My question would be, don't we already have a player like Brannstrom in Beaudin and Walynuk?

strome currently worth like a third right now

Batherson is on pace for 108pts right now

We heard about how Ottawa wasn’t going to be that bad last year. Then we heard about how they were going to be solid this year. I actually somewhat bought in this year. Both teams look like failures, now we’re saying they’re contending? With a guy that hasn’t played a pro game in the top four, a pretty unproven pinto as the 2C, and zub as a top pairing guy?

I’m not saying it’s impossible, but it would be kind of miraculous.

I can see that

Best contract in the league and it's not remotely close. Would be the highest point total season in Sens history, beating out Heater's 105 point peak.

I agree with all of what you said, this team is kind of underwhelming. Brannstrom isn't cutting it, the D still needs some help and the forward depth is meh. They got a fantastic top line, then two 3rd lines and a 4th line. There's not enough depth scoring on this team. They really need to find a 2C that provides punch and makes teams more cautious of match ups.

If you assume some level of development from stutzle, pinto, and formenton, on top of them being able to bring in one more guy (strome in this case) that should do the trick

I dunno, if Strome could do the trick with Ottawa next season, how come he isn't doing the trick with CHI this season? I'd want the hawks to keep him at that point. Of course, he hasn't been given the opportunities we've expected him to get and we've discussed that on other posts. I just don't think he moves the needle for OTT.

He's played well when he's played. All the analytics suggest that. Just hasn't been able to consistently play and when he does it's a 4th line grinder role half the time which doesn't suite him well