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A series of injuries has hammered the Ottawa ranks, and corresponding expectations have been significantly reduced in the aftermath. What was once a team almost certain of contending for a playoff spot is now a roster in-flux, and it's tough to know where Ottawa's really headed in the short-term this season.
The Senators have put together two wins in a row, besting the Devils on Monday and the Islanders on Tuesday. Monday's effort was rather complete; Tuesday's, not so much. The club was
disastrously out-chanced at even-strength, and Paul MacLean wasn't exactly captivated by his team's play in the post-game.
This team's quite capable of winning ugly in the post-Spezza, post-Karlsson, and soon-to-be post-Michalek era, but at some point, the front office is going to have to make a decision for this 48-game season. Does the team buy and chase a playoff dream? Does the team stand pat and let things play-out, waiting for the return of their stars next season? Or, does the team sell off some of the more desirable pieces, reloading in a down-year?
The latter part is sure to get a lot of play in the coming months, and ESPN's Pierre LeBrun didn't waste any time in throwing the first round of gasoline onto an already growing fire.
LeBrun
noted that, should face-of-the-franchise Daniel Alfredsson become available, a number of teams would show serious interest, including division-rival Boston. It's LeBrun's opinion that Alfredsson would likely only consider a trade to chase down a Stanley Cup, and due to the Chiarelli and Chara connections in Boston, the Hub remains a possible landing spot for the 40-year old captain.
And, it's not as if these two franchises are
incapable of making deals at the deadline.
The Boston part of this equation is clear as day: the team's a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, they'd love to add a top-six forward, they have the cap room to do so, and as a rental, he's probably the perfect target.
The Ottawa part of the equation, however, remains murky.
First and perhaps foremost, the Ottawa Senators are still in playoff contention. If this team can find a way to hang around, would the front office even entertain moving one of their only players capable of consistently scoring goals?
Second, would Daniel Alfredsson even want to leave the Ottawa Senators organization, even as part of a rental deal? Alfredsson, ultimately, is going to be in full-control of any potential deal: if he wants it, he's going to get it, and if he doesn't want it, Bryan Murray will immediately make him unavailable. The captain would love to get his name engraved on the Stanley Cup, but does he want to do it away from the team that he's logged all of his 1,293 games and counting with professionally?
Third, how does one quantify the asking price for a player whose name carries so much weight with the organization, fellow-players, fan base, and community? Alfredsson's still a fine player, but his value isn't just measured in goals and assists. If Alfredsson wants a deal, Murray's going to have to find the best possible deal without gauging potential suitors.
Fourth, what team(s) would Daniel Alfredsson consider playing for, if any? Boston's a logical landing spot for Boston. Is it a logical landing spot for Daniel Alfredsson? One wonders if a team like, say, Vancouver is more intriguing for all parties involved. The Canucks, a western conference team, are led by two fellow Swedish superstars in Daniel and Henrik Sedin. They're chasing a Stanley Cup, too.
Fifth, is this Daniel Alfredsson's final year? That's a key, key part of this equation. If it is, and if Ottawa's out of contention by the deadline, he might be more willing to accept a deal and chase down the Cup in his swan song. Or, would he be willing to play out the string and give 2013-2014 his all, rejoined by Jason Spezza, Erik Karlsson, and a surplus of young talent that continues to develop and improve?
My guess is that we haven't heard the last of Daniel Alfredsson trade rumors. It's going to be a touchy subject, but considering recent developments, trade talk is an essential certainty.
Back with more later.
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