To start fresh, I'm going to post my latest "Cost-Per-Point" championship roster here based on a few things:



In this scenario,

- Methot + Spezza are traded for Stalberg, Josi, + a pick.

- We moved Greening + Prince to Buffalo for Stewart

- We Traded Chris Neil to colorado for Patrick Bordeleau, to save cap space on our designated knuckle-chucker position)

- We resigned Hoffman, Grant, and Da Costa.

- We signed Dominic Moore as a UFA.

And voila, we have a 23 man roster that is only 3,000 dollars above the cap floor.

Could likely still win some games, too, be a team similar to columbus, get our pesky identity back.
- TommyDeVito

I really hate how that looks. Stewart and Moore are

Now that I think about it guys, I don't know if I want to let Spezza go. Sure he had an abysmal start, but him and Hemsky have something that can be promising. Let's just say that they sign him and Hemsky stays along for the ride. If Michalek is released, can't Zibanejad play on the wing with Hemsky and Spezza?

Zibanejad-Spezza-Hemsky
Mac-Turris-Ryan

Offensively we're sound if this is indeed what happens. Defensively we're on a bubble. Cowen rebounding is ?, and Weircioch must get some T4 ice-time.
Karl-Meth
Cowen-Weir
Phil-Ceci
- TheCalSen

If you're-sign hemsky and spezza (spezza - 7 mil, hemsky - 5.5), for term, you can kiss bobby Ryan goodbye, unless melnyk decides to spend near the cap.

If you get a poop return for spezza, then keep him and move him at the deadline, don't extend him

I really hate how that looks. Stewart and Moore are
- TheCalSen

Agree with this.....want no part of either player.

Moore is a dime-a-dozen 4th liner, and Stewart is a more expensive greening

If you're-sign hemsky and spezza (spezza - 7 mil, hemsky - 5.5), for term, you can kiss bobby Ryan goodbye, unless melnyk decides to spend near the cap.

If you get a poop return for spezza, then keep him and move him at the deadline, don't extend him
- sensarmy_11

I agree with letting Spezza go for the highest bidder at the deadline if we aren't a well-defined Playoff team. And anything can happen. Maybe our defense was just off this season. I mean it's pretty much the same defensive core as the time we reached the 2nd round.

NOT SO FAST JACK!


I'm told that Spezza may not be on his way out after all. They are listening to offers but unless they get what they want he WILL stay put. If he stays put it is also possible that he is extended.

Gordie and I will be the only ones happy about this.

The only thing that has changed is time and contract status but the Spezza situation is not unlike it was 4 years ago where he told the team that if he was to be moved he would be ok with it.

Regardless we'll have ALL of our answers the first week of July. Some extensions will be announced then.
- Cup 06

Da hell?... man, just because I don't say it every day doesn't mean I wouldn't be happy to see spezza back

I agree with letting Spezza go for the highest bidder at the deadline if we aren't a well-defined Playoff team. And anything can happen. Maybe our defense was just off this season. I mean it's pretty much the same defensive core as the time we reached the 2nd round.
- TheCalSen

We reached the 2nd rd with record setting and unsustainable goaltending.....despite our terrible D.

People say that our D regressed this season, when in actual fact our D was pretty much as poopty 2 years ago as it was this past season, and it was our goaltending that took a huge step back

We reached the 2nd rd with record setting and unsustainable goaltending.....despite our terrible D.

People say that our D regressed this season, when in actual fact our D was pretty much as poopty 2 years ago as it was this past season, and it was our goaltending that took a huge step back
- sensarmy_11

This is a very tough predicament. I don't know what I would do tbh. Tanking this season might make Ryan and MacArthur rethink their stay. We have the best GM imo, too bad he's shackled by Melnyk.

If you're-sign hemsky and spezza (spezza - 7 mil, hemsky - 5.5), for term, you can kiss bobby Ryan goodbye, unless melnyk decides to spend near the cap.

If you get a poop return for spezza, then keep him and move him at the deadline, don't extend him
- sensarmy_11

How do you figure?

I mean assuming we stay relatively constant at our current spending level, we don't resign Michalek, that's $6 million right there... Pay Hemsky 5.5, we're saving $500k on what we paid in actual money last season (not counting cap hit).

We extend Spezza for 7 million, kicking in year after next... That's two million more than we paid him last season.

So far, we have 1.5 million dollars fewer to spend than we did before... Ryan will command no more than a 2 million dollar raise. The amount more we'd be spending? $3.5 million. Who makes around that? Clarke MacArthur.

Now, while there's a part of me that'd rather see MacArthur and Michalek in Senators jerseys in two years' time than Spezza and Hemsky, that part of me is contingent on us getting a good return for Spezza.

If we're getting poop all for Spezza, might as well get poop all for MacArthur at the deadline next year (if we're not a contender, which is probable). Because I'm a gambler, and would like to see if Spezza and Hemsky can continue their chemistry.

In any event, I'm not clear that it's a choice between Spezza and Hemsky and Ryan. You could just as easily say that it's a choice (already made) between Greening and Phillips on the one side, and both of Spezza & Hemsky, and Ryan on the other.

Now, while there's a part of me that'd rather see MacArthur and Michalek in Senators jerseys in two years' time than Spezza and Hemsky
- Mr_Clean

I agreed with everything you said except for half of this sentence. How can you still want Michalek on this team even if he takes a 1-2M cut on his salary.

How do you figure?

I mean assuming we stay relatively constant at our current spending level, we don't resign Michalek, that's $6 million right there... Pay Hemsky 5.5, we're saving $500k on what we paid in actual money last season (not counting cap hit).

We extend Spezza for 7 million, kicking in year after next... That's two million more than we paid him last season.

So far, we have 1.5 million dollars fewer to spend than we did before... Ryan will command no more than a 2 million dollar raise. The amount more we'd be spending? $3.5 million. Who makes around that? Clarke MacArthur.

Now, while there's a part of me that'd rather see MacArthur and Michalek in Senators jerseys in two years' time than Spezza and Hemsky, that part of me is contingent on us getting a good return for Spezza.

If we're getting poop all for Spezza, might as well get poop all for MacArthur at the deadline next year (if we're not a contender, which is probable). Because I'm a gambler, and would like to see if Spezza and Hemsky can continue their chemistry.

In any event, I'm not clear that it's a choice between Spezza and Hemsky and Ryan. You could just as easily say that it's a choice (already made) between Greening and Phillips on the one side, and both of Spezza & Hemsky, and Ryan on the other.
- Mr_Clean

I don't know man. There are so many contracts coming due either this year or next year....some of them could be big raises....I just think if we re-sign spezza, someone else will walk.

It's possible, just don't think it'll work

[quote=Mr_Clean]

Now, while there's a part of me that'd rather see MacArthur and Michalek in Senators jerseys in two years' time than Spezza and Hemsky
- TheCalSen

I agreed with everything you said except for half of this sentence. How can you still want Michalek on this team even if he takes a 1-2M cut on his salary.

Yeah, I should really say "Michalek replacement" because that's what I meant.

Realistically, what would be a better use of 7 million dollars than either Spezza and Hemsky or MacArthur and Michalek would be something like, I don't know, a #2 defenseman and MacArthur? Which I think we could afford, even assuming we have to give a raise to Ryan, for the exact reasons I listed above.

I just don't know how we'll trade for/sign any excellent defensemen in the next couple years... They just don't seem to be available.

I don't know man. There are so many contracts coming due either this year or next year....some of them could be big raises....I just think if we re-sign spezza, someone else will walk.

It's possible, just don't think it'll work
- sensarmy_11

Sure, like I said, it could be MacArthur who walks, it could be Anderson and MacArthur, I don't know.

My feeling is, though, there aren't going to many players getting significant raises next year, other than Ryan. Zibby will get a decent raise next year, I would think. Stone will probably get a small one unless he blows us all away. It's possible that Methot will be due for a relatively small raise as well, unless he struggles again or gets traded.

Again, I'm unclear how this is all a choice between Spezza and Hemsky and all these players. I doubt very much that Zibby, Stone, and Methot will collectively get raises reach the same amount as the salaries being drawn by Phillips, Neil and Greening.

So, then, is the choice between MacArthur, Michalek, Phillips, Neil and Greening and Zibby, Stone, Methot, Spezza and Hemsky?

NOT SO FAST JACK!


I'm told that Spezza may not be on his way out after all. They are listening to offers but unless they get what they want he WILL stay put. If he stays put it is also possible that he is extended.

Gordie and I will be the only ones happy about this.

The only thing that has changed is time and contract status but the Spezza situation is not unlike it was 4 years ago where he told the team that if he was to be moved he would be ok with it.

Regardless we'll have ALL of our answers the first week of July. Some extensions will be announced then.
- Cup 06

Hey, I love Spezza too! He was the first jersey I bought that wasn't an Alfie one and that was when Alfie was still with the team!

NOT SO FAST JACK!


I'm told that Spezza may not be on his way out after all. They are listening to offers but unless they get what they want he WILL stay put. If he stays put it is also possible that he is extended.

Gordie and I will be the only ones happy about this.

The only thing that has changed is time and contract status but the Spezza situation is not unlike it was 4 years ago where he told the team that if he was to be moved he would be ok with it.

Regardless we'll have ALL of our answers the first week of July. Some extensions will be announced then.
- Cup 06

dude ..... I thought were tight???

Spezza staying = rejoicing throughout the land

Isn't that what's been said since day 1.....trade him if the price is right, keep him if not.

I don't believe for one second that they'll extend him, unless they move Ryan, or melnyk decided to spend money.....and I can't see either of those happening
- sensarmy_11

Hold the phone Bud ..... you were among the ones pushing for Spezza to be traded - you may have back tracked a bit, but you said that the BEST thisng for TEAM moving forward was to trade Spezza and with YOUTH

Agree with this.....want no part of either player.

Moore is a dime-a-dozen 4th liner, and Stewart is a more expensive greening
- sensarmy_11

Bear in mind here, boys, I did not make the team I want, I made the team I would realistically expect if Spezza gets moved.

Don't think I want any part of Stalberg/Stewart etc.

Josi I could go for, though.

And agree to disagree on Dominic Moore, I've always thought he was one of those great value picks for any team's bottom line. Plays good D and is capable of scoring goals.

Hold the phone Bud ..... you were among the ones pushing for Spezza to be traded - you may have back tracked a bit, but you said that the BEST thisng for TEAM moving forward was to trade Spezza and with YOUTH
- GadesnSens

i said that was teh best case, if the alternative was to sign him to a long term deal. i think that would be a mistake.

i also said that i would only support a trade if the return was acceptable. if they get a heatley type return, then i would be just as pissed as everyone else.

i would be all for extending him, if and only if, he'd take a 2-3 year deal, which we all know he won't. extending him to a 7-8 year deal would be terrible for this team moving forward. spezza is already breaking down at teh age of 31, could you imagine how he'll be at 38 or 39.....and he'll be getting paid 7+ mil.

if he's extended long term, for big money, i'm convinced that we're gonna be stuck with the same situation that tampa was in with lecavalier, new york is in with richards, vancouver was in with luongo, the leafs are in with phaneuf, etc, etc, etc. the contract will be fine the first 2-3 years, but beyond that, you're gonna be kicking yourself for giving it to him.

i've always maintained, since day 1, that moving spezza would hurt in the short term, but help in teh long term.

Bear in mind here, boys, I did not make the team I want, I made the team I would realistically expect if Spezza gets moved.

Don't think I want any part of Stalberg/Stewart etc.

Josi I could go for, though.

And agree to disagree on Dominic Moore, I've always thought he was one of those great value picks for any team's bottom line. Plays good D and is capable of scoring goals.
- TommyDeVito

with regards to moore, don't disagree, it's just that we already have a bunch of young guys on the team who can do exactly what he does, and probably cost less (da costa, pageau, grant, etc)

dude ..... I thought were tight???

Spezza staying = rejoicing throughout the land
- GadesnSens

I think moving spezza is the only way to address the very obvious problems this team has on the back end. if spezza stays, and the defense stays the same, then this team misses the playoffs again.

we can't go into next season, with basically the same roster, and expect them to be a better team

Hold the phone Bud ..... you were among the ones pushing for Spezza to be traded - you may have back tracked a bit, but you said that the BEST thisng for TEAM moving forward was to trade Spezza and with YOUTH
- GadesnSens

We all love Spezza.

But spending money on him like he is worth the same as a Ryan Getzlaf who carries his team on his back would be a mistake.

And that is what he will ask for.

Right now there is a window where Spezza is still worth something good in a trade
- If we wait til next season is over, he walks for nothing.
- If he gets hurt before the trade deadline, he walks at UFA for nothing.
- If he resigns for 6 years at a realistic 7 or 8 million per, we will have an overpaid player in two years time and trouble resigning our youth.

Nobody wants to see Spezza gone, but we know we have young capable Centermen behind him, we know we need help on D more, and we know money is tight.

I don't know, I still think the perfect situation would be if he resigned for four years. I just think he will want more term. It makes your head spin, imagine Brian Murray right now?

I think moving spezza is the only way to address the very obvious problems this team has on the back end. if spezza stays, and the defense stays the same, then this team misses the playoffs again.

we can't go into next season, with basically the same roster, and expect them to be a better team
- sensarmy_11

We can hope, but that's more or less the equivalent of crossing our fingers and whispering "getbettergetbettergetbetter..."

I think some progression from the younger guys can be expected to help us, guys like Turris, Zibby, Hoffman, Stone, Ceci, Weircioch, and (please god) Cowen are all in the age range where they can make big leaps year-to-year in their development.

I don't think it is an ideal situation, though.

Also, did anyone watch Lazar's Oil Kings game last night?

Good game, absolute heartbreaker for the Kings, they dominated the entire 2 periods + 2 OT that I saw, but their goalie couldn't make the big save when it was needed.

Lazar was unreal, dominated everytime he was out there, especially along the boards. Never once saw him have a battle on the boards and lose it all game. Reminds me of Gabe Landeskog in how he plays.

Also, Griffin Reinhart got absolutely burned on two of the breakaways that led to goals - I'd be very concerned about his footspeed if I were NYI fans. He looked downright sluggish for a high end prospect.

Cap is going up to what 70 m? So the floor will roughly be 54 m

Sens have a current cap hit of 48m. I think it's fair to say that if ottawas budget was 53m this year it'll be somewhere around 58m. Completely based on guesses and te assumption ownership is pissed the sens didn't make the playoffs.

So 10m to spend. This is what id do:

Send Weirdcock, greening and prince to buffalo for Ehroff. Ship off Gryba or Boro.

Top 3 defence - karlsson, Ehroff, methot
Bottom 3 - Cowen, Ceci and Philips/7th d man

I know methot and Cowen didn't play the same way they did in previous years but is take my chances that they'll be back to the way they played previously

Keep spezza sign hemsky for 6 m. You still have 4 million left to sign Lehner.

I don't think you need to be concerned with having money for Ryan. The cap will increase and Melyck is already paying him 5.1 m I'm assuming he knows the value and need of having a player like that.

NOT SO FAST JACK!


I'm told that Spezza may not be on his way out after all. They are listening to offers but unless they get what they want he WILL stay put. If he stays put it is also possible that he is extended.

Gordie and I will be the only ones happy about this.

The only thing that has changed is time and contract status but the Spezza situation is not unlike it was 4 years ago where he told the team that if he was to be moved he would be ok with it.

Regardless we'll have ALL of our answers the first week of July. Some extensions will be announced then.
- Cup 06

Not overly surprising. My main concern about moving Spezza was that they would not get a package that would be worth moving him. If he were a Sen come training camp, this team is in good position and doesn't have to adjust to a 3rd captain in 3 years. Still not set in stone. I think the team still wants to move him, but realize the price for I'm and what he will actually fetch are two very different things. Teams maybe more willing to open the wallet a bit more come the draft. Still very up in the air in my opinion. However, it's good to hear that they won't trade him for less than what he is worth.

I think moving spezza is the only way to address the very obvious problems this team has on the back end. if spezza stays, and the defense stays the same, then this team misses the playoffs again.

we can't go into next season, with basically the same roster, and expect them to be a better team
- sensarmy_11

this is exactly what Murray is expecting - and I dont think he is wrong.

The Sens in 2014 (once Spezz and Michalek rounded into form) were not that bad and got even better after the Hemsky trade. If we start with something similar to this T9 we should see improvement from last season:

Stone Spezza Hemsky
MacArthur Turris Ryan
??????? Zibby ??????
?????? Smith Neil
Pageau/Hoffman Michalek/Condra/Greening/Stewart (we all beleive Murray will get Stewart)/Da Costa/Prince will fill out the ???? and serve as the spare forward(s)

Murray has said he is comfortable with his T6 defense and is expecting them to just inprove with age and experience. I don't this it is a stretch to think that Methot and Cowen should be better next year (they cant be worse).

I pesonally think they should/will make a move to get a T4, but it will be a minor deal versus a splash - a MacArthur type deal, rather than a Ryan type deal.

With that line-up - we should be better and look to qualify for the play-offs.