Murray I think will be starter again because we saw a very strong performance from him at the end of season. But, Gustavsson gets about 30-40 games

I can see the Hertl deal happening if there's no protections on the pick.

Considering we're already at 50 contracts leave Aberg out please and I would consider it for sure. Hertl is your top C by a long shot. Putting him on the wing is a total waste.

Pinto instead and sure

Pretty solid honestly

Sharks would be at 50 with this trade. 48 contracts rn and we're moving out Hertl.

Oh yeah, forgot about Kotkov and Chekhovich terminations. Still Aberg is a plug that is not necessary.

Pinto isn’t getting moved. Maybe for Eichel, not for anyone else. Brannstrom and a 1st is a more than fair offer.

There are 3 teams on Hertl's trade list and there are 31 other teams in the NHL besides San Jose.

That means the odds Hertl will come to Ottawa are slightly less than 10%.



But looking at the big picture, the odds of Hertl coming to Ottawa are pretty much 0%.

Could always just move him for a 7th rounder

Just makes zero sense for Ottawa to do this even if Hertl would accept a trade to the Sens.

Brannstrome Tierney and the 1st. ( I miss Cobra)

Brannstrome Tierney and the 1st. ( I miss Cobra)

With what use do we have for Tierney with Bonino now and Chmelevski coming up? There is no need for Tierney at all. Sasha has higher offensive upside than Tierney with just as much defensive acumen.

Too much for Tkachuk, who really doesn't want to sign long term in Ottawa anyway. Ottawa aren't going to make playoffs this season , so they shouldn't be giving up good futures for a one year rental.

#1 Bonino and Tierney are almost the same player, except Tierney is 6 years younger. My thought is at the deadline Bonino is traded for picks to a contender, and Tierney takes his spot in the lineup.
this is a geek fan idea as I really liked him.
#2 Chmevelski I hope he can reach Tierney or Bonino level of play but I doubt it. we will see. though.

Great but doesnt fit our needs at all. We can find better so we will take better.

If this was the best offer Doug could find then sure, but it shouldnt be so no reason to agree to it.

Huh? San Jose has no truly promising D prospects that look like top 4 guys. Merkley and Kniazev are okay, but Brannstrom has higher upside and is further along in his development (NHL ready). Why would San Jose not want a top young D lol, plus a 1st on a likely non-playoff team (should be top 5 or 10 protected, but it could be like 11-15oa pretty realistically).

If those things were true about Brannstrom he would have done it in Ottawa. His value isnt what it was. Not interested as the main piece

Oh you're one of those delusional people that thinks Brannstrom is available because he's bad. If you don't know anything about the player because you haven't watched him you could at least do a little research to pretend to know what you're talking about.

Agreed here.

No need to add Aberg, it doesn't really add value to this deal. Belleville can surely use him for the AHL, the goal is to have a very strong team down there

Also no point acquiring Hertl if it is NOT to play him at center. It allows Stutzle more time to get comfortable at the NHL level, before rushing him as a center.

That trade is good value for the Sharks IMO. It also means the Sens are a bit going "all in" because giving up their next first is risky. I'd be more comfortable with that if they could acquire a strong RD to play with Chabot and have Zub carry the 2nd pairing. Of course the trade is conditional on Hertl being interested in coming to Ottawa and sign a long term extension

This would be my lines :

Stutzle-Hertl-Batherson
Tkachuk-Norris-Brown
Formenton-Pinto-White
Paul-Tierney-Watson

No chance



Why? Hertl is only 27 y/o (soon 28), he could easily have 4-5 more good years (if healthy). he would help Ottawa to enter their contention window



The main piece is clearly the first round pick, unless you think the Sens are making the "final four"?

There's a whole context about why "Brannstrom hasn't done what you think he should have done by now". Don't want to take too much time explaining everything so quickly in point form

- he was 21 years old and a defenseman
- Ottawa went through a 100% rebuild in just 4 years (from the team in double OT game 7 vs PIT in 2017), there's a limit to the number of young players they can have on the team at the same time...
- they are taking their damn time with pretty much every prospect (Tkachuk/Stutzle being the exceptions)
- Last season started January 13th. Brannstrom caught covid coming back from Europe, it delayed his inclusion on the team.

There's probably more I could think about but that should be enough lol

I like Brannstrom but I dont value him like he was in the Mark Stone trade. Hes a nice prospect to have, but not the main piece in a deal for a 1C. Im assuming a team trading for Hertl is a team that is going for it, so 15+. If Ottawas pick is top ten then sure this deal is great

Ottawa is better off with their 1st round pick and continuing their build, doesn't make sense to trade it for Hertl.