UPDATE: Jason Smith retires; door open for Erik Karlsson?

beedub wrote:Anyone else get the feeling that perhaps Murray was waiting on Smith to retire or make a decision regarding his status, before moving on anything else. This could be our own internal domino effect

internal domino effect eh, I guess time will tell over the next few days, I think it is more to clear up room for Karlsson to play with the big club, but I am not a capologist, I just know this clears up around 1.3 million in cap space from what I have read.

N4L wrote:Jesus I hope not, I dont want either of those plugs. Rather see a guy like Regin get a real shot. Same with Smith who Murray said is ready to be an NHL player this season.

Very good point there. Murray is quite high on Smith at the moment, he seems to have made some good strides and could very well be part of the Sens come October 4th.

beedub wrote:Anyone else get the feeling that perhaps Murray was waiting on Smith to retire or make a decision regarding his status, before moving on anything else. This could be our own internal domino effect

Despite what is said, Murray knew about this all along.

SeawaySensFan wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:

N4L wrote:10 plus mins a night is fine for a rookie looking to find his way onto an NHL roster. Use him in a 4th line role, PK time and depending on his play, some 2nd unit PP time.

Again, it's time that things should be earned in Ottawa, not given to them like Spezza and Meszaros were. There is absolutly nothing wrong with a guy like Regin working his way up the ladder.

Bang on.

I disagree. Until checking/grinding lines are no longer in the NHL your offensive prospects need to play with talent once they have paid their dues in the AHL.

In Ottawa's case, in particular, where we can mostly agree that we haven't had a 2nd line that threatens the opposition in years (yes YEARS), we're in a good position to take that extra leap of faith with a talented prospect.

That FFS line is going to be given 2nd line minutes... based on their production with Clouston last year there is no reason why that line cant put up 70-80 goals.

There are very few rookies who come into the league and are GIVEN a 2nd or 1st line roster spot, especially up the middle. A checking line doesnt have to be the bangers only, if you put Regin between Ruutu and Neil, whats wrong with that? Even if you move Regin to the wing with Kelly or vis versa, on the 3rd line, he still gets a decent amount of mins.

I love Regin as a prospect, but in no way does he deserve 15 plus minutes a night on the 2nd line, he hasnt earned a thing to this point.

Guys like Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Getzlaf, Richards, so on all came into the league playing that "checking" role and are better players because of it. They had to play on the other side of the puck as well as produce to show they deserved more minutes and PP time. There is no way Regin should be held in higher regaurd they those guys were coming into the league.

Again, Regin is a nice prospect, could end up being a great 2nd line center, but you dont just give it to him. He'll be a better player in the long run. All you have to do is look at our top line center to see the damage that can be done just handing out the top spots on the roster.

SensGirl11 wrote:

N4L wrote:Jesus I hope not, I dont want either of those plugs. Rather see a guy like Regin get a real shot. Same with Smith who Murray said is ready to be an NHL player this season.

Very good point there. Murray is quite high on Smith at the moment, he seems to have made some good strides and could very well be part of the Sens come October 4th.

I think Smith may have very well stolen Bass' spot in Ottawa.

PLAYERBONUSCAP HIT

2009-2010 Ottawa Senators
FORWARDS
Dany Heatley	—	$7,500,000
Jason Spezza	—	$7,000,000
Alexei Kovalev	—	$5,000,000
Daniel Alfredsson	—	$4,875,000
Mike Fisher	—	$4,200,000
Chris Kelly	—	$2,125,000
Chris Neil	—	$2,000,000
Jarkko Ruutu	—	$1,300,000
Nick Foligno	($65,000)	$850,000
Shean Donovan	—	$625,000
Ryan Shannon	—	$600,000
Jesse Winchester	—	$550,000
DEFENSEMEN
Filip Kuba	—	$3,700,000
Chris Phillips	—	$3,500,000
Anton Volchenkov	—	$2,500,000
Erik Karlsson	($425,000)	$1,300,000
Brian Lee	($425,000)	$1,275,000
Alexandre Picard	—	$800,000
Chris Campoli	—	$633,333
GOALTENDERS
Pascal Leclaire	—	$3,800,000
Brian Elliott	—	$850,000
BUYOUTS
Ray Emery	—	$229,167
Daniel Alfredsson	—	$700,000
LOST VIA REENTRY WAIVERS
NONE
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS
ROSTER SIZE	21
SALARY CAP	$56,800,000
PAYROLL	$55,912,500
BONUSES	$915,000
CAP SPACE	$1,802,500

SeawaySensFan wrote:I disagree. Until checking/grinding lines are no longer in the NHL your offensive prospects need to play with talent once they have paid their dues in the AHL.

In Ottawa's case, in particular, where we can mostly agree that we haven't had a 2nd line that threatens the opposition in years (yes YEARS), we're in a good position to take that extra leap of faith with a talented prospect.

I used to think that - still do to an extent, but a lot of young slick guys will be playing on 3rd and 4th lines soon. There's no room for them in the top 6 and the coach gets to see if they play defensive, smart hockey as well as chipping in points once in a while.

I think Filatov will begin the year on the 4th line and work his way up. It might work out better than we think. Plus...it adds a spark to the 3rd line or 4th line.

Wonder what we could pick Sidenberg up for?

SpezDispenser wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:I disagree. Until checking/grinding lines are no longer in the NHL your offensive prospects need to play with talent once they have paid their dues in the AHL.

In Ottawa's case, in particular, where we can mostly agree that we haven't had a 2nd line that threatens the opposition in years (yes YEARS), we're in a good position to take that extra leap of faith with a talented prospect.

I used to think that - still do to an extent, but a lot of young slick guys will be playing on 3rd and 4th lines soon. There's no room for them in the top 6 and the coach gets to see if they play defensive, smart hockey as well as chipping in points once in a while.

I think Filatov will begin the year on the 4th line and work his way up. It might work out better than we think. Plus...it adds a spark to the 3rd line or 4th line.

The 4th line doesnt have to be grinders. A lot of the top players in the league were once there. Eventually they get the PP time and points, then work their way up... that's how it should be.

jamvan wrote:Wonder what we could pick Sidenberg up for?

I love that guy, but don't we have enough D?

N4L wrote:
The 4th line doesnt have to be grinders. A lot of the top players in the league were once there. Eventually they get the PP time and points, then work their way up... that's how it should be.

Can't argue. The same will apply to Karlsson on D, so...we'll have to grin and bear it.

jamvan wrote:Wonder what we could pick Sidenberg up for?

A Train/Phillips
Kuba/Campoli
Karlsson/Picard

That's basically what they are gonna go with IMO. Lee might be the rover between Bingo and Ottawa.

Karlsson a righty playing with Picard might very well be one of the best 3rd pairings in the league. That is perhaps why Murray insisted on Picard in that Meszaros deal. Could be very sexy and dirt cheap.

EDIT: I wouldnt even be surprised to see a Kuba/Karlsson pairing 3 or 4 weeks into the season based on Karlsson's play.

SpezDispenser wrote:

N4L wrote:
The 4th line doesnt have to be grinders. A lot of the top players in the league were once there. Eventually they get the PP time and points, then work their way up... that's how it should be.

Can't argue. The same will apply to Karlsson on D, so...we'll have to grin and bear it.

Karlsson will be tossed on the 2nd PP unit right away, maybe even the 1st with his shot and Kuba being a pretty good QB and passer. Campoli and Picard on the 2nd unit.

N4L wrote:A Train/Phillips
Kuba/Campoli
Karlsson/Picard

That's basically what they are gonna go with IMO. Lee might be the rover between Bingo and Ottawa.

Karlsson a righty playing with Picard might very well be one of the best 3rd pairings in the league. That is perhaps why Murray insisted on Picard in that Meszaros deal. Could be very sexy and dirt cheap.

I'd be very impressed if you were right about that. I think Lee's a lock to play in Ottawa this year, so I don't think it's that easily resolved personally.

N4L wrote:
Karlsson will be tossed on the 2nd PP unit right away, maybe even the 1st with his shot and Kuba being a pretty good QB and passer. Campoli and Picard on the 2nd unit.

Absolutely. 1st PP unit, but 3rd pairing 5 on 5 time and no PK time....yet.

SpezDispenser wrote:

N4L wrote:A Train/Phillips
Kuba/Campoli
Karlsson/Picard

That's basically what they are gonna go with IMO. Lee might be the rover between Bingo and Ottawa.

Karlsson a righty playing with Picard might very well be one of the best 3rd pairings in the league. That is perhaps why Murray insisted on Picard in that Meszaros deal. Could be very sexy and dirt cheap.

I'd be very impressed if you were right about that. I think Lee's a lock to play in Ottawa this year, so I don't think it's that easily resolved personally.

We'll see about that, if Picard is dealt then Lee will be put in. If Picard plays as well as Lee at training camp then Picard will get that spot. Lee is still on a 2 way, Picard is not.

N4L wrote:That FFS line is going to be given 2nd line minutes... based on their production with Clouston last year there is no reason why that line cant put up 70-80 goals.

I'm not convinced they combined for that many points when they were together under Clouston last year. My computer is too slow to break that down to be sure, though.

I would bet that Foligno-Regin-Shannon would put up better numbers than Foligno-Fisher-Shannon.

SpezDispenser wrote:

N4L wrote:
Karlsson will be tossed on the 2nd PP unit right away, maybe even the 1st with his shot and Kuba being a pretty good QB and passer. Campoli and Picard on the 2nd unit.

Absolutely. 1st PP unit, but 3rd pairing 5 on 5 time and no PK time....yet.

Depending on his play, he could see 2nd pairing mins. Seriously would not be surprised in the least seeing him playing 20 mins a night by the end of the year.