andrew lad is the type of player needed by the team. He is a veteran with good leadership qualities. He would fit perfecty as a number 1 centre or number 2 centre. With him in the lineup you can expect to deal away another player in the lineup. The defense should be of top priority, but I'm not sold that they need to change the lineup, defenitely need a good coach (Jacques Martin...fingers crossed). Bring the old man back, we had great powerplay and great defense when he was around.

My two cents are equal to Ladd + Jacques Martin.
- PtotheY

Ladd is a left winger. Another position we could add to, but he will likely be asking for a retirement contract, which is just asking for trouble.

i didn't realize he was asking for their top prospect.......but you're acting like it's not close in value.

and giroux has had 2 very good years, interspersed with a whole lot of "okay" years.

giroux is a 25 goal, 70 pt player. he's certainly worth more than ryan straight up, but when you add a 25 goal/60 pt center and a 1st rd pick.....then the value starts tipping the other way
as for sanheim for a mid to late 1st....at best i'd expect the sens to be a mid round 1st, highly doubt it would be a late rd 1st.

i still maintain that philly wins that deal, or it's even, even with Sanheim.

the 1st and sanheim are about even, and i think Ryan AND Turris are worth more than Giroux.
- sensarmy_11

That's fine, I'm not a big bobby ryan fan so that's probably why I didn't like the trade for Philly

That's fine, I'm not a big bobby ryan fan so that's probably why I didn't like the trade for Philly
- ClarksonDavid

i don't think philly would make the trade...........but i don't think ottawa would either.

i was simply talking in terms of value.

i do love ryan though, i feel his overpaid, but i love his game (although would like to see more consistency)

The defense should be of top priority, but I'm not sold that they need to change the lineup, defenitely need a good coach (Jacques Martin...fingers crossed). Bring the old man back, we had great powerplay and great defense when he was around.
- PtotheY

Can someone please explain to me the infatuation some people have with the idea of Jacques Martin coming back? It's pushing 5 years since he was an NHL head coach, prior to that he was mediocre or worse in both Florida and Montreal, and he was run out of Ottawa for repeatedly failing to get the team adequately prepared for playoff hockey. I remember him suggesting one time that he knew his team was playing well by how well they changed lines... which probably explained why the emotional side of hockey was so utterly baffling to him, and why he could never understand why his teams often played with such a dispassionate style.

Absolutely NOT a good choice for the team's next coach.

Since we are talking about guys that can be brought in, I'd say a guy like Goligoski from the Stars would be a decent add for a bottom pair.

He's slipped down the depth chart of Dallas, and he is becoming a ufa this summer. I'm not sure the Stars resign him. I'd like to think he could be had for a decent price and could be moved up the line up if needed.

I don't suspect this will happen. I think we may see more of Claesson next year. I feel bad for the guy as he is thrown on a pairing beside Karlsson when he is brought up. It's a tough task to keep up with him for any Dman. A kid who is just getting his start in the NHL is hard pressed to adapt to that. As much as I'm unsure about him filling the role he is asked to, I bet that is what will happen. Goligoski, if available, will be too expensive for the sens payroll.

I'd like to see the Sens give a tryout to Versteeg. I'm pretty sure the Kings won't keep him, and though several teams have been burned by his injuries and performance, I think he is a guy who could serve a role. He plays both sides of the wing okay, and could go up and down the lineup to fill in for injury.

Mostly, I hope the Sens let Chabot and White stay down. Word is White may stay in Boston until he is finished there. That would be fine with me. I'd like Perron to stay in Bingo for the year. He is exploding this year, but the NHL game is very different animal. The AHL is similar to the NHL game, and the Sens can guide him a bit better.

Andreas Englund will be in Bingo next year. He looks more like a guy who could kill penalties and act as the stay at home guy the Sens need. Watching him play gives me hope for that sketchy LD spot when the Sens are in their own end.

I hope the Sens manage to pull in Drake Caggiula. Maybe he never becomes anything at the NHL level, but he should help support some of the other guys playing in Bingo next year. If he turns into a solid NHL guy, then he is ' found money' as they say.

Personally, I don't expect huge player moves though. All this shake up talk may be more organizational in the end.

Since we are talking about guys that can be brought in, I'd say a guy like Goligoski from the Stars would be a decent add for a bottom pair.

He's slipped down the depth chart of Dallas, and he is becoming a ufa this summer. I'm not sure the Stars resign him. I'd like to think he could be had for a decent price and could be moved up the line up if needed.

I don't suspect this will happen. I think we may see more of Claesson next year. I feel bad for the guy as he is thrown on a pairing beside Karlsson when he is brought up. It's a tough task to keep up with him for any Dman. A kid who is just getting his start in the NHL is hard pressed to adapt to that. As much as I'm unsure about him filling the role he is asked to, I bet that is what will happen. Goligoski, if available, will be too expensive for the sens payroll.

I'd like to see the Sens give a tryout to Versteeg. I'm pretty sure the Kings won't keep him, and though several teams have been burned by his injuries and performance, I think he is a guy who could serve a role. He plays both sides of the wing okay, and could go up and down the lineup to fill in for injury.

Mostly, I hope the Sens let Chabot and White stay down. Word is White may stay in Boston until he is finished there. That would be fine with me. I'd like Perron to stay in Bingo for the year. He is exploding this year, but the NHL game is very different animal. The AHL is similar to the NHL game, and the Sens can guide him a bit better.

Andreas Englund will be in Bingo next year. He looks more like a guy who could kill penalties and act as the stay at home guy the Sens need. Watching him play gives me hope for that sketchy LD spot when the Sens are in their own end.

I hope the Sens manage to pull in Drake Caggiula. Maybe he never becomes anything at the NHL level, but he should help support some of the other guys playing in Bingo next year. If he turns into a solid NHL guy, then he is ' found money' as they say.

Personally, I don't expect huge player moves though. All this shake up talk may be more organizational in the end.
- MaxTLimit

i was thinking goligoski too, but he's pretty similar in style to wideman.......i mentioned Hamhuis cuz he's a bit more well rounded.

If you guys think Melnyk's going to authorize Dorion to go out & sign the Ladd's or Goligoski's of the world you need to put down the crack pipe. Ha-ha!

Ottawa moved out Michalek, Greening & Cowen. That money saved slightly more than 1.5 mil in prorated salary this season & 11.7 saved next year. That helps cover the costs of taking on Phaneuf's 7 million per & the remainder of the savings plus will be redirected to resign Hoffman & Ceci, both of who are getting substantial raises even if Hoffman's gets low balled again in arbitration, it isn't coming in any lower than 5 mil this time. If Hoffman ends up choosing arbitration again he is goner the season following & Ottawa had better pony up now or trade him.

I assume Chaisson & Weircioch won't even be qualified, neither are worth the money they are being paid now at 1.2 & 2 mil respectively. Good bye & good riddance.

Let the numerous kids on this roster continue to develop. Add Peumpel, Paul & Dzingel to make a 4th line & spend a small amount of money to flush out the #5 & 6 D slots. Ideally players that can kill penalties & help in the real time stats department. Hits, blocked shots, etc. Guys like Polak, K. Miller, Lovejoy, etc. Guys that can be had for reasonable monies, play 12 to 15 mins a night & provide some semblance of defensive ability.

Scoring isn't an issue. Stopping scoring , scoring chances & shots is. As stated previously Phaneuf will help both offensively & defensively. Getting rid of Cameron will help a ton as his personal decisions were mind boggling & cost this team the ability to win a ton of games. I didn't like Murray either. How he kept his job for 9 years thru what was it, 7 coaches, was a problem as well. He & Cameron were Neanderthals.

I wonder how Caggiula like tonight's display in Philly?

Very underrated problem right now that's not being talked about enough:

Phanuef - 7M cap hit
Ryan - 7.25M cap hit
MacArthur - 4.65M cap hit

First two are paid like star players. Compare with guys making 14-16m on other teams against the cap and you'll see what I'm talking about. Then you add in MacArthur, that's 19M against the cap for 2 2nd line wingers and a 2nd pairing D-man !! Bad management and should be addressed! Look at contracts ending in 2 years and 3 years.

Very underrated problem right now that's not being talked about enough:

Phanuef - 7M cap hit
Ryan - 7.25M cap hit
MacArthur - 4.65M cap hit

First two are paid like star players. Compare with guys making 14-16m on other teams against the cap and you'll see what I'm talking about. Then you add in MacArthur, that's 19M against the cap for 2 2nd line wingers and a 2nd pairing D-man !! Bad management and should be addressed! Look at contracts ending in 2 years and 3 years.
- AlfieisKing

you're right.....nobody has ever mentioned their contracts like ever. i didn't even realize they made that much.

and mac at 4.6 (if healthy) is a perfectly acceptable contract.

yes, both players are overpaid by about 1.5 mil (nobody is saying a word if ryan is at 5.75 and phaneuf is at 5.5).......in the grand scheme of things this team is unlikely to come close to the cap in teh forseeable future so that 3 mil in cap space isn't that big of a deal........and it's kind of advantageous in a "melnyk" sort of way because phaneuf's deal actually comes down in terms of actual $$

Don't look now but Thomas Chabot is having an outstanding playoff in the Q and is leading all D in scoring and is near the top of all scorers. His numbers (assists) look lKarlsson like in relation to his team and the league.

Francis Perron is having a good playoff as well, despite serving a 2 game suspension.

That's fine, I'm not a big bobby ryan fan so that's probably why I didn't like the trade for Philly
- ClarksonDavid

I like Bobby Ryan as a player. But that contract is a mistake.

Everybody needs to remember that next year the expansion draft will include the availability of every player on an oversized contract.

Expansion teams won't touch long term inflated contracts. But it will open the door to teams doing more trading of bad contracts.

But, if Phaneuf is made available in the draft he will be taken.

I also think Phaneuf to Edmonton is still a possible deal this spring. I was surprised Edmonton did not do a deal to get him this past season. He would be an outstanding fit on that young Oiler blue line.

Very underrated problem right now that's not being talked about enough:

Phanuef - 7M cap hit
Ryan - 7.25M cap hit
MacArthur - 4.65M cap hit

First two are paid like star players. Compare with guys making 14-16m on other teams against the cap and you'll see what I'm talking about. Then you add in MacArthur, that's 19M against the cap for 2 2nd line wingers and a 2nd pairing D-man !! Bad management and should be addressed! Look at contracts ending in 2 years and 3 years.
- AlfieisKing

Well, I've brought it up a few times. Karlssons up for contract come the summer of 2019. In my mind, we only have a 3 year window to try and go for it.

That is a lot of money for players who will be on their decline. I don't think it will be an issue until the summer of 2019 comes around. I don't have a problem paying Dion and Ryan the money they are getting now, come 3 years down the road, that tune will likely change. It is possible someone gets taken at the expansion draft.

Time to stop waiting around on prospects to develop and make some trades to try and make a run. Personally, I wouldn't be opposed to trading our 1st in a package to bring in a real good player. Should be interesting to see what Dorian does.

Can someone please explain to me the infatuation some people have with the idea of Jacques Martin coming back? It's pushing 5 years since he was an NHL head coach, prior to that he was mediocre or worse in both Florida and Montreal, and he was run out of Ottawa for repeatedly failing to get the team adequately prepared for playoff hockey. I remember him suggesting one time that he knew his team was playing well by how well they changed lines... which probably explained why the emotional side of hockey was so utterly baffling to him, and why he could never understand why his teams often played with such a dispassionate style.

Absolutely NOT a good choice for the team's next coach.
- khawk

I agree. I like Jacques Martin as a coach for his technical skill but he always came up short on the leadership end, especially in the playoffs. Lindy Ruff would be my idea of a "model" in terms of a coach best suited for the Ottawa market.

Could Hitchcock have earned 10 more points out of this team this past season. Doubtful.

Alfredsson appears to be a natural teacher and has always had patience with the younger and less skilled guys. Maybe...

Well, I've brought it up a few times. Karlssons up for contract come the summer of 2019. In my mind, we only have a 3 year window to try and go for it.

That is a lot of money for players who will be on their decline. I don't think it will be an issue until the summer of 2019 comes around. I don't have a problem paying Dion and Ryan the money they are getting now, come 3 years down the road, that tune will likely change. It is possible someone gets taken at the expansion draft.

Time to stop waiting around on prospects to develop and make some trades to try and make a run. Personally, I wouldn't be opposed to trading our 1st in a package to bring in a real good player. Should be interesting to see what Dorian does.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

The hardest thing for an NHL team to do is to score goals 5 on 5. This team can score. Even with an injured and Turris and MacArthur they lit the lamp pretty good. They had 5 players score 20 goals or more.

Be careful not to overcompensate for what was essentially a woeful defensive year.

Karlsson was on the ice for about the half the season and the team played close to even. Karlsson lined up against the other teams top players so that is pretty good. When Karlsson is not on the ice, the Senators give up a lot more goals than they make. How do you fix the other 30 minutes, especially the penalty kill problem?

The hardest thing for an NHL team to do is to score goals 5 on 5. This team can score. Even with an injured and Turris and MacArthur they lit the lamp pretty good. They had 5 players score 20 goals or more.

Be careful not to overcompensate for what was essentially a woeful defensive year.

Karlsson was on the ice for about the half the season and the team played close to even. Karlsson lined up against the other teams top players so that is pretty good. When Karlsson is not on the ice, the Senators give up a lot more goals than they make. How do you fix the other 30 minutes, especially the penalty kill problem?
- spatso

Doesn't really respond to the point I was making in the post, but you're indeed correct that Karlsson is the backbone of this team. In my opinion, adding other good players helps you create depth. That should help create more lines that can contribute to maintain possession of the puck, which would create less penalties against, more chances for, and less against. Karlsson can drive lines, but we need lines that can drive themselves, especially after guys like Ryan, Hoffman, Turris, and Stone.

Addressing the penalty kill directly is a difficult task. Adding a couple of decent depth d-men who can play the kill would help a bit. Having forward(s) who can win face-offs and play the point effectively would go a long way. To me, the penalty kill is hard to address. A lot of factors play a part. A simple big save makes a penalty kill look good. A face off loss can make a penalty kill look bad. I think not having guys like Cowen, Wiercioch, and Boro playing PK minutes (like they were early on in the year) will help. Guys like Lazar and Pag have to win face offs more consistently.

You need to factor in that Ottawa dumped over 13 million in salary on Toronto in the Phaneuf trade. Michalek makes 4 m, Greening 3.2 & Cowen 4.5 next season. That's 11.7 & prorating the salary's moved at the deadline Ottawa saved over 1.5 this season. That's at least 13.2 million saved. Amortize that savings over Phaneuf's contract & Phaneuf is only costing 4.36 per season for the next 5 seasons.

Ryan is a #1 RW. His 22 goals & 56 pts ranked him 53rd in pts in the entire NHL for forwards. He finished 16th for RW's. Ottawa currently has the luxury of having 2 #1 RW's, although Ryan doesn't get #1 RW minutes, Stone does. Ranks 5th in TOI/GP for forwards in Ottawa, 5th in PP TOI/GP for all players!

Ryan was a pending UFA; 9 months away, when he signed his 7 year extension giving him leverage & Ottawa isn't necessarily the most desirable location for UFA's so Ottawa paid what was required to keep Ryan off the market & in Ottawa. Had Ryan choose to pursue free agency another team would have paid him the 7.25 Ottawa did. Factor in he doesn't really have a #1 C to play with & Cameron's bizarre deployment & you should be very happy with Ryan's contribution. He's a big part of why Ottawa finished 9th in GF in the NHL this season.

You need to factor in that Ottawa dumped over 13 million in salary on Toronto in the Phaneuf trade. Michalek makes 4 m, Greening 3.2 & Cowen 4.5 next season. That's 11.7 & prorating the salary's moved at the deadline Ottawa saved over 1.5 this season. That's at least 13.2 million saved. Amortize that savings over Phaneuf's contract & Phaneuf is only costing 4.36 per season for the next 5 seasons.

Ryan is a #1 RW. His 22 goals & 56 pts ranked him 53rd in pts in the entire NHL for forwards. He finished 16th for RW's. Ottawa currently has the luxury of having 2 #1 RW's, although Ryan doesn't get #1 RW minutes, Stone does. Ranks 5th in TOI/GP for forwards in Ottawa, 5th in PP TOI/GP for all players!

Ryan was a pending UFA; 9 months away, when he signed his 7 year extension giving him leverage & Ottawa isn't necessarily the most desirable location for UFA's so Ottawa paid what was required to keep Ryan off the market & in Ottawa. Had Ryan choose to pursue free agency another team would have paid him the 7.25 Ottawa did. Factor in he doesn't really have a #1 C to play with & Cameron's bizarre deployment & you should be very happy with Ryan's contribution. He's a big part of why Ottawa finished 9th in GF in the NHL this season.
- striker777

Ryan and his contract are totally fine right now and probably for the next couple of seasons. I do agree with some of the worry that it won't be a great contract come the summer of 2019 and the 2019/2020 season. However, if they can get it together within the next 3 seasons and make a legitimate run, then who cares about the contracts. Same goes for Dion. Ryan is fine and Dion is fine. No point in panicking just yet.

If we keep up with the same mediocrity, then it's all going to be bad. It's important to try and win before Karlsson has to resign. That new contract will change this team significantly one way or another. It might not be in Ottawa...

Ryan and his contract are totally fine right now and probably for the next couple of seasons. I do agree with some of the worry that it won't be a great contract come the summer of 2019 and the 2019/2020 season.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

That is a concern. However, I'm not sure it is a big one. If contracts climb as they seem to be, or even slow moderately, the contacts by that time may not seem so bad for a guy who may just be a 20 goal scorer by that time. When Karlsson signed his contract, it was up with the big boys ( not the highest though ) in Dman contracts. Now it looks like a HUGE value. Ryan's contract will never be a steal, but I'm not thinking by that time it will be a huge anchor like some people claim.

That is a concern. However, I'm not sure it is a big one. If contracts climb as they seem to be, or even slow moderately, the contacts by that time may not seem so bad for a guy who may just be a 20 goal scorer by that time. When Karlsson signed his contract, it was up with the big boys ( not the highest though ) in Dman contracts. Now it looks like a HUGE value. Ryan's contract will never be a steal, but I'm not thinking by that time it will be a huge anchor like some people claim.
- MaxTLimit

If he keeps up his production in the 60 point range, then there is absolutely nothing to worry about. I actually think the value is fine for a player of his type. If his production drops off, then it becomes an issue.

You're also correct about the salary inflation. 7 mill is pretty much what you have to pay to get a 60 point guy now. 10-12 mill will soon be the star contracts. Not to mention the cap rising. It's similar to the garbage fans spewed about saying Spezza would be over paid at the same amount (in addition to injury concerns). Fans will be in for a shock to see what Karlsson will be asking for come 2019...

It shouldn't be a worry now, but the summer of 2019, there will be some interesting times ahead.

You just have to accept it's the market & the cost & term required if you want that player on your roster today. Numerous teams are great at repeatedly getting players to sign what I consider fair market value or even cheap contracts & seem to find away to do it consistently most of the time. Nashville, Anaheim, NYI have had various degrees of success most of the time.

Ryan will be 36 when his contract expires. You would assume that there will be some diminishing returns as he approaches the last few seasons of that deal but even with the cap creeping up slowly; around 2 to 2.5 annually the last 2 years, that still means a cap of about 90 million by the time that contract expires making the 7.25 in that cap world some what more palatable.

The salary cap will always rise. Expensive contracts today will look less expensive a few years down the road. Not enough take that into account.

Nevertheless, production is production. Guys like Cowen, Michalek, and Wierioch were making "friendly contract" money, but couldn't even play at the level expected, so their contracts looked expensive and a waste of money. If you don't produce, you're contract will likely always look bad.

If you do produce as you are expected to, or even a little less than expected, the contracts will likely be abled to be manageable.

Main issue for the Sens is the internal cap and the looming UFA status of Erik Karlsson (not mentioning guys like Turris and Stone having to be resigned in that time). Karlsson will likely ask for the richest deal ever awarded to a D-man. He might even become the NHLs highest paid player. Depending on the salary situation at the time, it might be a tight fit to keep him on. Try to win now while you have him for sure.

Thankfully Ottawa has 2 years left for Stone & Turris & 3 years for Karlsson.

When you look at Ottawa's internal cap issue's it will be interesting to see what happens moving forward; over the next 2 to 3 years, as a bunch of these young players will soon be seeing significant raises, Hoffman & Ceci now, Stone & Karlsson mentioned above, Zibanejad, Lazar, Pageau, etc. Ottawa's cap will be moving up substantially as those contracts come up for renewal or Ottawa will need to move players out or continue repeating the cycle of trading good players out for salary issues for futures. See Spezza deal.

Ottawa has virtually nothing to show for that trade currently. Chaisson is a bust, Paul may be a player; decent prospect, the 2nd they acquired, 42nd overall was traded to NJ with a 4th to secure the 36th pick this past season, Ottawa selected Gagne.

I hope Ottawa can find the resources to keep their players worth keeping long term but I accept the financial constraints Ottawa has to play under. They just can't afford to make mistakes or over pay. Nas, Flo, Anh & NYI are all icing competitive teams for less; Nas & Anh, or very close, NYI & Flo, to what Ottawa is spending in cap dollars according to CapFriendly.

If Ottawa can shore up their D at the 5 & 6 spots with NHL quality Dman they are a playoff contender. Ottawa's inability to shut down teams at even strength & having a brutal penalty killing record was a death nail for Ottawa this season.

Ryan and his contract are totally fine right now and probably for the next couple of seasons. I do agree with some of the worry that it won't be a great contract come the summer of 2019 and the 2019/2020 season. However, if they can get it together within the next 3 seasons and make a legitimate run, then who cares about the contracts. Same goes for Dion. Ryan is fine and Dion is fine. No point in panicking just yet.

If we keep up with the same mediocrity, then it's all going to be bad. It's important to try and win before Karlsson has to resign. That new contract will change this team significantly one way or another. It might not be in Ottawa...
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

We ARE in mediocrity - that's the frustrating part...... we talk as if a rebuild should take 8 years..........this team overachieved and never did a full rebuild hence they have good players but not 3 star players like every cup winner has

You need to factor in that Ottawa dumped over 13 million in salary on Toronto in the Phaneuf trade. Michalek makes 4 m, Greening 3.2 & Cowen 4.5 next season. That's 11.7 & prorating the salary's moved at the deadline Ottawa saved over 1.5 this season. That's at least 13.2 million saved. Amortize that savings over Phaneuf's contract & Phaneuf is only costing 4.36 per season for the next 5 seasons.

Ryan is a #1 RW. His 22 goals & 56 pts ranked him 53rd in pts in the entire NHL for forwards. He finished 16th for RW's. Ottawa currently has the luxury of having 2 #1 RW's, although Ryan doesn't get #1 RW minutes, Stone does. Ranks 5th in TOI/GP for forwards in Ottawa, 5th in PP TOI/GP for all players!

Ryan was a pending UFA; 9 months away, when he signed his 7 year extension giving him leverage & Ottawa isn't necessarily the most desirable location for UFA's so Ottawa paid what was required to keep Ryan off the market & in Ottawa. Had Ryan choose to pursue free agency another team would have paid him the 7.25 Ottawa did. Factor in he doesn't really have a #1 C to play with & Cameron's bizarre deployment & you should be very happy with Ryan's contribution. He's a big part of why Ottawa finished 9th in GF in the NHL this season.
- striker777

totally agree with the $ saved --- the Sens are saving $ while trying to make playoffs - to me that shows they want to make playoffs but not being a contender .....atleast the jury is out in my head right now !