Ottawa Senators off-season talk

SDH89 wrote:

N4L wrote:

SDH89 wrote:Let's hope this is put to bed quickly, I don't want another summer full of this BS. Quite frankly if it's true (which I doubt), it casts quite the black shadow on our organization, who would want to come here when losing a star player seems to be an annual affair ....

Ill tell you this right now, Spezza and Heatley are not exactly two players that others around The NHL are lining up to play with. Having a core of douche bags off the ice is the main reason for the teams monumental collapse in 08. Spezza is maybe the best of an awful bunch but there are a lot of guys who dislike him (not hate).

I have always been of the opinion that The Sens need to build a core group of new stars up front having a mature group of vets, muscle to protect them, and a solid blueline with good goaltending. A lot of pieces are in place now, moving Spezza could very well be the best thing for a true contender to emerge in 3 or 4 years.

Sorry N4L, maybe if we had these "core group of news stars up front" it wouldn't be as big of a deal, but quite frankly, as of right now, we don't have the young guys who are going to be able to step in right now and start producing at Spezza's clip. And trust me, Derrick Brassard is not that guy. I'll stop talking about this, because like SSF said it's most likely just something that will be blown out of proportion.

Brassard is a very good player and in the right system he could be a 1st line center. Will he put up Spezza's points? The Spezza of 4 or 5 years ago, no shot. The Spezza of today? Maybe, maybe not, probably the later. BUT he will bring a much more well rounded game and be competitve on most nights. The guy competes hard and Sens fans would be pleasently surprised.

The 4th rounder, I think you could lock Gudbrasson in for that one. That would actually give Ottawa the best blueline in The Eastern Conferance in 3 years and they could probably get to the finals just based on Gudrabsson, Karlsson, Cowen, Weircoich, Phillips, and who ever else you want to plug in there. Add Lehner in there, The Sens wont need a Spezza, they will need a solid two way center.

I just told him that I didnt know if it was true or not, but I defently heard he wanted out of Ottawa after the playoffs.

Anyways, you put Brassard in instead of Spezza, The Sens are basically in the same position in the standings as they were last year. Add in the fact Regin is going to play a way bigger role and come into the season with a year under his belt, The Sens would be fine.

Im not saying Spezza leaving makes The Sens better, but The Sens are a good team without Spezza. Kind of shocked at some people's faith with everyone else not named Spezza.

N4L wrote:

SDH89 wrote:

N4L wrote:

Flo The Action wrote:hold on a minute.... i'm going to wait a while before i asume what Ian "Overtime" Mendes is true... i'm sure spezza was dissapointed but there's a ton more that could of happened. the worst thing that could happen now is that this gets blown right out of proportion and we end up having to trade him for sweet little...

Mendes is credible though. You think he would ever be let back in the room to talk to players if he lied about what Murray said to him?

Anyways, I heard about the trade request before this came out so... and Murray went on radio over a month ago saying Spezza was unhappy. It isnt made up.

Did you alert everyone else, or did you deem it not "major news" and left that little nugget in your back pocket?

Ask Stempniak. I told him straight up about it a while ago but didnt want to get into a big thing on the board so...

Ya I can actually vouch for this one.

And here's my $0.02, As a Sens fan I will be incredibly dissapointed if we go into next season without Spezza because it will be a step backwards. As a Spezza fan I'm thrilled because this guy can get away from the crud that's been following around here and will go to an organization that appreciates him.

Wouldn't the Sens want Connolly in that dream scenario that will never happen?

If Spezza is traded, the best you will get is, say from Edmonton as an example:

Horcoff + 2nd rnd pick in 2010.

Dash wrote:Wouldn't the Sens want Connolly in that dream scenario that will never happen?

If Spezza is traded, the best you will get is, say from Edmonton as an example:

Horcoff + 2nd rnd pick in 2010.

As Dung as they are, the Oilers are in some cap trouble of their own. I doubt they even ask about Spezza.

N4L wrote:

SDH89 wrote:

N4L wrote:

SDH89 wrote:Let's hope this is put to bed quickly, I don't want another summer full of this BS. Quite frankly if it's true (which I doubt), it casts quite the black shadow on our organization, who would want to come here when losing a star player seems to be an annual affair ....

Ill tell you this right now, Spezza and Heatley are not exactly two players that others around The NHL are lining up to play with. Having a core of douche bags off the ice is the main reason for the teams monumental collapse in 08. Spezza is maybe the best of an awful bunch but there are a lot of guys who dislike him (not hate).

I have always been of the opinion that The Sens need to build a core group of new stars up front having a mature group of vets, muscle to protect them, and a solid blueline with good goaltending. A lot of pieces are in place now, moving Spezza could very well be the best thing for a true contender to emerge in 3 or 4 years.

Sorry N4L, maybe if we had these "core group of news stars up front" it wouldn't be as big of a deal, but quite frankly, as of right now, we don't have the young guys who are going to be able to step in right now and start producing at Spezza's clip. And trust me, Derrick Brassard is not that guy. I'll stop talking about this, because like SSF said it's most likely just something that will be blown out of proportion.

Brassard is a very good player and in the right system he could be a 1st line center. Will he put up Spezza's points? The Spezza of 4 or 5 years ago, no shot. The Spezza of today? Maybe, maybe not, probably the later. BUT he will bring a much more well rounded game and be competitve on most nights. The guy competes hard and Sens fans would be pleasently surprised.

The 4th rounder, I think you could lock Gudbrasson in for that one. That would actually give Ottawa the best blueline in The Eastern Conferance in 3 years and they could probably get to the finals just based on Gudrabsson, Karlsson, Cowen, Weircoich, Phillips, and who ever else you want to plug in there. Add Lehner in there, The Sens wont need a Spezza, they will need a solid two way center.

The question that comes to mind is how can Columbus take that much salary with only Brassard coming back?

Dash wrote:Wouldn't the Sens want Connolly in that dream scenario that will never happen?

If Spezza is traded, the best you will get is, say from Edmonton as an example:

Horcoff + 2nd rnd pick in 2010.

Gudbrasson might end up being the best overall player from the draft. I dont think there is much of a shot Murray passed up that guy for anyone not named Hall or Seguin. Gudbrasson puts Connolly to shame.

N4L wrote:

SDH89 wrote:

N4L wrote:

SDH89 wrote:Let's hope this is put to bed quickly, I don't want another summer full of this BS. Quite frankly if it's true (which I doubt), it casts quite the black shadow on our organization, who would want to come here when losing a star player seems to be an annual affair ....

Ill tell you this right now, Spezza and Heatley are not exactly two players that others around The NHL are lining up to play with. Having a core of douche bags off the ice is the main reason for the teams monumental collapse in 08. Spezza is maybe the best of an awful bunch but there are a lot of guys who dislike him (not hate).

I have always been of the opinion that The Sens need to build a core group of new stars up front having a mature group of vets, muscle to protect them, and a solid blueline with good goaltending. A lot of pieces are in place now, moving Spezza could very well be the best thing for a true contender to emerge in 3 or 4 years.

Sorry N4L, maybe if we had these "core group of news stars up front" it wouldn't be as big of a deal, but quite frankly, as of right now, we don't have the young guys who are going to be able to step in right now and start producing at Spezza's clip. And trust me, Derrick Brassard is not that guy. I'll stop talking about this, because like SSF said it's most likely just something that will be blown out of proportion.

Brassard is a very good player and in the right system he could be a 1st line center. Will he put up Spezza's points? The Spezza of 4 or 5 years ago, no shot. The Spezza of today? Maybe, maybe not, probably the later. BUT he will bring a much more well rounded game and be competitve on most nights. The guy competes hard and Sens fans would be pleasently surprised.

The 4th rounder, I think you could lock Gudbrasson in for that one. That would actually give Ottawa the best blueline in The Eastern Conferance in 3 years and they could probably get to the finals just based on Gudrabsson, Karlsson, Cowen, Weircoich, Phillips, and who ever else you want to plug in there. Add Lehner in there, The Sens wont need a Spezza, they will need a solid two way center.

You do have to wonder about the salary issue, tho'. Brassard's $3.2 mil for Spezza's $7 mil may not work, practically speaking.

Brassard or Huselius + one of Klesla, Tyutin, or Hejda + 4th overall + maybe some more goodies

for

Spezza + 16th overall

Just thinking out loud. Trades that are financially lopsided are a bit of a rarity in the NHL these days, after all.

N4L wrote:

SDH89 wrote:

N4L wrote:

Flo The Action wrote:hold on a minute.... i'm going to wait a while before i asume what Ian "Overtime" Mendes is true... i'm sure spezza was dissapointed but there's a ton more that could of happened. the worst thing that could happen now is that this gets blown right out of proportion and we end up having to trade him for sweet little...

Mendes is credible though. You think he would ever be let back in the room to talk to players if he lied about what Murray said to him?

Anyways, I heard about the trade request before this came out so... and Murray went on radio over a month ago saying Spezza was unhappy. It isnt made up.

Did you alert everyone else, or did you deem it not "major news" and left that little nugget in your back pocket?

Ask Stempniak. I told him straight up about it a while ago but didnt want to get into a big thing on the board so...

i actualy remember you talking about it saying it was something you heard so i'll give you credit for it.(and get you out of the minus). but mendes twittering something and it lading on sportsnet are 2 different things....

hemlock wrote:

N4L wrote:

SDH89 wrote:

N4L wrote:

SDH89 wrote:Let's hope this is put to bed quickly, I don't want another summer full of this BS. Quite frankly if it's true (which I doubt), it casts quite the black shadow on our organization, who would want to come here when losing a star player seems to be an annual affair ....

Ill tell you this right now, Spezza and Heatley are not exactly two players that others around The NHL are lining up to play with. Having a core of douche bags off the ice is the main reason for the teams monumental collapse in 08. Spezza is maybe the best of an awful bunch but there are a lot of guys who dislike him (not hate).

I have always been of the opinion that The Sens need to build a core group of new stars up front having a mature group of vets, muscle to protect them, and a solid blueline with good goaltending. A lot of pieces are in place now, moving Spezza could very well be the best thing for a true contender to emerge in 3 or 4 years.

Sorry N4L, maybe if we had these "core group of news stars up front" it wouldn't be as big of a deal, but quite frankly, as of right now, we don't have the young guys who are going to be able to step in right now and start producing at Spezza's clip. And trust me, Derrick Brassard is not that guy. I'll stop talking about this, because like SSF said it's most likely just something that will be blown out of proportion.

Brassard is a very good player and in the right system he could be a 1st line center. Will he put up Spezza's points? The Spezza of 4 or 5 years ago, no shot. The Spezza of today? Maybe, maybe not, probably the later. BUT he will bring a much more well rounded game and be competitve on most nights. The guy competes hard and Sens fans would be pleasently surprised.

The 4th rounder, I think you could lock Gudbrasson in for that one. That would actually give Ottawa the best blueline in The Eastern Conferance in 3 years and they could probably get to the finals just based on Gudrabsson, Karlsson, Cowen, Weircoich, Phillips, and who ever else you want to plug in there. Add Lehner in there, The Sens wont need a Spezza, they will need a solid two way center.

The question that comes to mind is how can Columbus take that much salary with only Brassard coming back?

I dont think they are anywhere near the cap... they need to swing for the fences in Columbus though, they are not anywhere near a playoff spot in that division... nor would they be with Spezza but they still need to go for it.

Dash wrote:Wouldn't the Sens want Connolly in that dream scenario that will never happen?

If Spezza is traded, the best you will get is, say from Edmonton as an example:

Horcoff + 2nd rnd pick in 2010.

I would rather put up with 5 more years of the Spezza song and dance, which, for the record, I hate just about more than anyone else.

If you trade Spezza to Columbus you have to take back Brassard. Thats a guy who has the ceiling to be a number 1 center.

rooneypoo wrote:You do have to wonder about the salary issue, tho'. Brassard's $3.2 mil for Spezza's $7 mil may not work, practically speaking.

Brassard or Huselius + one of Klesla, Tyutin, or Hejda + 4th overall + maybe some more goodies

for

Spezza + 16th overall

Just thinking out loud. Trades that are financially lopsided are a bit of a rarity in the NHL these days, after all.

Definitely. Tyutin would be my choice and furthermore, I would get more out of that 4th pick by trading down into the Nino-zone.

Do we not remember Spezza a couple of weeks ago (when he was at some novice teams banquet) saying "I'm here as long as they want me here"?

I think the other place to look for is Florida. You very well might get Horton and Weiss back for Spezza. That's a deal that would make The Sens better IMO.

N4L wrote:I think the other place to look for is Florida. You very well might get Horton and Weiss back for Spezza. That's a deal that would make The Sens better IMO.

You want to talk about swinging for the fences? I would like to see a Leclaire/Vokoun swap in that instance.

SDH89 wrote:Do we not remember Spezza a couple of weeks ago (when he was at some novice teams banquet) saying "I'm here as long as they want me here"?

Hmm. That's not very confidence inspiring. What about how long YOU want to be here?

SDH89 wrote:Do we not remember Spezza a couple of weeks ago (when he was at some novice teams banquet) saying "I'm here as long as they want me here"?

What's he goign to say to a group of 8 year olds. Anyways, if a trade has been asked for you are going to see damage control from both sides and everyone will be left to wonder what really happend.