I'll admit, my focus hasn't really been on the Senators as of late.
With all the excitement surrounding the Olympics, I haven't really had a ton of time to dig around the rumour mill but it does seem like a couple things are brewing for the Senators.
Murray has been active in his pursuit of a defenceman and is expected to pull the trigger on something shortly after the Olympic freeze is lifted. Hamhuis and Kubina were apparently the primary targets.
The asking price for both those guys will be high. Nashville would like to hang on to Hamhuis but if they can't get a contract done they could be forced to make a move. Kubina seems like a sure thing to move before deadline.
There are a couple lesser names that Ottawa is looking at and they include Kurtis Foster out of Tampa Bay and Dennis Seidenberg from Florida. Both would be a little more affordable and could end up being the route Murray goes.
It'll be interesting to see what happens with Volchenkov in the next few days. Contract extensions can be announced during the freeze but so far nothing seems set in stone. There has been a really weird feeling around the Volchenkov contract talks from the get go.
In the beginning, everyone just assumed it would get done. But the longer this drags on the more you have to wonder if A-Train plans on testing the free agent market this summer.
The good news is Erik Karlsson seems healthy and ready to go. He is expected to return to the line up immediately after the Olympic break.
79 comments:
Can always count on you Chirp, best blogger on the .net.
Interesting stuff, I hope they can get Volchenkov done and signed for one thing, hopefully no more than 4mil per / 5 years.
I'm impressed with Melnyk allowing Murray to burry Cheechoo's 3 mil cap hit in Binghamton to try and get a defenceman in here for a playoff run.
We'll be good and I'm so glad Alfie, Michalek, Volchenkov and Kuba weren't injured in the Olympics:)
GO SENS GO!!!
If Murray doesn't have a signed deal for Volchenkov on March 2nd, he has to consider moving him to put some pressure on.
Why move Volchy now when you're ready to go to the playoffs? He is still valuable to this team, especially if Murray can't get the D he wants by a trade. If he can't get him signed before the draft... then trade his rights to the highest bidder.
I think his play in the Cda - Russia game last night was not up to Volchy's usual game. Will that help or hurt.
If Volchy really wants to stay in Ottawa and Murray made a fair offer -- maybe that will do it.
Let's hope so.
I, for one, can absolutely see A-Train getting dealt. Murray came out and said he was making him an offer, and I'm sure that he did. If Anton liked it...why wouldn't this be announced yet.
I'm not going to speculate on potential trades because it is always a waste of time, but I could see Murray coaxing a high pick/package from a contender for A-Train while at the same time making a smaller move for a Seidenberg.
BTW. Ovechkin 0 pts, Crosby 0pts last night, right? So much for a marquee matchup...
Also, I think Russia looks like idiots now for taking a bunch of KHL guys over Kovalev.
Lee was recalled from Binghamton today. I'm guessing they don't want him to get hurt over the weekend before some big trade. ???
Dont think that's it. They only had a couple defenceman on the ice yesterday. More about having bodies on the ice.
Kurtis Foster is coming to Ottawa!!!!! Goodbye lee/Donovan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I doubt if any Volchie deal would be announced over the olympic break. It would be too burries in the news and management would want that tidbit to generate excitement going back into the second part of the season. So I think if there is a deal in place, they would sit on it to maximize press exposure. IMO
Tim
I acutally wouldn't be too upset if A-train was kept for the remainder of the season even if they can't get him signed to an extension. Sens management is in this to get through as many play-off rounds as possible, and with Volchie in the line-up, you have the best chance - signed or unsigned. We're not getting a better defenseman in return for him, and we sure as hell shouldn't trade other assets at this stage to get another one, when we already have him in the line-up. The team, as is can make a good run this year, but will have a lot of trouble without Volchi on the roster.
If the Senators go after Hamhuis they are expecting Volchenkov to walk. Probably seeing how the Value of Kuba also stacks up. As if a move is made for any of those guys they probably will look to move him first and Volchenkov second. Could see both of them being dealt before the deadline or during the draft.
I do have an odd feeling that regardless of what happens to Volchenkov Murray will look to move Kuba. With the emergence of Karlsson and with Cowen and Wieroch waiting in the wings for a spot next year. He and his 3.75 mil become a bit of a problem.
Volchenkov is crucial to our team's defense.
Without him we are about the softest D in the league. He doesn't put up points but he is invaluable.
He needs to be signed. If he won't, then look at trading him, or keep him and let him walk at the end of the year.
If Volchenkov doesn't commit before March 3rd - I would think that Murray would have to deal him instead of losing him for nothing.
Than you would have to get Kubina and another D.
It's going to be an exciting few days regardless of what happens. I think we will sign big 2-4 to a great extention that will make everyone happy. He had a bad game last night but so did all the other guys in red. The Czech game he was amazing. Also last night he was pretty heavily depended on when Russia started taking penalty after penalty. Volchenkov is the man! I hope he stays.
Riaz
We all know Kuba has a NTC this year, right? I don't see him waiving that at this point. If anything, we should all hope he finishes the season/playoffs strong so that Murray can get a good return on him. If he can somehow find a way to put up 40pts in~70games, there are plenty of teams that would be interested.
I agree that we do not need him though.
If the Sens know that Volchenkov will walk, seriously the Sens should talk about swapping some big name defense or top 6 forward for him. Maybe try to trade with someone West like Chicago or LA straight up for one of their defense. Personally I love Doughty... but that is just dreaming.
What do you think they could possibly trade for Volchenkov??? (Not that I would want to trade him, but don't let him walk for nothing... a la Chara)
I hoping that Murray resigns Volchenkov.
The defencemen that I would like to see Murray get is Kurtis Foster.
The next defencemen if Murray cannot get Foster I would like to see Murray get is Andy Sutton.
The other two defencemen I would like to see Murray try to get.
Dan Hamhuis but I think it take a little to much to get Dan Hamuis.
The last but not least I would like to see Murray get is Paval Kubnia I would like to see get both Paval Kubnia and Colby Armstrong.
The conspiracy theorist in me thinks it Murray who doesn't have Volch in the Sens future plans, and only put in a low ball offer just to save face to the Volchie fans. It doesn't always have to be greedy Russian syndrome, hopefully I'm dead wrong and were hear an announcement soon.
Don't forget Andrew Ladd Anon 2:41...hehe
Yes A-train is valuable, but it's been proven time and time agian you can't pay a defensive defenseman 3.5-4 mil a year there are guys out that can be had to vill his spot (not fully but close) for far less money. Hate to see him go but if he wants 4-5 years for 3.5-4 mil we have to let him walk. Hopefully he signs a good deal for reasonable dough.
Chirp you should put up a new poll:
What type of dman would you like to see Murray pickup at the deadline?
- A Top 4 with a big price tag (Hamhuis/Kubina)
- Depth dman with a small price tag (Foster, Seidenberg)
- Nothing, go with what we have.
Just an idea anyway.
Its been said many times before.... you can't pay a d-man 4 to 5 million per year and not have him put up any points. Volchy at $3 million is max... let someone else overpay for him and let Cowen or another pending ufa take over the role of defensive d-man for 1/2 the price.
Anon 2:57
My vote would be either for a depth guy if Volchie stays. Or BOTH a top 4 and a depth guy if Volchie goes. In other words, the forward lines are good now, and we can't afford to trade away prospects. But if volchie wants too much, he wants too much.
Tim
Where is everyone getting the idea that Volch is asking for to much? Have we heard any numbers?
Why would Volchenkov want to talk contract extension at the olympics?? I couldn't imagine a player negociating an extension during the playoffs so the same goes for the olympics. He will be resigned soon...
Alfie is coming home, and he's bringing Forsberg and Seidenberg with him......
IF they are going to pull the trigger on a DMAN, it's gotta be for a top flight dman, not a depth move.
Then:
Redden-Chara
Phillips-Volchy
Now:
Phillips-Volchy
Kuba-Karlesson
Nothing against Kuba, but they need to replace Chara's position. No team goes deep without a stud dman, and hometown sentiment aside, we really don't have one.
If Volchenkov does not resign with the Senators the two teams that I would like Murray to trade Volchenkov to one of them are Washington or Chicago.
I would like to see Murray get.
Eric Fehr and a 2nd round pick.
Andrew Ladd and prospect or a pick.
I don't think Karlsson is near 100%, check the Citizen
Volchenkov probably won't get offered more than 3.5mil for two reasons:
1) that's too much to pay for a shutdown defenseman
2) Chris Phillips is making 3.5mil, doubt they'd pay more.
If he wants more at least we can get a decent return on him. We're also pretty deep on defensive prospects so won't be the end of the world if he does go.
Hopefully he makes 3 mil for 4 years or something...
ROBIDAS!!!!!!! please get him he would be sick... awesome all around, fairly youngish with lots of experience... PP PK and big hitter please murray go for it.
hopefully kubina to Ottawa is true that would be so DOPE!!!
Any info on Foligno Chirp?
Hey SC due we still own the Rights to
Roman Wick ?
After watching him the Olympics he would be sick
For people that dont know about this kid we drafted him couple yrs back and he is trying into a solid scorer
Check Him out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZJbmvY3Zao&translated=1
Update? This is the same thing you've been saying for weeks.
Great.
"Where is everyone getting the idea that Volch is asking for to much? Have we heard any numbers?" Anon at 3:37
He has an agent (Jay Grossman, I believe). That's what agents do, they ask for too much money.
PL
I was in attendance for the Canada-Russia game last night, Chirp. Hands down the craziest game I have ever been to. I'll send you / post a couple of video clips when Im back from vacation. Even better than the recent Wold Jrs in Ottawa.
I'll never forget it.... thats for damn sure!
The crowd was on Ovie like flies on sh*t, it was great.
Unfortunately I am heading out of Vancouver tmrrw, but will def. be watching CAN-Slovakia and hopefully a gold medal game too!
GO CANADA GO!!!
5:46 of course all he has are updates for weeks because the deadline has been looming! No team will trade an asset until they are sure they've got the most they can for it. Fool.
hey sens fans,
Not to be negative, because i am so stoked that team canada is going for a medal, but has anyone noticed Joe Thornton? It seems like no one is talking about it but he's living up to his," never there at crunch-time" perception. I guess Boston saw it before most others did, and i just goes to show after Nabokov's garbage performance last night that the Sharks are going NOWHERE this spring. Thanks
C-Mac
Jared Cowen "ready to make the leap" - just what exactly are you basing that on? He isn't sure of making the team yet. One OK camp, one terrible WJC, one OK season with Spokane and one OK leg - let's see him at another camp or in the AHL before we start annointing him the next Zdeno Chara please.
Rumor is that the Bruins are in the front running for Dan Hamhuis IF the preds decide to move him...
I hate to say it, but I see Volchie in a Caps uniform next year. I really hope I'm wrong, but I could certainly see the attraction from his perspective.
Murray resigned Neil, who is borderline useless, to a 4 year, 8 Million dollar deal.
You don't think Volchenkov is worth 2x what Neil is?
I have a just curious question, what position did Clouston play in college. I'm guess by his lack of size it wasn't D. Thanks
With all the Dmen rumored to be available, If Foster is all Murray can come up with?....Melnyk should fire him!
chirp , i can come out with rumours from my own head... im starting to wonder if you can too.... so far you have absolutely no credibilaty on anything youve said....matt cullen??? lets get real here bud , your "sources " are just as good as mine , and i live in saskatchewan....
borderline useless??? get real!!!! you dont like neil , then youre not a true fan-nuff said
volchenkov will get a 4 or 5 year deal... to the book it guy-BOOK IT
dan hamuis , is coming , but not to ottawa... man these rumours are retarded
Don't like it? Don't read it. That simple guys.
Not once have I claimed to have all the right information. I pass along what I hear and that's it.
I know some people don't like it and that's fine.
Where's the discussion/praise of the women's hockey team. The internet has really made me realize this: CANADA IS A MISOGYNIST COUNTRY AND DOES NOT GIVE A SINGLE SOLITARY CRAP ABOUT ITS WOMEN'S TEAM! Thank you Hayley Wickenheiser, Kim St. Pierre, Meghan Augusta and all the others for showing how dominant Canadian women are in this sport. Anyone who criticizes me for this is not worth the computer they are typing on. GO CANADA GO!
I for one enjoy this blog and find it more accurate, or at least more realistic than others out there. cough* Eklund cough*
keep it up chirp
To Anon at 10:55 PM,
So happy for the women's team. All sorts of pressure coming into this tourny and they got it done.
I was going to make mention of it in tomorrow's game day post but you beat me to it.
Thanks Alex,
Not easy to keep it going sometimes, that's for sure.
Doing the best I can...
Thank u Anon 10:55
THE CANADIAN WOMEN BEAT THE AMERICANS AND WON GOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOHOOO :)
We should trade Jason Spezza for Derek Boogaard..
Str8 up!!!!!! stanley cup champs......
man you peeps are twisted.. over analyze everything..
WHY would you want to trade our best dman?
WHY trade away "top" picks for rental players?
You people would rather trade volchenkov who makes around 3 mill.... To get Kubina who makes around 5mill.... It's fun to play fantasy GM for a day....
Anonymous at 10:44 is really ECKLUND trying to get back some of his Ottawa audience
Just threw up a quick post on the Womens Gold on GOLD RUSH.
http://goldrush2010.blogspot.com/
There is a reason he is posting it as rumors not done deals you fools. Who are you to say Murray has no interest in these guys? Chirp is just saying it appears to him or sources have said. Never does he say he is saying it's 100% fact that these are going to happen. In other words...screw off!
Anon 10:55pm...
You should know what you're talking about before calling Canada "A MISOGYNIST COUNTRY AND DOES NOT GIVE A SINGLE SOLITARY CRAP ABOUT ITS WOMEN'S TEAM!"
That's one hell of a strong statement!
You cant even spell the women's names right !!!
It is Meghan Agosta... not Augusta...
Maybe your just listening to too much broadcasting... claiming to be all-knowing!
Im sure CDNs care team winning GOLD!!! I sure do.
very deeply about their women's hockey
Matter of fact, I am in Vancouver at present, sure looks and feels like people are happy about their women's teams victory.
Truth be told, our mens team beating Russia is a bigger deal and will/did receive more praise and coverage sheerly due to the history and competitiveness amongst these two teams.
Can-USA Womens rivalry is also a great match-up and we'll hopefully see it for many years to come... even though the President of the IOC, Mr. Rogge threatened today that Womens Olympic hockey must be more competitive or be removed from the Olympics.
Thanks for listening to both sides of the story!
*end of rant
GO CANADA GO!
Berg or Foster for sure. I doubt Foster is moving though. Tampa Bay is in the thick of a playoff hunt and he's been great for them all year. Huge cannon from the point. He's basically a poor mans Shea Weber same type of player.
I would like to see Murray get Kurtis Foster from the Tampa Bay Lightning.
I would like to see Murray get Eric Fehr.
I think the only way if Murray can get Eric Fehr it would be in a deal Volchenkov going to Washington.
I find the womens' hockey 100% as exciting and entertaining as the mens' hockey. It does need to be more competitive, though. Canada/USA are clearly 1-2, and Finland/Sweden seem to be the clear 3/4- I heard during the bronze medal game, though, that Finland's team is hoping to compete for the gold in 2014, and I wish them luck. Hopefully they are able to make things more competitive.
A big thing that would make the womens' tournament more exciting would be to have fewer teams in the 'top division', so a team like China doesn't get absolutely humiliated.
Maybe have the top 6 compete for one set of medals (Canada, USA, Finland, Sweden and whichever teams were the best in a qualification tournament), and then have any other interested countries compete for a second set of medals in a lower tier.
No one wants to see a 22-1 score, and frankly I'd like to see more countries field teams. It would help make hockey a more worldwide sport.
-- PS
I read in the Ottawa sun that Murray is looking to shore up the back end and the would like to get sronger up front so I am thinking Murray would like to add a defencemen and a forward.
I would like to see Murray get both Kurtis Foster and Colby Armstrong next wednesday.
Or Andy Sutton and Colby Armstrong.
CHRIP,
do you know if we have the rights to WICK or is he open to anyone?
I would much rather not give up too much(i suppose thats the case with any trade) the team has been playing so well that you dont want to give up too many assets, especially guys like regin. a few players i wouldnt miss are Shannon, Lee, Obrien and possibly Winchester (but that depends who were getting back) I hope the Volchie deal gets done now that he's back. One things for sure... im calling in sick next wednesday!!
on a side note.. does anyone agree with me when i say that Fisher would have been so much better than Bergeron on team Canada.. it just seems to be more like Fishers kinda game.. fast play and hard hitting.. just my opinion i guess.
I seriously wonder why we are going after rentals. Can someone please explain this to me? Are these moves supposed to put us over the top and win us the cup? If not why are we making them? We need every single pick we can get our hands on.
pg
Don't worry about the haters Chirp... Some people are just never satisfied..
Sens613 I am super jealous. I was only able to go to two hockey games in Vancouver (Russia/Czech and Sweden/Finland), BUT, there is a picture of me in on the game photos on nhl.com from the Sweden/Finland game)... Still not nearly as cool as being there for Russia vs Canada... I watched the Russia vs Canada game at Robson Square and it was CRAZY!!! Ottawa needs a Robson Square for the playoffs... Elgin was great a few years ago but we need a big outdoor TV so that everyone can bring their beers party in the streets...
Riaz
Chirp ignore the Anon rejects, they can go back to the Hockeybuzz rumors if they don't like it.
You should have this video automatically play each time some-one visits your site:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2AIqYVZ7gc
Man there are a ton of idiots on this site. If you guys don't like it go somewhere else!! Or at least don't feel obligated to leave your negative comments. You make me waste time filtering absurd comments to get to the good ones.
pg
Can anyone think of a somewhat classy venue to catch the game at tonight in Toronto? Downtownish?
Anon 10:55pm...
"A MISOGYNIST COUNTRY AND DOES NOT GIVE A SINGLE SOLITARY CRAP ABOUT ITS WOMEN'S TEAM!"
You have lots of growing up to do! Name calling and screaming that Women's hockey isn't forefront of an OTTAWA SENATORS blog...You do of course realize that Chirp also created an Olympics blog, right?
VERY unimpressive.
To anon 10:55 re: women's hockey
You have to understand that personnally, I'm very happy with the gold medal for the women. In my opinion, the reason that it is not necessarily a constant water cooler topic is due to the lack of competition for women's hockey. It was a two horse race from the get go. If Canada would not have been in the gold medal game, that would have been a true shock to the Canadian audience since other than the US, is there really any competition out there? How entertaining is it to watch a 18-0 drubbing? Not very, unless you make a drinking game out of it when every time Canada scores, you drink. Now that's some excessive drinking.
The closest game was the gold medal game, which was won by two goals in a shutout effort. Even at that, from what I saw (the first two periods) it wasn't even competitive.
Either way, any medal is good for us.
Btw, keep it up Senschirp
So some of you think Volchy will end up in Wash? How will they fit him under their salary cap with their own free agents to sign? Just because a couple of Russians play there does not mean that's where Volchy is going.
I hope Murray does not trade away good prospects for a 'rental' D. He usually does not do that. He wants to build the Sens and Bingo -- not tear them down like Muckler did. He will do what he thinks is best without taking too much away from the current teams.
Great place right downtown TO, lots of TV's, great food and scenary: http://www.harboursportsgrille.com/
tsn is reporting that the sens have resigned Ryan Shannon to a year contract
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=311619
RIAZ,
We had this...it was at city hall, a HUGE projector of the side of the building in front of the field. 100foot wide picture...it was special.
As for the a-train...how can we afford to keep him if he wants more than 4 mill. I love the guy to death...ever since his first monster hit on the leafs way back when but i just can't see giving the guy serious cash. 3.5 for 4 years i would take in a heartbeat...anything much more than that i would think long and hard about it. One thing’s for sure though..we need Volchy being a SEN for these playoffs.
SENS GOIN TO GIVE IT TO YEAH!
Brent Burns for Lee and our 1st. book it!;)
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