Traded Vladimir Tarasenko (1 year, 5 million)

[Micklebot]

It will help but so many players on this team just don’t give a shit about defense and blow assignments, cheat and so on.

Also neither Chabot nor Chychrun is a defensive stalwart. Those guys are offense-first possession players.

We should be improved but it’s going to take a significant increase in buy-in from the whole team before we’re good defensively. Adding shoot-first players like Kubalik and Tarasenko probably won’t help the defensive side of things.

My guess is that we are going to win games by piling on offense and getting moderate to good goaltending. If the PP goes cold for a while or we get 2022 level goaltending it’s going to be ugly.

Well, the argument was that by being a better possession team, it will help defensively since having the puck is the best defense.

I think improvement to the D should help with the breakout, which in turn should relieve some pressure. Adding Norris should improve both the 2nd line and third line's defensive play, Pinto will be able to match up against guys more suited to his development level, and Norris should provide an improved defensive conscious to his line.

I believe Batherson can be a better defensive player than he was last year, health probably played into it, but regardless it's easier to buy in defensively on a winning team, last year things went off the rails early, I think that made it more likely that players cheated.

Tbh I think the only area we aren't improved in is the top line and the fourth line, top line remains unchanged (presumably) and the 4th is likely a wash, though I suppose it may be improved if Joseph is pushed down to the 4th rather than traded.

There is lots of room for optimism this year, I think health will determine how successful we are, but I truly believe this roster can make some noise with a healthy run.

 

[JD1]

Perhaps they just get better at executing the system they play. Lots of chatter about wingers cheating. Maybe they get better at the reads and more in sync with the D on the reads

In 21-22, there was tons of chatter in here about the PP drop back pass. In 22-23, they used the same zone entry approach with that drop back pass (that most teams use) but they got much better at it and we had one of the league's better PPs

 

[Micklebot]

Perhaps they just get better at executing the system they play. Lots of chatter about wingers cheating. Maybe they get better at the reads and more in sync with the D on the reads

In 21-22, there was tons of chatter in here about the PP drop back pass. In 22-23, they used the same zone entry approach with that drop back pass (that most teams use) but they got much better at it and we had one of the league's better PPs

Wingers cheating seems like it's part of the system to me rather than selfish players trying to get their cookies, and relies on clean exits when you recover the puck defensively. I think our upgraded backend will really help in that regard since we now have a wealth of talented pick movers instead of off the boards guys like Holden, Zaitsev, and at least a reduced role for Hamonic, plus as you suggest, the wingers may get better at judging when to fly the zone or not.

 

[JD1]

Wingers cheating seems like it's part of the system to me rather than selfish players trying to get their cookies, and relies on clean exits when you recover the puck defensively. I think our upgraded backend will really help in that regard since we now have a wealth of talented pick movers instead of off the boards guys like Holden, Zaitsev, and at least a reduced role for Hamonic, plus as you suggest, the wingers may get better at judging when to fly the zone or not.

For sure it's part of the system. And it relies on reads. That's why I suggested we may simply get better at executing it.

And the example I gave was a good one. Lots of complaining about that drop back pass on the PP....a little maturity later and boom....one of the best PPs.

 

[Micklebot]

For sure it's part of the system. And it relies on reads. That's why I suggested we may simply get better at executing it.

And the example I gave was a good one. Lots of complaining about that drop back pass on the PP....a little maturity later and boom....one of the best PPs.

For sure, I agree, I just think the personnel improvement will go hand in hand with guys making better reads, doesn't matter how good your reads are if the D isn't capable of making that clean pass.

Tbh I never got the complaints about the drop pass, our success rate was usually pretty good on the entry despite all the grumbling,

One nice thing is we don't have a tone of turnover too, Tarasenko and Kubalik will have to adjust to new linemates but the rest has mostly played together for a season or more at this point, that will hopefully help us get off to a quick start

 

[Burrowsaurus]

Well, we've pushed Hamonic to the third pair with the addition of Chychrun, cleared Zaitsev from the roster and should have Norris back; you don't think having a legit top 4 and two legit top 6 centers rather than a glaring hole in your top 4 and a rookie over slotted as a #2 center all year would contribute to better puck possession?

We didn’t look that good with the puck with chycrun in the lineup so I’ll reserve.

Your number 2 Center being out shouldn’t cripple your teams ability to possess the puck. If it does..the issue is probably bigger.

 

[Pierre from Orleans]

We didn’t look that good with the puck with chycrun in the lineup so I’ll reserve.

Your number 2 Center being out shouldn’t cripple your teams ability to possess the puck. If it does..the issue is probably bigger.

Coaching.

A good coach can help mitigate many shortcomings.

 

[Micklebot]

We didn’t look that good with the puck with chycrun in the lineup so I’ll reserve.

Your number 2 Center being out shouldn’t cripple your teams ability to possess the puck. If it does..the issue is probably bigger.

Chychrun coming in mid season with no training camp learning new team mates and systems vs coming to camp, having a bit of experience with the system and chemistry with linemates. You can choose to reserve judgement out of an abundance of caution because of an 12 game sample where we juggled paring to see what works, but he's got an entire career of to go off of where anyone with eyes can see that he's an improvement over the likes of Hamonic, Zaitsev, Holden, or Brannstrom, who all spent time in the top 4 last year.

Our second line center was in his 3rd season and yet still had more experience at center than our other two top 9 centers combined, so yeah, ideally you have more experience at center and losing Norris doesn't cripple the team but the reality is we didn't, so losing him had a big impact as Stü and Pinto were both still very much learning the position at the pro level.

Beyond that, team depth looks improve by swapping DBC for Tank and Kubalik, so no more Gambrell/Motte/Brassard on the third line. Heck, Greig might push Joseph down to the 4th line if he's still around and not traded.

We could go from a bottom 6 of

Motte-Brassard/Gambrell-Joseph
Kelly-Kastelic-Watson

To this

Greig-Pinto-Kubalik
Kelly/Joseph-Kastelic-MacEwen

There isn't a lot of reason to be skeptical the team has/will be improved, I guess the proof is in the pudding, but at this point it seems like you're being pessimistic for pessimism's sake.

 

[Micklebot]

Coaching.

A good coach can help mitigate many shortcomings.

Alternatively, experienced players can mitigate short comings, vet teams typically adapt quicker, meanwhile we were among the youngest and least experienced teams in the league, we've gotten more experience, should go a long way to smoothing out any bumps in the road.

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

Chychrun coming in mid season with no training camp learning new team mates and systems vs coming to camp, having a bit of experience with the system and chemistry with linemates. You can choose to reserve judgement out of an abundance of caution because of an 12 game sample where we juggled paring to see what works, but he's got an entire career of to go off of where anyone with eyes can see that he's an improvement over the likes of Hamonic, Zaitsev, Holden, or Brannstrom, who all spent time in the top 4 last year.

Our second line center was in his 3rd season and yet still had more experience at center than our other two top 9 centers combined, so yeah, ideally you have more experience at center and losing Norris doesn't cripple the team but the reality is we didn't, so losing him had a big impact as Stü and Pinto were both still very much learning the position at the pro level.

Beyond that, team depth looks improve by swapping DBC for Tank and Kubalik, so no more Gambrell/Motte/Brassard on the third line. Heck, Greig might push Joseph down to the 4th line if he's still around and not traded.

We could go from a bottom 6 of

Motte-Brassard/Gambrell-Joseph
Kelly-Kastelic-Watson

To this

Greig-Pinto-Kubalik
Kelly/Joseph-Kastelic-MacEwen

There isn't a lot of reason to be skeptical the team has/will be improved, I guess the proof is in the pudding, but at this point it seems like you're being pessimistic for pessimism's sake.

Weren't we also playing at a playoff pace second half of the season?

I think with DJ next year we can still muster into the playoffs, but I think with a different coach we will get the best out of this team.

Wild card playoff position vs top 3 in the division type of difference. Still a playoff team, but one is a contender sooner due to better system and bringing out strengths of each player.

 

[Cosmix]

Well, the argument was that by being a better possession team, it will help defensively since having the puck is the best defense.

I think improvement to the D should help with the breakout, which in turn should relieve some pressure. Adding Norris should improve both the 2nd line and third line's defensive play, Pinto will be able to match up against guys more suited to his development level, and Norris should provide an improved defensive conscious to his line.

I believe Batherson can be a better defensive player than he was last year, health probably played into it, but regardless it's easier to buy in defensively on a winning team, last year things went off the rails early, I think that made it more likely that players cheated.

Tbh I think the only area we aren't improved in is the top line and the fourth line, top line remains unchanged (presumably) and the 4th is likely a wash, though I suppose it may be improved if Joseph is pushed down to the 4th rather than traded.

There is lots of room for optimism this year, I think health will determine how successful we are, but I truly believe this roster can make some noise with a healthy run.

By "noise" and "healthy run" I think you mean getting into the playoffs and winning at least one and hopefully two playoff rounds. Right?

 

[NyQuil]

By "noise" and "healthy run" I think you mean getting into the playoffs and winning at least one and hopefully two playoff rounds. Right?

From non-playoff team to the Eastern Conference Finals is a big ass jump.

Even the Devils couldn't do that and they are a much more fundamentally sound team.

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

From non-playoff team to the Eastern Conference Finals is a big ass jump.

Even the Devils couldn't do that and they are a much more fundamentally sound team.

 

[Micklebot]

Weren't we also playing at a playoff pace second half of the season?

I think with DJ next year we can still muster into the playoffs, but I think with a different coach we will get the best out of this team.

Wild card playoff position vs top 3 in the division type of difference. Still a playoff team, but one is a contender sooner due to better system and bringing out strengths of each player.

First 19 games killed us, played at a 95 pts pace the rest of the way.

 

[Micklebot]

From non-playoff team to the Eastern Conference Finals is a big ass jump.

Even the Devils couldn't do that and they are a much more fundamentally sound team.

To be fair, the starting point for the NJD as a non playoff team was a 63 pts team, they moved that up to 112 one season later. We're starting at an 86 pts non playoff team,

 

[Cosmix]

Wingers cheating seems like it's part of the system to me rather than selfish players trying to get their cookies, and relies on clean exits when you recover the puck defensively. I think our upgraded backend will really help in that regard since we now have a wealth of talented pick movers instead of off the boards guys like Holden, Zaitsev, and at least a reduced role for Hamonic, plus as you suggest, the wingers may get better at judging when to fly the zone or not.

If a winger is going to exit the D zone quickly before the team has puck possession, then the D better be able to beat the opponents to the puck and make long and accurate passes to the Fs. Our D is getting better and hopefully can do that this coming season.

 

[Puikiou]

To be fair, the starting point for the NJD as a non playoff team was a 63 pts team, they moved that up to 112 one season later. We're starting at an 86 pts non playoff team,

Based on that 78% points increase, 153 points here we come! Buckle up!

 

[Micklebot]

interesting that Dorion is saying they thought they were out of it on signing Tarasenko until the agent called back and told them if they could do the NTC they could come to a deal.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

interesting that Dorion is saying they thought they were out of it on signing Tarasenko until the agent called back and told them if they could do the NTC they could come to a deal.

Presumably so that he can dictate his destination if they're out of it at the deadline?

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Tarasenko: This team is ready to take the next step and I'll do my best to help them do it

Vladimir Tarasenko joins AJ and Matt on The Drive to talk about his 1 year deal with the Sens, what was appealing about the team, playing for a Canadian franchise, and craving the taste of Lord Stanley.

www.tsn.ca

 

[Crosside]

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

Giroux-Stutzle-Tarasenko is going to be one of the best lines in the league. Calling it now.

Stutzle going from Paul and Brown to two of the most respected and heralded forwards in the game.

They're going push Stutzle to be the best he can be and he'll return the favor skill wise.

Although Tarasenko's no nonsense approach has me thinking we could see him paired with Tkachuk and watch them give opposing team fits trying to manage both wingers at once and their diff skillsets.

 

[KingAlfie11]

From non-playoff team to the Eastern Conference Finals is a big ass jump.

Even the Devils couldn't do that and they are a much more fundamentally sound team.

This New jersey's points total in each of the last 4 season before last year.

2018/19 72pts 29th in the NHL
2019/20 68pts 26th in the NHL
2020/21 45pts 29th in the NHL (in 56 games)
2021/22 63pts 28th in the NHL

There's absolutely nothing there that would say that the Devils were a fundamentally sound team. They were at the bottom of the standings and then overnight they are at the top. I could see the Sens doing something like this also, they need to have a hot start of the season just like the Devils did last year and if they do watch cause the Sens have all the pieces to be a top team, they just need that confidence.

 

[NyQuil]

This New jersey's points total in each of the last 4 season before last year.

2018/19 72pts 29th in the NHL
2019/20 68pts 26th in the NHL
2020/21 45pts 29th in the NHL (in 56 games)
2021/22 63pts 28th in the NHL

There's absolutely nothing there that would say that the Devils were a fundamentally sound team. They were at the bottom of the standings and then overnight they are at the top. I could see the Sens doing something like this also, they need to have a hot start of the season just like the Devils did last year and if they do watch cause the Sens have all the pieces to be a top team, they just need that confidence.

Now take a look at the save percentage of their goalies vs. their shot differentials and expected goals.

They were a team that were sunk by goaltending in a season where we had Forsberg put up a .917.

Their advanced stats predicted the season they just had provided they actually got decent goaltending as opposed to among the league’s worst.

There was nothing overnight about it.

 

[Sensmileletsgo]

Giroux-Stutzle-Tarasenko is going to be one of the best lines in the league. Calling it now.

Stutzle going from Paul and Brown to two of the most respected and heralded forwards in the game.

They're going push Stutzle to be the best he can be and he'll return the favor skill wise.

Although Tarasenko's no nonsense approach has me thinking we could see him paired with Tkachuk and watch them give opposing team fits trying to manage both wingers at once and their diff skillsets.

It’s not going to be as good as Tkachuk-Stutzle-Giroux last year though because Tkachuk is an absolute beast.