***BREAKING NEWS - The Ottawa Senators are announcing this morning that they have signed winger Bobby Ryan to a 7 year, $50.75M contract extension, that will kick in next season after his current contract expires.
This signing is significant that the Senators could retain a player who should be the cornerstone of the forward ranks for years to come. It also means that the Senators must have sold him enough on what his role will be that he felt comfortable in making the commitment to stay.
The best thing to come out of this signing is that we can stop tiptoeing around every time something happens on the ice that could get Ryan's nose out of joint, and wondering if him not getting a certain role at any given time will result in him bailing. Very glad to see this get done before the season starts to end any speculation about his future
***
There will be a "Big hockey announcement" later this morning featuring Bryan Murray, Eugene Melnyk and "special guests".
The speculation on what the announcement might be has ranged from the team naming a new captain, to signing contract extensions, to hosting an outdoor game. There are also rumors that NHL Commisisoner Gary Bettman is in town, prompting most to lean toward the outdoor game. However, the Sens have stated in the past that they were looking for one in 2017, which is obviously more than 2 years away.
Perhaps with the new stadium at Lansdowne Park, they have been able to move that up and Ottawa could host the Heritage Classic this season? That's not based on any source or evidence, it is just speculation, but that would make the most sense and the reason for Bettman to be there, because announcing a game for 2017 this far in advance makes no sense at all. UPDATE: Bettman did meet with Melnyk, but was in town for other meetings....Back to captaincy...or Bobby Ryan (see above)!
I will post announcement here when it happens
****
At the Coach's press conference yesterday afternoon, he was asked about the defensive system the team will use and the changes there might be from what was used last year. MacLean said there were some alterations put refused to divulge exactly what they were.
Well, I am not sure what the changes for defensive zone coverage are, but I managed to sneak into the dressing room and saw the plans for the new breakout on the whiteboard*. Here is what the plan is going to be for getting out of their own end**:
1. If your name is Erik Karlsson, skate it out. 2. If your name is not Erik Karlsson, pass it to Erik Karlsson. 3. If you look up and Erik Karlsson is not on the ice, dump it out off the glass and then go to the bench so you can be replaced by Erik Karlsson 4. If Erik Karlsson has the puck, get out of the way and support his leading the rush. 5. If your name is Erik Karlsson, shoot the puck on the net 6. If your name is not Erik Karlsson, go to the net so you can get a rebound or Erik Karlsson can use you to bounce the puck in off of.
*I didn't really sneak into the Senators dressing room **This may or may not be the real plan, although it probably should be
***
Today will be the final real practice before the Senators play their last two preseason games, home and home against the Habs.