Taking stock of where we are

[Xspyrit]

Personally, I feel pessimistic about our ability to tread water with a depleted roster and myopic 5v5 offense (even with everyone healthy). And I absolutely hate feeling that being in the position we're in: we're in the mix, right where we want to be. But the truth is, we are leaving points on the table all over the place, key players aren't back to healthy (even after a 2 week break) and the teams chasing us are not going to help us out.

But... but... I was told that there was nothing to worry about?

Without Brady this team just doesn't have the compete level it takes in the NHL, last night they played scared against the Habs. Who on the Sens scares anyone without Brady?

This team has a VAST losing record WITH Brady too... This is what I have talked about for years : a sports franchise just CANNOT afford to have clowns running their organization for years. It's a miracle if Staios is capable of turning it into something. His hands are pretty tied though with a non existent prospect pool and a 1st round pick to forfeit.

 

[Cosmix]

It’s looking like it could be a tough decision for which pick to surrender. If the pick is 13-18 range I don’t know what to do.

I think at least 3 factors need to be considered:
1. Time value of picks - a pick in Summer 2025 has more "net present value" than a pick in Summer 2026.
2. Potential relative value of picks in 2025 versus 2026 - If the players in the 2025 draft are viewed as NOT being as good as 2026, then 2026 picks are worth more.
3. Our projected pick number in 2025 versus 2026 - if there is a significant difference, there might be greater value in picking 2025 versus 2026.

But... but... I was told that there was nothing to worry about?



This team has a VAST losing record WITH Brady too... This is what I have talked about for years : a sports franchise just CANNOT afford to have clowns running their organization for years. It's a miracle if Staios is capable of turning it into something. His hands are pretty tied though with a non existent prospect pool and a 1st round pick to forfeit.

To a certain extent, he has made his own bed signing Perron and Amadio and being "patient".

 

[Relapsing]

Without Brady this team just doesn't have the compete level it takes in the NHL, last night they played scared against the Habs. Who on the Sens scares anyone without Brady?

Even with Brady, we don't always have the compete level it takes.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Without Brady this team just doesn't have the compete level it takes in the NHL, last night they played scared against the Habs. Who on the Sens scares anyone without Brady?

It's also not fair to Brady that he's the one relied on to light a fire under 22 asses every night. They're all pros and making millions, yet a lot of these guys are mentally soft and disappear for long stretches of time. Pretty much all of these guys (save 1 or 2) have enough pro games under their belt now that they should be able to compete every night.

A chunk of our core is closer to 30 than 20 at this point.

 

[Relapsing]

It's also not fair to Brady that he's the one relied on to light a fire under 22 asses every night. They're all pros and making millions, yet a lot of these guys are mentally soft and disappear for long stretches of time. Pretty much all of these guys (save 1 or 2) have enough pro games under their belt now that they should be able to compete every night.

A chunk of our core is closer to 30 than 20 at this point.

This is as good an opportunity as ever to point out how Jimmy was doing everything he could last night.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

This is as good an opportunity as ever to point out how Jimmy was doing everything he could last night.

He definitely was. But there are too many guys on the team that sleepwalk though too many games.

 

[Byron Bitz]

I think at least 3 factors need to be considered:
1. Time value of picks - a pick in Summer 2025 has more "net present value" than a pick in Summer 2026.
2. Potential relative value of picks in 2025 versus 2026 - If the players in the 2025 draft are viewed as NOT being as good as 2026, then 2026 picks are worth more.
3. Our projected pick number in 2025 versus 2026 - if there is a significant difference, there might be greater value in picking 2025 versus 2026.


To a certain extent, he has made his own bed signing Perron and Amadio and being "patient".

You also have to factor in the risk that comes with going into next season with an unprotected pick. That’s a scary situation especially if they run into injury trouble.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

 

[Byron Bitz]

I think at least 3 factors need to be considered:
1. Time value of picks - a pick in Summer 2025 has more "net present value" than a pick in Summer 2026.
2. Potential relative value of picks in 2025 versus 2026 - If the players in the 2025 draft are viewed as NOT being as good as 2026, then 2026 picks are worth more.
3. Our projected pick number in 2025 versus 2026 - if there is a significant difference, there might be greater value in picking 2025 versus 2026.


To a certain extent, he has made his own bed signing Perron and Amadio and being "patient".

Would they be allowed to acquire a late 1st and surrender that one instead?

 

[DrEasy]

Would they be allowed to acquire a late 1st and surrender that one instead?

I don't think so, since I don't believe they were allowed to surrender the late Boston pick they had last year.

 

[Blotto71]

So, keep in mind, I'm not an NHL executive just a ruthless armchair GM:

1. Pathetic performance vs Montreal,
2. Chabot + Amadio to New Jersey for Meier + L. Hughes ($$'s are close, +/- as needed to make it work),
3. Perron, approach him with the ultimatum that he can accept a deal to where-ever or have his contract terminated and sign where he likes,
4. Norris, deal him for the best offer at the deadline,
5. Giroux, bring him back next year if he wants (>$4M, no more than a 1 yr deal) but he picks his destination to win a cup and packs his bags.

Enough of accepting and being patient with all of the mistakes made over the past how many years. Enough with showing "loyalty" to millionaires. Run it like a business.

Perron isn't working out - AT ALL! Amadio and Chabot have value - Meier is a winger for Timmy and Hughes has potential. And the Sens just need to get out from under Norris's contract. Enter the off season:

Brady - Timmy - Timmo
??? - Pinto - Batherson
??? - Greig - ???
??? - Ostapchuk - MacEwan (he has a 1 way next year)

Sanderson - Zub
Hughes - Jenson
Klevin - JBD/Matinpalo

Resign Giroux for a 3rd line role.
Go after Marner/Rantanen/Ellers for a top 6 W spot
Look at someone like Tanner Jeannot for a 3rd line W spot.
Resign Gregor and/or Cousins for 3rd/4th line roles.

Or stay the course, be patient, be disappointed. Again.

 

[Hale The Villain]

I'm someone who thinks the Sens deserved to be penalized for the Dadonov debacle, but I also think losing a 2nd would have been a more reasonable penalty.

Not letting the Sens give up the 25th pick after misleading Andlauer during the sale process, costing him millions in lost franchise value, is absolute horseshit.

 

[Xspyrit]

To a certain extent, he has made his own bed signing Perron and Amadio and being "patient".

The problem for Staios is that he basically has ZERO margin of error. Any GM would normally be able to afford a few mistakes or unproductive moves but we've been in DEFICIT for so long in terms of asset management that there's no margin left. And as we can witness, this team is close and far at the same time so he has a nearly impossible mandate...

IMO, what I would do IF we don't make the playoffs : major retool. And frankly, I don't think we really have a choice.

- Forfeit the 1st round pick this season, get it over with no choice. Don't take the risk for 2026

- Keep Stutzle, Pinto, Greig, Ostapchuk, Reinhardt, Sanderson, Kleven, Matinpalo, JBD and Merilainen

- Trade anyone over 25 y/o who has value. Try to sign Giroux as UFA for less

- Target young players and prospects, NOT picks unless it's Top-15. Maybe target a few specific vets, but more with UFA.

- Target SPEED and SKILL. Players who play with poise and pace, I don't care if they're tough and get PIMs.

But to do all that, do we really have the staff necessary? Pro and amateur scouting departments seem to be outdated AF

Hopefully, we make the playoffs and Staios pull a few rabbits out of his hat for the future. But it's wishful until it materializes

2. Chabot + Amadio to New Jersey for Meier + L. Hughes ($$'s are close, +/- as needed to make it work),

I love Chabot but this wouldn't work, not close. Devils fans would riot after you if you proposed that on the main boards. And frankly, Luke Hughes has a lot of value, I'd say equivalent as Jake Sanderson. He is a year younger and has already a 47 pts season under his belt and is an elite skater.

Amadio has zero value, I wonder if someone would pick him up on waivers for free. Meier and Chabot have similar value, I'd say Chabot has a bit more value but the difference isn't Luke Hughes, not even 10%

 

[Big Muddy]

Without Brady this team just doesn't have the compete level it takes in the NHL, last night they played scared against the Habs. Who on the Sens scares anyone without Brady?

I’d say they need to have all three of Tkachuk, Norris & Pinto to have success. Brady in the lineup would help, but don’t think that’s enough. A team needs to score goals as well. Having Grieg & Ostapchuk as your middle of the lineup centers is too steep of a drop versus having Stutzle, Norris & Pinto as the top 3 centers. It turns from a relative strength to a relative weakness. Our lineup last night doesn’t inspire much confidence.