Tribute 2023-24 season - POSITIVITY THREAD - PART 1

[Wondercarrot]

This team could have kicked ass if healthy last year.

It is going to kick ass this year.

 

[Nova Stutzlia]

Last season, in their own division, the Sens were 15-9-2.

Check it out here (and correct my possible mistakes):

31 Opponents​

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Rk	Opponent	GP	W	L	T	OL	PTS	PTS%	GF	GA	GF/G	GA/G	Games
Rk	Opponent	GP	W	L	T	OL	PTS	PTS%	GF	GA	GF/G	GA/G	Games
1	Anaheim Ducks	2	2	0	0	0	4	1.000	8	1	4.00	0.50	2 games
2	Arizona Coyotes	2	2	0	0	0	4	1.000	11	5	5.50	2.50	2 games
3	Boston Bruins	4	2	2	0	0	4	.500	12	12	3.00	3.00	4 games
4	Buffalo Sabres	4	2	1	0	1	5	.625	11	10	2.75	2.50	4 games
5	Carolina Hurricanes	3	1	1	0	1	3	.500	5	9	1.67	3.00	3 games
6	Columbus Blue Jackets	3	2	0	0	1	5	.833	12	6	4.00	2.00	3 games
7	Calgary Flames	2	1	1	0	0	2	.500	5	8	2.50	4.00	2 games
8	Chicago Blackhawks	2	0	1	0	1	1	.250	3	9	1.50	4.50	2 games
9	Colorado Avalanche	2	0	2	0	0	0	.000	4	12	2.00	6.00	2 games
10	Dallas Stars	2	1	0	0	1	3	.750	7	6	3.50	3.00	2 games
11	Detroit Red Wings	4	3	1	0	0	6	.750	20	10	5.00	2.50	4 games
12	Edmonton Oilers	2	0	2	0	0	0	.000	6	12	3.00	6.00	2 games
13	Florida Panthers	3	1	2	0	0	2	.333	10	14	3.33	4.67	3 games
14	Los Angeles Kings	2	1	1	0	0	2	.500	5	7	2.50	3.50	2 games
15	Minnesota Wild	2	0	2	0	0	0	.000	4	8	2.00	4.00	2 games
16	Montreal Canadiens	4	4	0	0	0	8	1.000	18	8	4.50	2.00	4 games
17	New Jersey Devils	3	0	2	0	1	1	.167	7	14	2.33	4.67	3 games
18	Nashville Predators	2	1	1	0	0	2	.500	3	5	1.50	2.50	2 games
19	New York Islanders	3	2	1	0	0	4	.667	7	7	2.33	2.33	3 games
20	New York Rangers	3	2	1	0	0	4	.667	9	8	3.00	2.67	3 games
21	Philadelphia Flyers	3	2	1	0	0	4	.667	10	7	3.33	2.33	3 games
22	Pittsburgh Penguins	3	2	1	0	0	4	.667	8	9	2.67	3.00	3 games
23	Seattle Kraken	2	1	1	0	0	2	.500	9	12	4.50	6.00	2 games
24	San Jose Sharks	2	1	1	0	0	2	.500	6	7	3.00	3.50	2 games
25	St. Louis Blues	2	1	1	0	0	2	.500	8	4	4.00	2.00	2 games
26	Tampa Bay Lightning	3	2	1	0	0	4	.667	17	10	5.67	3.33	3 games
27	Toronto Maple Leafs	4	1	2	0	1	3	.375	12	13	3.00	3.25	4 games
28	Vancouver Canucks	2	0	2	0	0	0	.000	6	11	3.00	5.50	2 games
29	Vegas Golden Knights	2	0	2	0	0	0	.000	5	9	2.50	4.50	2 games
30	Winnipeg Jets	2	0	2	0	0	0	.000	2	10	1.00	5.00	2 games
31	Washington Capitals	3	2	0	0	1	5	.833	11	8	3.67	2.67	3 games

 

[Micklebot]

Health will determine our season imo.

I look at last year, Zub, Norris, Talbot, Forsberg and Joseph all missed significant time.

That meant guys getting overslotted all year.

DeBrincat out, Norris and Kubalik in should mean a better top 6.

Pinto pushed down a line, Greig over Motte/Brassard, and healthier Joseph should mean a better 3rd line.

4th probably doesn't change much going from Kelly/Gambrell, Kastelic and Watson to Kelly Kastelic and MacEwen, maybe Smejkal

Chychrun Sanderson Chabot and Zub is imo a really good top 4, JBD, Brannstrom and Hamonic are all solid options to fill out the bottom pair

If Korpisalo can play ~50 games and Forsberg ~30, goaltending should be in alright shape.

I think we're going to surprise some teams. There's a lot off offensive potential, and I think we'll be more well rounded with Norris back, Chychrun on the backend, and Hamonic as a third pair guy instead of top 4

 

[Nova Stutzlia]

Health will determine our season imo.

I look at last year, Zub, Norris, Talbot, Forsberg and Joseph all missed significant time.

That meant guys getting overslotted all year.

DeBrincat out, Norris and Kubalik in should mean a better top 6.

Pinto pushed down a line, Greig over Motte/Brassard, and healthier Joseph should mean a better 3rd line.

4th probably doesn't change much going from Kelly/Gambrell, Kastelic and Watson to Kelly Kastelic and MacEwen, maybe Smejkal

Chychrun Sanderson Chabot and Zub is imo a really good top 4, JBD, Brannstrom and Hamonic are all solid options to fill out the bottom pair

If Korpisalo can play ~50 games and Forsberg ~30, goaltending should be in alright shape.

I think we're going to surprise some teams. There's a lot off offensive potential, and I think we'll be more well rounded with Norris back, Chychrun on the backend, and Hamonic as a third pair guy instead of top 4

"I think we're going to surprise some teams"

I don't think they'll surprise anyone.
WHAT!!!?

I think other teams have a pretty good idea that the Sens are on the rise.

 

[AchtzehnBaby]

Senators counting on Korpisalo to stabilize goaltending | NHL.com

Also add Tarasenko, Kubalik to boost scoring in bid to end playoff drought

www.nhl.com

Fantasy focus​

The Senators' young core boosts their chances of making the Stanley Cup Playoffs with the addition of Korpisalo, who has been a proven playoff performer. This season could be the most valuable fantasy season of Korpisalo's career since the 29-year-old has always played as part of a goalie tandem but will likely be the clear starter with Ottawa. He has high fantasy upside after having an impressive save percentage (.913 in 28 games) for the Columbus Blue Jackets last regular season considering they allowed the second-most shots on goal per game (35.4) in the NHL. -- Anna Dua

 

[SENStastic]

Alfie incoming any day now..

 

[DylanSensFan]

I have a good feeling about this team. A much better feeling than I did about the DeBrincat trade last season.

 

[Ice-Tray]

Super awesome incoming move to be excited for

 

[Samboni]

Last year, the “Summer of Pierre” caused me to have very high expectations i.e. make the playoffs. This year, my expectations are much more reserved as I don’t think that the team has adequately addressed its weaknesses.

For starters, I’m not sure that our goalies are good enough to steal games when we need them to or to consistently make big saves. Secondly, I think we need another solid shutdown defenseman… we need to keep more pucks out of the net. Thirdly, we need more production from the bottom 6. I’m not sure that they will be very hard to play against either. Lastly, how good is Norris’ shoulder and how well Kubalik will fit in (it’s a bit concerning that he is on his third team).

On a more positive note, I’m 109% sure that they will be playing meaningful games in October.

 

[Xspyrit]

Tkachuk - Stutzle - Giroux
Greig - Norris - Batherson
Kubalik - Pinto - Joseph
Kelly - Kastelic - MacEwen

Chabot - Chychrun
Sanderson - Hamonic/JBD
Brannstrom - Zub

Korpisalo
Forsberg

A relatively healthy season for all the important players would be nice for once. I wasn't thrilled with Korpisalo signing at the beginning and while it's risky, it could work out. I didn't realize his hip surgery was in March 2022 so he only played one season since and he was good so there's hope. Forsberg is a solid goalie so I'm not too worried about goaltending

Those who don't only read my management critics know how bullish I am on Ridly Greig. Short sample size last season but he had pretty good 2-way metrics. I think he could make his name as soon as this year filling a big hole in the top-9.

Sure Kubalik isn't close to DeBrincat in terms of skill level but he has a pretty good shot. Depending on where he plays in the line-up, he could replace a good portion of ADB's production while his reduced role (vs the cat) would allow a guy like Greig to make his mark, for example.

Not sure if they are going to bring in another top-9 forward or not but that could make the team even more solid. If not, we have to hope that Joseph stays healthy and 100% focused on hockey to have a bounce back season so I wouldn't have to read anymore comments like this from other NHL fans : "Joseph’s contract is so bad it probably costs a 2nd and Lassi just to dump lol" (which is ridiculous by the way)

I have no idea how the right side of the defense will play out but we haven't had this potential D in a long time. Hopefully Chychrun and Chabot stay healthy.

Erik Brannstrom, this guy is good at hockey. He won't ever get premium opportunity in Ottawa, but if he can continue progressing in his 2-way game and put a bit more points on the board, his value will keep rising which is what we have to be looking for (with Kleven on the doorstep). We should trade him for a similar young rising 2-way forward.

I don't know about DJ Smith coaching staff, still think it might hold us back but we could still make the playoffs if health allows

 

[Beech]

95-100 point season
probable finish 3rd in the Atlantic.
in-Division first round opponent.
all opponents are possible, less the HABS who are in re-build. All 6 possible opponents have issues and are beatable.

 

[DueDiligence]

Tkachuk - Stutzle - Giroux
Greig - Norris - Batherson
Kubalik - Pinto - Joseph
Kelly - Kastelic - MacEwen

Chabot - Chychrun
Sanderson - Hamonic/JBD
Brannstrom - Zub

Korpisalo
Forsberg

The thing is that if they sign Pinto at $2 million this year they can leave the roster as is for 41 games and get a $6 million player for a playoff push.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

The thing is that if they sign Pinto at $2 million this year they can leave the roster as is for 41 games and get a $6 million player for a playoff push.

Patrick Brown won't cost 6 million

 

[salomonster]

Positive vibes for sure.

-Health is primordial.
-Some consistency in goal is also massively important.
-D corps becomes part of the strength of the team.
-Norris is back which means Pinto plays as 3rd line center and everybody slots in their better spots.
-Norris is back which means the healthy competition in the top 6 and 2 PP corps = gooood things.
-Grieg, K-Train get their feet wet from day 1.


If most of these things happen, I believe we are a playoff team.

Didn't mention it but with new looming owership, it will be a pleasure to enjoy the upgrades in hockey ops / on ice product with the goal of winning.

 

[Xspyrit]

The thing is that if they sign Pinto at $2 million this year they can leave the roster as is for 41 games and get a $6 million player for a playoff push.

Hopefully it would be for an overpaid player because I don't want to spend another 1st! Unless that player would at least be a semi-long term piece

A problem with this is that players are usually more expensive at the deadline, like I said don't want to spend a 1st on Scott Laughton!

 

[NyQuil]

I'm hopeful about our defensive corps.

 

[DueDiligence]

I'm hopeful about our defensive corps.

They really could develop into a top 5 D corp in the league.

 

[Ice-Tray]

They really could develop into a top 5 D corp in the league.

Yeah it’s pretty nice now looking at the prospects and wanting the best guys to slot in on the BOTTOM PAIRING

 

[Tuna99]

Postive:

Brady Tkachuk will probably have a kid and that kid will be an NHL hockey player

 

[DylanSensFan]

Positive vibes for sure.

-Health is primordial.
-Some consistency in goal is also massively important.
-D corps becomes part of the strength of the team.
-Norris is back which means Pinto plays as 3rd line center and everybody slots in their better spots.
-Norris is back which means the healthy competition in the top 6 and 2 PP corps = gooood things.
-Grieg, K-Train get their feet wet from day 1.


If most of these things happen, I believe we are a playoff team.

Didn't mention it but with new looming owership, it will be a pleasure to enjoy the upgrades in hockey ops / on ice product with the goal of winning.

I'd like to see Pinto on that PP unit with Stützle a few times.

 

[Micklebot]

I'm hopeful about our defensive corps.

I'm more than hopeful, this is probably the best our D has looked (on paper) since we had both Chara and Redden.

 

[NyQuil]

I'm more than hopeful, this is probably the best our D has looked (on paper) since we had both Chara and Redden.

GDT: - Free agency edition Trade Rumours/Proposals [MOD - Stay on Topic] 3

On the brighter side, there will be no pressure on any of them (6,72,85) to be "the guy" when it comes to offense from the D.

forums.hfboards.com

 

[Nova Stutzlia]

Postive:

Brady Tkachuk will probably have a kid and that kid will be an NHL hockey player

... the GOAT?

 

[bert]

Once this team has a new GM it will allow me to be positive about this season. I struggle to get behind a team with such poor character at the top. Especially when said person preaches about character however shows absolutely none.

I am confident they will be better as long as they can be somewhat healthy but I severely question the ability of the current GM to add the right pieces to this team as they are pretty close but lack depth up front.

 

[Tnuoc Alucard]

And there it is, and not even 50 posts in.