"? Am I the one calling other posters fans of another team? Am I the one telling others what they have the right to think or talk about? Sigh.



wtf you're going on about? I initially responded to a Sens fan who lives in Ottawa who said "there is zero chance he re-signs with the Sens". Strange but you didn't pick up on him

I said it was a realistic possibility. If you don't think so, maybe it's because you prefer to ignore it and keep your head in the sand, very simple.

Then I asked what could convince him to stay in Ottawa? I suggested that winning a Cup would do the trick

Then I said that the "team's outlook has to be a priority over emotional attachment". It doesn't seem to be your case so I am ACCUSING you of NOT being a Senators fan but a Tkachuk fan. You should be banned from this forum.

See how stupid and childish it sounds?

You're having a cow. Nobody told you that you're not allowed to post or what to post about. I simply said your opinion on Tkachuk was a bad one and called you a Habs fan because I think it's funny that you talk about them all the time.

Go take your anger out on the snow, not on people on the Sens forum.

 

[Xspyrit]

So my question for Xsyprit is, why would we trade a highly skilled player who is barely 25 and still developing his game for a player who is nearly 30 and has already reached his known potential? How does this benefit our team long term? It doesn't make any sense to me whatsoever.

You have to quote me as I almost didn't see your comment since there was already several posters quoting me

I have already addressed that but it was in another thread, no? You're probably talking about Reinhart?

The arguments were :

- Sam Reinhart who finished 12th for the Hart and 4th for the Selke last season. Tkachuk will most likely never get trophy recognition. Since 2021-22, SR has averaged 1.02 PPG while Brady has averaged 0.90 (1.12 for Reinhart since last season and 0.86 for Tkachuk)

- Tkachuk sacrificed offense for defense this season? Well, it's still way below average and now he's pacing for 64 pts. It's good but he has a 8.2 AAV and will probably ask for much more in 3 seasons.

- The only thing that makes me hesitate is the 3 years difference in age but Sam is signed 4 years longer than Brady
Frankly, IF Tkachuk wanted to go to Florida, we'd be extremely lucky to get Reinhart... Reality is we'd get quantity... like most trades of that type in history.

Gotta disagree with the bolded mate. I hope we get BTkachuk of the last two months in terms of defensive play but just a little more offense. We'll end up having to grind out close scoring games but I think the way Staios is constructing the roster, that's our best case scenario right now.

I see where you're coming from but I don't think it applies to Tkachuk as much as other forwards. Frankly, who is he better than defensively? I find that even Batherson has improved more. He's certainly not better than Giroux, Stutzle, Norris, Greig, Pinto, Amadio and Perron. I would rather see Tkachuk produce more like in 2022-23, Stutzle and Giroux can take care of helping out more defensively if that is his linemates. I think we could afford to have a forward on each line be more offense oriented.

I don’t think Pinto or even Tkachuk are necessarily at their peak. Pinto is 24 but he’s missed a lot of hockey - I think his ceiling is quite a bit higher than we are seeing. Norris too, although that’s a more complicated case with the shoulder, maybe he doesn’t get there.

Agreed that Pinto could be limped in the first grouping with Stutzle, Sanderson, Greig and Kleven as he has missed 1.5 seasons. Tkachuk plays in his 7th season and plays a power forward game where players usually don't peak into their 30's. I think he is what he is at this point. His brother might have peaked at 24-25 y/o too, his father peaked at 23-24 y/o. In Norris case, if he could get back to 2021-22, that would be huge as I have said many times before already but it's far from guaranteed.

I also think the growth of a player has a domino effect on the roster as do the additions of specific players. So if Pinto develops, it’s not just him that it benefits, but his linemates too whoever they are. Sometimes it can slide people into roles they are better suited for too. Look at Chabot - he’s thriving with a stable partner and with Sanderson shouldering some of the load. 4 years ago he didn’t have that luxury. So I think it is a lot more complicated than just us struggling to score, it could be that 2 pieces totally changes that dynamic, it could also be that a lot more work is needed. I tend to believe it’s the former but of course I could be wrong.

Our forward lines have no chemistry. We don’t even have set lines because nothing has worked. What if you find a winger that complements Stützle and Tkachuk - sort of like Vilardi with Scheifele and Connor - how much would that elevate us? There are for sure missing elements, I just don’t think we can assume that there are no fixes internally or that we can’t find them.

I don't disagree with all that but if I am looking from a simple offensive ability POV, I don't think Stutzle, Tkachuk, Batherson, Pinto, Norris and Greig will be enough. You talked about the Jets (who haven't reached the 2nd round since 2021). They have Connor, Scheifele, Ehlers, Vilardi, Perfetti and Niederreiter/Namestnikov/Lowry, how does our offense compare to them? Even if Stutzle, Pinto and Greig improve...

 

[Xspyrit]

You're having a cow. Nobody told you that you're not allowed to post or what to post about. I simply said your opinion on Tkachuk was a bad one and called you a Habs fan because I think it's funny that you talk about them all the time.

Go take your anger out on the snow, not on people on the Sens forum.

lol now you say "Go take your anger out" after you suddenly decided to attack my opinion.

Your first words : "Terrible post". Then you said "This mentality will leave your team..." I simply told you that this was not MY mentality, but more of a possible REALISTIC scenario

In the following post, for absolutely no reason you came back with "In the meantime go watch your Habs and make more posts about how Ottawa should blow it up"

As I have said to the other pansy about talking about the Habs all the time : "lol probably not even 0.01% of my total posts and MOST of these posts are actually responding to other posters quoting me about a single comment"

Maybe making the joke once is funny but coming back with it EVERY SINGLE TIME because an opinion hurt your poor little feelings is not funny, it's BEYOND childish...

 

[Erik Alfredsson]

lol now you say "Go take your anger out" after you suddenly decided to attack my opinion.

Your first words : "Terrible post". Then you said "This mentality will leave your team..." I simply told you that this was not MY mentality, but more of a possible REALISTIC scenario

In the following post, for absolutely no reason you came back with "In the meantime go watch your Habs and make more posts about how Ottawa should blow it up"

As I have said to the other pansy about talking about the Habs all the time : "lol probably not even 0.01% of my total posts and MOST of these posts are actually responding to other posters quoting me about a single comment"

Maybe making the joke once is funny but coming back with it EVERY SINGLE TIME because an opinion hurt your poor little feelings is not funny, it's BEYOND childish...

My man, the only thing childish is throwing a fit because someone chirped your post on an online forum. Have a Snickers.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

From what I understand, Brady has a NMC (or NTC?) starting this summer? So if there is any whispers of wanting to play with his brother or move on after the current contract is done, it's something we do have to think about right now. Otherwise, you're either stuck trading him for a token piece(s) in 2-3 years, or he walks for nothing.

It sucks to think about it, especially with all the stars we've lost over the last 10+ years, but you also can't let a massive asset like him walk for nothing or next to nothing.

Now if Brady is all-in on being a Senator past this current contract and winning with this team, then it's all moot. But I don't think even Brady knows what's in his heart 4+ years down the line (hell, does anyone?).

The joys of being a sports fan in the modern era, I guess.

 

[Xspyrit]

My man, the only thing childish is throwing a fit because someone chirped your post on an online forum. Have a Snickers.

lol this is actually fascinating. You're the guy who came to me and directly punched me twice for absolutely no reason and now you're saying that I am "throwing a fit" because I retaliated?

Sorry but I am enjoying laughing at you with the way you have been acting with all this, which was only because a random internet poster mentioned that it was possible that your favorite loverboy would want to leave in the future. If I have a snickers you should have a pallet lmao

 

[Erik Alfredsson]

lol this is actually fascinating. You're the guy who came to me and directly punched me twice for absolutely no reason and now you're saying that I am "throwing a fit" because I retaliated?

Sorry but I am enjoying laughing at you with the way you have been acting with all this, which was only because a random internet poster mentioned that it was possible that your favorite loverboy would want to leave in the future. If I have a snickers you should have a pallet lmao

Loverboy?

 

[StoicSensFan]

lol guys I don't care

now let me waste hours of my life proving it to you

 

[PlayOn]

You have to quote me as I almost didn't see your comment since there was already several posters quoting me

I have already addressed that but it was in another thread, no? You're probably talking about Reinhart?

The arguments were :

- Sam Reinhart who finished 12th for the Hart and 4th for the Selke last season. Tkachuk will most likely never get trophy recognition. Since 2021-22, SR has averaged 1.02 PPG while Brady has averaged 0.90 (1.12 for Reinhart since last season and 0.86 for Tkachuk)

- Tkachuk sacrificed offense for defense this season? Well, it's still way below average and now he's pacing for 64 pts. It's good but he has a 8.2 AAV and will probably ask for much more in 3 seasons.

- The only thing that makes me hesitate is the 3 years difference in age but Sam is signed 4 years longer than Brady
Frankly, IF Tkachuk wanted to go to Florida, we'd be extremely lucky to get Reinhart... Reality is we'd get quantity... like most trades of that type in history.



I see where you're coming from but I don't think it applies to Tkachuk as much as other forwards. Frankly, who is he better than defensively? I find that even Batherson has improved more. He's certainly not better than Giroux, Stutzle, Norris, Greig, Pinto, Amadio and Perron. I would rather see Tkachuk produce more like in 2022-23, Stutzle and Giroux can take care of helping out more defensively if that is his linemates. I think we could afford to have a forward on each line be more offense oriented.



Agreed that Pinto could be limped in the first grouping with Stutzle, Sanderson, Greig and Kleven as he has missed 1.5 seasons. Tkachuk plays in his 7th season and plays a power forward game where players usually don't peak into their 30's. I think he is what he is at this point. His brother might have peaked at 24-25 y/o too, his father peaked at 23-24 y/o. In Norris case, if he could get back to 2021-22, that would be huge as I have said many times before already but it's far from guaranteed.



I don't disagree with all that but if I am looking from a simple offensive ability POV, I don't think Stutzle, Tkachuk, Batherson, Pinto, Norris and Greig will be enough. You talked about the Jets (who haven't reached the 2nd round since 2021). They have Connor, Scheifele, Ehlers, Vilardi, Perfetti and Niederreiter/Namestnikov/Lowry, how does our offense compare to them? Even if Stutzle, Pinto and Greig improve...

I don’t think it’ll be enough either. My personal opinion is we need Yakemchuk to hit and we need a top line RW that can create offence if we are to contend even with our current guys improving.

Can we find that player? No idea. A lot has to go right but that is true of any contender. I am not gonna sit here and pretend I am planning the parade or anything - we have a long way to go.