GDT: Free agency madness, brought to you by the letter G - PART 2

[Burrowsaurus]

Wally said he is hearing we are still very much in on Chychrun

I know he's not an insider but still, thought I would pass it along

Seen’t this. Honestly OT sure who else would actually help us that is rumoured to be available

Better win all faceoffs when your Chabot Brannstrom pair is on the ice.

Funny you say this. I swear. Everytime they were paired together in the Ozone we lost the face off 100% of the time. I know I’m probably wrong like
No way it’s true but that’s what I remember and that’s what I remember saying to myself everytime they were paired

 

[Big Muddy]

Plus for all we know maybe Thomson,JBD or Brannstrom steps it up big time at camp and establishes themselves as a top4 D.

I mentioned a ways back that having JBD/Thomson stepping up would be timely. We wouldn't have to lose a top prospect(s) and its a cost friendly solution. The land a big fish and go for it strategy doesn't always work out as we've seen before with teams like Columbus and ourselves even.

A lot seems to hinge on Sanderson and how much of a boost he gives us, and how quickly.

 

[Micklebot]

Better win all faceoffs when your Chabot Brannstrom pair is on the ice.

Historically, we haven't allowed a lot of quality scoring chances in the limited time they've been together, but they tend to be together when we're pushing for offense so there might be some score effect there. They aren't the best in the corners, but when they get the puck it actually gets out of the zone.

I don't think that can be an everyday pair, unless we want to try and shelter their deployment a bit and give heavy mins to the second pair, but I think they'd hold their own better than you'd think.

 

[Micklebot]

I mentioned a ways back that having JBD/Thomson stepping up would be timely. We wouldn't have to lose a top prospect(s) and its a cost friendly solution. The land a big fish and go for it strategy doesn't always work out as we've seen before with teams like Columbus and ourselves even.

A lot seems to hinge on Sanderson and how much of a boost he gives us, and how quickly.

One option might be to run with one of them and see if we can upgrade the D at the deadline instead of before the season starts. Risky in that we might not be good enough to make the playoffs, but gives you time to evaluate where the team is too.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Historically, we haven't allowed a lot of quality scoring chances in the limited time they've been together, but they tend to be together when we're pushing for offense so there might be some score effect there. They aren't the best in the corners, but when they get the puck it actually gets out of the zone.

I don't think that can be an everyday pair, unless we want to try and shelter their deployment a bit and give heavy mins to the second pair, but I think they'd hold their own better than you'd think.

TOI 123.45 GF 3 GA 6 HDCF 12 HDCA 19 XGF% 47.08
vs JBD
TOI 90.25 GF 5 GA 4 HDCF 23 HDCA 16 XGF% 52.04

 

[JimmySpaetzle]

I think Dorion knows it too and that's why he got us Giroux and DBC
Joseph is going to play with BT and Norris

I disagree, why would he trade Connor Brown if he knew Formenton and Batherson wouldn’t be on the team. People need to stop speculating and just wait for the news to come out

 

[Micklebot]

TOI 123.45 GF 3 GA 6 HDCF 12 HDCA 19 XGF% 47.08
vs JBD
TOI 90.25 GF 5 GA 4 HDCF 23 HDCA 16 XGF% 52.04

Not sure why you're singling out JBD, lets look at it more broadly, and focus on the chances against, which is what I specifically pointed out. numbers with Chabot, and are per 60 at 5v5, I've bolded best in each column:

With​	TOI With​	CA/60​	SA/60​	GA/60​	xGA/60​	SCA/60​	HDCA/60​	On-Ice SV%​	PDO​
Artem Zub​	439.81666666667​	55.25​	27.69​	1.91​	2.17​	29.06​	10.23​	93.1​	1.022​
Erik Brannstrom​	123.75​	48.97​	27.64​	2.91​	2.24​	23.76​	9.21​	89.47​	0.937​
Jacob Bernard-Docker​	90.416666666667​	51.76​	30.53​	2.65​	2.48​	24.55​	10.62​	91.3​	1.027​
Lassi Thomson​	127.86666666667​	52.55​	30.03​	3.28​	2.75​	28.62​	13.61​	89.06​	0.963​
Nikita Zaitsev​	259.71666666667​	68.38​	35.12​	2.08​	2.98​	34.19​	12.48​	94.08​	1.052​
Victor Mete​	40.333333333333​	50.58​	29.75​	2.98​	3​	25.29​	13.39​	90​	1.036​
Travis Hamonic​	62.666666666667​	80.43​	48.83​	5.74​	4.55​	41.17​	18.19​	88.24​	0.998​

So again, with the caveat that his usage is potentially skewed in a way where score effect may be in play, he hasn't been bleeding chances against.

 

[Cosmix]

Realistically we’re looking for a solid second pairing D. If things pan out the way they should in regards to Sanderson, it’s a guy that is a complementary top 4 guy.

We have guys in the system that have the potential to be that guy, and while the immediate need is clear, in my opinion it’s not worth trading away key assets to get a guy that only needs to third or fourth best out of four.

Thy also doesn’t consider contracts. We have two big guns on D. It makes way more sense to add another Zub-type defender that is excellent defensively, but won’t be commanding Chabot/Sanderson(potentially) level contracts.

Our first, Grieg, Boucher, Ostapchuk, Pinto, Kleven, Soogard, should all be off the table in my opinion, as we don’t need to add a player that would cost any of that to acquire.

But I would like to add a UFA D and I think Klingberg could be a VG addition.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Not sure why you're singling out JBD, lets look at it more broadly, and focus on the chances against, which is what I specifically pointed out. numbers with Chabot, and are per 60 at 5v5, I've bolded best in each column:

[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]

With​

[/TD]

[TD]

TOI With​

[/TD]

[TD]

CA/60​

[/TD]

[TD]

SA/60​

[/TD]

[TD]

GA/60​

[/TD]

[TD]

xGA/60​

[/TD]

[TD]

SCA/60​

[/TD]

[TD]

HDCA/60​

[/TD]

[TD]

On-Ice SV%​

[/TD]

[TD]

PDO​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Artem Zub​

[/TD]

[TD]

439.81666666667​

[/TD]

[TD]

55.25​

[/TD]

[TD]

27.69​

[/TD]

[TD]

1.91​

[/TD]

[TD]

2.17​

[/TD]

[TD]

29.06​

[/TD]

[TD]

10.23​

[/TD]

[TD]

93.1​

[/TD]

[TD]

1.022​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Erik Brannstrom​

[/TD]

[TD]

123.75​

[/TD]

[TD]

48.97​

[/TD]

[TD]

27.64​

[/TD]

[TD]

2.91​

[/TD]

[TD]

2.24​

[/TD]

[TD]

23.76​

[/TD]

[TD]

9.21​

[/TD]

[TD]

89.47​

[/TD]

[TD]

0.937​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Jacob Bernard-Docker​

[/TD]

[TD]

90.416666666667​

[/TD]

[TD]

51.76​

[/TD]

[TD]

30.53​

[/TD]

[TD]

2.65​

[/TD]

[TD]

2.48​

[/TD]

[TD]

24.55​

[/TD]

[TD]

10.62​

[/TD]

[TD]

91.3​

[/TD]

[TD]

1.027​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Lassi Thomson​

[/TD]

[TD]

127.86666666667​

[/TD]

[TD]

52.55​

[/TD]

[TD]

30.03​

[/TD]

[TD]

3.28​

[/TD]

[TD]

2.75​

[/TD]

[TD]

28.62​

[/TD]

[TD]

13.61​

[/TD]

[TD]

89.06​

[/TD]

[TD]

0.963​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Nikita Zaitsev​

[/TD]

[TD]

259.71666666667​

[/TD]

[TD]

68.38​

[/TD]

[TD]

35.12​

[/TD]

[TD]

2.08​

[/TD]

[TD]

2.98​

[/TD]

[TD]

34.19​

[/TD]

[TD]

12.48​

[/TD]

[TD]

94.08​

[/TD]

[TD]

1.052​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Victor Mete​

[/TD]

[TD]

40.333333333333​

[/TD]

[TD]

50.58​

[/TD]

[TD]

29.75​

[/TD]

[TD]

2.98​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

25.29​

[/TD]

[TD]

13.39​

[/TD]

[TD]

90​

[/TD]

[TD]

1.036​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Travis Hamonic​

[/TD]

[TD]

62.666666666667​

[/TD]

[TD]

80.43​

[/TD]

[TD]

48.83​

[/TD]

[TD]

5.74​

[/TD]

[TD]

4.55​

[/TD]

[TD]

41.17​

[/TD]

[TD]

18.19​

[/TD]

[TD]

88.24​

[/TD]

[TD]

0.998​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

So again, with the caveat that his usage is potentially skewed in a way where score effect may be in play, he hasn't been bleeding chances against.

Just for comparison sake

 

[Tuna99]

Sens Coaches - “Zaitsev is elite”
+
Sens fans - “Zaitsev Sucks”
=
Zaitsev is underrated - he looks like he sucks but he doesn’t

 

[Do Make Say Think]

Really hope one or both of JBD and Thomson solidify themselves as NHLers this season.

Looks like this is what we are banking on.

Considering we didn't get Marino or Weegar, Chychrun will cost an arm & a leg and Klingberg wants a UFA deal? It is the right thing to do for the moment.

Things may change as we get closer to the season and after the season starts but both JBD and Thomson have looked decent enough, I think JBD is pretty smart. Put one with Chabot and Zub with Sanderson to start the season?

Sens Coaches - “Zaitsev is elite”
+
Sens fans - “Zaitsev Sucks”
=
Zaitsev is underrated - he looks like he sucks but he doesn’t

He is a bottom pairing dman.

Playing someone above where they should be makes them look much worse than they actually are.

Zaitsev's biggest problem is his contract.

 

[IranCondraAffair]

I'm starting to think we're not going to move Zaitsev and instead we're going to try and grab a LHD on a short term contract.

Probably sending Brannstrom (most likely) or Holden (less likely) the other way. Someone who wants to shed cap or salary, maybe? There's some good options out there.

Chychrun, obviously.

Dillon? McNabb? Sanheim? Edmundson? Grzelcyk?

Someone like that.

 

[Burrowsaurus]

Sens Coaches - “Zaitsev is elite”
+
Sens fans - “Zaitsev Sucks”
=
Zaitsev is underrated - he looks like he sucks but he doesn’t

Do you believe he doesn’t suck?

Looks like this is what we are banking on.

Considering we didn't get Marino or Weegar, Chychrun will cost an arm & a leg and Klingberg wants a UFA deal? It is the right thing to do for the moment.

Things may change as we get closer to the season and after the season starts but both JBD and Thomson have looked decent enough, I think JBD is pretty smart. Put one with Chabot and Zub with Sanderson to start the season?


He is a bottom pairing dman.

Playing someone above where they should be makes them look much worse than they actually are.

Zaitsev's biggest problem is his contract.

Zaitsev played a little low pairing hockey last season. Didn’t look too great.

 

[trentmccleary]

If the defense goes into the season as is, I expect to see these pairs.

Chabot - Zub
Holden - Zaitsev -> DJ's shutdown pair and #1 PK unit.
Sanderson - Hamonic -> Veteran Hamonic introduces Sanderson to the league.
Brannstrom still gets lots of games in

 

[Gil Gunderson]

Extend Zub

 

[Psycroptic86]

Extend Zub

This needs to happen.

 

[L'Aveuglette]

If the defense goes into the season as is, I expect to see these pairs.

Chabot - Zub
Holden - Zaitsev -> DJ's shutdown pair and #1 PK unit.
Sanderson - Hamonic -> Veteran Hamonic introduces Sanderson to the league.
Brannstrom still gets lots of games in

Sens Coaches - “Zaitsev is elite”
+
Sens fans - “Zaitsev Sucks”
=
Zaitsev is underrated - he looks like he sucks but he doesn’t

"The Ceci effect"

 

[SpezDispenser]

Extend Zub

This needs to happen.

Now please. 5 million x 6 years.

 

[Gil Gunderson]

Now please. 5 million x 6 years.

I don't think anyone that's not a "core" player is getting that much term. That seems to be what turned Dorion off from Marino.

 

[slamigo]

It’s interesting to see some of the D that fans hated move on to other teams and get rewarded with more playing time, better contracts and seem to have more on ice success.
Maybe Ottawa should take a wait and see approach with the D that are here?

 

[SpezDispenser]

I don't think anyone that's not a "core" player is getting that much term. That seems to be what turned Dorion off from Marino.

Or...he knew that he'd have a hard time juggling both after year 3.

 

[Micklebot]

It’s interesting to see some of the D that fans hated move on to other teams and get rewarded with more playing time, better contracts and seem to have more on ice success.
Maybe Ottawa should take a wait and see approach with the D that are here?

Kind of a mixed bag.

Ceci saw his icetime drop significantly,
Coburn I don't think got another contract after seeing his icetime drop over in NYI
Wolanin has taken a pay cut and is on two way deals,

Josh Brown barely got any games in Boston and took a pay cut signing in Arz compared to his final year here but a slight bump in his AVV.
Gudbranson played basically the same in Cgy as he did here, but has parlayed that into a contract similar to the one he was on when we acquired him
Reilly's icetime in Boston is similar to what we gave him here, he did get himself a good for him deal based on his play after being acquired though.

More important though, I don't really see any of those guys as a fit for us right now. They just aren't what we need so I don't see value in waiting and seeing with any of them, I'd rather Hamonic over Gudbranson/J.Brown/Ceci, and Brannstrom/Holden/Sanderson over Reilly/Coburn/Wolanin

 

[2CHAINZ]

It’s interesting to see some of the D that fans hated move on to other teams and get rewarded with more playing time, better contracts and seem to have more on ice success.
Maybe Ottawa should take a wait and see approach with the D that are here?

huh ? who ?

 

[Gil Gunderson]

Boucher used Ceci as a shutdown d-man. What did you expect?

 

[slamigo]

huh ? who ?

As mentioned above; Brown, Gudbranson, Reilly etc. They aren’t stars but they proved that they weren’t the hot garbage that a lot of HF posters believed them to be.
My point was that I guess I’d like to see the team take stock of what is here already and evaluate Thomson, JBD, and others at camp and in some real games before rushing out for some unicorn D.