Isn't it amazing how when anything remotely questionable happens to the Senators, you'll easily get 100+ comments on the blog, but when there's something positive to report, it's tumbleweeds?

Hoffman files for arbitration, and a huge part of the fanbase bursts into enraged tears about how cheap the team is and how they're constantly sacrificing talent for the sake of preserving their bottom line, and how the budget is more important to the team than on-ice success. Hoffman signs, and none of those bleating crybabies have anything to say. Can't say I'm surprised.

Anyone with half a brain knew that this wasn't going to go to arbitration. Anyone who has been paying attention knows that the Senators don't let players walk over money. People who want to accuse the team of being a bunch of penny pinching cheapskates have to ignore days like today in order to continue to perpetuate the myth that the Senators are too cheap to pay their players.

Here we have another piece of evidence to show that the Senators are committed to winning, to show that they won't let talent leave town over money, but the negative nancy's out there are going to continue to scream from the hills about how cheap this team is while simultaneously ignoring the enormous amount of evidence that contradicts them.

Lots of people say things like 'I hate to say I told you so', but not me. I love saying it. I told every crybaby that Hoffman would file for arbitration, and that he would sign before the hearing. Ohohohoho.
- the_terror

Give people more than a few hours to chime in before ranting naysayers have nothing to say. Most of us have lives outside hockey buzz.

Personally I am surprised he signed. Signs (to me) looked like it was heading for an arbitrators rule again. I'm pleasantly surprised by todays events. Happy to say I was wrong (not the first time ).

The team seems to be spending smartly which is an encouraging sign. They don't have deadweight (Phillips, Michalek, Cowen, Wiercioch, Greening) tied up in huge salary anymore (if you don't count Neil). There is still a budget in place. Can't deny that. With the Hoffman news, I'm content on how this team is progressing. However, there are still pieces missing in order to be a contender. Anyone with half a brain can see that.

I agree 100% with The Terror.... just because this team has not spent their money foolishly ( safe for Kovalev ) the perception is (guys like Trilla) that they are cheap

The facts, however, show otherwise. The Negative Nellies will never learn unfortunately. They will continue to look at every UFA that Ottawa doesn't sign, or every trade that isn't made and say "see El Cheapo strikes again'....

But hey.... that's what these boards are for
- SensnRBs

This site would be dead if everyone conformed to the same opinion.

Guess everyone who felt Hoffman wasn't going to arbitration has never been wrong about anything else hockey. You guys miss your NHL General Manager interviews?

With the Hoffman signing, this team is in decent shape and spending money wisely. Still a few pieces away to be considered a top team, but on the way there. Budget still in place as we all know, for better or worse.

I still believe there is only a 3 year window to win with this current group. Once Karlsson needs a new contract, some roster landscaping will be made.

Biggest bargain contract come next season.

~5M/AAV for a 30 goal scorer is a steal
- TheCalSen

Greatest 30 goal man to never score 30.

While some around here for the past month were worried Hoffman was headed for a 1 year arbitration deal to be traded and being a bit negative on Sens owner/management I chose to stay confident. I've been saying Hoff would sign 4 - 5 years @ $5.0 - $5.2 for at least a month. Although I did think it would happen a little closer to the arb hearing.


Next up is Ceci.. 2 - 3 years @ $2.8 - $3.1 should get it done.

Love this deal. Signed our best sniper in his prime years. GO SENS GO!!!

Greatest 30 goal man to never score 30.
- 1993_Cup_Champs

Put him with a trust #1C and he'll be a 40+ goal scorer... just watch

While some around here for the past month were worried Hoffman was headed for a 1 year arbitration deal to be traded and being a bit negative on Sens owner/management I chose to stay confident. I've been saying Hoff would sign 4 - 5 years @ $5.0 - $5.2 for at least a month. Although I did think it would happen a little closer to the arb hearing.


Next up is Ceci.. 2 - 3 years @ $2.8 - $3.1 should get it done.

Love this deal. Signed our best sniper in his prime years. GO SENS GO!!!
- Erik6Karlsson5

still don't have faith in ownership and management at all. Awesome signing.

If they can sign Ceci and pick up a #1C my faith will be restored

Greatest 30 goal man to never score 30.
- 1993_Cup_Champs

If you add up the number of posts he hit, the number would be 30+ with ease.
Not to mention if you put him in the scenario mentioned by Mav

Greatest 30 goal man to never score 30.
- 1993_Cup_Champs

You could be right. He may never reach 30. I'm not sure I would boldly proclaim a guy who has 29 goals in his 2nd NHL season will never score 30 in a season though. Unless you meant that calling a guy a 30 goal scorer who hasn't hit 30 goals in a season yet. In which case, no he hasn't yet hit 30 goals in a season.

still don't have faith in ownership and management at all. Awesome signing.

If they can sign Ceci and pick up a #1C my faith will be restored
- Maverick1818

you have faith issues ...... I feel that your relationship with the team will never work. You should probably just break-up with them and move on with your life

Time and time again they prove to you that they will do the right thing at the right time and yet, you still doubt

looks life the Laffs are doing things right, and they have a #1 centre..... maybe you should try them for a while .....

just remember the grass isn't always Greening on the other side. If you leave, there's a chance Ottawa wont take you back.....

still don't have faith in ownership and management at all. Awesome signing.

If they can sign Ceci and pick up a #1C my faith will be restored
- Maverick1818

Where is this magical #1C you speak of and how many quality players would we have to give up to obtain one?

They are typically never available and next to a #1 dman they are the hardest type of player to acquire. I think the Sens are fine up the middle. The biggest test will be on the backend and our overall team defence. Hoping Boucher/Crawford can help improve that

Good and interesting news today out of Arizona. IMO, at least.

Not a sexy name by any stretch, but Connor Murphy signed a 6 year deal for $23.1m at an AAV of $3.85m against the cap.

23 year old right shot dman drafted at 20th overall in 2011. coming off his entry level deal and took a jump in prominence with the Coyotes this past season once getting the plum position alongside OEL on their top pair. He's more of a physical dman, but showed offensive value once on that top pair to go alongside his being a 6'4 smooth skater and getting a stint on team USA at the WCs as well.

Could bode well in the sense of a comparable for Ceci. Corsi, fenwick and zone starts have been comparable over each's three seasons. Hockey's Future had similar projections during their junior years and I'd say Arizona's D setup and where Murphy slots on the depth chart isn't too far off Ottawa's and Ceci's situation. Although I'd still say Ceci's more important to the Sens due to the lack of real substance currently at 5 and 6, but that may just be personal bias.

I doubt Ceci bites on 6 years, but suddenly seems to be the contract length de jour for young dmen. Would be very fine with that and even more so if this turns out to be a comparable price.

Dumba (10G, 26 PTS) signs 2 years @2.55M.

As I said, Ceci will get under 3 for 2 years if he doesn't sign long term (5-6 years).......Ceci has same #s

. Ceci is one of the most underrated Ds in the league and not even close to his full potential. This guy is probably the Senators second best player.
- PtotheY

LMAO!