Not against the Leafs. Spent a large part of my life cheering for the Leafs. But, things have changed since the Sens came to town 25 years ago. No going back. Love the local team, love the local kids.

Hockey is grounded in competitive cycle of peak performance.

Sens can play defence. They also have guys who are proven goal scorers throughout their career. Boucher wants them to play the same strong defense and score more goals this year.

So far he has been pretty much on target.
- spatso

Oops, I guess you missed Dorion saying he thinks Chabot will have same impact this year with Sens as Werenski had for Columbus (Calder nomination).
- spatso

that really is something special. Especially compared with what dorion actually said

Y

#1 D is as much a role as it is a position.

There is no doubt Chabot is projected as an NHL #1D.

But as long as Karlsson logs 27 minutes a game there is no portal for Chabot to play an expanded role.
- spatso

One of the better blue and white comments.

Kadri 25 years old (will be 26 by season start) 6' and 192 lbs had 17 goals, 28 assists and 48 points. He was minus (15) on the season.

ZBad 23 years old (does not have next birthday until near end of season) 6'2" and 222 lbs. had 21 goals, 30 assists and 51 points. He was minus (2) on the season.

Now tell us again, how do Sens fans misunderstand which is the better asset?

Everybody loves Leafs summer chatter.

Go big blue.
We love you
We know we are due
Don't want to feel blue
So, we'll take on a new hue
We can pretend were not screwed!
- spatso

Did any of you guys do a count on the number of Goals the Sens scored on the Leafs in two games. For people who don't think the exhibition games don't mean anything your doing lots of talking about the outcomes.

Oops, sorry, talking about all the games except for the games where Sens wishbones the Leafs. Actually, ever since those games you seem fine to talk about other games. So funny, your all terrified of being ripped once the new season starts.
- spatso

Hey guys, just relax. Leafs have played well. They have only lost one game (albeit to a younger faster team). They have had a great start and you guys should be enjoying more. Why would you get agitated and bitter about one sloppy game.
- spatso

Would I do a Duchene for Turris deal?

Not sure what you gain. Both are very good players. But Turris is one of the best at playing Boucher's game and he has been clutch when it really matters.

Players always have an adjustment period after a trade and I am not sure you want to change up the chemistry that already exists with the team.

Turris would make a huge difference in Nashville aspirations.

Pageau has become Boucher's favourite go to guy and he gets all the top defensive roles. He has played really well in an offensive role since Turris went down.

Clearly Ottawa is not going to give Turris the long term deal (up to 8 years) that he wants. I agree with the need to exercise caution as their are some bigger deals that need to get done over the next few years.

Peak production for a forward is age 26 and younger with significant drop off after age 28. I am fine with short term deals for forwards at high dollars just do not provide excessive term. Long term deals with primary Dmen are okay as they move well into their 30's at peak performance rates. Same for goalies.
- spatso

Perhaps Duchene is the piece Dorion needed to wedge Tavares out of Long Island?
- spatso

Listening to the "The Drive" on TSN 1200 on way home from work and they were talking about the promotion like atmosphere of the upcoming World Cup and the decision to put Toronto draft pick Auston Matthew on the team as pure marketing, based on Toronto being the venue.

Two points they seemed to make. Matthews was entirely undeserving of the nomination (other than for the fact the event is being held in Toronto). And, the Leafs are once again prematurely hyping expectations around a kid. If he is less than a star he will be run out of town.
- spatso

This is a perfect example of Boston baked beans and snow melting. In trying to promote discussion around the upcoming draft I clearly said that the Leafs should take Matthews (no ambiguity). But I also said that their are times the 1st pick has been a bust. I was never a fan of drafting Yakupov because he was the oldest birthday in his draft pool. Despite Matthews also being an older kid, I still thought he should be the Leafs first pick.

If you are still reacting to the Yakupov/Matthews parallels from last year it has something to do with the anxiety from back there. But that is okay.

I still find it amusing that Leaf fans want to say that I was wrong about drafting Matthews. I never said they should do anything else.
- spatso

Really! Ottawa makes playoffs and goes to ECF.

Ottawa has planet's best Dman in Karlsson.

Ottawa has best Dman outside NHL in Chabot.

Dealing Chabot is not an option for Ottawa. They'd still need to deal or find a way to protect Methot.
- spatso

I thought they should keep them both. Need to understand how deep Sens are in defensive prospects.

Dorion said last week Chabot can have the same impact as Werenski had for Columbus this past year
- spatso

Jul 3 @ 11:01 AM ET
Not really.

What Pierre Dorion has explained is that goal scoring is the special talent that every scout searches out. The other thing they look at is the kind of goals that get scored. But, most important they monitor skill progression.

What is impressive about Puemple is not just that he scored 30 goals but it is how and where they were scored. He only scored 7 goals in the first half of the season and 23 in the 2nd half. This is the kind of progression that suggests the kid has another gear and might be able to duplicate the same result at the next level. Dorion is huge believer in Puemple.
- spatso

Let's see what the numbers look like when Turris no longer plays with Karlsson. Let's see what happens when Karlsson starts feeding Duchene.

You either trust your management and coaching or you don't. Boucher wants Duchene, he has wanted him badly since the beginning of last season. Is he a good fit into the Ottawa system and Karlsson...we will find out soon enough.

Ottawa never made Turris a priority. They never really pushed for a long term deal. I am a huge Turris fan but it appears that Ottawa coaching and management does not share my opinion.

Everybody just needs to be patient. We will know after 5 games how well it is working.

Ottawa is pretty strong down the middle with Duchene, Brassard, Pageau and Thompson. We know that Boucher especially like Pageau and Thompson.

Great time to be a hockey fan.
- spatso

You are right. It is a great solution for the Sens long term.

Keep it simple lots of fans including Leafs and Canadiens supporters are just a little jealous this morning.
- spatso

Last 2 months-

..............................................................
-spazzo

Jul 3 @ 11:01 AM ET
Not really.

What Pierre Dorion has explained is that goal scoring is the special talent that every scout searches out. The other thing they look at is the kind of goals that get scored. But, most important they monitor skill progression.

What is impressive about Puemple is not just that he scored 30 goals but it is how and where they were scored. He only scored 7 goals in the first half of the season and 23 in the 2nd half. This is the kind of progression that suggests the kid has another gear and might be able to duplicate the same result at the next level. Dorion is huge believer in Puemple.
- spatso
- Tumbleweed

He cites Dorion like he's some kind of prophet, continuously.

Do you think he realizes how dumb he sounds?

Leafs will pay a huge price this year because they are so weak on the backend. They got off lightly last year when lot of teams went off their A game to play pond hockey with them. It won't happen this year and the Leafs will have tougher nights in terms of the defensive play they encounter.

Having said that I expect the Leafs to contend for a playoff spot and if they hang in until Christmas they could have a strong second half.

I expect the Sens to continue on from their playoff run and win their Division. I expect the addition of one major piece up front before the season opens.

Think about it. Most teams don't have 4 top Dmen like the Sens do. The reason why they are putting a player out with the quality of Methot is because they do in fact have substantial depth. Other teams with good defensive depth like Anaheim and Minnesota that go 4 deep are having the same issue.

Nashville which may have the best back end 4 man depth was able to avoid the expansion draft challenge by going 4-4-1 on their protection list.

That's what I asked?

Could be. But, I think the deal was agreed on before the list was made up. So, if you look at what other teams appear to be doing MacArthur might be the most likely choice. I did not think of it until I saw a few mock drafts with MacArthur on it as the pick. I wondered, where is this coming from?

I think Colin White takes MacArthur's place in the rotation and if If MacArthur is about to retire (a story being floated) he is actually a pretty good cap pick for LV.
- spatso

I don't see the Leafs being any stronger than the Oilers of 5 years ago. Do they have anyone as good as Taylor Hall? Don't think so. How many years did it take the Islanders to make the playoffs after drafting Tavares?

Don't think it serves any purpose to raise expectations based on the performance of a group of young players that have not yet played a full NHL season.

We don't know if Marner is the next Patrick Kane. Perhaps he is Sam Gagner, another of those sure fire first round Oiler picks of the past. I like how Shanahan is managing the rebuild. I don't like the way expectations are being raised by some fans and media when there is absolutely no reason to believe the Leafs will be any stronger than what they were last year.
- spatso

I suspect all that means is the fan base gets ahead of the development curve and presses prematurely for better team results.

Other than for the screw up on Laine the Leafs are making great moves. But, it is not helpful when the Hockey News and other Toronto based voices insist the Leafs are playoff ready.it takes time before it gets better.
- spatso

Really bizarre comment.

By your logic all teams except for the Penguins would have been happier to have missed the playoffs entirely.

Sens will start the season with the best #1 D on the planet in their line up and a minimum of 3 high end rookies breaking into the line up.

How could you not be excited for next year. The Sens play in Sweden at the beginning of the season (against Colorado) and they have an outdoor game at Landsdowne Park. Awesome season coming.
- spatso

Yesterday @ 5:23 AM ET 

Threshold issue. The Sens are either in rebuild mode or they are not.

If they are in rebuild mode their priorities and options are clear.

In rebuild mode you hope to contend in a 3 to 5 year horizon. It means playing a very young roster starting next year. 

Winning the Dahlin lottery would be a game changer. Sens would be sitting with Karlsson, Chabot and Dahlin as assets. Who do you deal and for what?

I believe the Sens will deal Karlsson and they will end up with the equivalent of two top 5 picks (their own plus another) and a top young player (e.g. Draisaitl) who might be available directly or in a a three way deal.

I think Buffalo is the most interesting team in the draft. If they lose the #1 pick again they will be huge players in trying to acquire a #1 D. Edmonton will also be players and so will the Leafs (trying to build a blue line). 

I have a buddy who says the Sens best option, if they win the lottery, is to resign Karlsson and deal the #1 pick (Dahlin) for a top 5 pick and a blue chip prospect (e.g. Mittlestadt).