Not sure how long the injuries are expected to last, but I think they have to be careful about making a "big name" trade right now, because this situation is like blood in the water. The asking price Dorion will get for the likes of Duchene or Landeskog just went up exponentially, and I suspect that Sharp and Iginla will be key targets for the higher-end playoff teams. Players like Vrbata, Hudler, Parenteau, or Stempniak might fly a bit under the radar and be a better value acquisition.

I fear we may also hear the name Burrows thrown around before the dust settles.
- khawk

I'm not saying go out and get rentals, but go out and get players you would be interested in building the team around anyways, like Duchene for example. Be reasonable with the trades. As in don't give up Chabot or White. That way we still have some depth in our system and when Hoffman and Stone come back we'll be that much better.

Claessen signed 1 year 1-way deal for next year. Assuming that no Dman is taken in expansion that's 7 1-way deals for next season.....hopefully that means they'll give chabot a year in the ahl

I'm not saying go out and get rentals, but go out and get players you would be interested in building the team around anyways, like Duchene for example. Be reasonable with the trades. As in don't give up Chabot or White. That way we still have some depth in our system and when Hoffman and Stone come back we'll be that much better.
- Maverick1818

That sounds nice in theory, but the problem is that any team giving up someone of Duchene's quality will definitely ask for Chabot or White, and will know that playing hardball with an increasingly desperate team could very well yield that level of prospect. Even if it turns into something like Brown, a 1st Round Pick, plus another decent asset, I'm not sure how reasonable that really is... especially since centre isn't the position that's been decimated by injuries.

That sounds nice in theory, but the problem is that any team giving up someone of Duchene's quality will definitely ask for Chabot or White, and will know that playing hardball with an increasingly desperate team could very well yield that level of prospect. Even if it turns into something like Brown, a 1st Round Pick, plus another decent asset, I'm not sure how reasonable that really is... especially since centre isn't the position that's been decimated by injuries.
- khawk

I still think Ceci, Dzingle or Lazar and a 1st would be a starting point for conversation. Sakic is already over valuing his assets. I think the feedback he's gotten from teams should sober him up a bit

I hope it is a speedy recovery for all. I do believe a few games under this kind of pressure could be valuable for the Sens to take their attitude to the next level and be playoff ready.

I hope it is a speedy recovery for all. I do believe a few games under this kind of pressure could be valuable for the Sens to take their attitude to the next level and be playoff ready.
- spazzbot

or drop out of a playoff spot

At what point to they need to cut their losses on him? I say now. Even if they have to take back bad contracts. But to an extent
- Ottawa Fan

There are no good answers when it comes to Bobby Ryan. I don't think that he has much value or appeal to most teams out there while there may be 1 or 2 teams that think they can get him to play better with a fresh start. We will have to eat at least 50% of his salary/add bad contracts to get that.

175 NHL games is a big enough sample size to see that he isn't currently an NHL player. Sad to say, but maybe after 200+ AHL games, maybe he can peak as a Tom Pyatt type player. Maybe.
- Ottawa Fan

I get your point but I disagree with the notion of writing him off. His second year was better than his first year. This year has been a disaster. I feel that with a good reset and time away from all of the negative press/vibes and he can bounce back to be that third line 30 point guy.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/player-bio/curtis-lazar

There are no good answers when it comes to Bobby Ryan. I don't think that he has much value or appeal to most teams out there while there may be 1 or 2 teams that think they can get him to play better with a fresh start. We will have to eat at least 50% of his salary/add bad contracts to get that.
- SensFan25

I disagree, I think the good answer for Bobby Ryan is to build the team with or without him in the core group.

Best case is he wakes up and thinks "wow all these talented players are coming in, i better get off my ass and start working because I am expendable" and then starts working and improving his game.

Worst case, we sit him or have in in the bottom 6 and we still have a great team.

I disagree, I think the good answer for Bobby Ryan is to build the team with or without him in the core group.

Best case is he wakes up and thinks "wow all these talented players are coming in, i better get off my ass and start working because I am expendable" and then starts working and improving his game.

Worst case, we sit him or have in in the bottom 6 and we still have a great team.
- Maverick1818

I agree. people need to accept the fact that bobby ryan isn't going anywhere. is the guy overpaid, NO DOUBT.....that being said he's still a 20+ goal and 40-50 pt guy and at least a 2nd line player on most teams in this league. if he were making 5-5.5 people wouldn't be saying a thing.

if they trade him they're going to get equally bad contracts in return, likely for lesser quality players.............so why bother.

someone suggested a few times to trade him to philly for MacDonald and Weise......we'd be paying the exact same amount of money for 2 guys who probably don't even get any ice time on this team (maybe macdonald gets in on the bottom pair)..........how the hell does that make sense.

I agree. people need to accept the fact that bobby ryan isn't going anywhere. is the guy overpaid, NO DOUBT.....that being said he's still a 20+ goal and 40-50 pt guy and at least a 2nd line player on most teams in this league. if he were making 5-5.5 people wouldn't be saying a thing.

if they trade him they're going to get equally bad contracts in return, likely for lesser quality players.............so why bother.

someone suggested a few times to trade him to philly for MacDonald and Weise......we'd be paying the exact same amount of money for 2 guys who probably don't even get any ice time on this team (maybe macdonald gets in on the bottom pair)..........how the hell does that make sense.
- sensarmy_11

I think you are probably right (short term). Problem is in 2 years Stone (RFA) Ceci (RFA) and Turris (UFA) are up. If the Sens continue with their budget, Ryan is using up dollars needed for them. Things can change, but that is what it is right now.

I think you are probably right (short term). Problem is in 2 years Stone (RFA) Ceci (RFA) and Turris (UFA) are up. If the Sens continue with their budget, Ryan is using up dollars needed for them. Things can change, but that is what it is right now.
- JACMAN

no doubt, but in that time there are probably a lot of contacts that will come off the books and be replaced by guys on their ELC (Chabot, white, brown, etc)........and yes there are a couple of bigger cap hits, but the issue in Ottawa is always actual dollars and while ryan's is consistently 7 mil (or whatever it is) phaneuf real dollar contracts decreases significantly so there will be lots of $$ to spend.

I'm not worried about the sens contract and cap situation. if turris or stone or anyone (other than karlsson) was looking like they'd get 7-8 mil or more then yes I'd be concerned but I don't think anyone is going to be getting that.

any idea on Stones status?

no doubt, but in that time there are probably a lot of contacts that will come off the books and be replaced by guys on their ELC (Chabot, white, brown, etc)........and yes there are a couple of bigger cap hits, but the issue in Ottawa is always actual dollars and while ryan's is consistently 7 mil (or whatever it is) phaneuf real dollar contracts decreases significantly so there will be lots of $$ to spend.

I'm not worried about the sens contract and cap situation. if turris or stone or anyone (other than karlsson) was looking like they'd get 7-8 mil or more then yes I'd be concerned but I don't think anyone is going to be getting that.
- sensarmy_11

Granted, but if Ryan is still around, what do you think Stone will ask for. Stone is 6m, Turris is 5M. Take at look at the Sens (Cap friendly)payroll. There will be some major decisions coming. Do not forget unless the Sens spend to the cap, thetre is no relief (LTIR) on McArthur.

any idea on Stones status?
- drexel

team supposed to update status of stone, Hoffman, and wingels this morning......but all 3 are on the road trip so have to think that if they are hurt it's probably nothing long term.

ryan out indefinitely.

Granted, but if Ryan is still around, what do you think Stone will ask for. Stone is 6m, Turris is 5M. Take at look at the Sens (Cap friendly)payroll. There will be some major decisions coming. Do not forget unless the Sens spend to the cap, thetre is no relief (LTIR) on McArthur.
- JACMAN

not overly concerned............looking to next year, they have around 10mil in cap space with really only pageau and dzingel set to get raises (and we aren't talking huge raises at that)............so say that 10 mil gets eaten up, going into the following year there will really only be turris and stone to re-sign with about 15-20 mil in cap space (assuming the cap stays the same) to sign them.......ceci and wideman also will need to be re-signed but I doubt wideman gets a huge raise and ceci, unless he gets a lot better, won't get much of one either (if he hasn't been traded by that point)...........and all this is with Mac's cap hit still counting. the following year you re-sign karlsson for whatever, reach the cap and get the LTIR break.

Ottawa, imo, is fine in terms of cap moving forward.

team supposed to update status of stone, Hoffman, and wingels this morning......but all 3 are on the road trip so have to think that if they are hurt it's probably nothing long term.

ryan out indefinitely.
- sensarmy_11

Betcha Stone plays. Tough hombre, a quiet great hockey player.

I agree. people need to accept the fact that bobby ryan isn't going anywhere. is the guy overpaid, NO DOUBT.....that being said he's still a 20+ goal and 40-50 pt guy and at least a 2nd line player on most teams in this league. if he were making 5-5.5 people wouldn't be saying a thing.

if they trade him they're going to get equally bad contracts in return, likely for lesser quality players.............so why bother.

someone suggested a few times to trade him to philly for MacDonald and Weise......we'd be paying the exact same amount of money for 2 guys who probably don't even get any ice time on this team (maybe macdonald gets in on the bottom pair)..........how the hell does that make sense.
- sensarmy_11

I wrote the weise McDonald suggestion:

Weise has 3 years after this year, averaging about $2.4 mill a year

McDonald has 3 years after this year, averaging about $5.5 mill a year

You could buy them out, or find another taker for them. Someone would probably take Weise if they ate $1 mill a year. Would someone take McDonald if they ate half his contract? Maybe not. Either way, assuming philly takes it, this is a potential way to get out of the Ryan contract now.

What if the contract causes them not to re-sign one of the key players? That would be a disaster. Buying out $25 mill on contracts is what, $16 mill spread over 6 years?

Ryan is a 35-50 point player, and those players make at least $4 mill. Look at the contracts the leafs took in the Phaneuf deal.

Betcha Stone plays. Tough hombre, a quiet great hockey player.
- JACMAN

You are assuming Melynk spends to the cap.

You are assuming Melynk spends to the cap.
- JACMAN

TBD I guess..............I'm still holding on to the hope that he'll sell the team.

I wrote the weise McDonald suggestion:

Weise has 3 years after this year, averaging about $2.4 mill a year

McDonald has 3 years after this year, averaging about $5.5 mill a year

You could buy them out, or find another taker for them. Someone would probably take Weise if they ate $1 mill a year. Would someone take McDonald if they ate half his contract? Maybe not. Either way, assuming philly takes it, this is a potential way to get out of the Ryan contract now.

What if the contract causes them not to re-sign one of the key players? That would be a disaster. Buying out $25 mill on contracts is what, $16 mill spread over 6 years?

Ryan is a 35-50 point player, and those players make at least $4 mill. Look at the contracts the leafs took in the Phaneuf deal.
- Ottawa Fan

both macdonald and weise are signed to deals that go beyond the time that all our key players need to be re-signed.

also, if melnyk won't buy ryan out you can guarantee he won't buy those 2 out either. yes, the deals are 2 years shorter, but in the 3 years you have them you're actually paying out more real dollars, have a combined cap hit higher than what ryan would.......and all that for 2 players who are probably healthy scrathes on most nights. say what you will about ryan, but he CERTAINLY contributes far more to this team than either of those 2.

I have no objection to moving ryan, but not for that particular deal. if you're going to bring a bad contract back, atleast make it a bad contract on a useful player.

You are assuming Melynk spends to the cap.
- JACMAN

Did you just quote yourself?

Did you just quote yourself?
- david22

I think he meant to quote me.

Jared, you should get a trade deadline blog going......who the sens should realistically acquire, why, what it might cost, etc, etc

it's getting a little dry with only game day and post game blogs, we need something to discuss and debate. I used to love Yost's "trade wars" blogs.....you should try something like that for fun.

for my money, I'd like to see them target wither vanek or eaves. relatively cheap, can replace ryan while he's out, no long term commitment to either.

Did you just quote yourself?
- david22

lol, I did.