What Sens could do in offseason
I have posted an article on what I think would be a wise direction for the Sens to look at before making decisions at July 1stThe Senators are going to keep Neil. Neil is a guy that came post a lot of hits a night, can fight to get his team enery and can put some pucks in the net when his mind is on offense. Neil will not get 2 mil, but I bet they settle for around 1.5-1.7 million for a short contract like 2 years.
Jason Smith can be used to trade to get a top forward. The Sens played without him at the end of the Season and did fine. I think with another year under the belts of Lee and Bell, I think you could put Lee in to fill in for Smith. Smith could be traded to get a second line winger like Kotalik or the guy that I would be looking for is Johnathan Cheechoo. He is grity forward that can score goals. I think he could benifit from getting a fresh start and that the Sharks would be interested in Smith to bring in some fresh leadership and fill in the holes on the blueline that Blake, Semenov and Huskins are making becasue of them being UFA and the Sharks do not have the money to give them a raise.
This makes sense to me. Sens would have to include a prospect or a draft pick with the trade, but I think this move would make sense for both sides. Cheechoo is just being used on the bottom lines and is getting paid 3 million. He is a 30 goal scorer. Would be an excellent move by Ottawa.
Elliott is a done deal with a new contract.
Now Comrie. I think he is going to stay and take a pay cut. We all know he does not need money with his girlfriend being Hilary Duff so I think he would be smart and stay in Ottawa this time as he left and never seemed the same again. Mike hatted playing on a team that was at the bottom of the league and would not do that again. I expect him to sign for 1.5 to 2 million for a year or two.
Line up projections and salary cap hit for each player next to name in millions
Cheechoo(3)-Spezza(7)-Heatley(7.5)
Comrie(2)-Fisher(4.2)-Alfredsson(4.875)
Neil(1.7)-Kelly(2.125)-Ruutu(1.3)
Foligno(.85)-Donavan(.625)-Shannon(.6)
Volchankov(2.5)-Phillips(3.5)
Lee(1.275)-Kuba(3.7)
Campoli(.633333)-E. Karlsson(.5 rookie contract)
Leclaire (3.8)
Auld (1)
total cap = 52.6833333
emery buyout= .229167
total= 52.9125
that leaves room at the trade deadline and makes Ottawa look solid this season
Bell, Schubert, Picard, Elliott and Winchester to the minors….Winchesters contract said only last year he had to play on the NHL roster, this year Sens have choice
With more experience for Foligno and Shannon I think they can put up great numbers this season in points.
Erik Karlsson I think should get the chance to start the Season with Ottawa…….If he does not look good in the first 9 games, then we can send him down to Binghampton.
Tell me what ya think……thaught this through well…….looks to me the best move I can see out there….especially if the cap decreases next season.