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So Many Question Marks This Season

Created by: Claesson4Norris
Team: 2019-20 Ottawa Senators
Initial Creation Date: Aug. 2, 2019
Published: Aug. 2, 2019
Salary Cap Mode: Basic
Description
Ahead of this season, there are so many players who are total question marks this upcoming season.

Can Duclair continue to build on the success he had down the stretch in Ottawa, or will he wear out his welcome in yet another market?

Will Connor Brown be able to produce offensively if given a larger role?

Can Zaitsev prove to be a more effective Dman than Ceci, or did the sens truly strap themselves to an anchor in the name of cost savings?

What about young players like Chabot, Tkachuk and White? Will they be able to build on last season, or will they regress. How much of their success was driven by guys like Stone and Duchene?
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2020
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2021
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2022
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ROSTER SIZESALARY CAPCAP HITOVERAGES TooltipBONUSESCAP SPACE
22$81,500,000$70,080,833$0$3,012,500$11,419,167
Left WingCentreRight Wing
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$925,000$925,000 (Performance Bonus$2,500,000$2M)
LW
UFA - 2
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C, RW
UFA - 6
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$2,100,000$2,100,000
RW, LW
UFA - 1
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$1,650,000$1,650,000
LW, RW
UFA - 1
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$4,550,000$4,550,000
C, LW
UFA - 2
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$736,666$736,666 (Performance Bonus$20,000$20K)
RW, LW
UFA - 2
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$759,167$759,167 (Performance Bonus$132,500$132K)
LW, RW
UFA - 1
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$2,937,500$2,937,500
C
UFA - 1
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UFA - 3
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UFA - 1
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RD
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UFA - 5
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G
M-NTC
UFA - 1
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UFA - 2
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$2,600,000$2,600,000
G
UFA - 2
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RD
M-NTC
UFA - 1
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RD
UFA - 1
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$755,000$755,000
RD
UFA - 1
ScratchesInjured Reserve (IR)Long Term IR (LTIR)
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LD
UFA - 1
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UFA - 2
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LW, RW
UFA - 1
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$5,800,000$5,800,000
RW
M-NTC, NMC
UFA - 1
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LW
M-NTC
UFA - 1

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Aug. 2, 2019 at 8:39 a.m.
#1
LEAFSandBRUINSfan
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As a leaf fan brown is a real good 3rd liner. Has the ability to put up 20 goals with a good line and literally works his ass off every shift and can kill penalties. Zaitsev on the other hand I think is better than Ceci but the contract is not team favourable. If he can play like he did his first year then I wouldn’t worry but lately it doesn’t seem like he will. Although he did have a rocky relationship with babcock
Aug. 2, 2019 at 8:40 a.m.
#2
Melnyk_0ut
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Completely agree with the top 9 for forwards. Any of those 3 lines can be the "first line" really. Maybe switch Ryan and Brown depending on what works better - Ryan has played well with both those lines. Interesting you picked Paul over guys like L.Brown (I know he's a centre) and Veronneau. I know he had a stellar season with Belleville last year and probably the most safe option to put there but man I hope they don't do it. I like Paul but he'd be a boring pick given the other prospects we have.

I also agree that Brannstrom will spend some time in Belleville because we do have a log jam at Defence right now and I can't see them cutting Jaros (unless they trade boro and make Jaros the 7th) but I am really hoping Brannstrom is a star at camp and steals a spot anyway. Maybe he can replicate Chabot's rookie season by playing a few games in Belleville but them jumping in and making an impact right away. Anyway, great post! Who do you think the captains will be? Boro will have an A when he's in the lineup. Pageau has often wore it when the others were out. So that leaves two others (assuming Boro will out of the lineup a lot). I'm thinking Ryan and Hainsey maybe? Would love Chabot or Tkachuk so sport the A instead of Hainsey but with the sens it's usually the boring option for any decision making.
Aug. 2, 2019 at 8:41 a.m.
#3
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Tbh those lines look like they would be the opening night lineup
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Aug. 2, 2019 at 8:50 a.m.
#4
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Quoting: Snipshow4416
As a leaf fan brown is a real good 3rd liner. Has the ability to put up 20 goals with a good line and literally works his ass off every shift and can kill penalties. Zaitsev on the other hand I think is better than Ceci but the contract is not team favourable. If he can play like he did his first year then I wouldn’t worry but lately it doesn’t seem like he will. Although he did have a rocky relationship with babcock


Brown I think is going to win over a lot of Sens fans this season. I like his overall game, and if he can put up 12-15 goals and 30+ points, I'd be pretty content.

I think the x factor with Nikita Zaitsev will be the Power play. In Toronto he got no PP after his rookie season, but with Ottawa he can definitely get a chance on PP2, which could help him with his confidence.
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Aug. 2, 2019 at 8:55 a.m.
#5
LEAFSandBRUINSfan
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Quoting: Claesson4Norris
Brown I think is going to win over a lot of Sens fans this season. I like his overall game, and if he can put up 12-15 goals and 30+ points, I'd be pretty content.

I think the x factor with Nikita Zaitsev will be the Power play. In Toronto he got no PP after his rookie season, but with Ottawa he can definitely get a chance on PP2, which could help him with his confidence.


I think it mostly came down to his relationship with babs in his second year. He lost all confidence and u could tell he was scared to make a mistake. Overall I like the player in a 4.5.6 role
Aug. 2, 2019 at 8:56 a.m.
#6
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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
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Aug. 2, 2019 at 8:58 a.m.
#7
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on a personal note i hope you don't sign Chabot to an extention during the season , i hope MTL will make an OS to him next summer (that mean i think he's good),
not this year but in the near future i think we will be big rival again with your young core developing and ours around the same age
Aug. 2, 2019 at 9:06 a.m.
#8
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Quoting: Melnyk_0ut
Completely agree with the top 9 for forwards. Any of those 3 lines can be the "first line" really. Maybe switch Ryan and Brown depending on what works better - Ryan has played well with both those lines. Interesting you picked Paul over guys like L.Brown (I know he's a centre) and Veronneau. I know he had a stellar season with Belleville last year and probably the most safe option to put there but man I hope they don't do it. I like Paul but he'd be a boring pick given the other prospects we have.

I also agree that Brannstrom will spend some time in Belleville because we do have a log jam at Defence right now and I can't see them cutting Jaros (unless they trade boro and make Jaros the 7th) but I am really hoping Brannstrom is a star at camp and steals a spot anyway. Maybe he can replicate Chabot's rookie season by playing a few games in Belleville but them jumping in and making an impact right away. Anyway, great post! Who do you think the captains will be? Boro will have an A when he's in the lineup. Pageau has often wore it when the others were out. So that leaves two others (assuming Boro will out of the lineup a lot). I'm thinking Ryan and Hainsey maybe? Would love Chabot or Tkachuk so sport the A instead of Hainsey but with the sens it's usually the boring option for any decision making.


I went with Paul over Brown or Veronneau because I think he's best suited for 4th line duties. Brown shouldn't be in Ottawa if he's not going to be at least 3C, and Veronneau I just don't think is ready for full time NHL duties. He played last Season because there was nowhere else for him to play because he wanted eligible to play for Belleville. I also think Paul is a great example of what a modern 4th liner should look like; he's big and fairly mean, but he's got a lot of speed for his size and he was a reliable defensive player in the AHL. Can also shift over to 4C after Pageau gets dealt.

I think Brannstrom stays in Belleville until Ron Hainsey gets traded around the TDL. I think he will be better than Wolanin obviously, but for right now, Wolanin needs to be playing in the NHL, and they aren't going to carry 8D and scratch Boro AND Hainsey. Brannstrom's time will come, but for now he can play 40 minutes a night in Belleville if he wants.

As far as the Captains go, I think they go with Ryan Hainsey Pageau and Boro, with some Chabot, White and Tkachuk taking the mantle as the UFAs get dealt throughout the season. I'm in the very small minority of people who think we should name Bobby Ryan as our Captain. I think he's a good vet leader, and he'll be the guy taking Ceremonial faceoffs and facing the media scrums every night anyway, so you might as well. Give it to Tkachuk after Ryan's deal is up.
Aug. 2, 2019 at 9:13 a.m.
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Quoting: chuck28
on a personal note i hope you don't sign Chabot to an extention during the season , i hope MTL will make an OS to him next summer (that mean i think he's good),
not this year but in the near future i think we will be big rival again with your young core developing and ours around the same age


If the Sens ever have any intention on making good on this rebuild, they Need to get a Chabot deal done before an offer sheet can happen. No doubt in my mind Melnyk would not match a SB heavy deal.
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Aug. 2, 2019 at 9:22 a.m.
#10
Melnyk_0ut
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Quoting: Claesson4Norris
I went with Paul over Brown or Veronneau because I think he's best suited for 4th line duties. Brown shouldn't be in Ottawa if he's not going to be at least 3C, and Veronneau I just don't think is ready for full time NHL duties. He played last Season because there was nowhere else for him to play because he wanted eligible to play for Belleville. I also think Paul is a great example of what a modern 4th liner should look like; he's big and fairly mean, but he's got a lot of speed for his size and he was a reliable defensive player in the AHL. Can also shift over to 4C after Pageau gets dealt.

I think Brannstrom stays in Belleville until Ron Hainsey gets traded around the TDL. I think he will be better than Wolanin obviously, but for right now, Wolanin needs to be playing in the NHL, and they aren't going to carry 8D and scratch Boro AND Hainsey. Brannstrom's time will come, but for now he can play 40 minutes a night in Belleville if he wants.

As far as the Captains go, I think they go with Ryan Hainsey Pageau and Boro, with some Chabot, White and Tkachuk taking the mantle as the UFAs get dealt throughout the season. I'm in the very small minority of people who think we should name Bobby Ryan as our Captain. I think he's a good vet leader, and he'll be the guy taking Ceremonial faceoffs and facing the media scrums every night anyway, so you might as well. Give it to Tkachuk after Ryan's deal is up.


I agree with waiting for a top 9 role for Brown before he jumps in. Then again, you never know what can happen at camp. It's hard to get a read on Veronneau because his pro sample size isn't that big. What I've seen from him is that he's a big, fast forward who can contribute to depth scoring. He is also 23 so might be more ready than people think. He may have an equal chance of making it versus Paul. And I agree, theoretically Paul is the perfect 4th liner and I LOVE watching his highlights in Belleville but he is a completely different player when he gets called up. He better figure it out fast.

Yes Wolanin was our best D on many nights while Chabot is out. He is a lock. Hopefully Brannstrom (and Brown for that matter) can at least get the call whenever there's injuries.

Hey I'm with you too. Ryan is a very underrated leader. I can't see them giving him the C at this point but he should certainly wear the A this year. Great speaker and not as bad of a player as people think. If he was making 3-4 million no one would be complaining about his game. Plus he's the only one who wanted to sign long term haha! Looking for 15-20 goals and 45-55 points out of him this year.
Aug. 2, 2019 at 9:26 a.m.
#11
Melnyk_0ut
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Quoting: Claesson4Norris
If the Sens ever have any intention on making good on this rebuild, they Need to get a Chabot deal done before an offer sheet can happen. No doubt in my mind Melnyk would not match a SB heavy deal.


It would be really interesting to see how his signing bonuses turn out. Jacob Trouba's contract really scares me in terms of the Chabot negotiations... Also just for fun, go look at Toronto's cap friendly page and press the signing bonuses tab and then go do the same with Ottawa - It's hilarious! Keep in mind that is even without Marner
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Aug. 2, 2019 at 9:34 a.m.
#12
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Quoting: Melnyk_0ut
I agree with waiting for a top 9 role for Brown before he jumps in. Then again, you never know what can happen at camp. It's hard to get a read on Veronneau because his pro sample size isn't that big. What I've seen from him is that he's a big, fast forward who can contribute to depth scoring. He is also 23 so might be more ready than people think. He may have an equal chance of making it versus Paul. And I agree, theoretically Paul is the perfect 4th liner and I LOVE watching his highlights in Belleville but he is a completely different player when he gets called up. He better figure it out fast.

Yes Wolanin was our best D on many nights while Chabot is out. He is a lock. Hopefully Brannstrom (and Brown for that matter) can at least get the call whenever there's injuries.

Hey I'm with you too. Ryan is a very underrated leader. I can't see them giving him the C at this point but he should certainly wear the A this year. Great speaker and not as bad of a player as people think. If he was making 3-4 million no one would be complaining about his game. Plus he's the only one who wanted to sign long term haha! Looking for 15-20 goals and 45-55 points out of him this year.


I actually think Paul has looked pretty good whenever he's been called up, and the underlying numbers would seem to support that. Problem is that it's hard to make a lasting impression when you only get to play a handful of games and only get to play 8 minutes a night. I think I saw enough last season to have me convinced that he is at very least a 4th liner worth giving a full time Role. He should at least be given a fair chance to prove he isn't.

Also I think Bobby showed this season that when he's healthy, he's still a very good middle six winger. He's arguably our best RW, but I think he's a player that really benefits from playing third line minutes against lesser competition. Keeps him more fresh, and it keeps him away from other top lines where he would be outmatched. I would not be surprised to see him hit 15 goals and 45-50 points.
Aug. 2, 2019 at 9:38 a.m.
#13
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i agree with you Chabot will be a big piece in the future for you (already his )
that why i think OTT will never trade him , only OS can work , like Aho's , front loaded , full bonus with the fear of lock out next year and Melnyk as owner , we may have a chance
Aug. 2, 2019 at 9:53 a.m.
#14
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Quoting: chuck28
i agree with you Chabot will be a big piece in the future for you (already his )
that why i think OTT will never trade him , only OS can work , like Aho's , front loaded , full bonus with the fear of lock out next year and Melnyk as owner , we may have a chance


Hopefully things come to a boil with Melnyk some point before the season ends. The way he has built this roster this season, he's basically advertising to everyone that he is incapable of icing a competitive roster. He's paying the literal bare minimum the league allows. He's not a serious Owner, and the league needs to facilitate a sale.
 
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