Garrioch has about as much credibility as Eklund in regards to whats really
going on within the organization.

I don't believe any info that comes from him regarding Stewart or Bonino yet we have to recycle and repeat everything he says and continue to slander the franchise.

The toxic ottawa media/bloggers are enamoured with cutting this team down. Its a complete and utter (frank)ing joke.
- SENS 613

this is sad to hear

Not a huge fan of Chris Stewart , but I think signing someone like ryan Callahan will give us leadership for the young guys like lazar and give 100% when he's out there . Don't be cheap Eugene and bring moulson in too
- Gosensgo89

Don't they always say 'lead by example'? Well, the Rangers traded away Callahan, their 'heart and soul, character leader' for a 'selfish crybaby', who happens to be a much better player. The best players on the team are the ones who you want to be your leaders. Look at the rangers now. In the finals, no Captain.

We have the opportunity to sign an excellent T6F for a reasonable price. You pay the guy what he's worth, and then try to fill other holes. Don't bring in a 'leader' who can't get the job done.

And just another quick comment or two.

Senators fans, you seriously need to STOP undervaluing Jason Spezza. He's gone, I think we've all accepted that this is a foregone conclusion, but someone will pay dearly for him. Bonino + 10th overall? That's bonkers! Vanek went from the Sabres to the Islanders for Moulsen, a 1st and a 2nd. He was a 30 year old rental and they paid that much for him! You don't think someone will pay at LEAST that amount for Spezza? Yes, yes, I know it was the Islanders, but all you need to drive trade returns in pro sports are at least 2 interested teams.

Murray wants a player, prospect, and a 1st for Spezza? He'll get it.

Secondly, stop overvaluing other teams players. You might think a guy like Shattenkirk is untouchable to the Blues, but if you're a St Louis fan, what would you rather have, a #3 defenseman, or a #1 centre??? Shattenkirk is worth more to Ottawa than Spezza is, and Spezza is worth more to St Louis than Shattenkirk is. Now I'm not saying they're definitely going to trade for Kevin Shattenkirk, but I'll bet you he's high on the list of guys the Senators want, and I think there's a trade to be made with St Louis for him involving Spezza, and I think the return coming back will be pleasantly surprising to most of you chicken little's.

Here's a dose of reality. The Ottawa Senators are a MUCH better team than last season showed. Their goaltending is much better than the season stats showed. They scored the 11th most goals in the league last year despite the fact that Bobby Ryan was hurt, despite the fact that Michalek was a no-show, despite the fact that most of their guys had a completely unexpected regression, but these are in no way indicative of what they are going forward. Ryan, healthy, on a line with Turris and MacArthur, will DOUBLE his totals from this season. Turris is on the upswing. MacArthur is exponentially better than he was ever given credit for being. If healthy, in an 82 game season, you've got a first line with a 40 goal guy and two 30 goal guys. You can certainly make the argument that there's a dropoff there, but that's almost every team. Stone and Zibanejad and potentially 3 or 4 other guys could come out of nowhere to get 20 this year. Scoring is NOT an issue.

Defense is, but there's also no indication that they will be so bad this year. Karlsson is outstanding, a full season of Wiercioch is more than acceptable. Methot is a reasonable #3-#4. Ceci-Phillips-Gryba, limited minutes against grinders so they can't get hurt often. It remains to be seen what Cowen is, but I do NOT think he is the player he was last year. I think he'll be a much more reliable player this year. So they need a defenseman, and a top pair one at that. Fine. So Ottawa goes out and gets one. Budget or no budget, they have a minimum they NEED to spend to. They need contracts, especially if Michalek and Spezza are coming off the books, and Hemsky isn't there to replace part of it.

So, the forwards are good. The defense falls back into line with what they ACTUALLY are. The goaltending returns to form. Without changes, I think they're a 5-8 seed already. Add a competent partner for Karlsson, and they improve on that. It's not like they're in an ultra-tough division after all. Buffalo and Florida and Toronto are jokes, Tampa and Detroit are probably due to regress a bit, so outside of Boston and Montreal, who else do they have to compete with??

I predict the Senators to finish with the 5 or 6 seed this year with the lineup they have NOW. They just need to play to the level they're capable of. They've proven before than they can.

Stop being so damn negative about your own team. Change is inevitable. Change does not equate to poor performance. You guys make it seem like these career hockey guys, from management to coaches to players, have no clue what they're doing. They're in the NHL, obviously they do. Sit back, watch what happens, and be critical if the time comes when the on-ice performance doesn't line up with your own REASONABLE expectations. Don't crucify them for what happened this past season. Stop living in the past. Next year looks pretty alright for the Senators in my opinion.

Really? This is your lineup?

Bonino-Stewart?

I'm gonna hazard a guess that if one of these guys ends up in Ottawa, that it will be Stewart. But keep in mind that this involves a trade within the division. Maybe they like Chris Stewart, I don't know. But it would have to be a pretty reasonable trade for Ottawa to do it. They don't want to give Buffalo a player that is going to come back to bite them. You want to send them Shane Prince for Stewart straight up? Fine, do that. But that's about as far as I could see Ottawa chasing it. It won't cost them Lazar or Puempel or Stone or any other top-end prospect. And frankly, if you're giving them Prince for Stewart, then even if Stewart doesn't pan out, you're not mortgaging your future. And he's a NHL player, even if he doesn't do EXACTLY what you want. So fine.

The only way Bonino winds up here is if Spezza goes to Anaheim, and I still firmly believe he's either going to be in St Louis or Nashville. So I wouldn't be concerned with that. Don't hold your breath on Bonino coming to Ottawa. I'm still figuring that Murray is going to try to find a way to get Kevin Shattenkirk out of St Louis, and yes, I'm the person who initially started that rumour. But he makes the most sense. Berglund, fine. But the prospect and the 1st will be coming back. If Shattenkirk is the centrepiece, then Ottawa probably needs to add a prospect as well, but fine. I cannot envision a scenario where Ottawa doesn't get this kind of return for Spezza.

Derek Roy? First of all, Ottawa does NOT need centers. They need a winger. They've got better internal players than Derek Roy at center. Derek Roy is a soft, one-dimensional diver. The reason for not negotiating with Hemsky is because they want to get tougher, and debatably, the most heartless no-show in the entire NHL is Derek Roy. Won't happen.

There's no question that Ottawa will be a young team next year, a lot of internal prospects playing for them. I still think Spatso is dead on in stating that all of this budget posturing by Melnyk is done to make the team more attractive to potential buyers. But they'll be young, and fast, and if MacLean gets back on track, a very entertaining team to watch. So forget losing Spezza and Michalek and Hemsky, forget Nick Bonino, forget Derek Roy. The team will be FINE next year.
- the_terror

I said this is 'sadly' what I expect for a lineup. I've never been a fan of Bonino or Stewart, but I do believe this is the most likely scenario. For Roy, I believe the organization will be looking to add a 2-3rd line offensive minded player on the cheap (like they did with Grizz) and Roy strikes to me as a potential candidate because he had a bad year in Hitchcock's system and could be looking to play closer to home.

Just like you, I think Shane Prince + 3rd round pick for Stewart wouldn't morgage our future if the plan is really to bring Stewart to Ottawa.

I'm one of those who would like to keep Spezza. I believe he can make most people around him better (offensively - and defensively if you think they have to do some of his job too).

I also believe St.Louis is a better trade partner than anyone else. They have depth at center, but they don't have a #1C. Patrick Berglund is my target. Considering he's a RFA without a contract, I think it's realistic to think he will command something around 4M for at least 2 more years. If I was the Sens, I'd try to get Dmitrij Jaskin out of their farm, and a pick along with those 2 players.

And just another quick comment or two.

Senators fans, you seriously need to STOP undervaluing Jason Spezza. He's gone, I think we've all accepted that this is a foregone conclusion, but someone will pay dearly for him. Bonino + 10th overall? That's bonkers! Vanek went from the Sabres to the Islanders for Moulsen, a 1st and a 2nd. He was a 30 year old rental and they paid that much for him! You don't think someone will pay at LEAST that amount for Spezza? Yes, yes, I know it was the Islanders, but all you need to drive trade returns in pro sports are at least 2 interested teams.

Murray wants a player, prospect, and a 1st for Spezza? He'll get it.

Secondly, stop overvaluing other teams players. You might think a guy like Shattenkirk is untouchable to the Blues, but if you're a St Louis fan, what would you rather have, a #3 defenseman, or a #1 centre??? Shattenkirk is worth more to Ottawa than Spezza is, and Spezza is worth more to St Louis than Shattenkirk is. Now I'm not saying they're definitely going to trade for Kevin Shattenkirk, but I'll bet you he's high on the list of guys the Senators want, and I think there's a trade to be made with St Louis for him involving Spezza, and I think the return coming back will be pleasantly surprising to most of you chicken little's.

Here's a dose of reality. The Ottawa Senators are a MUCH better team than last season showed. Their goaltending is much better than the season stats showed. They scored the 11th most goals in the league last year despite the fact that Bobby Ryan was hurt, despite the fact that Michalek was a no-show, despite the fact that most of their guys had a completely unexpected regression, but these are in no way indicative of what they are going forward. Ryan, healthy, on a line with Turris and MacArthur, will DOUBLE his totals from this season. Turris is on the upswing. MacArthur is exponentially better than he was ever given credit for being. If healthy, in an 82 game season, you've got a first line with a 40 goal guy and two 30 goal guys. You can certainly make the argument that there's a dropoff there, but that's almost every team. Stone and Zibanejad and potentially 3 or 4 other guys could come out of nowhere to get 20 this year. Scoring is NOT an issue.

Defense is, but there's also no indication that they will be so bad this year. Karlsson is outstanding, a full season of Wiercioch is more than acceptable. Methot is a reasonable #3-#4. Ceci-Phillips-Gryba, limited minutes against grinders so they can't get hurt often. It remains to be seen what Cowen is, but I do NOT think he is the player he was last year. I think he'll be a much more reliable player this year. So they need a defenseman, and a top pair one at that. Fine. So Ottawa goes out and gets one. Budget or no budget, they have a minimum they NEED to spend to. They need contracts, especially if Michalek and Spezza are coming off the books, and Hemsky isn't there to replace part of it.

So, the forwards are good. The defense falls back into line with what they ACTUALLY are. The goaltending returns to form. Without changes, I think they're a 5-8 seed already. Add a competent partner for Karlsson, and they improve on that. It's not like they're in an ultra-tough division after all. Buffalo and Florida and Toronto are jokes, Tampa and Detroit are probably due to regress a bit, so outside of Boston and Montreal, who else do they have to compete with??

I predict the Senators to finish with the 5 or 6 seed this year with the lineup they have NOW. They just need to play to the level they're capable of. They've proven before than they can.

Stop being so damn negative about your own team. Change is inevitable. Change does not equate to poor performance. You guys make it seem like these career hockey guys, from management to coaches to players, have no clue what they're doing. They're in the NHL, obviously they do. Sit back, watch what happens, and be critical if the time comes when the on-ice performance doesn't line up with your own REASONABLE expectations. Don't crucify them for what happened this past season. Stop living in the past. Next year looks pretty alright for the Senators in my opinion.
- the_terror

Thank you!!!!!!!!

And just another quick comment or two.

Senators fans, you seriously need to STOP undervaluing Jason Spezza. He's gone, I think we've all accepted that this is a foregone conclusion, but someone will pay dearly for him. Bonino + 10th overall? That's bonkers! Vanek went from the Sabres to the Islanders for Moulsen, a 1st and a 2nd. He was a 30 year old rental and they paid that much for him! You don't think someone will pay at LEAST that amount for Spezza? Yes, yes, I know it was the Islanders, but all you need to drive trade returns in pro sports are at least 2 interested teams.

Murray wants a player, prospect, and a 1st for Spezza? He'll get it.

Secondly, stop overvaluing other teams players. You might think a guy like Shattenkirk is untouchable to the Blues, but if you're a St Louis fan, what would you rather have, a #3 defenseman, or a #1 centre??? Shattenkirk is worth more to Ottawa than Spezza is, and Spezza is worth more to St Louis than Shattenkirk is. Now I'm not saying they're definitely going to trade for Kevin Shattenkirk, but I'll bet you he's high on the list of guys the Senators want, and I think there's a trade to be made with St Louis for him involving Spezza, and I think the return coming back will be pleasantly surprising to most of you chicken little's.

Here's a dose of reality. The Ottawa Senators are a MUCH better team than last season showed. Their goaltending is much better than the season stats showed. They scored the 11th most goals in the league last year despite the fact that Bobby Ryan was hurt, despite the fact that Michalek was a no-show, despite the fact that most of their guys had a completely unexpected regression, but these are in no way indicative of what they are going forward. Ryan, healthy, on a line with Turris and MacArthur, will DOUBLE his totals from this season. Turris is on the upswing. MacArthur is exponentially better than he was ever given credit for being. If healthy, in an 82 game season, you've got a first line with a 40 goal guy and two 30 goal guys. You can certainly make the argument that there's a dropoff there, but that's almost every team. Stone and Zibanejad and potentially 3 or 4 other guys could come out of nowhere to get 20 this year. Scoring is NOT an issue.

Defense is, but there's also no indication that they will be so bad this year. Karlsson is outstanding, a full season of Wiercioch is more than acceptable. Methot is a reasonable #3-#4. Ceci-Phillips-Gryba, limited minutes against grinders so they can't get hurt often. It remains to be seen what Cowen is, but I do NOT think he is the player he was last year. I think he'll be a much more reliable player this year. So they need a defenseman, and a top pair one at that. Fine. So Ottawa goes out and gets one. Budget or no budget, they have a minimum they NEED to spend to. They need contracts, especially if Michalek and Spezza are coming off the books, and Hemsky isn't there to replace part of it.

So, the forwards are good. The defense falls back into line with what they ACTUALLY are. The goaltending returns to form. Without changes, I think they're a 5-8 seed already. Add a competent partner for Karlsson, and they improve on that. It's not like they're in an ultra-tough division after all. Buffalo and Florida and Toronto are jokes, Tampa and Detroit are probably due to regress a bit, so outside of Boston and Montreal, who else do they have to compete with??

I predict the Senators to finish with the 5 or 6 seed this year with the lineup they have NOW. They just need to play to the level they're capable of. They've proven before than they can.

Stop being so damn negative about your own team. Change is inevitable. Change does not equate to poor performance. You guys make it seem like these career hockey guys, from management to coaches to players, have no clue what they're doing. They're in the NHL, obviously they do. Sit back, watch what happens, and be critical if the time comes when the on-ice performance doesn't line up with your own REASONABLE expectations. Don't crucify them for what happened this past season. Stop living in the past. Next year looks pretty alright for the Senators in my opinion.
- the_terror

Finally someone with a brain posting on this blog. I am sick of people putting Spezza down. The guy is a top flight center. For all off you Senators fans, I want you to remember this the only other Canadian hockey player to have a career Points Per Game higher than Spezza over Spezza's career is Crosby. It boggles my mind as to how Ottawa fans want to run this guy out of town. Spezza is my favorite hockey player and I pray you guys do something like trade Spezza to the Jets for Byfuglien!

And just another quick comment or two.

Senators fans, you seriously need to STOP undervaluing Jason Spezza. He's gone, I think we've all accepted that this is a foregone conclusion, but someone will pay dearly for him. Bonino + 10th overall? That's bonkers! Vanek went from the Sabres to the Islanders for Moulsen, a 1st and a 2nd. He was a 30 year old rental and they paid that much for him! You don't think someone will pay at LEAST that amount for Spezza? Yes, yes, I know it was the Islanders, but all you need to drive trade returns in pro sports are at least 2 interested teams.

Murray wants a player, prospect, and a 1st for Spezza? He'll get it.

Secondly, stop overvaluing other teams players. You might think a guy like Shattenkirk is untouchable to the Blues, but if you're a St Louis fan, what would you rather have, a #3 defenseman, or a #1 centre??? Shattenkirk is worth more to Ottawa than Spezza is, and Spezza is worth more to St Louis than Shattenkirk is. Now I'm not saying they're definitely going to trade for Kevin Shattenkirk, but I'll bet you he's high on the list of guys the Senators want, and I think there's a trade to be made with St Louis for him involving Spezza, and I think the return coming back will be pleasantly surprising to most of you chicken little's.

Here's a dose of reality. The Ottawa Senators are a MUCH better team than last season showed. Their goaltending is much better than the season stats showed. They scored the 11th most goals in the league last year despite the fact that Bobby Ryan was hurt, despite the fact that Michalek was a no-show, despite the fact that most of their guys had a completely unexpected regression, but these are in no way indicative of what they are going forward. Ryan, healthy, on a line with Turris and MacArthur, will DOUBLE his totals from this season. Turris is on the upswing. MacArthur is exponentially better than he was ever given credit for being. If healthy, in an 82 game season, you've got a first line with a 40 goal guy and two 30 goal guys. You can certainly make the argument that there's a dropoff there, but that's almost every team. Stone and Zibanejad and potentially 3 or 4 other guys could come out of nowhere to get 20 this year. Scoring is NOT an issue.

Defense is, but there's also no indication that they will be so bad this year. Karlsson is outstanding, a full season of Wiercioch is more than acceptable. Methot is a reasonable #3-#4. Ceci-Phillips-Gryba, limited minutes against grinders so they can't get hurt often. It remains to be seen what Cowen is, but I do NOT think he is the player he was last year. I think he'll be a much more reliable player this year. So they need a defenseman, and a top pair one at that. Fine. So Ottawa goes out and gets one. Budget or no budget, they have a minimum they NEED to spend to. They need contracts, especially if Michalek and Spezza are coming off the books, and Hemsky isn't there to replace part of it.

So, the forwards are good. The defense falls back into line with what they ACTUALLY are. The goaltending returns to form. Without changes, I think they're a 5-8 seed already. Add a competent partner for Karlsson, and they improve on that. It's not like they're in an ultra-tough division after all. Buffalo and Florida and Toronto are jokes, Tampa and Detroit are probably due to regress a bit, so outside of Boston and Montreal, who else do they have to compete with??

I predict the Senators to finish with the 5 or 6 seed this year with the lineup they have NOW. They just need to play to the level they're capable of. They've proven before than they can.

Stop being so damn negative about your own team. Change is inevitable. Change does not equate to poor performance. You guys make it seem like these career hockey guys, from management to coaches to players, have no clue what they're doing. They're in the NHL, obviously they do. Sit back, watch what happens, and be critical if the time comes when the on-ice performance doesn't line up with your own REASONABLE expectations. Don't crucify them for what happened this past season. Stop living in the past. Next year looks pretty alright for the Senators in my opinion.
- the_terror

Superb post.

I love the overreaction to rumoured pieces.

Finally someone with a brain posting on this blog. I am sick of people putting Spezza down. The guy is a top flight center. For all off you Senators fans, I want you to remember this the only other Canadian hockey player to have a career Points Per Game higher than Spezza over Spezza's career is Crosby. It boggles my mind as to how Ottawa fans want to run this guy out of town. Spezza is my favorite hockey player and I pray you guys do something like trade Spezza to the Jets for Byfuglien!
- TheUltimateJet

It's not even so much that they want to run him out of town, it's that they think he's going to get picked off the scrap heap for spare parts. He's a #1 center! Ottawa has the luxury of having depth at his position, and as such they can afford to move him along without experiencing an appreciable drop-off down the middle.

There's no question that the time to move Spezza is now. But to think that they aren't going to get their asking price is asinine. There are probably 15-20 teams interested in him, and at least 5 will likely make serious offers. And again, all you need is two teams that want him bad enough, and you'll get your asking price, and probably more. Murray is in the driver's seat in this case.

This is (sadly) what I think our lineup will look like next season:

MacArthur-Turris-Ryan
Zibanejad-Bonino-Stewart
Hoffman-Roy-Stone
Greening-Smith-Neil

Karlsson-Cowen
Methot-Wiercoch
Ceci-Phillips

Anderson-Lehner

Obviously, Michalek and Hemsky out, Spezza traded for Bonino and our 10th overall pick. Derek Roy signed cheap as a UFA.

We won't make the playoffs.
- LCDavid4

If that is our roster, welcome to Ottawa Connor McDavid.

It's not even so much that they want to run him out of town, it's that they think he's going to get picked off the scrap heap for spare parts. He's a #1 center! Ottawa has the luxury of having depth at his position, and as such they can afford to move him along without experiencing an appreciable drop-off down the middle.

There's no question that the time to move Spezza is now. But to think that they aren't going to get their asking price is asinine. There are probably 15-20 teams interested in him, and at least 5 will likely make serious offers. And again, all you need is two teams that want him bad enough, and you'll get your asking price, and probably more. Murray is in the driver's seat in this case.
- the_terror

I agree, I just hope that Murray knows this. If he isn't willing to wait out the offers, I could see us losing the deal.

A lot of it will depend on what happens with other centers around the league.

Stastny resigning and Kesler being moved would really open up the market for us, and drive up the existing offers once those options aren't there.

And just another quick comment or two.

Senators fans, you seriously need to STOP undervaluing Jason Spezza. He's gone, I think we've all accepted that this is a foregone conclusion, but someone will pay dearly for him. Bonino + 10th overall? That's bonkers! Vanek went from the Sabres to the Islanders for Moulsen, a 1st and a 2nd. He was a 30 year old rental and they paid that much for him! You don't think someone will pay at LEAST that amount for Spezza? Yes, yes, I know it was the Islanders, but all you need to drive trade returns in pro sports are at least 2 interested teams.

Murray wants a player, prospect, and a 1st for Spezza? He'll get it.

Secondly, stop overvaluing other teams players. You might think a guy like Shattenkirk is untouchable to the Blues, but if you're a St Louis fan, what would you rather have, a #3 defenseman, or a #1 centre??? Shattenkirk is worth more to Ottawa than Spezza is, and Spezza is worth more to St Louis than Shattenkirk is. Now I'm not saying they're definitely going to trade for Kevin Shattenkirk, but I'll bet you he's high on the list of guys the Senators want, and I think there's a trade to be made with St Louis for him involving Spezza, and I think the return coming back will be pleasantly surprising to most of you chicken little's.

Here's a dose of reality. The Ottawa Senators are a MUCH better team than last season showed. Their goaltending is much better than the season stats showed. They scored the 11th most goals in the league last year despite the fact that Bobby Ryan was hurt, despite the fact that Michalek was a no-show, despite the fact that most of their guys had a completely unexpected regression, but these are in no way indicative of what they are going forward. Ryan, healthy, on a line with Turris and MacArthur, will DOUBLE his totals from this season. Turris is on the upswing. MacArthur is exponentially better than he was ever given credit for being. If healthy, in an 82 game season, you've got a first line with a 40 goal guy and two 30 goal guys. You can certainly make the argument that there's a dropoff there, but that's almost every team. Stone and Zibanejad and potentially 3 or 4 other guys could come out of nowhere to get 20 this year. Scoring is NOT an issue.

Defense is, but there's also no indication that they will be so bad this year. Karlsson is outstanding, a full season of Wiercioch is more than acceptable. Methot is a reasonable #3-#4. Ceci-Phillips-Gryba, limited minutes against grinders so they can't get hurt often. It remains to be seen what Cowen is, but I do NOT think he is the player he was last year. I think he'll be a much more reliable player this year. So they need a defenseman, and a top pair one at that. Fine. So Ottawa goes out and gets one. Budget or no budget, they have a minimum they NEED to spend to. They need contracts, especially if Michalek and Spezza are coming off the books, and Hemsky isn't there to replace part of it.

So, the forwards are good. The defense falls back into line with what they ACTUALLY are. The goaltending returns to form. Without changes, I think they're a 5-8 seed already. Add a competent partner for Karlsson, and they improve on that. It's not like they're in an ultra-tough division after all. Buffalo and Florida and Toronto are jokes, Tampa and Detroit are probably due to regress a bit, so outside of Boston and Montreal, who else do they have to compete with??

I predict the Senators to finish with the 5 or 6 seed this year with the lineup they have NOW. They just need to play to the level they're capable of. They've proven before than they can.

Stop being so damn negative about your own team. Change is inevitable. Change does not equate to poor performance. You guys make it seem like these career hockey guys, from management to coaches to players, have no clue what they're doing. They're in the NHL, obviously they do. Sit back, watch what happens, and be critical if the time comes when the on-ice performance doesn't line up with your own REASONABLE expectations. Don't crucify them for what happened this past season. Stop living in the past. Next year looks pretty alright for the Senators in my opinion.
- the_terror

I disagree that Murray will get exactly what he wants in a trade (but more than simply giving him away which some people are fine with apparently), but the rest of this post is great. This team is not far off with the core it has now. There isn't an "LA Kings" or a "Chicago Blackhawks" "formula" for winning. It's about adding the appropriate pieces to a team at the appropriate time to strengthen it. Negativity regarding this team should only be placed on ownership.

Spezza is my favorite hockey player and I pray you guys do something like trade Spezza to the Jets for Byfuglien!
- TheUltimateJet

Would you trade Trouba plus the 9th overall pick for all of one guaranteed season of Spezza under contract? Because that's a lot more in line with the high-end expectations some people have on here.

Would you trade Trouba plus the 9th overall pick for all of one guaranteed season of Spezza under contract? Because that's a lot more in line with the high-end expectations some people have on here.
- khawk

If the Jets trade Trouba they should move back to Atlanta. That guy is going to be one heck of a hockey player.

I don't get how Sens fans aren't foaming at the mouth for Lazar yet. Guy is going to be legit player in the NHL and has done nothing but win and score big goals wherever he goes. If Murray is patient and develops a young core of guys to build around who play the game the right way defensively, he is setting this team up to be competitive long term. Allowing McLean to coach up the younger guys and play hard is what he does best similar to the lock out year. They made the playoffs with a bunch of AHL guys and Alfie because McLean got them to battle and win defensively night in and night out. This year we saw what life is like with Spezza as the C who didn't win the battles and all they did was score goals.

Travis, I love the stats and know it is difficult to not spend money but why spend the cash on guys who are just going to take playing time away from younger players who are developing into solid NHLers. I liked Hemsky with Spezza but those two are on a different planet. The drop passes to nobody and flying the defensive zone are no-go's for Murray and McLean teams. Let these two professional NHL lifers do what they do best and develop young talent who play hard every night. Systematically the Spezza's and Hemsky's don't fit in Ottawa anymore but I think the pieces are already in place it is now time to let them develop.

Let me know when Lazar jerseys are on sale cause that kid can play.

Unrelated, but Dan Boyle's rights traded to the NYI

Unrelated, but Dan Boyle's rights traded to the NYI
- JACMAN

unfarking beleivable ...... the Islanders

I was really hopng if he were to leave SJ he would want to play out his carreer in Ottawa

At the end of the day it's just rumours on who ottawa will sign , the truth is until we trade spezza and see what assets we get in return . Ufa defence man are slim pickings I see Murray trade spezza for a dman and a prospect and signing offence in free agency ..

unfarking beleivable ...... the Islanders

I was really hopng if he were to leave SJ he would want to play out his carreer in Ottawa
- GadesnSens

He hasn't signed there...yet...

unfarking beleivable ...... the Islanders

I was really hopng if he were to leave SJ he would want to play out his carreer in Ottawa
- GadesnSens

Oh well, I guess we will have to settle for Markov.

Oh well, I guess we will have to settle for Markov.
- Cup 06

Will the habs actually be able to afford to bring him back, with the massive raise subban is gonna get?

Markov would be a great partner for karlsson. Assume he'd get almost the same deal ottawa gave to gonchar......3/5.5

Will the habs actually be able to afford to bring him back, with the massive raise subban is gonna get?

Markov would be a great partner for karlsson. Assume he'd get almost the same deal ottawa gave to gonchar......3/5.5
- sensarmy_11

Id give him 4x6.

Stop being so damn negative about your own team. Change is inevitable. Change does not equate to poor performance. You guys make it seem like these career hockey guys, from management to coaches to players, have no clue what they're doing. They're in the NHL, obviously they do. Sit back, watch what happens, and be critical if the time comes when the on-ice performance doesn't line up with your own REASONABLE expectations. Don't crucify them for what happened this past season. Stop living in the past. Next year looks pretty alright for the Senators in my opinion.
- the_terror

Problem with discussion boards is one or two whining fans like Gord_Wilson_2.0 and Tuna99 who post incessantly with a glass half empty opinion can make it seem like the whole fan base thinks the Senators are a poorly run organization that has no ability to get a good return on a Spezza trade.

GW2.0 couldn't grasp the fact that the Senators would agree on a deal with another team BEFORE Spezza negotiates a contract extension is case in point.

Truly rational fans understand that the return on Spezza will be good for the Senators or they will keep him until the right deal comes along. Bryan Murray built cup contenders in Florida and Anaheim before and after the cap came into existence and they were by no means high spending teams.

Chill out and stop running around claiming the sky is falling and just enjoy the ride. If they play well next year they will be fun to watch - if they don't they get a shot at a franchise player in the 2015 draft. Win-win situation by the looks of it to me.

Id give him 4x6.
- Cup 06

I'm not sure I'd give him that much term, especially given it would be an over 35 contract

It's not even so much that they want to run him out of town, it's that they think he's going to get picked off the scrap heap for spare parts. He's a #1 center! Ottawa has the luxury of having depth at his position, and as such they can afford to move him along without experiencing an appreciable drop-off down the middle.

There's no question that the time to move Spezza is now. But to think that they aren't going to get their asking price is asinine. There are probably 15-20 teams interested in him, and at least 5 will likely make serious offers. And again, all you need is two teams that want him bad enough, and you'll get your asking price, and probably more. Murray is in the driver's seat in this case.
- the_terror

Was out all afternoon and only just got to read all your posts on this thread. Superb!

I have advocated trading Spezza for three years now. Not because he is a bad player. He is a great player and I have been a fan from before he was drafted. But, I don't think paying big bucks in a long term retirement contract makes any sense for any team, especially a team in rebuild mode. The same consideration needs to apply to Hemsky. I would add a sweetener if the Senators could do a deal that included both Berglund and Shattenkirk. The only player that I would prefer over all other options is Evander Kane.

I believe the Senators will be highly competitive next year and hard to play against. They will be in the playoff hunt and a healthy Karlsson will likely have his best year yet.

If they are strong in the second half they can be buyers at the trade deadline. Or, if they are outside the playoff group they can sell and participate in one of the deepest drafts in years.

Most important, they will be incredibly lean and able to make some very strong choices over the next couple of years.

On the business side they have done an outstanding job in making the team incredibly attractive to new investment.

I don't get how Sens fans aren't foaming at the mouth for Lazar yet. Guy is going to be legit player in the NHL and has done nothing but win and score big goals wherever he goes. If Murray is patient and develops a young core of guys to build around who play the game the right way defensively, he is setting this team up to be competitive long term. Allowing McLean to coach up the younger guys and play hard is what he does best similar to the lock out year. They made the playoffs with a bunch of AHL guys and Alfie because McLean got them to battle and win defensively night in and night out. This year we saw what life is like with Spezza as the C who didn't win the battles and all they did was score goals.

Travis, I love the stats and know it is difficult to not spend money but why spend the cash on guys who are just going to take playing time away from younger players who are developing into solid NHLers. I liked Hemsky with Spezza but those two are on a different planet. The drop passes to nobody and flying the defensive zone are no-go's for Murray and McLean teams. Let these two professional NHL lifers do what they do best and develop young talent who play hard every night. Systematically the Spezza's and Hemsky's don't fit in Ottawa anymore but I think the pieces are already in place it is now time to let them develop.

Let me know when Lazar jerseys are on sale cause that kid can play.
- tunmasterflex

Another really outstanding post. Great to see some people who actually think about this stuff are out today.