Biased Opinion
Joined: Mar. 2019
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 1,969
These are my thoughts on your questions. Let it be known I'm not a fan of the Senators but they are a constant topic of discussion around me so I feel like I'm well enough informed to weigh in.
1) Duclair is talented and has a lot to prove this season. I would wager he puts up great numbers to start the year given an offensive role and gets traded to a contender for picks (since they don't have a salary) and the rebuild continues likely without Duclair moving forward.
2) Connor Brown was a 20 goal scorer in his rookie season when playing big minutes with quality team mates. He can definitely replicate or surpass those totals if he was on that line with Tkachuk and White all season. He knows how to play with talented players, he's been doing it long before he turned pro.
3) The Zaitsev conundrum is a much more difficult question to answer. It really depends on how Dj Smith plans to use him. If you're hoping for a great first pass, breaking up cycles, and a prowess for shutting down the competition, you are out of luck. Not to say he didn't try and be those things as he's apparently "ultra competitive" but it's like asking Andre the Giant to perform a colonoscopy. Sure, maybe he can do it (painfully) adequately but wouldn't you rather have a specialist for that role? Zaitsev is a quality skater with a heavy shot. If he gets some time on the PP and the freedom to skate the puck up the ice (like he did in his rookie season) than he might worth that contract of his.
4) Let it be known that Duchene and (especially) Stone are terrific hockey players. Their loss will have a huge impact on the entire team in all facets but you just named three young, talented hockey players that are only going to improve and develop year over year. I'd be much more concerned about prospects who haven't made that jump yet that you didn't mention and if there is any justice in this world pray that these prospects don't get yo-yo'd between the AHL and the NHL in the name cost savings or marketing ploys.
Good luck