Senators’ GM Pierre Dorion Looking to Deal

The message was clear from Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion Sunday morning.

“We have to play meaningful games next year.”

Not only was this the mantra from the Senators’ GM Pierre Dorion at his season-end availability, but the club’s leadership group also echoed identical sentiments when pressed Saturday during their “bag day.”

“We want to be playing meaningful games. That’s our goal, year-in, year-out,” said their team captain Brady Tkachuk. “I think for us, we’re not going to put pressure on ourselves. Of course, you want to get better. We don’t want to listen to the outside noise. We’re just going to focus on getting better every day.”

Defenseman Thomas Chabot added, “I committed here long term for multiple years. Obviously, our goal for everybody, whether you’re a player or staff, everybody wants to win and make the playoffs – have a chance at a Stanley Cup.”

While the team completed the 2021-22 campaign on a roll, concluding the schedule earning points in nine of their final 11 games (8-2-1), their start clearly wasn’t up to par.

“We thought we took a big step this year. Obviously, we didn’t have the start we wanted to have. But the most important thing in a young team is; our young core now – we feel can play against pretty much any core in the league. So that for us was a very important step in our organization as a team.” stated Dorion.

But to make that next step, key additions have to be made, and not of the depth player variety. The Senators need to surround emerging star Tim Stützle with a top-six wingman.

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Alex Formenton fresh off an 18-goal season is a candidate on the left side. Formenton played the majority of the second half of the season alongside the 20-year-old. Connor Brown is more than capable of skating on the right. However, it’s more beneficial for the Senators to have Brown slot in on their third line slated to be centred by Shane Pinto. A combination of the versatile Mathieu Joseph, Pinto and Brown would make the squad that much better.

Long-standing speculation has the looking at the possibility of adding Ottawa resident and current Florida Panther Claude Giroux via unrestricted free agency. Minnesota Wild forward Kevin Fiala‘s name has also popped up throughout the year.

A pending restricted free agent, Fiala completed a career-high regular season, posting 33 goals, and 52 assists in 82 games.

At times it’s been tough for the Senators to sell Ottawa as a go-to destination, but Pierre Dorion is optimistic this will change, hopefully soon.

“Two players that we acquired over the past year, yesterday told me, they heard a misconception about Ottawa. They were treated first class. One guy that’s played awhile said “It’s the best room I’ve been in. There’s no cliques. They all like each other. They all care about each other,” Dorion noted.

To this extent, Dorion mentioned requesting assistance from Chabot and Tkachuk when it comes to promoting team unity.

“I told Brady and Thomas, “I need your help.”

One position, the Senators’ GM may not need to shore up is the blueline. Pierre Dorion said Sunday, contract talks have already begun with pending RFA D Erik Brannstrom‘s camp. Brannstrom was relied upon heavily when Chabot sustained a broken hand missing 19 games, and performed admirably.

Travis Hamonic was acquired at the trade deadline, drawing praise from his teammates and coaches alike. Hamonic played through injuries during his short time with the Senators, and Pierre Dorion said, “He could’ve easily pulled the chute,” but continued to play.

Jake Sanderson has all but, been anointed a top-four d-man spot. While one of Lassi Thomson or Jacob Bernard-Docker is also expected to make the leap from Belleville next season.

More on the contract negotiation front. Dorion will resume talks on a deal with Josh Norris’ agent Craig Oster. Dorion would’ve liked to have got Norris inked to an extension earlier, but the 35-goal scorer preferred to wait until this offseason.

A cloud still hangs over the Senators’ goaltending situation.

Armed with a three-year extension, Anton Forsberg clearly heads into the 2022-23 campaign as the club’s number one starter. Matt Murray and Filip Gustavsson who’s on a one-way deal next season will challenge for to unseat Forsberg.

Dorion doesn’t preclude the notion of keeping three goalies on the roster at this point.

“There’s a chance we have three goalies next year. And all three goalies know. Filip’s exit interview was short and to the point. In the Year 2021, you were probably our best goalie. This year out of three, you’re probably the worst. Now go out there and do your best. He said “ok.” Now go win a Cup in Belleville.”

The Entry Draft will likely be where the Senators make noise if they are to make a trade or two. The team currently possesses five selections in the opening three rounds and is not adverse to moving any of them, including their First Round pick.

“It’s a good Draft. You might not get a lot of top, first-line players, but there are a lot of top third-line, fourth-line quality players. You might not a get a legit no. 1 defensemen, but you’re going to get a lot of no. 2, 3, 4 defensemen. Right now we’ve got five picks in the first three rounds. We’ve got lots of picks. Whether we use those picks – if we win the lottery, we’re not going to trade that pick. We’ll look at it. I think we’ll get a good young piece wherever we pick. We can go back to eight or nine.” explained Dorion.

“We’re not going to get a frontline player for a third-round pick, so it’s all about weighing what makes sense. Obviously, for sure for us, our cupboard is full of prospects, so we’re not afraid. At times in the past, we’ve dealt for depth, character guys. Now it’s all about, we definitely have the resources to get quality at a certain price.”

Two players have already been advised their careers with the Senators have come to an end. Pending UFA forward Chris Tierney will not be offered a contract. While pending RFA defenseman Victor Mete won’t receive a qualifying offer. While forward Tyler Ennis has been told the club may circle back to him during the free agency period.

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