-Long post-
Healthy competition is great but the acquisition of Holden and MDZ means either Mete or Brannstrom are gone. Even if you move Brann to the right, you have a logjam with JBD, Thomson, and Brown all pushing for one spot. JBD is probably in Belleville to start the year but he'll be there for a half-year tops. Defensive lineup as of right now is some combo of:
Chabot-Zub
MDZ-Zaitsev
Holden-Brannstrom
Mete-J.Brown
This defense doesn't get the Sens in the playoffs. What they needed to do is bring in a top-four RHD so they could slide Zaitsev to the third pairing and put Brannstrom with him. I think this would get the most out of him.
Chabot-XXXX
MDZ-Zub
Brannstrom-Zaitsev
Extra: Mete,Holden
I like the Dadonov trade on paper but in reality our RW depth is Batherson, C.Brown, Watson. I think the Sens will commit to moving White to RW which opens up a hole at 1C or 2C. I also think Logan Brown's time in Ottawa is over. IMO he's had way too many last chances and by extending DJ and after the outcomes of this year's draft, I think they're committed to his brand of hockey which doesn't include L.Brown.
I can see Tierney being moved and one of Greig or Kelly making the team out of camp (probably Kelly). They may look at moving Nick Paul to 4C and putting Kelly on the wing to start so you'd have a bottom-six of:
Formenton-Pinto-C.Brown
Kelly-Paul-Watson (I'd hate to play against this line. Just wait until Greig is in the lineup)
The moves made yesterday essentially open up Tierney, L. Brown, Brannstrom/Mete to be traded for a top-two center or a RHD. We have 2 2nd rd picks and 3 3rds in next year's draft. It's time to make a move or two to bring the team to the next level.