Ottawa Senators:Offseason Playbook
Posted 3:57 AM ET | Comments 0
So after an abysmal season that began full of hope, the Sens enter the summer knowing that they lost the 10th overall selection. To be honest, I am actually okay with losing that 10th overall pick, Stefan Noesen, and Jakub Silfverberg for Bobby Ryan. Not to say the Sens won`t have a pick. I can see them dealing someone, most likely Spezza for a mid-late first. I would love to see them pick someone like a Travis Sanheim(I go to school with him now that Calgary`s season is over, so I am a little biased) who can become a nice Top 4. Maybe even a Top 2 guy who could be great on the power play. Or, we could go for a forward, like a Nikita Scherbak, who is great on a bad team in Saskatoon, or a John Quenville(Second cousin to Blackhawks coach and nephew[by marriage] to Johnny Boychuck). Quenville is a strong Two-Way Forward who excels at both Centre and LW( I would have him on the wing just because of Ottawa`s abundance of centre man). I`d prefer Ottawa taking a defenseman as our D-Core is absolutely horrible.
Possible Trades:
Jason Spezza-Many potential locations have been brought up for our captain of 1 year. I`d think he goes to St. Louis. The returning package would most likely consist of their 1st rounder, Berglund, and Murray would look for a third piece, however if you ask me Berglund and a 1st is a tall order alone.
Another rumored location for Spezza is in Sunrise, Florida. The return from the Panthers? I would kill for Johnathan Huberdeau. However, the more likely return is Dmitri Kulikov, and maybe a lower-leveled prospect.
The only other rumored option I really see happening could be the Ducks. They hold our 10th pick, and their pick in the late first. They also boast some young centre man coming off of career years. Nick Bonino and Andrew Cogliano were both 20 goal scorers this season, but who knows if they do it again?
Personally, all things considered, the Blues trade is my favorite.
The top thing on my wish list is the Sens grabbing a D-man this summer who is capable of playing some big minutes. Some trade options include Kulikov from Florida, who shouldn`t cost more than maybe a JG Pageau who lost my faith this season, and another prospect or a 2nd round pick. Another trade option could be a Dion Phaneuf? The price for Phaneuf is huge, but I think in the long run it is worth it. I personally think the pressure cooker that is Toronto, Ontario media is the reason why Phaneuf didn`t always play well. I`d prefer Kulikov, just because of the cheaper asking price.
Some free agent options include guys like Matt Niskanen, who would cost 4 million at most. Or a Kimmo Timmonen, who would cost closer to 6-7M. Maybe an Andrei Markov could excel in Ottawa, at about the same price as Timmonen. Markov and Timmonen would both be on 1-2 year deals, but watch for Matt Niskanen looking for anywhere between 3 and 7 years.
There are also quite a few prospects who need a bigger look this season. Guys like Stephane Da Costa, Mark Stone, and Mike Hoffman have all proven themselves in the AHL. Personally, I don`t think Hoffman will ever make it in Ottawa, just because of Mclean and Murray not seeming to have faith in him. I would love to see Mark Stone in a Top-6 role next season. Da Costa can fill in the gaps.
UFA Decisions
Let’s start with an easy one. Matt Kassian.Gone. Other notable UFAs include Milan Michalek,Ales Hemsky,Jim O`Brien, and Joe Corvo. I would really love for Ottawa to be able to get Milan Michalek on a short term contract, as I feel we can upgrade on him, but there isn`t really anyone that Melnyk would let us bid on. I would release Hemsky, just because I really do believe that Mark Stone is ready for an NHL role. Also, his running mate Spezza is as good as gone. Joe Corvo and Jim O`Brien can pack their bags as well.
Notable RFAs
Erik Gryba, Robin Lehner, Stephane Da Costa, and Mike Hoffman. Erik Gryba will most likely get paid somewhere between 850K-1.25M if Melnyk chooses to let us spend money. Robin Lehner will be getting a 2-3 year deal from anywhere between 1.25M-2.75M judging on past RFA goalies. Da Costa will look for somewhere around 900K and 1M. Hoffman will look for somewhere around 900K-1.5M.
My projected lines for next season (*=Trade/FA Signing/FA Return)
Clarke Maccarthur-Kyle Turris-Bobby Ryan
Milan Michalek*-Patrick Burglund*-Mark Stone
Colin Greening-Mika Zibenejad-Chris Neil/Erik Condra
Stephane Da Costa/Mike Hoffman-Zack Smith-Neil/Condra
Dmitri Kulikov*-Erik Karlsson
Patrick Wiercoch-Cody Ceci
Chris Phillips-Jared Cowen
Erik Gryba
Craig Anderson
Robin Lehner
Possible Trades:
Jason Spezza-Many potential locations have been brought up for our captain of 1 year. I`d think he goes to St. Louis. The returning package would most likely consist of their 1st rounder, Berglund, and Murray would look for a third piece, however if you ask me Berglund and a 1st is a tall order alone.
Another rumored location for Spezza is in Sunrise, Florida. The return from the Panthers? I would kill for Johnathan Huberdeau. However, the more likely return is Dmitri Kulikov, and maybe a lower-leveled prospect.
The only other rumored option I really see happening could be the Ducks. They hold our 10th pick, and their pick in the late first. They also boast some young centre man coming off of career years. Nick Bonino and Andrew Cogliano were both 20 goal scorers this season, but who knows if they do it again?
Personally, all things considered, the Blues trade is my favorite.
The top thing on my wish list is the Sens grabbing a D-man this summer who is capable of playing some big minutes. Some trade options include Kulikov from Florida, who shouldn`t cost more than maybe a JG Pageau who lost my faith this season, and another prospect or a 2nd round pick. Another trade option could be a Dion Phaneuf? The price for Phaneuf is huge, but I think in the long run it is worth it. I personally think the pressure cooker that is Toronto, Ontario media is the reason why Phaneuf didn`t always play well. I`d prefer Kulikov, just because of the cheaper asking price.
Some free agent options include guys like Matt Niskanen, who would cost 4 million at most. Or a Kimmo Timmonen, who would cost closer to 6-7M. Maybe an Andrei Markov could excel in Ottawa, at about the same price as Timmonen. Markov and Timmonen would both be on 1-2 year deals, but watch for Matt Niskanen looking for anywhere between 3 and 7 years.
There are also quite a few prospects who need a bigger look this season. Guys like Stephane Da Costa, Mark Stone, and Mike Hoffman have all proven themselves in the AHL. Personally, I don`t think Hoffman will ever make it in Ottawa, just because of Mclean and Murray not seeming to have faith in him. I would love to see Mark Stone in a Top-6 role next season. Da Costa can fill in the gaps.
UFA Decisions
Let’s start with an easy one. Matt Kassian.Gone. Other notable UFAs include Milan Michalek,Ales Hemsky,Jim O`Brien, and Joe Corvo. I would really love for Ottawa to be able to get Milan Michalek on a short term contract, as I feel we can upgrade on him, but there isn`t really anyone that Melnyk would let us bid on. I would release Hemsky, just because I really do believe that Mark Stone is ready for an NHL role. Also, his running mate Spezza is as good as gone. Joe Corvo and Jim O`Brien can pack their bags as well.
Notable RFAs
Erik Gryba, Robin Lehner, Stephane Da Costa, and Mike Hoffman. Erik Gryba will most likely get paid somewhere between 850K-1.25M if Melnyk chooses to let us spend money. Robin Lehner will be getting a 2-3 year deal from anywhere between 1.25M-2.75M judging on past RFA goalies. Da Costa will look for somewhere around 900K and 1M. Hoffman will look for somewhere around 900K-1.5M.
My projected lines for next season (*=Trade/FA Signing/FA Return)
Clarke Maccarthur-Kyle Turris-Bobby Ryan
Milan Michalek*-Patrick Burglund*-Mark Stone
Colin Greening-Mika Zibenejad-Chris Neil/Erik Condra
Stephane Da Costa/Mike Hoffman-Zack Smith-Neil/Condra
Dmitri Kulikov*-Erik Karlsson
Patrick Wiercoch-Cody Ceci
Chris Phillips-Jared Cowen
Erik Gryba
Craig Anderson
Robin Lehner