SENS OFF-SEASON TALK 2013

DirtyDave wrote:Can we end this talk about Melnyks finances and discuss players we think the Sens should go after. The sens have a great opportunity here to alliviate cap concerns for a team or two.

Ill start with the expectation Neely with disagree with all of them. Some or UFAs some aren't. I'm basically looking at players that I wouldn't expect would cost a player who was on the roster last year.

- Dan Boyle (great player)
- David Clarkson (will be so over paid he will be bought out eventually)
- Patrick Elias (I suppose... nothing wrong with him for a year or two)
- Dan Brier (he could be a Sen, no question)
- Grant Clotsome (good depth D man if need be)
- Andrew Ference (no chance)

Who'd I miss?

There.

So Brier is the most likely fit. Unless the Sens would over pay. Which wouldn't be worth it. I'd love the sens to land Elias. Would be a huge step forward for the team.

Having said that I feel like their most pressing need is a experienced defencemen. But not ference he's going to get a big pay day.

Now that Vinny is being bought out... might be a guy I would try on the wing in Ottawa for sure. That's a player who is a decent risk but at what cost?

If you had the choice do you go vinny, brad Richards or brier?

Vinny, no question. Guy still put up good numbers and is a LH shot. If they could move him to the wing in Ottawa that would be ideal but I don't think there is any chance he signs in Ottawa. I agree with everyone when they say the Habs... maybe a team like Nashville too.

Can't forget the Leafs. My thought is he'll stay south.

The Leafs might be interested in Vinny, as you gotta think Nonis is desperate for a centre.

Vinny is still going to get 5 mil plus a year, lol. He's still a pretty good player, not sure where the Leafs or the Habs would fit him long term but we'll see I guess.

Why add Elias? We need to add young players that will be around for a while. There's enough vet leadership on the team with Alfie, Anderson, Spezza, Phillips, and Neil. I'd even lump Karlsson into that list.

We need a top winger to play with Spezza long-term and a top-four D to play with Cowen. Otherwise the holes can be filled internally.

I fully expect Murray to trade our 1st on Sunday. The value of a 1st rd pick is extremely high and our prospect shelves are more than full. There's enough depth in the organization if we end up trading a 1st and a roster player for a vast improvement.

Smith and a 1st could probably fetch that top-six player we've all been coveting. Maybe not a Bobby Ryan but certainly a player from a team in the midst of a rebuild.

tim1_2 wrote:The Leafs might be interested in Vinny, as you gotta think Nonis is desperate for a centre.

He's really not that kind of guy that wants to go to a media circus. I'd bet on a quiet American team like Florida, Dallas or Nashville.

DefenceWinsChampionships wrote:Why add Elias? We need to add young players that will be around for a while. There's enough vet leadership on the team with Alfie, Anderson, Spezza, Phillips, and Neil. I'd even lump Karlsson into that list.

We need a top winger to play with Spezza long-term and a top-four D to play with Cowen. Otherwise the holes can be filled internally.

I fully expect Murray to trade our 1st on Sunday. The value of a 1st rd pick is extremely high and our prospect shelves are more than full. There's enough depth in the organization if we end up trading a 1st and a roster player for a vast improvement.

Smith and a 1st could probably fetch that top-six player we've all been coveting. Maybe not a Bobby Ryan but certainly a player from a team in the midst of a rebuild.

So who exactly would you get for our 1st and Smith? I'd argue that Elias, who costs nothing other than salary, would be a better option.

There are two scenarios: We trade for that legit top-line winger we need, or we sign a guy or two and hope we can make something work...we're not getting a superstar via free agency. I have no idea what to expect, but saying something like "Smith and a 1st" doesn't mean much, because there are a million possible scenarios. Elias could be a 1st line player here for at least two years, which helps bridge a gap, so I don't know why that's a bad option.

DefenceWinsChampionships wrote:
I fully expect Murray to trade our 1st on Sunday. The value of a 1st rd pick is extremely high and our prospect shelves are more than full. There's enough depth in the organization if we end up trading a 1st and a roster player for a vast improvement.

I think it depends on who will be available at #17 and if Murray can get someone better.

He rarely trades the #1 pick, the organization does wonders with prospects.

Given the RFA's needing to be qualified, plus the number of NHL-ready prospects we have there will be at least one trade with a roster player or two going the other way. There has to be.

Signing a UFA would be detrimental to the roster and the 'budget'. If this really is a cap-sensitive team then the trade route is more likely to happen with money going in and out from the team rather than the team absorbing a UFA salary in its entirety.

It's simple mathematics. The team will be reluctant to add via UFA if they have the assets to bring in a comparable player at a reduced cost.

DefenceWinsChampionships wrote:Given the RFA's needing to be qualified, plus the number of NHL-ready prospects we have there will be at least one trade with a roster player or two going the other way. There has to be.

Signing a UFA would be detrimental to the roster and the 'budget'. If this really is a cap-sensitive team then the trade route is more likely to happen with money going in and out from the team rather than the team absorbing a UFA salary in its entirety.  
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yeah they're not going to sign a top player via UFA, the contracts that these players get are ridiculous. It's good for the team to not handcuff itself with such a contract.

A trade makes far more sense and we have the assets to do it. It's just a question of whom.

Per Dreger:
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Determining fair value for Alfie will be tricky. He's still a very valuable player. Open market for 1 yr, he probably earns $6+...
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Pfft. I'd be surprised if his contract here is over $5M.

We'll see... I'll stick with 4-4.5 per in Ottawa on a 2 year deal.

Just wait, vinny will get 6 mill per for 4 years.

Flo The Action wrote:Just wait, vinny will get 6 mill per for 4 years.

No way! 4 million X 3 is my guess.