Senators’ GM Pierre Dorion Provides An Update

Fresh off the heels of his appearance in the LGPA Canadian Women’s Pro-Am, Ottawa Senators general manager and golf fanatic Pierre Dorion held court for a radio interview on TSN1200 Friday morning.

With training camp a little over three weeks away, Dorion glossed over several topics for Senators’ fans seeking news starting with the status of restricted free agents, defenseman Erik Brannstrom and forward Alex Formenton.

On Brannstrom and Formenton.

“Obviously, we still have two guys that are RFA’s, Erik Brannstrom and Alex Formenton. And I did exchange texts with his agent yesterday (Brannstrom’s agent Craig Oster). And I’ll see Alex Formenton. We’ve talked in the last few weeks. With training camp coming soon, I expect both to be signed by training camp, if not before training camp.”

“One thing, I think our players are as excited as we are about the upcoming season. I think for the first time since I’ve been in the NHL, most of our players will be here by either the Monday or Tuesday after Labour Day. A lot of our team will be here two weeks before camp starts. So that’s a great indication that the guys are really engaged for this season. And when it comes to getting those two deals done, its Newport, so it’s never easy. But we feel really confident – things are moving along, and we feel comfortable by the time definitely camp comes or before then that we’ll have something done.”

On the possibility of extending contracts RFA forwards Tim Stützle and UFA D Artem Zub.

“We always plan things well ahead and we leave no stone unturned. I’ll just leave it at that. As you know we don’t negotiate in public, but those two players are important members of our team, and the one thing in doing all this, we’re going to be closer to the cap. When these guys come off entry levels, we have to be smart how we allocate those dollars. There is a discussion.”

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Dorion spoke on the prospect of making another addition, primarily a d-man prior to camp. And if they remain status quo.

“Obviously, we feel we’re a better team now. If we can add to make ourselves better that’s something we’ll definitely look into…We feel very comfortable with the team that we have. We’re definitely a more higher-skilled team than we we were last season. We are a better team than when we finished with last year, pending everyone is healthy. And everyone is healthy except for one guy, (Ridly Greig) that played at the World Junior. We feel very comfortable.”

“I think some players might have under-performed last year on the back end. And we feel they’ll rise to the occasion this year. But we feel comfortable going in with this group. If we can add a top four D, it’s no secret we’re looking to do that, but I think other teams are seeing me come from a mile away. But we feel comfortable with the group we have now.”

On the performance of Senators’ prospects at the World Juniors and in general.

“Outstanding. I know a lot of people rate prospects, say this is guy is good. I’m careful when people talk about our talent pool, our depth of prospects, quality prospects. One thing that tells me they’re pretty good; is in every trade discussion that I’ve had since trade deadline, about five to six names always come up, and it’s all our prospects – all of our young players. That includes Shane Pinto, last year he didn’t play that much (due to shoulder surgery. Those are guys people from other teams are always asking about – Jake Sanderson, Ridly Greig, Shane Pinto, Tyler Kleven, Roby Jarventie. There were a few GM’s who were at the World Juniors came up to me, how impressed they were. I think that says a lot about our pool of prospects and what they are.”

On Ridly Greig’s shoulder injury?

“We feel really confident. We’re fortunate James Boyd, GM from the (Ottawa) 67’s had discussions as soon as he got hurt. (Senators team doctor) Dr. Aubry is with the IIHF and examined him there. It’s at worst a three to four, a five-week thing. Ridly wanted to play. That’s how much of a gamer he is. You find out from sources, he was trying to convince doctors he was alright. And that says a lot about his character, playing in an August tournament, even though it’s the World Junior, says a lot about him. The swelling needed to go down. He’s coming in tomorrow (Saturday) or Sunday. And he’ll stay with us through training camp and then that’ll determine. But we don’t think it’s serious at all. If it had been Game Seven of the Cup Finals, he probably would’ve played, but at this point in time it’s a few weeks before he can take contact and play.”

On expectations for the upcoming season.

“One thing I do believe is; this group is improved. It’s tough in the East. It feels like every team in the Eastern Conference got better, which is alright. Let’s just put the onus on ourselves. One thing I said, we’d like to play meaningful games until the end of the year. There’s no doubt about that. We want to be in it until the end of the year. From there, let’s just see enough, if this will be our team. Let’s just see how we can, see how other teams do, and then compare ourselves with teams that are in the playoffs. I think we’re going to play a lot of meaningful games this year. I know we’re a way better team. I know we’re higher-skilled. I know we’re going to score more goals. I think the important part is getting the puck up to our forwards. And (head coach) D.J. (Smith) knows all this. But it’s still important we’ll be defending. We have an all star goalie in Cam Talbot. If Claude Giroux competes as hard as he did with Brendan Bell on Monday (at the LPGA Pro-Am), I think we’re in a good spot.”

How many roster spots are realistically available?

“I think when you look at it, there are 12 forwards there right now. We all know who our top six will be. Then we have Alex (Formenton, Shane (Pinto) and Mathieu (Joseph) most likely looking at the third line. And again D.J. will decide all this. Maybe he puts Mathieu somewhere to balance lines. I leave it up to him. I don’t get involved in coaching. I always tease D.J. if I was coaching, we’d be 82-0 and always win 5-0. However, it would probably be the opposite, I’d be 0-82 and lose 5-0. So I leave it up to him.”

“I think for Parker Kelly, it’s his spot to lose. I think Dylan Gambrell made an impression. He had some injury battles. Then you have Austin Watson. At least when we got to Gander and then Moncton (Kraft Hockeyville games), I think he would like to have his team for the last two games, if not the last three games. I think we’ll make most of our cuts after the October 1st game.”

“On the back end, to me, it’s still wide open. I think Thomas Chabot won’t be moved :-). I think Zub, (Travis) Hamonic, (Nick) Holden are for sure. I’m probably missing someone here. But I think everyone else are battling for a spot. And if there’s going to be tough decisions that have to be made, don’t worry there will be tough decisions made. If Lassi Thomson comes in and he’s one of the best six defensemen, he’ll be on the team. If Jacob Bernard-Docker comes in and he’s one of the best six defensemen on the team, he’ll be there. If a guy that we’ve signed like Jacob Larsson, (Kristians) Rubins, Dylan Heatherington – if their one of the six best defensemen, they’re in. If Jake Sanderson isn’t one of the best six defensemen, he’s not staying around number seven. I don’t get too high on our prospects. We’re excited about him. I can tell you one thing; I’ve been around this for a long time and Sanderson is as real as they come, but he might not be ready. He didn’t play a lot of hockey last year. Our back end is really wide open.”

“As far as our goaltending, we know who are two goaltenders are. We have a great goalie in the future. Mads Sogaard just needs more time. We got Kevin Mandolese who at times has been really good and at times has had a bit of a struggle. Leevi (Merilainen) will be back in Finland this year where he’ll battle to be the number one in the Finnish Elite League. And then we got Kevin Riedler who we hope will play in the Allsvenskan. I think in goaltending we’re in a good spot there.”

Even with the club’s roster additions, the Senators’ GM is willing to look at players on professional try-outs at camp, providing they have a realistic shot at making the team. Forward Tyler Ennis arrived in camp last September on a PTO and was subsequently signed.

The one topic Dorion did politely defer on; was when asked if he could make a comment on the league’s ongoing investigation regarding the 2018 Hockey Canada Gala. NHL vice-president Bill Daly said this week, that their investigation likely not be concluded prior to the opening of training camps.