If Bobby Ryan is dealt I feel like San Jose is the front runners here.
- they have the cap space.
- they need help on wing.
- Bobby is firmiliar with Cali
- I think he would want to resign long term here.

To San Jose: Bobby Ryan

To Ottawa: 2015 first round pick, Tomas Hertl
- Erik6Karlsson5

Not sure San Jose does that. They're window is closing, they shouldn't be trading away young piece like hertl.

The largest contributing factor is goals against. Teams giving up the least number of goals do well in the standings. Scoring lots of goals does not guarantee a similar kind of success.
- spatso

So the offense got worse. And the defense stayed the same, which was horrendous last year. Only factoring in Spezzas poor defensive play can we assume goals against goes down. Unless a lot of players take complete 180s.

The season being a success is completely dependent on the defense turning things around, in a big way. It might happen, but I think most people think it wont.

Currently I have divisional foes Boston, Tampa Bay, Montreal, Detroit, and perhaps even Toronto ahead of them going into this season.

:no: No way man, you're crazy. The Leafs will be lucky to finish 15th in the East this year.
- walshyleafsfan

LOL. With Toronto's talent, you think they finish below Buffalo?

If Bobby Ryan is dealt I feel like San Jose is the front runners here.
- they have the cap space.
- they need help on wing.
- Bobby is firmiliar with Cali
- I think he would want to resign long term here.

To San Jose: Bobby Ryan

To Ottawa: 2015 first round pick, Tomas Hertl
- Erik6Karlsson5

For a rental?

I think that San Jose is a good spot for Bobby Ryan too, but they aren't giving up a very good young player who they control for the next handful of years, for what could be one season of Bobby Ryan.

The biggest issue for Ottawa is does signing Ryan hurt adding surrounding talent? They have the smallest budget in the entire NHL. "Cap Room" does not matter. They have their own budget thanks to that terrible owner.

I don't think it's worth it. And I have my doubts Melnyk will offer enough to make him stay anyways.

I think the issue with trading Ryan is there is a good chance he is willing to test the market and teams will be weary of that. Getting a 1st round pick is a given, but what else can you get? Spezza got the sens a solid 2nd/3rd liner, some mid-tier prospects, and a 2nd rounder, and I think spezza is a better player than Ryan. If ryan is traded, I could see it for a 1st rounder, a decent prospect, and some conditional pick thrown in. As a pens fan, I wouldn't mind making a pitch for him, but not sure what the sens need

If Bobby Ryan is dealt I feel like San Jose is the front runners here.
- they have the cap space.
- they need help on wing.
- Bobby is firmiliar with Cali
- I think he would want to resign long term here.

To San Jose: Bobby Ryan

To Ottawa: 2015 first round pick, Tomas Hertl
- Erik6Karlsson5

Lol you couldnt get that from SJ even if ryan was still under contract for 6 more years at his current cap hit. You could expect a similar return that vanek brought to the islanders at the deadline last year: a good (not great) prospect and a 2nd round pick.

Everytime a known player is rumoured to go, expectations of what he'll fetch is overblown. Look at Spezza and Kesler. Both expected to bring back more for their teams.

Ryan might bring a first rounder and a decent prospect. That's it. Ottawa won't get the value back they gave up for him.

There will most likely be a decision about Ryan around Christmas time. He wants to see if this team is going to be competitive sooner rather than later. His guess is as good as anyone's at this point. No one really knows how we are going to do. He also wants to be the go to guy, so he will see how Mclean utilizes him as well. If this team is in a playoff spot and Ryan is the leading forward in scoring by December, I expect an extension to be announced. If not, the selling begins and these threads get even more ugly.

There will most likely be a decision about Ryan around Christmas time. He wants to see if this team is going to be competitive sooner rather than later. His guess is as good as anyone's at this point. No one really knows how we are going to do. He also wants to be the go to guy, so he will see how Mclean utilizes him as well. If this team is in a playoff spot and Ryan is the leading forward in scoring by December, I expect an extension to be announced. If not, the selling begins and these threads get even more ugly.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

If he's the leading scorer and only half a year away from free agency I would think that's even moreincentive to become a free agent.

Ryan is doing both Sens and Pens blogs until a new Sens blogger is found.
- sensarmy_11

Well this makes a ton of sense.

If he's the leading scorer and only half a year away from free agency I would think that's even moreincentive to become a free agent.
- rangerdanger94

Ugh brutal news about Stepan

Ugh brutal news about Stepan
- SENS 613

Yea it's tough but sounds like he'll be out for 6-8 weeks and it gives one of our young centers outside miller an opportunity to grab a spot. Hayes or Lindberg should be good enough to fill in for 8 weeks.

With all the speculation surrounding the sharks wanting to move Marleau and Thorton I wonder if they would entertain the option of trading

Ryan + ?

for

Marleau

Ottawa probably has to add a bit more but at the same time Marleau is 35 with 3 years left at a cap hit of 6.6. I don't understand all the heat he always takes. He's a consitent point producer and would add some veteran experience to one of the youngest rosters in the league

With all the speculation surrounding the sharks wanting to move Marleau and Thorton I wonder if they would entertain the option of trading

Ryan + ?

for

Marleau

Ottawa probably has to add a bit more but at the same time Marleau is 35 with 3 years left at a cap hit of 6.6. I don't understand all the heat he always takes. He's a consitent point producer and would add some veteran experience to one of the youngest rosters in the league
- SENS 613

If ottawa moves ryan, it should not be for a player of Marleaus age. And adding to that trade just makes it worse.

If ottawa moves ryan, it should not be for a player of Marleaus age.
- david22

Im just very skeptical on the type of return we would recieve.

UFA and other GM's know he's no resigning in Ottawa. Unless he gets off to a hot start I really don't see us getting anything in return outside of a 1st and prospect.

IMO the Sens are already going to struggle for a couple seasons (no changes on D = same result from last season) so having a player on your roster for 3 more years I don't think would hurt the team

With all the speculation surrounding the sharks wanting to move Marleau and Thorton I wonder if they would entertain the option of trading

Ryan + ?

for

Marleau

Ottawa probably has to add a bit more but at the same time Marleau is 35 with 3 years left at a cap hit of 6.6. I don't understand all the heat he always takes. He's a consitent point producer and would add some veteran experience to one of the youngest rosters in the league
- SENS 613

Im just very skeptical on the type of return we would recieve.

UFA and other GM's know he's no resigning in Ottawa. Unless he gets off to a hot start I really don't see us getting anything in return outside of a 1st and prospect.

IMO the Sens are already going to struggle for a couple seasons (no changes on D = same result from last season) so having a player on your roster for 3 more years I don't think would hurt the team
- SENS 613

I hear you, but if the team is going to struggle, than their essentially trading for a player that will be with them while their bad, and then retire or be much less of a factor by the time they start to improve.

With all the speculation surrounding the sharks wanting to move Marleau and Thorton I wonder if they would entertain the option of trading

Ryan + ?

for

Marleau

Ottawa probably has to add a bit more but at the same time Marleau is 35 with 3 years left at a cap hit of 6.6. I don't understand all the heat he always takes. He's a consitent point producer and would add some veteran experience to one of the youngest rosters in the league
- SENS 613

That's what I've thought. He also adds a great veteran presence with a bunch of young guys.

Bobby Ryan is a good hockey player. But, he is just outside the age profile of a very young and very talented Ottawa core. I would avoid the 8 year deal.

Brian Murray believes he has a good playoff team. I think he does. But I would not hesitate to trade Ryan to either the LA Kings or San Jose which is where he is likely headed if he goes as a UFA.

People ignore that Spezza was 122nd out of 122 NHL centers playing 50 NHL games last year in GA for 60 minutes. Hey guys, let's keep it in perspective. Ottawa gave up a goal every 15 minutes of Jason Spezza playing time.

On the other hand, Turris ranked 7th among all NHL centers in goal differential. Ottawa with Turris, Zibanejad, Legwand and Smith down the middle and Karlsson playing 27 minutes a night will be more than okay.
- spatso

With LA against the cap it's unlikely Ryan comes to LA now that they signed Gaborik to a nice little extension.
I wouldn't mind seeing Ryan in LA though. A couple players would have to go/not resign like Stoll, Williams or Richards and even for Ryan I don't know if I would get rid of those players. MAYBE Williams but his leadership and winning ability is too much to lose IMO

I think the issue with trading Ryan is there is a good chance he is willing to test the market and teams will be weary of that. Getting a 1st round pick is a given, but what else can you get? Spezza got the sens a solid 2nd/3rd liner, some mid-tier prospects, and a 2nd rounder, and I think spezza is a better player than Ryan. If ryan is traded, I could see it for a 1st rounder, a decent prospect, and some conditional pick thrown in. As a pens fan, I wouldn't mind making a pitch for him, but not sure what the sens need
- drummer829

If Ryan hits UFA he may end up in Detroit or San Jose

With LA against the cap it's unlikely Ryan comes to LA now that they signed Gaborik to a nice little extension.
I wouldn't mind seeing Ryan in LA though. A couple players would have to go/not resign like Stoll, Williams or Richards and even for Ryan I don't know if I would get rid of those players. MAYBE Williams but his leadership and winning ability is too much to lose IMO
- Shenanigans20

That guy is MONEY

Did you guys find a new club house?

Im just very skeptical on the type of return we would recieve.

UFA and other GM's know he's no resigning in Ottawa. Unless he gets off to a hot start I really don't see us getting anything in return outside of a 1st and prospect.

IMO the Sens are already going to struggle for a couple seasons (no changes on D = same result from last season) so having a player on your roster for 3 more years I don't think would hurt the team
- SENS 613

You think the Sens will struggle for the next 2 seasons so you think they should trade for a 35 year old Patrick Marleau ?

I agree Ottawa defence was one of the worst last season. That being said, they were also one of the youngest blue lines in the league. Cowen, Weicioche & Ceci will only get better. And who knows about Claesson, Wideman & Wilksran ( spelling? The guy we drafted like 40th overall in the summer.

If we suck this year & Bobby won't sign I think we move him & Methot for Picks & prospects. It only seems logical IMO.

hmmmm two bloggers for TO and neither of them have a post up yet following last nights games ........I wonder why????

I know it's only pre-season and with split squads it's hard to get a grasp of how the boys are doing, but it sure was nice watching a game last night.

Looking forward to getting down to 25-30 guys so you can really see how some of them are doing.