Taking stock of where we are

[JungleBeat]

Outside of Brady and Drake, this roster does not have legitimate wingers who drive play. And although the centre depth is fantastic, it's far from durable. This team's forwards are, today and into the future, its weakness.

Does Brady really drive play? He’s more of a complimentary piece to a very good centre. He can’t carry a line and playmake.

 

[PlayOn]

Does Brady really drive play? He’s more of a complimentary piece to a very good centre. He can’t carry a line and playmake.

Yes he does. Any line Brady is on is productive. Just watch Norris and Batherson without him 5v5 if you wonder if he drives play.

He’s been on the best line the Sens ice for years now, year after year. It’s not a coincidence. He creates space for players which is a huge piece of making any line click.

 

[Wallet Inspector]

In a weird way I think Norris and Batherson's great 2021-2022 seasons may have done more harm than good for this team long-term. It convinced management the rebuild was done(hence Dorion trading 1st rounders) when in reality we needed another high end forward.

 

[DrEasy]

In a weird way I think Norris and Batherson's great 2021-2022 seasons may have done more harm than good for this team long-term. It convinced management the rebuild was done(hence Dorion trading 1st rounders) when in reality we needed another high end forward.

I think it's their injuries that quite literally harmed them (and the team) more than anything. They're not the same players they were pre-injury.

 

[Boud]

I think it's their injuries that quite literally harmed them (and the team) more than anything. They're not the same players they were pre-injury.

For Norris when healthy I think he looks very similar. Right before his injury he started playing differently than he did to start the season. It felt like he turned the corner a little bit and was playing more confidently. He still doesn’t take slappers or one-timers so that definitely affects his game but he can still be very good. Him and Pinto were dynamic on the PK and overall he was playing really well and fast. I think there has always been questions about him being worth his contract, even when it was signed, but if he can stay healthy and play at his best he will be worth it. Especially with the cap going up.

For Batherson it’s really hard to tell what’s going on with him. He’s always been incredibly streaky outside of that half season before the Dell injury. That season he did look like a completely different player. I have a feeling he’s just not that good. He has all the tools to be an all-star player but he just doesn’t have that extra gear in him. Some nights he looks great but half of the nights he literally doesn’t do anything. Last game is the perfect example. We have 3 forwards out, it’s his time to shine and he comes out of the game with 0 shots on goal(!).

I wouldn’t say he’s lazy but there’s just something missing with him. He’s gone after his contract is over anyways. No way I would give him 7M+ and that’s likely what he’s getting. I have a strong sentiment he’s gone this offseason. It’s time to capitalize on his value when teams will see 2 more years at 4.9M and he’s not driving the play enough for us.

To me Batherson needs to go. He’s not good enough. He’s a conplimentary player that doesn’t do enough when he’s not putting up points. I’ve always been a big Batherson fan and I think he could give a lot more. I would swap him for a Bennett type player in an instant. We need someone who plays the same style and that brings value when not scoring. I see Batherson as the perfect type of player for a contending team. Put him with a Barkov/Mackinnon/McDavid type player and he’ll give you 90 points.

For us we just need that well rounded 50 point player that plays the exact same game every night.