I see he is officially on the market - do we have any interest in him? Seems like the kind of player Staios would want. He can take another risk on upside. I don't really know anything about him - obviously someone who has under-performed expectations.
I've been giving their acquisition some thought over the last few days. On top of Staios press conference where I think he said "betting on upside" about a dozen times. The Sens have obviously taken a strategy around buying depressed assets where they think there is upside.
Although, we have obviously seen him do this in the past with Spence and others. I feel like he has really double-downed on this strategy now - where its not just a fringe opportunity here or there, but a key part of his strategy in building a team.
On one hand, I do appreciate that he likely needs to think outside of the box a bit. We are a small- market high-tax team (with no palm trees). And we are in a position where the past administrations has made some mistakes that has hurt our prospect pool. So, if we are going to be a contender, we likely do need to be innovative or find an edge - and maybe this has been identified as the best way to do it.
I think its too early to conclude whether or not this is going to be successful or not. Likely you will only be able to conclude on it when this window is over what the success rate on these trades have been.
But here is my question - I don't really follow other teams close enough - is this something other teams are doing to the same quantity as Staios? Or have done in the past? Presumably every team tries to do this to some degree - but I don't remember any Stanley Cup team doing this as frequently as the Sens. I've obviously heard about a few lucky guys that have been picked up on waivers, etc. But I don't remember a conversation where a key part in the team's strategy has been finding upside on depressed assets??
Even with Carolina this year - who are big on analytics - I feel the conversation has been more about how they have found different types of players (smaller / fast guys that play a certain way to match their system that are perhaps undervalued but not "depressed")
With everything yesterday - did anyone hear what Staois' plan is with Levi? Is the plan to try and get him through waivers or will they just try and run with 3 goalies?
What's everyone's thoughts on Foegele. He's up for extention on July 1st. Do we extend him this summer? Or wait to see how he does this year?
I was pretty down when Brady left thinking our window was closing faster. But looking at Puckpedia, if Staois can pick up another guy like Eklund, and re-sign Batherson this summer to at least 3 more years. I think that this whole Brady thing will actually increase our window.
So perhaps, thank you Brady for at least letting us get these picks. Had he left in 2 years with nothing, we'd definitely be entering a rebuild.
I was going through the Real Kyper's Trade Board thinking about who would be available for Staois. A top line player who still has 3-4 prime years left. Also, as much as I would love to make a big splash and get Robertson (partially as a FU to Brady), no team has yet to win the Cup with a salary above $10.0M. I am not sure the Sens are the team to try and change that trend. And most other players are either past their prime or a big risk. Those might be okay options for the #2 top 6 forward we need, but I think we need to use that #9 for a solid future player.
Going through that list, my best option was Lafreniere. Obviously never lived up to his expectation, but a change of scenery is maybe what he needs. And he is still a proven top 6 player. He has a good cap hit for 5 more years in his prime.
Worse case, you overpay for a top 6 forward you have at a reasonable price during your window. Best case, he finds some magic in Ottawa and you have another top line player locked in at a good price.
I have no idea what a trade value would be for him? Would the 9OA get it done? Then you still have 2 firsts to go try and get another guy that maybe you can risk being a bit older or a bit more of a risk.
As high as I am on the Sens for next year - with the Leafs 1OA pick and now signing Raddysh - they are obviously pushing to be a playoff team next year.
Florida will likely be back in the mix.
Detroit is going to be pushing as well.
I think Boston had a lucky year last year, but who knows.
I don't think TB, Montreal and Buffalo are going anywhere.
Its just going to be a grind all year just to make playoffs. So much will just depend on puck luck and injuries. I don't think we will be able to recover if you end up with a bad stretch like we did last year.
And I don't think it will matter much if you are first in the division or 3rd, the playoffs are going to be competitive. And your reward is likely Carolina in the ECF who likely had an easier path to get there.
With Halliday being signed and Giroux likely coming back - that basically leaves one open roster spot. I am hoping Staois fills that with a newly aquired top 6 player.
But even if that happens (and doesn't require giving up any active players) - I think we should still be signing Cousins to have in case of injury? But let Eller go to Free Agency. What does everyone think.
We still have McDermit for one more year - but I don't think you will ever rely on him to play more than a handful of games. Hopefully, Sens are in a more comfortable playoff position next season, and they can play McDermit more just to help keep control of games and not require Brady or anyone else to fight. We did not have that luxury this year because almost every game was a must-win.
As much as I think / thought we are only 1-2 pieces away from being a contender. I watched the Avs vs. Wild game last night and...wow. The skill on those two teams seemed incredibly ahead of anything I have watched in the Eastern Conference. Maybe its simply a lack a defense from either team - I think it would be very interesting to see an Avs vs. Canes final - and a strong series from the Canes would calm me down. But it made me feel that we are still a long ways away from being able to compete at that level.
With Edmonton out of the playoffs, Montreal is the last Canadian team. What is everyone's opinion on cheering for them? I have been really trying because I hope that Canada would cheer for Sens if they were the last team. But I struggle with it.