Yes but not in the contender talks

Gonna hang on injuries and Korpisalo's play, but on paper yes. Gonna be VERY important to start strong next season, which is a terrifying notion given DJ Smith's track record in the first six weeks of the season. Wouldn't surprise me if we had a new coach before December if they start the way they always do under DJ.

Doubtful, team is not radically different from team that missed playoffs last year. Who are you going to knock out, especially given buffalo also looking poised to get in.

God I hope so *cries*

Also you gotta make room for Zack MacEwan I guess lmao. 775k×3

I would say a full season of Chychrun, Greig, and Norris, with the addition of Tatar, Berggen, Korpi, and bringing White back not to mention the core of Sanderson, Pinto, Stutlze, and Brady all a year older make this a vastly different team with depth.

If only three teams make it out of the Metropolitan, yes.

I think in a chase for the last Atlantic slot, I'd rather put my money on Buffalo. Ottawa's bottom-six is still pretty raw and their goaltending is massively suspect.

If they sign him Then he will be a healthy scratch taking Kelley or kastlics spot.

I agree bottom sox will be better in soon, Boucher will be a big addition here in a year or two. Unlike many, I am still a big fan of a Kelley & Kastlic 4th line. Kelley had a bad year last year, but they when they are playing well they make up 2/3rds of a great and cheap 4th line.

I don’t think so but close. I just don’t expect the D to take a big enough step forward which Korpisalo also needs. Too much hinges on that back end and goaltending which I don’t trust. I wouldn’t be shocked if they snuck in but I wouldn’t bet on it.

They did sign him. And Kasty is 100% a lock for 4C.

OK Nice, it wasn't listed on the site yet. Not a bad extra player to have around for depth and grit.
I would say you are right on Katsy, but if they do bring back White then I would think he has to be rotated in.
It is hard to set a lineup here because I think with the Sens next season you are going to see a lot of switching around in the lineup from game to game with the bottom 6.

I can see all of the following getting in games in the bottom 6

Pinto, Joseph, Greig, Berggen, White, Kelley, Kastlic, Smekjal, MacEwan, Sokolov, Crookshank.

Agree they should be better but you are losing Cat, and injuries bound to happen do Norris argument doesn’t wash. And Who are you going to knock out? Last year, Atlantic in order - Bruins, Leafs, Bolts, Panthers, Sabres, Sens. Just don’t see you jumping 3 spots next year so maybe wild card but a lot of good teams in Metro too. Atlantic is a beast.

Love Rat rink, but if you're bringing White in, he's 4RW at most. Kastelic is 6'3 210lbs and he wins like 58% on draws and beats ass. He's never gonna be the guy rotated out. Maybe in this scenario it's Joz-Kasty-White?

I would like that as a 4rd line.

I would not. Joseph is due for an offensive resurgence, but Kasty is a 4th liner to his core, and I don't know that I'd want Whitey playing 3rd line, just don't know how much offense he has at this point. I'd trust those three together defensively, but a 3rd line needs to have more offense than they could bring together imo.

Probably going to be right in the mix. It will depend on how much Giroux has left, if Chychrun (and others) can stay healthy.

I believe the goaltending will be solid, the top of the lineup will produce, and the defense is capable of being playoff caliber. The issue they have IMO is their forward depth and secondary scoring. When they face someone with a really good defensive line that can match up against and shut down OTT's top line, they are going to struggle.