What forwards should Ottawa pursue?

The re-tool is on! The Sens need 2 sniping wingers, but I think they might try Butler on Spezza's wing next year.

Regardless, it's imperative that the Sens can land one major talent for the wing, who can it be? Alex Semin is probably not the guy for the Sens - or is he? I think the Sens might have to go the trade route.

Ideas? Speculation?

Stephane da Costa

They're better off going after guys like Ville Leino but I can't imagine any of the good forwards being available.

Goalie first.

Hoags wrote:Stephane da Costa

They're better off going after guys like Ville Leino but I can't imagine any of the good forwards being available.

Goalie first.

We need a top line sniper though, is Leino considered a top liner?

da Costa sounds nice but we have Winchester and Butler already through the college route and neither has shown enough yet to be deemed reliable sniping wingers.

SpezDispenser wrote:

We need a top line sniper though, is Leino considered a top liner?

Well you're not going to get an established one, hes got 36 pts.. Id say thats pretty good. Maybe take a chance of Zherdev ? Gonna have to roll the dice, maybe Tanguay, hes a LW and we need LW.

And Butler looks really promising out there, he's almost scored a few times and had 1 waved off. Most exciting forward to watch IMO. Let him get used to the NHL in the remainer of this season, he'll take it up a notch after a good off-season.

He could be a great sniper, he gets open in the slot and he can really shoot. Plus he's pretty quick and surprisingly physical. Most of the team are peripheral players and except for Fisher have no good shot at all.

It'll be interesting seeing Butler next to Spezza.

Hoags wrote:
Well you're not going to get an established one, hes got 36 pts.. Id say thats pretty good. Maybe take a chance of Zherdev ? Gonna have to roll the dice, maybe Tanguay, hes a LW and we need LW.

And Butler looks really promising out there, he's almost scored a few times and had 1 waved off. Most exciting forward to watch IMO. Let him get used to the NHL in the remainer of this season, he'll take it up a notch after a good off-season.

He could be a great sniper, he gets open in the slot and he can really shoot. Plus he's pretty quick and surprisingly physical. Most of the team are peripheral players and except for Fisher have no good shot at all.

I think you'll be surprised. When teams start to realize that they're in cap trouble in the summer, that's when the Sens need to move. Similar to Atlanta/Chicago this past summer, we'll need to take advantage of teams looking to rid themselves of players/money/cap hit.

On Butler, I'm quite impressed so far. I'm hoping that he gets the first one out of the way tonight.

Scoring winger? Kovalchuk is probably available

SpezDispenser wrote:
I think you'll be surprised. When teams start to realize that they're in cap trouble in the summer, that's when the Sens need to move. Similar to Atlanta/Chicago this past summer, we'll need to take advantage of teams looking to rid themselves of players/money/cap hit.

On Butler, I'm quite impressed so far. I'm hoping that he gets the first one out of the way tonight.

That's why I hope the plan is to make as many roster spots open as possible and keep the cap space flexible, except sign a legit #1 goalie. If a good trade or signing pops up take it but I would not blow millions. Scoring by committee will have to the way to go until whoever we draft this year(Landeskog !) can step in. We just need a younger, faster, better committee for next year.

Historically the Sens have never needed free agency to build a contender so I'm kind of concerned at this push for FA signings which usually backfire not to mention you overpay. Except goaltending ... we've always struggled here.

FA is better for the character roles etc. The only good FA signing Murray made is Ruutu I think. Top scoring forwards will have to come thru the draft unless we can swing a trade.

I say we go low-rent for the upcoming season and hold the cap space a little longer.

ie. Michael Ryder, Jussi Jokinen, + free-agent goaler.

Not a deep enough crop of FAs to get excited about or get in a bidding war over this year.

Hopefully deal Fisher for another winger and promote Kelly to line 2 for the time being. Then do a little shopping at the 2012 deadline with the cap space that will still be available.

Finally, go into summer 2012 with rookies and prospects 1 year older and wiser and THEN start to surround the keepers by using the remaining prospects as trade pieces for veterans.

A lot of this will have to be done via trade since the FA market is looking a little stinky for the next couple of years.

I hope Spezza's will be the last 7 million $ contract this club signs.

We'll definitely be younger and faster next season. Hopefully that translates into more wins, more excitement and more goals.

If we don't draft an NHL ready, impact forward, I'd be very surprised. The Sens need something to draw the fans in and a guy like Landeskog, if he's available when we pick, has the potential to do that.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:We'll definitely be younger and faster next season. Hopefully that translates into more wins, more excitement and more goals.

If we don't draft an NHL ready, impact forward, I'd be very surprised. The Sens need something to draw the fans in and a guy like Landeskog, if he's available when we pick, has the potential to do that.

Interestingly enough, I was interviewed by a research company hired by the Sens organization. Management wanted some insight into the fan base, etc.

LethalLehner wrote:

Cap'n Clutch wrote:We'll definitely be younger and faster next season. Hopefully that translates into more wins, more excitement and more goals.

If we don't draft an NHL ready, impact forward, I'd be very surprised. The Sens need something to draw the fans in and a guy like Landeskog, if he's available when we pick, has the potential to do that.

Interestingly enough, I was interviewed by a research company hired by the Sens organization. Management wanted some insight into the fan base, etc.

I believe there are reports that the "plan" is not exactly in place but is being formulated by outside consultants. Your post supports those reports.

Drafting aside, we need either a Top Line winger and a bonafide 2nd line centre...oh and a true 1# Goalie but come aaaaaan we'll never get one of THOSE!

How about someone from this list?

UFA wingers (offer one of them ~$2M 1yr)
Kariya, Paul
Gagne, Simon
Hejduk, Milan

RFA Centres - tougher to get as a trade would involve giving up assets. No way we do the "Offer Sheet" thing

Parise, Zach
Dubinsky, Brandon


Thoughts?