But $7-7.5 million? like I said, retaining salary for 4-5 yrs of the deal until their rebuild is over, the cap will be alot higher (supposedly) by the time that comes off the books. Still probably a pipe dream, but I don't think it's a terrible idea to have 15 mil on your top 2 defenders with a poop load of young defense coming up and that could be bridged to help with the cap
- RyeDog13

I've been thinking about Seth Jones as a potential option as well, and it's not as far-fetched as some might think... especially when you consider that CHI had to pay out >12% of the entire contract value as a first-day signing bonus. If they took back Zaitsev straight-up (to offset another $7.0M over the next 2 years), and retained maybe 15% of the contract to put that contract right between Tkachuk & Chabot in terms of AAV for the Senators (and also save another $12.0M), it would justify giving CHI the kind of return they'd ideally be looking for in terms of high draft picks and young prospects.

The real question is what Seth Jones wants to do with his NMC, because he holds all of the cards. It's possible he would be open to playing with a young team on the rise (vs. however long it will take CHI to fully rebuild), but it's not clear how he's feeling about the direction of the Blackhawks.

Would you rather have Paul at his current contract or Joeseph at his? I’d take Paul personally, but joesephs isn’t terrible imo. Getting close to the cap, it’s nice to have this problem.

I’m starting to worry about Batherson and Formenton with this world junior stuff. I think Dorion is too, that’s why he’s holding off on Formenton.
- CooCooKaChoo

Paul is making $4.1m in the next 2 years (in TAMPA). He would've been at least a 3.25m cap hit - what was the last offer I don't remember

Anaheim Ducks signed John Klingberg (1 Year / $7,000,000 AAV)

Tanev or Weeger or Chychrun. Still some options that might work.

The world junior allegations are starting to worry me as well. I know that there were several players said to be at the event who were not on the WJ team, but the silence from both players is concerning.

Of course, players making statements don't mean prove innocence either.
- david22

It’ll be poopty of the Sens drop one (maybe two) players for this and two years later, when the social penance is paid, some team picks them up for nothing.

I hope the truth comes to light, but it likely won’t and everyone will be forced to assume the worst.

Dorion unfortunately needs to get Zaitsev off the roster no matter what before season start. If he doesn't DJ Smith will undoubtedly slot him in over Thompson or JBD and probably make some attempts at getting him to pair with Chabot again at season start before moving him down to the 3rd pairing inevitably.

If Zaitsev is removed from the team this will force DJ Smith to turn to the prospects or other depth pieces who are better than Zaitsev.

Getting him off the team isn't a necessity due to cap but due to the coach favoring his guy over the best player available/future development.
- TDBSenatoR

Dorion *should* get Zaitsev off the books by camp, but he doesn’t have to. As days go by, I’m less confident that a trade of Zaitsev is coming and even less confident that a trade of a top 4 d coming in is going to happen.

Right now I just pray Smith bumps Zaitsev to 3rd pairing. Although we probably end up with Hamonic in the top spot then. Hopefully Thompson has a great camp and makes it impossible to not give him a shot with Chabot.

Dorion *should* get Zaitsev off the books by camp, but he doesn’t have to. As days go by, I’m less confident that a trade of Zaitsev is coming and even less confident that a trade of a top 4 d coming in is going to happen.

Right now I just pray Smith bumps Zaitsev to 3rd pairing. Although we probably end up with Hamonic in the top spot then. Hopefully Thompson has a great camp and makes it impossible to not give him a shot with Chabot.
- CooCooKaChoo

This is pretty much every Sens fans issue, DJ Smith and Zaitsev, it's amazing how much is being written on Twitter about it.

I will have a new blog up on Saturday, as the saying where's there is smoke there's fire......the amount of messages that I received Friday, text, email or IM....Ottawa is trying to do a few things....PD is working the phones.....been messaging with a few local media folk too.....lots of chatter.

I will have a new blog up on Saturday, as the saying where's there is smoke there's fire......the amount of messages that I received Friday, text, email or IM....Ottawa is trying to do a few things....PD is working the phones.....been messaging with a few local media folk too.....lots of chatter.
- Kevin Francis

Lots of chatter on the Sens/Chychrun mix.

If Chychrun actually gets done for Ottawa, can we begin a Patrick Kane to Ottawa thread?

This has been an absolutely magnificent summer of Sens hockey talk.

Fans should take more credit for the great results.

It is not quite sports management science but there appears to be a direct correlation between hockey chatter and actual results. We talked a lot about Giroux, and poof it just happened. We talked about an elite forward for the #7 pick, poof DeBrincat also happened. We have talked about Chychrun for so long and with great passion. So, surely we have created enough hockey energy to make it a "must happen."

But, focusing our Sens chatter power onto Patrick Kane would be incredibly ambitious and far and away our greatest challenge (note: Patrick Kane has only $2.9m actual dollars needing to be paid on his contract for this year. Chicago has huge cap space and can easily hold back 50% of Kane's $10.5m cap hit.)

Reports indicate that Kane's preferred destination is Edmonton. Makes a lot of sense. But, Ottawa is becoming a magical story and we could hope and chatter harder than Edmonton fans until we make it happen.

Dorion unfortunately needs to get Zaitsev off the roster no matter what before season start. If he doesn't DJ Smith will undoubtedly slot him in over Thompson or JBD and probably make some attempts at getting him to pair with Chabot again at season start before moving him down to the 3rd pairing inevitably.

If Zaitsev is removed from the team this will force DJ Smith to turn to the prospects or other depth pieces who are better than Zaitsev.

Getting him off the team isn't a necessity due to cap but due to the coach favoring his guy over the best player available/future development.
- TDBSenatoR

GM: "Hey Coach...I'm thinking you should stop play Zaitsev in a top 4 role. Its obvious to everyone he isn't suited for it and he drags his partners down."

COACH: "Don't tell me how to run my bench."

GM: "Do it or you are fired."

COACH: "Okay."

Problem solved.

GM: "Hey Coach...I'm thinking you should stop play Zaitsev in a top 4 role. Its obvious to everyone he isn't suited for it and he drags his partners down."

COACH: "Don't tell me how to run my bench."

GM: "Do it or you are fired."

COACH: "Okay."

Problem solved.
- GrimmdaGoalie

I feel like Smith wears the pants in this relationship.

I feel like Smith wears the pants in this relationship.
- CooCooKaChoo

You aren't the only one....

Lots of chatter on the Sens/Chychrun mix.

If Chychrun actually gets done for Ottawa, can we begin a Patrick Kane to Ottawa thread?

This has been an absolutely magnificent summer of Sens hockey talk.

Fans should take more credit for the great results.

It is not quite sports management science but there appears to be a direct correlation between hockey chatter and actual results. We talked a lot about Giroux, and poof it just happened. We talked about an elite forward for the #7 pick, poof DeBrincat also happened. We have talked about Chychrun for so long and with great passion. So, surely we have created enough hockey energy to make it a "must happen."

But, focusing our Sens chatter power onto Patrick Kane would be incredibly ambitious and far and away our greatest challenge (note: Patrick Kane has only $2.9m actual dollars needing to be paid on his contract for this year. Chicago has huge cap space and can easily hold back 50% of Kane's $10.5m cap hit.)

Reports indicate that Kane's preferred destination is Edmonton. Makes a lot of sense. But, Ottawa is becoming a magical story and we could hope and chatter harder than Edmonton fans until we make it happen.
- spatso

Wow...now we're getting greedy, lol....

If..IF..you want to bring Kane in, he takes Bathersons slot on the first line. And Batherson takes Formentons slot on the 3rd line. Formenton I would assume would be part of the deal for Kane.

And you still haven't solved your top pairing RD...which Formenton may be a part of the deal (sneaking suspicion this may happen).

If u want a Kane type player (pure offense) to slot on the one side, go get Phil Kessel. Doesn't cost anything and would be cheaper. But that only happens if Formenton doesn't get traded or wants too much money.

All the forwards are slotted now.

Go get a partner for Chabot before u start dreaming of Kane...