Team: 2020-21 Ottawa Senators

Initial Creation Date: Oct. 26, 2020

Published: Oct. 29, 2020

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Logan Brown deserves every opportunity out of the gate. Injuries have slowed him down, and we've been very hard on him because of his size, draft position and intensity. He's still only 22, got a good toolbox and did put up good numbers in the AHL. Put with him on the 1st, and see if he can keep his feet up with Tkachuk and Dadonov

I always thought to trade Tierney but looks like we'll keep him, decent value on the new deal. He's a good middle 6C on any team, I assume will be traded (TDL or next year) to make room for Norris/Stuetzle as a C.

Colin White had a difficult season last year. Lost Mark Stone and from November-February looked he was low on confidence and maybe battling a (hip?) injury. I like him as a future 2/3C than on the wing if he can turn it around this year. Would love to see him bounce back as a shutdown guy putting up 40-50 points. Don't sleep on him!

I don't hate the Galchenyuk signing, 1 year deal low-risk/high-reward. Had been on pace for 50 points pretty much every year except last season. One big off year, and I think he knows he's KHL bound if he can't produce this year, so part of me thinks he'll reinvent himself this season.

It does concern me how little forward spots we have going into camp and that's why I wasn't sure about Gally signing. Was thinking Abramov, Balcers, Chlapik or Formenton could all get a chance on that 3rd line. Norris vs Brown for a centre spot and Batherson seems lock for a top 9 spot on the right side.

I wasn't a fan of Dorion's D-core additions. It really does concern me that Chabot still doesn't have a true NHL partner after losing Demelo.

- Wolanin, Rielly and Brannstrom all are solid Dman but don't think their offensive style would benefit Chabot.

- Contract aside, Zaitisev sucks. He's better than Ceci but I watched too many games where he was just throwing grenades into Chabot's feet, and making poor puck and defensive decisions.

- Nothing but respect for Gudbranson or J.Brown but one of their deals could have easily been replaced with acquiring a more competent NHL dman to play on top-pair. Many teams were looking to shed some salary (ex. Murray for a 5th CBJ). The UFA market still has some vets like Vatanen, Hamonic who would maybe consider a 1y deal like Barrie did at around $4M. Just feel like there were other options available than were neglected.