Fabian Zetterlund traded to Ottawa

[Hale The Villain]

Just like Donato, another guy that's going to be overpaid this summer for being a 3rd liner getting top 6 minutes on a shitty team.

Zetterlund will have a lot of difficulty potting 20 if he stays here. He's a middle 6'er at best, playing on a deeper team that's more defensive minded. Paying him Batherson money and expecting Batherson numbers will go badly.

Agree with most of this, but it's worth pointing out that Batherson has significantly outperformed his contract since it was signed and no one should expect a 60-70P forward to sign for less than 5M when the cap is expected to jump 25M in the next 3 years.

4.5-5M is fair for a guy who should be able to put up 20-20-40 if he's given an actual opportunity to succeed (not stapled beside two non-NHLer coach's pets in Gaudette and Highmore).

 

[bicboi64]

If we extend him to anything above $3.5 million, I really hope we can see .5ppg production from him at the least

 

[Boud]

Agree with most of this, but it's worth pointing out that Batherson has significantly outperformed his contract since it was signed and no one should expect a 60-70P forward to sign for less than 5M when the cap is expected to jump 25M in the next 3 years.

4.5-5M is fair for a guy who should be able to put up 20-20-40 if he's given an actual opportunity to succeed (not stapled beside two non-NHLer coach's pets in Gaudette and Highmore).

Unfortunately once Giroux (and Perron) keep slowing down or sign somewhere else we will need an actual upgrade in the top 6 and not some guy we hope can put up 40 points.

Our real top 6 forwards as of next season:

Tkachuk
Stutzle
Batherson
Cozens

That’s it. We don’t have anyone else. Perron and Giroux with a year older and with their speed … realistically you want these guys on a 3rd line on a deeper team.

Zetterlund might be good enough to play top 6 here but we will need another top 6 forward on top of him. To me he looks like the type of player that you want on your 3rd line that can put up 30-40 points and can play up in the top 6 when you have injuries to legit top 6 players. The problem is we already have a good 3rd line too. Odd fit for this guy. I don’t think he should be making more than Greig on his deal who’s a better player. Put Greig on a top line in an offensive role and play him 17-18 minutes a night, top PP unit and he’ll put up identical numbers to what Zetterlund did in San Jose. It’s all about perspective… 5M$ contract for this guy is way too much.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

Unfortunately once Giroux (and Perron) keep slowing down or sign somewhere else we will need an actual upgrade in the top 6 and not some guy we hope can put up 40 points.

Our real top 6 forwards as of next season:

Tkachuk
Stutzle
Batherson
Cozens

That’s it. We don’t have anyone else. Perron and Giroux with a year older and with their speed … realistically you want these guys on a 3rd line on a deeper team.

Zetterlund might be good enough to play top 6 here but we will need another top 6 forward on top of him. To me he looks like the type of player that you want on your 3rd line that can put up 30-40 points and can play up in the top 6 when you have injuries to legit top 6 players. The problem is we already have a good 3rd line too. Odd fit for this guy. I don’t think he should be making more than Greig on his deal who’s a better player. Put Greig on a top line in an offensive role and play him 17-18 minutes a night, top PP unit and he’ll put up identical numbers to what Zetterlund did in San Jose. It’s all about perspective… 5M$ contract for this guy is way too much.

Pinto is a top 6 forward. Not every team puts their top 6 forwards in the top 6.

 

[Micklebot]

People have unrealistic expectations for what a top 6 forward is.

Right now, in terms of pts per game, the top 192 forwards produce at a 38 pts pace or better. Narrow that down to top 160 (top 5 producers) and it's 43-44 pts. Top 128 (top 4) and it's 49 pts.

But apparently Giroux (on pace for 54 pts) isn't a "real" top 6 forward, or at least, he won't be next year for some reason.

Heck, Perron took some time rounding into form after essentially missing training camp due to family reasons, and then out a month to a back injury, but over the last 19 games, he has 12 pts, a 52 pts pace.

Zetterlund, if given the mins, can probably put in similar production to his time in SJ. 40-45 pts on the 2nd line and 2nd PP seems plausible, that's definitely 2nd line production, but people will scoff at it.

 

[Micklebot]

Made a quick reference chart out of curiosity, shows the Forwards 1-7 league average scoring pace (35 games or more) in the NHL, Elite is top 10, Average 11-21, bottom end is 22-32 for that depth posiiton.

So, 1-3 are first liners, 4-6 are 2nd liners. 7th would your best 3rd liner.

Edit: Based on this chart:

Stutzle, Bottom end #1
Cozens (sens only) Average #2
Bath Elite #3
Tkachuk, Elite #3
Giroux, Average #4
Pinto, Average #6
Greig, Bottom end #7 or elite 8

 

[BoardsofCanada]

Our top 9 forwards aren't great offensively but it's not so much the depth that's the problem. It's that we need more from our top 2. Brady's had a down year offensively; imo he should be a 40 40 guy. Same with Stutzle.

But we aren't winning high scoring games this season. As crazy as it sounds. we are an above average defensive team. We sit 11th in goals against.

 

[SlapJack]

There's a ton of different ways to look at who slots where and how competent they are in that role. Ottawa needs to focus on depth since our top end talent will never be in the same category as teams like Colorado, Edmonton, Toronto, Tampa, etc. Fortunately we have excellent center depth which is huge, competent goaltending, and a true #1D. When healthy, Ottawa has 4 guys that are slightly above average top 4D, but the forward depth is sketchy once you start getting past spot 7, and that's including Giroux who's a question mark moving forward.

Zetterlund is a good add to address that, I just don't think he is in any way a good top line option. I think an aging Giroux would still be better next year. Getting a top line player in the off season would be near impossible without mortgaging the future in terms of money, draft capital, or losing a good asset on the roster. So we need to probably look at spending on bottom 6 guys to ice a roster more comparable to Winnipeg or Washington. They win a lot of games because they can roll 4 lines and not worry about their top guys always having to shoulder the load, while having confidence their 4th line won't get caved on the road when they're stuck out there against the home teams assassins.

Paying Zetterlund top 6 cash will lessen our ability to go with guys like Amadio, Cousins, or a Nic Dowd to fill in the bottom. If Giroux stays and still wants a decent paycheck, can we afford handing out $9M+ to him and Zetterlund? Zetterlund is still RFA, he can sign a one year show me deal if he feels he's worth more than $4M long term. Grieg is a better player than him now and signed for 4 years at $3.25M. There's no way I'd be comfortable giving Zetterlund more than that under any term right now, he's still a question mark.

 

[HSF]

Ottawa not keeping Zetterund? You guys are out to lunch. Good shot, plays hard and goes into the corners and plays at both ends of the rink? You aren't finding that in the open market without giving up assets

Sens will def try to sign him and play him in the top 6. G is cooked

 

[SlapJack]

Ottawa not keeping Zetterund? You guys are out to lunch. Good shot, plays hard and goes into the corners and plays at both ends of the rink? You aren't finding that in the open market without giving up assets

Sens will def try to sign him and play him in the top 6. G is cooked

Giroux is not done. He ain't what he once was, but he can play in all situations, still one of the best draw takers in the NHL, still burning with a fire to win, fantastic leader...if cooked is Giroux still having better point per game numbers than Zetterlund in his prime years, I'll take that for lunch every day.

 

[HSF]

Giroux is not done. He ain't what he once was, but he can play in all situations, still one of the best draw takers in the NHL, still burning with a fire to win, fantastic leader...if cooked is Giroux still having better point per game numbers than Zetterlund in his prime years, I'll take that for lunch every day.

G is not a top line player anymore. He's only getting older. Zetterberg is the obvious replacement as Timmy and Tkachuk get better and take over

there has been an obvious lack of speed on the top line when G is on it

 

[SlapJack]

G is not a top line player anymore. He's only getting older. Zetterberg is the obvious replacement as Timmy and Tkachuk get better and take over

there has been an obvious lack of speed on the top line when G is on it

I'm not saying Giroux is still a top line player, but I am saying Zetterlund is not.

I like the guy and think he's a really good addition, but he's not a first line talent. I hope he proves me wrong, I just don't see it.

 

[Senator Stanley]

I'm not saying Giroux is still a top line player, but I am saying Zetterlund is not.

I like the guy and think he's a really good addition, but he's not a first line talent. I hope he proves me wrong, I just don't see it.

He's talented enough to be a complimentary top six winger, which is what he's being asked to be next to Tkachuk-Stutzle.

 

[FunkySeeFunkyDoo]

When it comes to finishing on his chances, this guy isn’t exactly Jari Kurri.

 

[PoutineSp00nZ]

He's talented enough to be a complimentary top six winger, which is what he's being asked to be next to Tkachuk-Stutzle.

Agred. Its tough to have 3 legit top line players on your top line. Gotta spread that cap hit around. Even the legion of doom rounded themselves out with michael renberg.


Have a couple star players and a complimentary player on your top two lines. Thats the ticket right there.

 

[bicboi64]

Zetterlund is hard to push around despite not being the biggest guy. Can't wait to see him develop more chemistry and get on the scoresheet.

 

[Ozakar]

There's a ton of different ways to look at who slots where and how competent they are in that role. Ottawa needs to focus on depth since our top end talent will never be in the same category as teams like Colorado, Edmonton, Toronto, Tampa, etc. Fortunately we have excellent center depth which is huge, competent goaltending, and a true #1D. When healthy, Ottawa has 4 guys that are slightly above average top 4D, but the forward depth is sketchy once you start getting past spot 7, and that's including Giroux who's a question mark moving forward.

Zetterlund is a good add to address that, I just don't think he is in any way a good top line option. I think an aging Giroux would still be better next year. Getting a top line player in the off season would be near impossible without mortgaging the future in terms of money, draft capital, or losing a good asset on the roster. So we need to probably look at spending on bottom 6 guys to ice a roster more comparable to Winnipeg or Washington. They win a lot of games because they can roll 4 lines and not worry about their top guys always having to shoulder the load, while having confidence their 4th line won't get caved on the road when they're stuck out there against the home teams assassins.

Paying Zetterlund top 6 cash will lessen our ability to go with guys like Amadio, Cousins, or a Nic Dowd to fill in the bottom. If Giroux stays and still wants a decent paycheck, can we afford handing out $9M+ to him and Zetterlund? Zetterlund is still RFA, he can sign a one year show me deal if he feels he's worth more than $4M long term. Grieg is a better player than him now and signed for 4 years at $3.25M. There's no way I'd be comfortable giving Zetterlund more than that under any term right now, he's still a question mark.

There’s absolutely zero case to be made that Greig is better than Zetterlund.

 

[Micklebot]

Zetterlund is hard to push around despite not being the biggest guy. Can't wait to see him develop more chemistry and get on the scoresheet.

The guy is 220, he's a tank, just not tall.

 

[jbeck5]

Agred. Its tough to have 3 legit top line players on your top line. Gotta spread that cap hit around. Even the legion of doom rounded themselves out with michael renberg.


Have a couple star players and a complimentary player on your top two lines. Thats the ticket right there.

I wish zetterlund could get 82 points in a season...or 57pts In 47games.

My guess is renberg was more talented. He averaged 58 points per 82 in his career in the dead puck era.

We would be lucky if that was zetterlunds career high in a season.

 

[jbeck5]

Zetterlund is hard to push around despite not being the biggest guy. Can't wait to see him develop more chemistry and get on the scoresheet.

I find him rather easy to push around... I've seen him fall in battles or getting hit countless times...

I figured at 5'11, 220, he would be super hard to knock over...like an Alfredsson on steroids. But he's nothing like that. Haven't seen him put his ass out and shield the puck from defenseman like guys with that thickness can do around the league.

 

[jbeck5]

The guy is 220, he's a tank, just not tall.

Whens he going to start playing like a tank?

I want to be clear that I like the player and the pick up...I'm just not seeing this "strong as an ox" player that was advertised. I'm not seeing him bull people over or seeing big guys just bounce off him when they try to hit him.

 

[SensFactor]

I honestly think his chance of sticking with the Sens is 50/50. He's an RFA and has value if we decide to trade him in the offseason. I hope he starts to produce soon.

 

[Slippy]

I don't think Staios went after him at the TDL as a rental. I expect, and hope to see him return. Seems like a good addition. Liked his game last night with top line despite the loss.

 

[Micklebot]

Whens he going to start playing like a tank?

I want to be clear that I like the player and the pick up...I'm just not seeing this "strong as an ox" player that was advertised. I'm not seeing him bull people over or seeing big guys just bounce off him when they try to hit him.

He was pretty strong on the forcheck last night out muscling guys for pucks. Running around looking for big hits isn't his game, never really has been, but he gets position on guys and they can't contain him. That's how he ended up leading the team with 6 scoring chances last night.

 

[jbeck5]

He was pretty strong on the forcheck last night out muscling guys for pucks. Running around looking for big hits isn't his game, never really has been, but he gets position on guys and they can't contain him. That's how he ended up leading the team with 6 scoring chances last night.

He was moving his feet. That's how he wasn't contained. It wasn't from outmuscling guys for pucks.

I haven't seen him shield the puck for a scoring chance or reverse the hits he takes by holding firm... I've seen him fall many times a game every game.

He's not like an Alfredsson or Marty st Louis in terms of strength and low center of gravity making it hard to knock off pucks. People talked about zetterlund in terms of being physically strong but smaller like he was Forsberg.

I remember in the playoffs when Ottawa played Tampa and Chara tried to go for a big hit on st Louis and fell right on his ass and st Louis kept going as if nothing and made a nice play.

Heck, even someone like lomberg...you see big guys go to hit him and they fall back over because he's strong and has a low center of gravity and knows how to use it to his advantage. Obviously he's not a skilled player...

But I thought we were getting someone really strong for their size that bulldozes through taller, lighter players. That's from some of the comments about how strong this guy is along with videos of him squatting insane weights...