It feels like this will go on until the dawn of time...but Murray has publicly said that he's looking at 'a few' UFA forwards to try to get Ottawa's offense back on track permanently. People are quick to point out that Peter Regin is the Top 6 forward we've been looking for, but I'd prefer to call him a top 9 right now. And if he's centering line 3, then you need to put some hardworking and hopefully talented people with him. I'm thinking that you can break up the FFS line for intervals next year and have Regin with Shannon and Kelly. Winchester falls back to center a line with Bass and Ruutu. That gives you a great 3rd and 4th line, obviously a strong line 1 and two thirds of a great line 2 (providing Fisher plays like he can).
Potentially Z.Smith and O'Brien and Caparusso and Greening and whoever we draft this year and Zubov etc. will be able to make the jump soon. Perhaps not this upcoming season, but the season after. Does Bryan Murray try to add a character guy to this lineup. Someone who can put the puck in the net and add a stabilizing force as we start to get the young guys into the lineup?
It's a tough question. On the one hand, you cannot win without your youth being served. On the other hand, if those youths aren't ready, then you're in a pile of trouble - not only for the team, but for the prospects who are getting in over their heads.
There are three names I can think of that I would love to add to this team - if we (Murray) go that direction:
1.Steve Sullivan.
Potential asking price: 4 million per year, probably looking for a 3 year contract, possibly settling on 2.
Why?: He's Stillman to a T, he's slick, fast as lightning and if his health prevails, could actually end up putting up some mammoth numbers with Fisher and Foligno (or Spezza and Heatley if Clouston mixed things up a little). Not to mention he's a character guy who would be a great influence in the locker room.
2.Mikael Samuelsson
Potential asking price: 2.75 per year and counting, looking 4+ years I would imagine
Why?:Nice blend of skill and size, knows how to win and what it takes, can sometimes get caught out of position, but he shoots - and shoots again, something that is very important. The way he's playing in the playoffs will drive his price up - and also drive the number of teams interested as well, so I doubt he's in our range. Still, would make a nice addition to the team.
3.Tuomo Ruutu - RFA
Potential asking price: 3-3.5 per year, 3+ years
Why?: Why the heck not? Getting the Brothers Ruutu together on your team is an instant victory. At six feet, 200+ pounds, Ruutu is like Sharkko, but has beautiful finish, scoring a career high 26 goals for Carolina this past season. If some of the rumblings are true, Rutherford might be shopping Corvo or Babchuk when the playoffs are done for a top 6 winger. Perhaps he'd be open to making a deal for Ruutu? Lee and Picard? At least Rutherford wouldn't lose too much on the PP from the point in Picard. At the very least, this should be looked into. And never discount what having sibling on your team can do to persuade a player to come. Which is good, because we have 2 Ruutus already - I'm one who'd love to make it 3.
Potentially Z.Smith and O'Brien and Caparusso and Greening and whoever we draft this year and Zubov etc. will be able to make the jump soon. Perhaps not this upcoming season, but the season after. Does Bryan Murray try to add a character guy to this lineup. Someone who can put the puck in the net and add a stabilizing force as we start to get the young guys into the lineup?
It's a tough question. On the one hand, you cannot win without your youth being served. On the other hand, if those youths aren't ready, then you're in a pile of trouble - not only for the team, but for the prospects who are getting in over their heads.
There are three names I can think of that I would love to add to this team - if we (Murray) go that direction:
1.Steve Sullivan.
Potential asking price: 4 million per year, probably looking for a 3 year contract, possibly settling on 2.
Why?: He's Stillman to a T, he's slick, fast as lightning and if his health prevails, could actually end up putting up some mammoth numbers with Fisher and Foligno (or Spezza and Heatley if Clouston mixed things up a little). Not to mention he's a character guy who would be a great influence in the locker room.
2.Mikael Samuelsson
Potential asking price: 2.75 per year and counting, looking 4+ years I would imagine
Why?:Nice blend of skill and size, knows how to win and what it takes, can sometimes get caught out of position, but he shoots - and shoots again, something that is very important. The way he's playing in the playoffs will drive his price up - and also drive the number of teams interested as well, so I doubt he's in our range. Still, would make a nice addition to the team.
3.Tuomo Ruutu - RFA
Potential asking price: 3-3.5 per year, 3+ years
Why?: Why the heck not? Getting the Brothers Ruutu together on your team is an instant victory. At six feet, 200+ pounds, Ruutu is like Sharkko, but has beautiful finish, scoring a career high 26 goals for Carolina this past season. If some of the rumblings are true, Rutherford might be shopping Corvo or Babchuk when the playoffs are done for a top 6 winger. Perhaps he'd be open to making a deal for Ruutu? Lee and Picard? At least Rutherford wouldn't lose too much on the PP from the point in Picard. At the very least, this should be looked into. And never discount what having sibling on your team can do to persuade a player to come. Which is good, because we have 2 Ruutus already - I'm one who'd love to make it 3.