Confirmed with Link: Sens trade 9oa for Eklund and prospects

[LiseL]

Possibly the most Havlat-like player they’ve had since Havlat, minus the jets

Smart, can do whatever you need of him, extremely skilled, can create on his own for himself and others

Much, much different player than Brady, doesn’t bring any of the physicality that Brady did, but he’s smarter and better with the puck

Havlat was one of my favorite players. If Eklund proves to be less injury prone, could be a big win.

 

[HSF]

1. Aside from Robertson-who was quite unlikely-there aren't any forward available outright better than Eklund, especially taking into account age, contracts etc.

2. Being small ain't as bad now as it was 20 years ago, and Eklund still has room to grow as a player IMO.

Laf, Peterka, Knies

 

[Mingus Dew]

Laf, Peterka, Knies

Nothing to suggest that Peterka and Knies were readily available to us.

Laf is basically just an older version of Eklund. Doesn’t move the needle.

 

[Wallet Inspector]

Laf, Peterka, Knies

IMO only maybe Knies is "outright better" than Eklund from that list.

And we can still trade for another forward.

 

[LiseL]

I don't know where is that claim from? Is that a bs rumour or someone credible reported it?

Honestly that sounds more like the character assassination crap we've been seeing with Larkin all the sudden. I don't buy either unless someone credible is claiming it and isn't making shit up out of spite.

And no, losing him is in no way an improvement man. That's peak cope, his replacements will be a big downgrade, we didn't get better.

During Staois presser, he said Brady requested a trade. Staois also said he noticed that Brady wasn't the same player last season. Other insiders reported that the locker room was OK with him being moved.

Edit: It was also reported that at the Olympics, Keith Tkachuk was going around saying he would do whatever it takes to get Brady out of Ottawa.

 

[LiseL]

Good acquisition
Best we can do in the circumstances I think
Superstars and big ufa fishes are not coming here
Hell the face of the franchise chose to leave lol
Unless they are from Ontario or QC

Or northern Europe.

 

[Micklebot]

Laf, Peterka, Knies

Are Peterka or Laf actually outright better?

They all have pretty similar production over the last 3 season, Eklund is younger, but less of a goal scorer.

 

[LiseL]

The offseason isn't over. Look who Carolina replaced Necas and then Rantanen with. They did alright.

And even if you don't buy the rumors about him isolating himself, it's just a fact that he didn't want to be here. Teams usually play so much better when every guy there believes in the team and wants to win together, especially the captain.

I read somewhere that he had stopped hanging out with the team off-ice.

 

[HSF]

Are Peterka or Laf actually outright better?

They all have pretty similar production over the last 3 season, Eklund is younger, but less of a goal scorer.

i like their goal scoring better

hopefully we add one of those guys

 

[LiseL]

Thanks man for the mention. I simply come here to share what I know. I am very fortunate to be involved in circles that bring me close to the team. I have good friends in the ownership group. I am a very passionate Sens fan and I love to share what I know. Unfortunately, many here translate what I know, hear and witness as being a braggart. For those who don’t get belly aches and can control their angry hatred, I will always share what I know and hear without giving out too much info in order to respect the boundaries with my friends/colleagues.

It's nice that we have an insider here.

 

[grim]

The Rangers badly wanted Eklund. Their media called the Senators move a "masterclass in asset management."

 

[SideBurnBarron]

Nothing to suggest that Peterka and Knies were readily available to us.

Laf is basically just an older version of Eklund. Doesn’t move the needle.

Agreed there's nothing to suggest Peterka or Knies were ever readily available to Ottawa. Especially Knies his price is way to high.

As for Lafrenière, I don't see him as an older version of Eklund at all. He's only a year older and brings game-breaking goal-scoring ability that Eklund simply hasn't shown yet or doesnt have but he is better in other ways. That's exactly the type of skill set this team is missing.

The problem is I don't think Ottawa has the assets to acquire him without taking something significant away from the core, and at this stage they really just need to add.

Staios has shown he'll be patient. If the right deal isn't there, I don't think he'll force one. But if we're talking dream targets, Lafrenière would be my number one choice.

 

[God Says No]

I feel like we need to see some JFresh stat cards to push people over the threshold and get on board the Eklund wagon...

I'm supposed to get excited about this?

Well you were wrong lol

Nope. He sucks.

Small winger who doesn't score much, but is a good passer. Major downgrade for our team.

 

[SideBurnBarron]

The Rangers badly wanted Eklund. Their media called the Senators move a "masterclass in asset management."

Id be very tempted to flip Eklund for Laf if that is on the table. Actually I would do it no hesitation.

 

[LiseL]

Small-market teams don't win in this league by stacking stars. Those players rarely stay long term, and even when they do, you usually have to overpay to keep them. In a salary cap world, that's not a sustainable path to success.

If you've been a Sens fan long enough, you know the best teams in franchise history were built through drafting, developing, and finding value. Steve Staios has talked repeatedly about building consistent, sustainable success. A lot of fans online won't have the patience for that approach, but for a market like Ottawa, it's the only way.

Ottawa is not a destination market, and it never will be. The organization has to build differently.

People point to teams like Vegas, Florida, and Tampa Bay, but those markets have advantages Ottawa simply doesn't. Players are often willing to take less money to play in warm-weather, no-state-tax markets. That creates flexibility and value that Canadian teams generally don't have. Ottawa has to make up that difference through drafting, development, smart contracts, and depth.

The good news is the foundation is already there. The Sens have talent down the middle, a very strong defence corps, and an identity. What they need now are a couple more quality wingers in that 40-60 point range. Add that depth and suddenly this team starts looking a lot more dangerous.

Look at Carolina. They don't overwhelm teams with superstar power. They come at you with four relentless lines, wear you down, and make life miserable for opponents. Ottawa already started to play that way last season. They just weren't as deep or as fast. That's the blueprint, and I have no doubt that's what Staios is trying to build.

The other thing fans need to remember is that championship teams are usually led by players in their late 20s, not their early 20s. Ottawa's core is still growing into those years.

This is going to be a slow burn, not an overnight transformation. The goal isn't to make one splashy move and hope for the best. The goal is to get a little bit better every year until you're a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.

I'm here for it.

Well said, couldn't agree more.

 

[SpezDispenser]

Big Bruce bringing up Rust and Rakell again.

You know Dubas wants nothing more than to see his childhood team succeed.

This is the way.

 

[SideBurnBarron]

I'm supposed to get excited about this?


Nope. He sucks.

Small winger who doesn't score much, but is a good passer. Major downgrade for our team.

What exactly were you expecting to get with the 9th overall pick?

Eklund certainly doesn't suck. He's a very good young player who is still improving, can step into the lineup right away, and is cost-controlled. He's a puck hound who fits the identity of this team and the style of hockey Staios is trying to build.

And it's one piece. It's June.

The Sens still have five other assets from the Tkachuk deal. That's roughly the equivalent of two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and a third-round pick on top of the player they already acquired.

This is a small-market Canadian team. Did people think elite players were lining up to come to Ottawa? Building a contender here is about accumulating assets, drafting well, making smart trades, and being patient. That's exactly what Staios is doing.

 

[HSF]

Big Bruce bringing up Rust and Rakell again.

You know Dubas wants nothing more than to see his childhood team succeed.

How much is Crosby inflating their stats

 

[LiseL]

The dynamic between the two of them can be seen a few times in these highlights. On the ENG early in the video, Zetterlund seems very hyped for him on the bench. Personally, I'd be okay keeping Zetterlund around to see if the two of them can build some chemistry.

Would also help cement Eklund's integration with the team.

 

[HSF]

I'm supposed to get excited about this?


Nope. He sucks.

Small winger who doesn't score much, but is a good passer. Major downgrade for our team.

no? I was just posting his card

Staois has work to do before we are actually better

 

[God Says No]

What exactly were you expecting to get with the 9th overall pick?

Eklund certainly doesn't suck. He's a very good young player who is still improving, can step into the lineup right away, and is cost-controlled. He's a puck hound who fits the identity of this team and the style of hockey Staios is trying to build.

And it's one piece. It's June.

The Sens still have five other assets from the Tkachuk deal. That's roughly the equivalent of two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and a third-round pick on top of the player they already acquired.

This is a small-market Canadian team. Did people think elite players were lining up to come to Ottawa? Building a contender here is about accumulating assets, drafting well, making smart trades, and being patient. That's exactly what Staios is doing.

I'd rather keep the 9th overall if this was the best deal.

Not a fan of Eklund at all.

 

[SideBurnBarron]

How much is Crosby inflating their stats

Rust is a really good player, also a puck hound plays with tons of pace. Goes really hard to the net but he is getting up there in age I hope they wouldnt give up too much, he is 34. Two years left one year older than Rackell but i prefer him.

 

[SideBurnBarron]

I'd rather keep the 9th overall if this was the best deal.

Not a fan of Eklund at all.

The chances of the 9th OA pick being close to as good as Eklund are not great odds and it would take 3 years. Plus they got 2 extra assets. One of them is pretty decent.

I doubt you will like what Staios is trying to do. It wont be for everyone but its the way you have to build a small market team with this identity. He plays alot like Jackson Blake. Do you like him?

 

[grim]

Id be very tempted to flip Eklund for Laf if that is on the table. Actually I would do it no hesitation.

The Rangers want out of Lafreniere's huge contract that has 6 more years to go at $7.45m AAV to 2032.

 

[HSF]

The chances of the 9th OA pick being close to as good as Eklund are not great odds and it would take 3 years. Plus they got 2 extra assets. One of them is pretty decent.

I doubt you will like what Staios is trying to do. It wont be for everyone but its the way you have to build a small market team with this identity. He plays alot like Jackson Blake. Do you like him?

I think we need to stop just lookikng at the canes as a way of building a team. Canes had a easier path through the east facing a lot of new playoff teams and not having to face Florida.

They earned it but its dangerous to keep pointing to the canes as a way of building when they are more an outlier