Jared Crozier: Game Day: Capitals @ Senators - Third time this month, Smith re-ups

Great contract for Zach Smith. Very nice signing...

Dorion is now 2 for 2 with very reasonable contracts for Mike Hoffman and Zach Smith. Great to see considering that we will need to re-sign Turris, Stone and Karlsson in the next year or so.

I'm hoping that Ceci has turned a corner and will continue to solidify his game after an excellent outing against Columbus.

Since I always seem to post right before there is a new blog, I'll just put this here:

Not sure how anyone can complain about the Smith deal after seeing some of the ridiculous contracts that get handed out these days.

A perfect comparable is Andrew Shaw. He makes 3.9 and got 6 years.

Smith is a solid player. He's a coach's dream. Let's see:

-good at both ends of the ice
-one of the fastest players on the team
-hard on the puck in the corners
-sneaky good hands
-hard shot
-1st unit PK
-can drop the mitts when needed

He had 25 goals last year and is on pace for over 20 this year. In the previous two seasons where he actually played a full season, he had 14 and 13 goals (playing with the likes of Chris Neil and Colin Greening) so it's not like this is coming out of nowhere.

3.25 for a guy who has all those qualities and can put up 20+ goals is a steal. He would have easily got 4M on the open market.

As per Ottawa Senators Facebook Page:

#Sens GM Pierre Dorion announced that the club has acquired forward Tommy Wingels from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Buddy Robinson, Zack Stortini and Ottawa's seventh-round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. As part of the transaction, San Jose will retain 30 per cent of Wingels' salary commitment.

As per Ottawa Senators Facebook Page:

#Sens GM Pierre Dorion announced that the club has acquired forward Tommy Wingels from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Buddy Robinson, Zack Stortini and Ottawa's seventh-round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. As part of the transaction, San Jose will retain 30 per cent of Wingels' salary commitment.

Confirmed as per TSN

Tommy Wingels vs Boddy Robinson, Zack Stortini and a 7th round pick in 2017

Hope the Smith signing and Wingels acquisition means something bigger.

Tommy Wingels vs Boddy Robinson, Zack Stortini and a 7th round pick in 2017
- ShaneP22

Good move. Adds good depth to bottom six and costs basically nothing. Also, just speculating, but seems like it could mean a trade involving lazar is more likely (he can replace lazar on 4th line)

Wingles played with Wideman in Miami

Good move. Adds good depth to bottom six and costs basically nothing. Also, just speculating, but seems like it could mean a trade involving lazar is more likely (he can replace lazar on 4th line)
- sensarmy_11

Great move. Like you said the cost is basically nothing. I hope this mean something bigger is coming

Great move. Like you said the cost is basically nothing. I hope this mean something bigger is coming
- ShaneP22

I always had high hopes for Buddy, but I think most of that came from him being as big as a house.

Decent upgrade to the bottom 6. I know the name, but didn't know much about Wingels, his numbers are better than I expected when i saw what the sens had given up./

[quote=david22]I always had high hopes for Buddy, but I think most of that came from him being as big as a house.

I also had high hopes for Buddy but I think he's just not fast enough for today's NHL.
Wingels is fast and can play both Center and Wing. Kills penalty and can score from time to time !

I always had high hopes for Buddy, but I think most of that came from him being as big as a house.

Decent upgrade to the bottom 6. I know the name, but didn't know much about Wingels, his numbers are better than I expected when i saw what the sens had given up./
- david22

Buddy is gonna be 26.....whatever "potential" he might have had, at this point he is what he is......an average bottom 6 ahl forward.

Digging the recent moves (except that one trade). Building a solid team for years to come! Very useful to have a multitasker like Smith for so cheap.

Interesting move. If this is a depth move and not a looming trade move, it signals management's lack of faith in Bingo's forwards, more specifically Nick Paul (who Bongo coach has praised of late).

Interesting move. If this is a depth move and not a looming trade move, it signals management's lack of faith in Bingo's forwards, more specifically Nick Paul (who Bongo coach has praised of late).
- AlfieFever

This trade has to be a set up trade for something bigger. This will essentially put Curtis lazar into the press box. Not exactly what you want to do with a young player.

This trade has to be a set up trade for something bigger. This will essentially put Curtis lazar into the press box. Not exactly what you want to do with a young player.
- cburgess

It is if he's useless and doesn't belong in the NHL ya dman fool....

This trade has to be a set up trade for something bigger. This will essentially put Curtis lazar into the press box. Not exactly what you want to do with a young player.
- cburgess

I think you'll more likely see Neil or kelly in the press box

I'm not in love with Smith's deal but it was nessesary. You need real top nine players and that's what Smith seems to be. It's a shame MacArthur is out because our depth issues wouldn't be nearly as significant.

Smith hounds the pucks and you notice him on most of his shifts. He gives us options and can play with and against top players.

Honestly. I want this team to risk this biscuit and mortgage the future bringing some high end talent in. We can rebuild after it makes a real effort.

JGP, White or brown, macarthur(dollars covered by insurance), 1/2nd for Duchene. It's steep but could work.
Lazar, chabot, 1st for trouba.
Then try and work a deal for doan/hanzle. These would be rentals and could give us some very solid depth. Overpay for a retainment on salary.

Smith Brassard Stone
Dzingle Turris Ryan
Hoffman Duchene doan
Wingers Hanzal Niel/Kelly

Methot EK
Phanuef Trouba
Wideman Ceci/borocop

Andersen/Condom/Hammond.

Too bad melnyk wouldn't approve the dollars. Nice to dream though. That team could win.

I'm not in love with Smith's deal but it was nessesary. You need real top nine players and that's what Smith seems to be. It's a shame MacArthur is out because our depth issues wouldn't be nearly as significant.

Smith hounds the pucks and you notice him on most of his shifts. He gives us options and can play with and against top players.

Honestly. I want this team to risk this biscuit and mortgage the future bringing some high end talent in. We can rebuild after it makes a real effort.

JGP, White or brown, macarthur(dollars covered by insurance), 1/2nd for Duchene. It's steep but could work.
Lazar, chabot, 1st for trouba.
Then try and work a deal for doan/hanzle. These would be rentals and could give us some very solid depth. Overpay for a retainment on salary.

Smith Brassard Stone
Dzingle Turris Ryan
Hoffman Duchene doan
Wingers Hanzal Niel/Kelly

Methot EK
Phanuef Trouba
Wideman Ceci/borocop

Andersen/Condom/Hammond.

Too bad melnyk wouldn't approve the dollars. Nice to dream though. That team could win.
- MarkStoned

Man, your 2 trade proposals are awful....

The one for duchene is laughable...horrible deal for Colorado

Your deal for trouba is even more laughable.....horrible for Ottawa. I wouldn't trade chabot straight up for trouba, let alone include lazar and a 1st

It is if he's useless and doesn't belong in the NHL ya dman fool....
- Fruitcakenipple

Most gms and coaches would say a young player needs to play to improve. Sens made a horrible decision calling him up. Now he's gotta go through waivers to return to the minors where he should be playing. Why so angry?

I think you'll more likely see Neil or kelly in the press box
- sensarmy_11

Perhaps. I can't see Dorion sticking with that lineup. Too many guys fighting for 6 spots. And Melnyk probably doesn't want a NHL contract in the press box.

Interesting move. If this is a depth move and not a looming trade move, it signals management's lack of faith in Bingo's forwards, more specifically Nick Paul (who Bongo coach has praised of late).
- AlfieFever

Why does it signal a lack of faith in Binghamton's forwards? Paul is still relatively young and just starting to adjust to the professional game, while Wingels is an established NHL checking line player in the final year of his contract. They gave up highly disposable assets to add some top-9 forward depth that will actually be able to contribute to a potential playoff run.

Why does it signal a lack of faith in Binghamton's forwards? Paul is still relatively young and just starting to adjust to the professional game, while Wingels is an established NHL checking line player in the final year of his contract. They gave up highly disposable assets to add some top-9 forward depth that will actually be able to contribute to a potential playoff run.
- khawk

Agreed.

Look at time on ice tonight. Neil, Lazar and Bailey played about 5 minutes each. It's fine for a veteran like Neil. Lazar and Bailey should be playing 20 minutes a night in AHL.

Crazy stat: I know he was a late bloomer, but Hoffman played about 250 AHL games after he turned 21. Lazar will be 22 next month, and he has all of 13 games

Last night Pageau played a monster game. Highlight of the game, for me, was Ovechkin wrestling Pageau to the ice. Ottawa's third line and Pageau in particular was outstanding. Wengels is about trying to build a responible fourth line that can help you in the playoffs.