Management UPDATE: Steve Staios GM and POHO, Dave Poulin Senior VP of Hockey Operations

[BondraTime]

Correct but the big difference is the contract. Debrincat held all the cards going into the final year. We weren't going to get a team willing to rent him at 9 mil

I don’t think you’re going to get a team to rent Chychrun either. They’ll want to have a contract agreed to with a trade for a player like Chych.

Sens can, and probably should do what the Hawks did with DBC and not allow them to talk contract. Obviously it scared off pretty much every team but the Sens, but at least makes an even playing field.

If they allow teams to talk contract, it’s likely going to be a 1 team race. Because Chych, like everyone, will sign with his preferred location.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Worth the read

 

[PoutineSp00nZ]

Complete focus on fixing the D and goaltending. I'd be fine with them trotting out the same forwards if we have a natural right handed dman on one of the top two pairings and a real goaltender.

They're make it or break it with these guys now.

They can make a big change or two. Trade out a core forward or defenseman... but generally speaking if these players can't get it done, they just can't it done and they need to tear it all down again.

Here is hoping that's not the case. Better goaltending will address a lot of issues. So will slotting people properly on the blue line.

The concerning thing is how fragile this group seems. When things go well, they're fantastic. When adversity strikes they fall apart completely.

Guess we will see.

 

[milkbag]

They're make it or break it with these guys now.

They can make a big change or two. Trade out a core forward or defenseman... but generally speaking if these players can't get it done, they just can't it done and they need to tear it all down again.

Here is hoping that's not the case. Better goaltending will address a lot of issues. So will slotting people properly on the blue line.

The concerning thing is how fragile this group seems. When things go well, they're fantastic. When adversity strikes they fall apart completely.

Guess we will see.

They've all been given more than enough chances and have collectively chosen the "break it" route.

This group is pathetically fragile. The team as is absolutely can't get it done and they've showed as much for several years now. Minor additions and subtractions here and there won't cut it anymore. Major changes need to happen to this absolute shitfire Dorion built.

Having said that though, I'm excited for the future and am ready to be hurt again after Staios makes his mark.

 

[AchtzehnBaby]

Staios must like the team Dorion built if he's refusing to make any moves.

He knows it is a great team that needs goaltending

 

[Neil Patrick Harris]

Go full Gen Z

See now that is cap fr

 

[SpezDispenser]

They're make it or break it with these guys now.

They can make a big change or two. Trade out a core forward or defenseman... but generally speaking if these players can't get it done, they just can't it done and they need to tear it all down again.

Here is hoping that's not the case. Better goaltending will address a lot of issues. So will slotting people properly on the blue line.

The concerning thing is how fragile this group seems. When things go well, they're fantastic. When adversity strikes they fall apart completely.

Guess we will see.

Yes, but consider how terrible the goaltending has been, no wonder they're fragile. If staios adds a legit top 4 d and a real goaltender, i think a lot of thing calm down for everyone.

 

[Emerica]

Worth the read

Dale McTavish, that is Mason McTavish’s dad right? When did we hire him?

 

[Loach]

Worth the read

Ian is so bad. He kept calling Staois General Manager instead of Rookie General Manager. Can't take anything he writes seriously, just carries water for the team.


Is that how it's done? Hehehehe.

 

[Micklebot]

Dale McTavish, that is Mason McTavish’s dad right? When did we hire him?

Ya, that's news to me,

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Looking at some of the deals yesterday, it doesn't look like anyone was offering much for anybody. When it's a choice of giving away good assets for scraps, or hanging onto them until summer, best bet is to hang onto them. I'll give Staios the benefit of the doubt on that, and no one gave us any offers that were worthwhile.

I will admit though, I do worry about Chych and his injury history. With our luck he'll tear something major and be out for a year and there goes any summer deal.

 

[JD1]

You can't accelerate patience. Nice statement

So Staois said he's open to trading someone with term. Here's who we have with term

Korpisalo

Chabot
Sanderson
Zub

Tkachuk
Stuetzle
Norris
Batherson

Obviously I think we'd all trade Korpisalo but that might be difficult. Let's rule out Norris because of his health

Guys I'd think we definitely wouldn't move:
Sanderson - obvious
Zub - good value in the contract and is an RHD

Tkachuk - obvious unless there's truth to him wanting to leave
Batherson - there's value in his contract

I'd think open to moving guys with term refers to Chabot and I'm not sure what to make if Stuetzle. His contract is a huge value at even a ppg pace but I have concerns about his ability/willingness to fight through contact in the playoffs


Who do you think Staois is open to move?

 

[OgieO]

Dice didn't roll our way this deadline, it would have been nice to make a move but if the value wasn't right so be it.

Chychrun will be interesting.. kinda feels like its impossible to head into the season without either trading or extending him. He's a valuable asset.. if we find a way to be competitive next year and remain in the hunt for a playoff spot it will be really hard to move him as a rental. Fans will not like that message after missing the playoffs for 7 years. It would also be hard to lose him for nothing. You can look to make a classic Bob MacKenzie "hockey move" but those aren't always available. This summer now becomes pretty important.

 

[BankStreetParade]

Looking at some of the deals yesterday, it doesn't look like anyone was offering much for anybody. When it's a choice of giving away good assets for scraps, or hanging onto them until summer, best bet is to hang onto them. I'll give Staios the benefit of the doubt on that, and no one gave us any offers that were worthwhile.

I will admit though, I do worry about Chych and his injury history. With our luck he'll tear something major and be out for a year and there goes any summer deal.

A premium forward, on the second year of an 8 year deal at $8.1M per year, got traded yesterday. There's a difference between giving away players for scraps and not getting a deal because no one is willing to pay the asking price. Maybe that shifts at some point but if someone really wants a player, there's clearly an appetite to make the trade and get them.

 

[AchtzehnBaby]

Who was Staios's mentor?

 

[Crosside]

You can't accelerate patience. Nice statement

So Staois said he's open to trading someone with term. Here's who we have with term

Korpisalo

Chabot
Sanderson
Zub

Tkachuk
Stuetzle
Norris
Batherson

Obviously I think we'd all trade Korpisalo but that might be difficult. Let's rule out Norris because of his health

Guys I'd think we definitely wouldn't move:
Sanderson - obvious
Zub - good value in the contract and is an RHD

Tkachuk - obvious unless there's truth to him wanting to leave
Batherson - there's value in his contract

I'd think open to moving guys with term refers to Chabot and I'm not sure what to make if Stuetzle. His contract is a huge value at even a ppg pace but I have concerns about his ability/willingness to fight through contact in the playoffs


Who do you think Staois is open to move?

Korpisalo, Batherson, Norris, Tkachuk

 

[Micklebot]

Who was Staios's mentor?

idk, Holland? Maybe Nonis from his time in Toronto?

He may have had someone during his time in Hamilton but that would have been external to the org I suspect.

 

[Micklebot]

You can't accelerate patience. Nice statement

So Staois said he's open to trading someone with term. Here's who we have with term

Korpisalo

Chabot
Sanderson
Zub

Tkachuk
Stuetzle
Norris
Batherson

Obviously I think we'd all trade Korpisalo but that might be difficult. Let's rule out Norris because of his health

Guys I'd think we definitely wouldn't move:
Sanderson - obvious
Zub - good value in the contract and is an RHD

Tkachuk - obvious unless there's truth to him wanting to leave
Batherson - there's value in his contract

I'd think open to moving guys with term refers to Chabot and I'm not sure what to make if Stuetzle. His contract is a huge value at even a ppg pace but I have concerns about his ability/willingness to fight through contact in the playoffs


Who do you think Staois is open to move?

Batherson is a contract they could move to get good value out of for a different type of player. Maybe use him to get that RHD we need.

Norris I'm sure we'd be open to given our center depth with Pinto and Greig, but his injury history complicates that, he'd likely have to get through a season without getting hurt in order to have a team willing to give anything up for him.

 

[HoweHullOrr]

They do compete very hard against the best teams in the league, it's the let down against the crappy teams that is a huge puzzel that has to be corrected. Goals against continue to be a huge problem which means the goaltending & defence need to be upgraded as does the bottom six over the summer IMO. I think we have enough good players to fill out the top six & top D pairing after that it's wide open IMO.

I'd put Katchouk with Pinto & Batherson to see if he could jell with those two, having a good playmaker like Batherson on his line might actually help him provide some offence & having a guy with some jam might help the other two increase their intensity. I'd also promote Ostapchuk & Kleven as soon as he is healthy to see how these guys handle the NHL when teams are playing desperate tough hockey.

Tkachuk - Stutzle - Giroux
Katchouk - Pinto - Batherson
Ostapchuk - Greig - Joseph
Smejkal - Kastelic - Sokolov/Kubalik

Chabot - Zub
Sanderson - Chychrun
Kleven - Guennette/Brannstrom

Sogaard - Korpisalo/Forsberg

Pinto and Bath have been playing well. I don't think this is the big issue that needs to be fixed.

Conversely, Stutzle is the guy they need more from. He's got 14 goals this year which is tied for 146th overall. He's got ZERO power play goals.

Senators special teams have not been very special this year at all.

 

[JD1]

Batherson is a contract they could move to get good value out of for a different type of player. Maybe use him to get that RHD we need.

Norris I'm sure we'd be open to given our center depth with Pinto and Greig, but his injury history complicates that, he'd likely have to get through a season without getting hurt in order to have a team willing to give anything up for him.

Sure you could move Batherson but it's value contract. He's putting up decent numbers for what he's getting paid.

Norris. Sure at this you'd move him if you could but you likely can't so I don't think Staois was referring to Norris when thinking of a contract with term

 

[OgieO]

Moving Bath would be a mistake imo. Norris should always be considered unreliable at this point, Giroux is just about gone. We will need scoring. We will likely need scoring even if we keep Drake.

Converting a LD as the main piece for a RD would be ideal. Rounding out the forwards should not be overly arduous.

Solving the goalies... good luck. Lets hope Mads is the bees knees I guess. By next year we will hopefully know how to play better team D to make things easier for whomever is in net.

Moving on from Stu would be the dumbest thing ever. Can't believe someone wrote that lol.

 

[Micklebot]

Sure you could move Batherson but it's value contract. He's putting up decent numbers for what he's getting paid.

Norris. Sure at this you'd move him if you could but you likely can't so I don't think Staois was referring to Norris when thinking of a contract with term

I'm mostly just trying to add options to what you suggested, not say you are wrong or that's who Staios was referring to.

you've got to give to get, so moving a value contract like Bath is what it likely takes if we want to add a guy like Andersson or Pesce for example,

As for Norris, you might find a team willing to take a chance on him, and steal him away at a discount hoping to get a bounce back but you aren't getting anything of value right now,

 

[AchtzehnBaby]

Sure you could move Batherson but it's value contract. He's putting up decent numbers for what he's getting paid.

Norris. Sure at this you'd move him if you could but you likely can't so I don't think Staois was referring to Norris when thinking of a contract with term

Norris's value is nothing. He is stuck in Ottawa. No one touching even half of that contract.

 

[Beech]

Norris's value is nothing. He is stuck in Ottawa. No one touching even half of that contract.

what is your guess, LTIR?.. with the L being career long.

 

[HoweHullOrr]

I find that after every Staios update/interview, I feel better and agree with his take.
I felt that knee-jerk gut reaction and then once I hear Staios speak, it makes more sense.

Exact opposite of Dorion.

Kind of agree with you here, he seems methodical.

He certainly seems deliberate and he also isn't going to give away anything to the media. Cards played very close to his chest.

There's a few things I picked up on listening to that recent TSN 1200 radio interview and by listening to other Staois interviews.

1. In the TSN 1200 interview, Staois said he "learned a lot about his players". When a media person followed up and asked him to elaborate on that he said the Senator players were valued. It just seemed like an odd response when you think of it from a trade deadline perspective where the GM's goal is to extract as much asset value you can for the players you are interested in moving. It seemed like an opposite type of response. It just left me wondering about a variety of different things. Although this was just a small part of the things I wondered about, I wonder if he was being coy at that point and just trying to draw attention away from the subject?

2. I'd bet Staois has had some formal training on handling media and in presentation/interview skills. His responses follow some of the classic things that are taught in these programs. He doesn't reveal much, and that seems like it's going to be the standard operating practice. I'm just observing here versus complaining.