So TSN's fantasy/statsitical analyst Scott Cullen did his "off-season game plan" for the Senators yesterday , breaking down what the Senators need to do and proposing how they might do it.
Most of it was common and widely agreed upon knowledge, that if healthy the Senators will compete for a playoff spot and are a couple of major pieces away from being a contender. On the flipside, more than an injury or two to the core players will be highly detrimental to their chances.
Cullen also proposed his projected roster, which didn't include Alex Chiasson or Patrick Wiercioch, both of whom are likely to be allowed to walk in lieu of a qualifying offer as unrestricted free agents.
The most interesting thing to me was three names that were penciled into the lineup - Patrick Eaves, Kyle Chipchura and Thomas Chabot. By no means does this mean he has any inside information or whatever, but those are the level of players that he feels would be withing the Senators' means to acquire, and an opinion from the outside looking in.
If Eaves and Chipchura are the biggest names brought in during free agency, then the Senators will have had a relatively disappointing summer.
If Chabot can earn a spot in the blue line as a 19 year old, either he showed very well at training camp or the other contenders were big disappointments. The caution to be taken in not rushing him to duty must be considered, and surely at least some seasoning in the minors couldn't hurt his development. (EDIT: Since he doesn't turn 20 until January, he can't go to the AHL next season. It would be Ottawa or back to the Quebec league, the same situation Curtis Lazar was in as a 19 year old.)
Will the Senators be looking to make a bigger splash or will they be content with fill-ins and hope that the top end players on the roster can stay healthy?