What is the earliest you see the Sens making the playoffs?

[Akrapovince]

I would rather miss the playoffs and build towards a contending team than to make it next year and be first rounded.

Problem is, we’ve only came out of the rebuild (and again, still haven’t made the plauoffs) but the DeBrincat QO/Bridge/Massive pay raise, Chychrun and Giroux contract are currently Ming up soon setting up a clear window.

We’re running into problems that teams have after they win the Stanley Cup, retaining and managing cap, but instead of winning the cup, we are missing the playoffs.

 

[WarriorofTime]

If they don’t make it next year then they need to rebuild the rebuild.

 

[Bileur]

Probably never never, what a bunch of irrelevant losers. Ill bet the Sens fans are gonna tell us they have a top 5 team on paper though, as every other year.

Sens fans saying the Sens are better than the Habs isn’t the same as them saying they’re a top 5 team.

You probably just get that impression from Habs fans’ expectations on their own team.

 

[Mrb1p]

Sens fans saying the Sens are better than the Habs isn’t the same as them saying they’re a top 5 team.

You probably just get that impression from Habs fans’ expectations on their own team.

The Habs suck and are in a rebuild, the Sens have been rebuilding snice 2017.

 

[devbouz12]

Probably never never, what a bunch of irrelevant losers. Ill bet the Sens fans are gonna tell us they have a top 5 team on paper though, as every other year.

I get your gripe with the Sens and their posters but any chance you don't post like a petulant 5 year old?

 

[Pavels Dog]

I mean, I feel like it's easy for them to get just that little bit extra to push them over the hump.

Healthy Josh Norris
Chychrun for a full season
Add a quality bottom 6er
Another year of experience for the kids
Avoid major injuries

The problem is a few other teams can say similar things and most of the East's top teams are not about to fall off a cliff.
Assuming Bedard ends up in the East as well it's not getting any easier.

 

[LeProspector]

I’d they don’t get in next season, blow it up. This core doesn’t have it.

 

[Deas]

Trolling to trigger Sens-fans? They could've made it this year. They could be a very, very good team next season already.

I feel the Sens are currently a good example of people gauging team strength by feeling attached to name and previous positions in standings more than actual roster strength and potential.

 

[Deas]

The problem is a few other teams can say similar things and most of the East's top teams are not about to fall off a cliff.
Assuming Bedard ends up in the East as well it's not getting any easier.

I disagree a few other teams can say the same thing to the same extent as the Sens. This is exactly what I mean with my previous post. The below is not so so potential. It's tremendous potential.

A new goalie or rejuvinated Forsberg and they are ready to go.

Tkachuk - Stutzle - Batherson
DeBrincat - Norris - Giroux
Greig - Pinto - Joseph
Sokolov - Kastelic - Formenton
Boucher, Daoust, Halliday, Jarventie, Parker, Ostapchuk, Johansson

Chabot - Zub
Sandersson - Chychrun
Brannstrom - Kleven
Thomson, Tychonick, Bernard-Docker, Donovan, Nordberg, Roger

Forsberg
Sogaard
Meriläinen

 

[Pavels Dog]

I disagree a few other teams can say the same thing to the same extent as the Sens. This is exactly what I mean with my previous post. The below is not so so potential. It's tremendous potential.

A new goalie or rejuvinated Forsberg and they are ready to go.

Tkachuk - Stutzle - Batherson
DeBrincat - Norris - Giroux
Greig - Pinto - Joseph
Sokolov - Kastelic - Formenton
Boucher, Daoust, Halliday, Jarventie, Parker, Ostapchuk, Johansson

Chabot - Zub
Sandersson - Chychrun
Brannstrom - Kleven
Thomson, Tychonick, Bernard-Docker, Donovan, Nordberg, Roger

Forsberg
Sogaard
Meriläinen

What is the point of writing out the names of every random prospect in their pipeline? Most of them will make minimal impact within the next several years, if ever.

They do have good potential but they're not the only ones. And I wouldn't assume perfect health or that Forsberg will return rejuvinated after having both his knees destroyed.

 

[Deas]

What is the point of writing out the names of every random prospect in their pipeline? Most of them will make minimal impact within the next several years, if ever.

They do have good potential but they're not the only ones. And I wouldn't assume perfect health or that Forsberg will return rejuvinated after having both his knees destroyed.

Copied the depth chart from another post. Screw the projects, look at the team they’ll field for game one. So your counter to other bubble teams not having the same depth and quality is to just repeat ”they’re not the only ones” without backing it up, after focusing on the part of my post that’s irrelevant.

The reality of health is the same for every team, and makes their depth even more important. The have assets to go for a goalie.

 

[Favin]

Buffalo in 2023-24
Ottawa in 2024-25
Detroit in 2025-26
Montreal in 2026-27

 

[Korpse]

And I wouldn't assume perfect health or that Forsberg will return rejuvinated after having both his knees destroyed.

I wouldn't say knees destroyed. No surgery, walked on his own, skating 6 weeks later. Very well could have dodged a bullet.

 

[Uncle Scrooge]

The problem is a few other teams can say similar things and most of the East's top teams are not about to fall off a cliff.
Assuming Bedard ends up in the East as well it's not getting any easier.

Yeah well, there were more teams I traditionally deem to be good enough to make the playoffs in the East this year than there were spots, and you're right it's going to be the same thing next year again.

So when they actually make it is anybody's guess, but I do think they will be able to ice a team that should make it.

This year it felt like 50/50, and if Norris was healthy for half of the season, the standings would probably look exactly like that.

But all in all, the Sens don't need any major players which is a big positive. They don't need to go on a desperate hunt for a 1C or a top pairing D that they may not be able to get in years even if they wanted to. Makes the GM's job a lot easier to improve the team from here.

 

[Golden_Jet]

I get your gripe with the Sens and their posters but any chance you don't post like a petulant 5 year old?

Probably not.

 

[SpezDispenser]

I'm due to go f***ing insane if we don't make it next year - or at least be in the mix up until the final game.

How long has this rebuild been going on? It feels like the 80th year of it.

 

[Xspyrit]

I disagree a few other teams can say the same thing to the same extent as the Sens. This is exactly what I mean with my previous post. The below is not so so potential. It's tremendous potential.

A new goalie or rejuvinated Forsberg and they are ready to go.

Tkachuk - Stutzle - Batherson
DeBrincat - Norris - Giroux
Greig - Pinto - Joseph
Sokolov - Kastelic - Formenton
Boucher, Daoust, Halliday, Jarventie, Parker, Ostapchuk, Johansson

Chabot - Zub
Sandersson - Chychrun
Brannstrom - Kleven
Thomson, Tychonick, Bernard-Docker, Donovan, Nordberg, Roger

Forsberg
Sogaard
Meriläinen

Tkachuk - Stutzle - Batherson : Batherson is not the ideal winger for that duo. Giroux is a better fit

DeBrincat - Norris - Giroux : Norris-Batherson is another great duo, I'm not convinced DeBrincat compliments them. I kinda hope they trade ADB for more of 2-way winger and and a great 3rd liner.

Greig - Pinto - Joseph : Formenton (if he ever comes back) is way too good for the 4th line. The problem is Greig also needs a spot and they are both LWs. I wish Dorion kept Paul and Brown instead of going for DeBrincat and Joseph. Would have freed the money and assets for Chychrun earlier

Sokolov - Kastelic - Formenton : Formenton too good for the 4th line. Sokolov might never be able to play regularly in the NHL because of his footsteps. A prospect you haven't named, Angus Crookshank, has a good chance to take that 4th line LW spot. He was going to make the team last season but he got injured and missed the full year

Boucher, Daoust, Halliday, Jarventie, Parker, Ostapchuk, Johansson : Greig is the best forward prospect by a good margin but is in your lineup and will graduate next season. Ostapchuk and Jarventie are comfortably the other best forward prospects here. Pettersson is a much better prospect than Johansson. And who is Parker?

Chabot - Zub
Sandersson - Chychrun
Brannstrom - Kleven : Kleven could use a developmental year in the AHL
Thomson, Tychonick, Bernard-Docker, Donovan, Nordberg, Roger : Tychonick and Roger are most likely busts, we don't talk about them anymore

Regarding the defense, I'd have Brannstrom-Zub together as they always played great together and with Brann progression this year, that would be a good pairing. The challenge here is to decide who among Chychrun or Sanderson will play RD. That guy would play with Chabot, who really needs him. I don't necessarily see pairings as 1-2-3 but I would split their TOI almost even at ES. Then special teams and game situations would determine the way the rest of the minutes are distributed. I would go :

Chabot - Sanderson
Brannstrom - Zub
Chychrun - JBD

Forsberg, Sogaard, Meriläinen : Sens need a good vet backup to leave the chance for Sogaard and Merilainen to develop in the AHL. They're still very young

 

[Deas]

Tkachuk - Stutzle - Batherson : Batherson is not the ideal winger for that duo. Giroux is a better fit

DeBrincat - Norris - Giroux : Norris-Batherson is another great duo, I'm not convinced DeBrincat compliments them. I kinda hope they trade ADB for more of 2-way winger and and a great 3rd liner.

Greig - Pinto - Joseph : Formenton (if he ever comes back) is way too good for the 4th line. The problem is Greig also needs a spot and they are both LWs. I wish Dorion kept Paul and Brown instead of going for DeBrincat and Joseph. Would have freed the money and assets for Chychrun earlier

Sokolov - Kastelic - Formenton : Formenton too good for the 4th line. Sokolov might never be able to play regularly in the NHL because of his footsteps. A prospect you haven't named, Angus Crookshank, has a good chance to take that 4th line LW spot. He was going to make the team last season but he got injured and missed the full year

Boucher, Daoust, Halliday, Jarventie, Parker, Ostapchuk, Johansson : Greig is the best forward prospect by a good margin but is in your lineup and will graduate next season. Ostapchuk and Jarventie are comfortably the other best forward prospects here. Pettersson is a much better prospect than Johansson. And who is Parker?

Chabot - Zub
Sandersson - Chychrun
Brannstrom - Kleven : Kleven could use a developmental year in the AHL
Thomson, Tychonick, Bernard-Docker, Donovan, Nordberg, Roger : Tychonick and Roger are most likely busts, we don't talk about them anymore

Regarding the defense, I'd have Brannstrom-Zub together as they always played great together and with Brann progression this year, that would be a good pairing. The challenge here is to decide who among Chychrun or Sanderson will play RD. That guy would play with Chabot, who really needs him. I don't necessarily see pairings as 1-2-3 but I would split their TOI almost even at ES. Then special teams and game situations would determine the way the rest of the minutes are distributed. I would go :

Chabot - Sanderson
Brannstrom - Zub
Chychrun - JBD

Forsberg, Sogaard, Meriläinen : Sens need a good vet backup to leave the chance for Sogaard and Merilainen to develop in the AHL. They're still very young

Yeah this was an overview of a depth chart, not with exact lines and with the prospect pool not at all a big factor for Ottawa in the coming years as most and the best of them has graduated. I could've left that out as this topic focuses on the coming years but did a copy paste from another post. Thank you for your insights however.

Definitely agree Formenton (if he returns) is too good for the 4th line, which is just in line with the argument that they have very good depth.

I'm really becoming a parrot in this discussion this season, but I just don't get how people can look at the Sens roster/depth chart and not think they can be very good. I get the impression some people are stuck in evaluating teams based on association with the team name over the last era and reason finishes in the standings.

 

[Deas]

Yeah well, there were more teams I traditionally deem to be good enough to make the playoffs in the East this year than there were spots, and you're right it's going to be the same thing next year again.

So when they actually make it is anybody's guess, but I do think they will be able to ice a team that should make it.

This year it felt like 50/50, and if Norris was healthy for half of the season, the standings would probably look exactly like that.

But all in all, the Sens don't need any major players which is a big positive. They don't need to go on a desperate hunt for a 1C or a top pairing D that they may not be able to get in years even if they wanted to. Makes the GM's job a lot easier to improve the team from here.

I agree with the last paragraph and think that argument can be phrased more strongly. The team is pretty much complete except in net and one more bottom pair D-man.

 

[Pavels Dog]

Copied the depth chart from another post. Screw the projects, look at the team they’ll field for game one. So your counter to other bubble teams not having the same depth and quality is to just repeat ”they’re not the only ones” without backing it up, after focusing on the part of my post that’s irrelevant.

The reality of health is the same for every team, and makes their depth even more important. The have assets to go for a goalie.

Tkachuk - Stutzle - Batherson
DeBrincat - Norris - Giroux
Greig - Pinto - Joseph
Sokolov - Kastelic - Formenton
Boucher, Daoust, Halliday, Jarventie, Parker, Ostapchuk, Johansson

Chabot - Zub
Sandersson - Chychrun
Brannstrom - Kleven
Thomson, Tychonick, Bernard-Docker, Donovan, Nordberg, Roger

Forsberg
Sogaard
Meriläinen

None of the bolded scream "better depth and quality than other bubble teams".
The top 6F and top 4D are what speaks for Ottawa really, at least if Sanderson takes another step, they keep DeBrincat and Norris is healthy.

 

[Deas]

Yeah this was an overview of a depth chart, with the prospect pool not at all a big factor for Ottawa in the coming years as most and the best of them has graduated. I could've left that out as this topic focuses on the coming years but did a copy paste from another post. Thank you for your insights however.

None of the bolded scream "better depth and quality than other bubble teams".
The top 6F and top 4D are what speaks for Ottawa really, at least if Sanderson takes another step, they keep DeBrincat and Norris is healthy.

I'd say top 6F and top 4D are much more impactful for team success than the rest.

Also we can only agree to disagree if you don't think Pinto, Formenton, Greig and Joseph are a very, very good start for a bottom 6 or top 6 fillers during injuries.

We'll know in a year

 

[jbeck5]

None of the bolded scream "better depth and quality than other bubble teams".
The top 6F and top 4D are what speaks for Ottawa really, at least if Sanderson takes another step, they keep DeBrincat and Norris is healthy.

Are you saying most teams will have better #7-8-9 than formenton, Pinto, Greig? And a better #10 than Joseph? #11 better than Brassard?

How many teams can safely say they have 2 potential and realistic 20 goal scorers on their third line who are gritty and very good defensively and good penalty killers.

 

[Pavels Dog]

Also we can only agree to disagree if you don't think Pinto, Formenton, Greig and Joseph are a very, very good start for a bottom 6 or top 6 fillers during injuries.

Are you saying most teams will have better #7-8-9 than formenton, Pinto, Greig? And a better #10 than Joseph? #11 better than Brassard?

How many teams can safely say they have 2 potential and realistic 20 goal scorers on their third line who are gritty and very good defensively and good penalty killers.

Does Formenton ever play in the NHL again?
Greig has 16 NHL games. Brassard is turning 36. Joseph has 3 goals this season.

What is so amazing about these players when compared to the teams currently in a playoff position, or teams that will be competing for a spot?

 

[TkachukNorris79]

Next year. They are 13th in the NHL and 7th in the East in points percentage since December 1st. That's a pretty big sample size. Since Jan 1st, they've played the wildcard teams that they were chasing (NYI, PIT, FLA, WSH, BUF, DET) 9 times and are 8-1 in those games.

Norris had 35 goals in 66 games last year, having him back will be huge if he can stay healthy.

Stützle(21)/Tkachuk(23)/Sanderson(20) is one of the best U24 C/W/D combos in the game. They should all continue to improve. Stützle might break 100 points next year.

Add Debrincat, Chychrun, Norris, Giroux, Chabot, Batherson and Pinto to the mix and you have:

A) a 1-2-3 at C with Stützle, Norris and Pinto

B) a 1-2-3 at D with Sanderson, Chychrun, Chabot

C) a 1-2-3-4 at W with Tkachuk, Debrincat, Giroux and Batherson

This group right now in my opinion is already good enough to be a playoff team, their 4-10-1 November is coming back to haunt them. They won't be a cup contender until they figure out goaltending and can fill out their roster with better 3rd/4th liners.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

I'm due to go f***ing insane if we don't make it next year - or at least be in the mix up until the final game.

How long has this rebuild been going on? It feels like the 80th year of it.

6 years by my counting