We all think we have the answer, well in today’s comment section I want you to tell me exactly what you would do if you were GM for week.
But it comes with some stipulations.
Most importantly- the job is yours for only one week. After that, B-Murr is either ready to take over the masterpiece you’ve created or clean up the mess you’ve left behind. Unlike the current regime, you can spend to your heart’s content. Free agents, trades, buyouts, anything goes. Any deals you make must be realistic and that will be judged by myself as well as others in the comment section.
If you were GM of the Ottawa Senators for one week, how would you make your mark? Will you keep the Sens on their rebuilding path or mortgage the future for a shot at it all next season?
Lay out your plan in today’s comment section. I'll pick my favourite from the bunch and feature the plan in an upcoming post. Now THAT's a prize!
- Ex-Senator Alex Kovalev is apparently planning a return to the NHL and says he has already received calls from a few teams willing to give him a try out. Apparently the idea of a shortened or non-existent season appeals to Mr. Kovalev. I for one would welcome Kovalev back to the NHL, especially on somebody else's team.
- For video game fanatics, the release of NHL 13 is just around the corner and player rating have already begun to leak. You can check out rankings for Eastern Conference players here. Of note- Erik Karlsson has received a rating of 86 while Chris Phillips comes in at 84. Interesting.
This would solidify our D for this season and we would not lose depth from our prospect pool.
The trade on the forward side I would like to make is Zibanejad and Bishop to Chicago for Patrick Sharp. He is a right winger and can move onto our top line.
I would also explore trading for Evander Kane before Briere. IF the asking price for Kane was similar to Nash or Ryan, I would pull the trigger. If it was astronomical, then I would explore the Danny Briere option.
I would also go shopping at the Merivale Costco on a Sunday afternoon.... like Bryan Murray does so often :)
Love the arrogance. Using one of your seven days to do some bulk shopping.And what would you be willing to give up to land Kane or Briere?
For Kane....
I would offer one of Stone/Zbad/Puem pel, a 1st, Bishop and Zack Smith... I am sure they'd counter with Cowen involved though.
Briere...
Weircoch, Petersson and a 4th.
How do we know that's not the GM thing to do though? Maybe that's where they 'zen'?
I also thought of Briere, I've always loved/hated him and think he is a terrific hockey player. Not sure what it may take to land him however since he is pretty important to the Philly system and is in the running to get the C with Giroux. I'd think Philly would want D and that's not really our position of strength to deal with. Karlsson, Cowen and hopefully CeCi are our players which we should keep away from any and all trade talk so I don't see him being shipped to us for any combination of Gonchar, Phillips, Methot, Lundin, Weiroch or Gyba..
Ya you are right, there is no way they'd trade himf or Weircoch, Petersson and a 4th...
Maybe Gonchar, Weircoch and Petersson, but I don't know if that's worth it because Gonchar is valuable to our team right now.
Hookers & Blackjack. Costco on Sunday.
I think it's clear that the best thing any temp GM could do would be to move out a few forward prospects to get a real partner for Karlsson and/or real top line winger. But given the asking price for some I don't think any superstars are worth the price (Ryan for example).
I like the idea of Jay-Bo only because I think he could be had for sometihng like what riceroni suggested (maybe a bit more) and with only two years to go on his deal doesn't really clog up the works if he's not panning out.
Up front I'd consider Briere but I think the cost is much higher.
I'd make low ball offers and see how negotiations went. I'd probably go as high as:
For Jay-Bo: Wiercioch, Hoffman, Petersson
For Briere: Zibanejad, Puemple and Da Costa
If Philly wanted to talk Bishop instead I'd listen or even Lehner if it meant I could keep one of Zibby or Puemple.
The bar has been set.
Told you Costco is the place to be man...
Next, I would call Phoenix and inquire about their young D. I don't want Runblad back, but if Gormley is available, I would make a pitch for him. I'd see if Puemple was enough to make the deal, but may throw in a late round pick to even it up.
Edit: I just read tyler myers is an 87 and dion phaneuf at a 88
I would NOT have resigned Regin.
I would NOT have signed Latendresse.
Sign A. Semin to a 2 year 13Mil contract.
Sign M. Carle to a 4 year 22Mil contract.
Offer sheet Evander Kane to $6,268,175 for 6 years = First-, second-, and third-round pick.
Possible line-up for 2012-13:
Michalek(4.33M) Spezza(7M) Semin(6.5M)
Kane(6.268M) Turris(1.4M) Alfie(4.875)
Silfverberg(900K) Smith(700K) Condra(625K)
Greening(816K) O'Brien(637K) Neil(2M)
Daug(635K)
Carle(5.5M) Karlsson(6.5M)
Cowen(1.265M) Methot(3M)
Gonchar(5.5) Phillips(3.083M)
Lundin(1.150M)
Anderson(3.187M)
Bishop(650K)
Butler Buyout = 50K
Total Cap = 66.571M
Cap space remaining: 3.629M
A) Call Burke and laugh and tell him how good Kovalev is
B) Call Phaneuf and tell him to 'suck it'
C) Call Philly, offer Zibby, Da Costa, 2nd, Costco membership, 5 beavertails for Briere
D) Call Minny, offer 3rd and 4th for Foster (local boy with a cannon)
E) Call SensChirp and offer A. Coach position
Is there an A Semin that didn't already sign with Carolina?
I would offer sheet PK Subban for about a 5 yr 20M contract. He is a bit arrogant and cocky.. but I think McLean could do wonders with this kid. That would cost a 1st and a 3rd round pick (if Montreal can't match)-- and leave basically nothing for the next draft. But maybe a pick can be had by dealing Gonchar at the deadline.
Then I would trade for Evander Kane (as in trade & sign). It would cost Stone (as he is from Winnipeg), and probably Puempel or Zibanejad + a 2nd round pick in 2014.
That would set the Sens up pretty nicely.
Got my tickets for 67's vs Barrie on Sept 20th..
I hope there are a lot of you on this site that will go and support the 67's by buying tickets to the game..
Pretty good lineup.. except the Sens don't have a 2nd round pick in 2013.. so you can't offer sheet for Kane.
It doesnt have to be 2013, can be any year.
Well you could move out an excess forward for a 2nd rounder perhaps - but good point.
Chirp never mentioned when the "1 week" was as per timeline. Obviously mine is before Semin and Carle got signed, would have worked both to the bone to get them to come Ottawa.
That is classic Tookie. Clearly Chirp isn't including a time machine in this fantasy GM gig.
Care to offer a suggestion if it were next week? (I like your ideas for the time machine option though.)
You don't have to be a GM to be able to do that.
While we're at it - ice girls and better in-stands cheerleaders.
Game. Set. Match
Sure.
Offer sheet to Kane still stands.
Attempt to trade Regin, if no takers, buyout...
If we can land a 2nd round pick for Regin, Offer sheet Jamie Benn to $3,134,088...
Not much to do now that July has passed by, can do minor trades that really do nothing in the end.
Offer sheets FTW!
Dallas will match that offer sheet in a second!
Draft kopitar instead of lee
Well if we have a time machine why not just go back in time to game 2 and tell Alfie to duck? Or go further back and tell Lalime to watch for Nieuwendyk trying the short side?
If you are going time machine style, I think signing Chara over Redden would be the Game, Set, Match...
I would trade Gonchar+Stone+B ishop+2nd pick next year to Colorado for Paul Stastny
Michalek-Spezza-Turris
Alfie-Stastny-Silfverberg
Latendresse-Regin-Zibby
Greening-Smith-Neil
Karlsson-Methot
Cowen-Subban
Phillips-Gryba(Boro-Wiorcioch)
Anderson
Lehner
Pretty scary lineup
O'Brien-Condra- Daugavins would let them go!
Would love Briere or Kane as others mentioned. Briere more than Kane but as Kane might be available through offer sheet and younger he seems the overall better choice.
I would not waste a top-tier prospect on J-Bo. Decent player but he has a shitty contract. Let's do a prospect for prospect deal if we want a D.
Amen to that... And to add.. Sign Chara, let Redden walk.
I agree to a point. But my thinking is that EK65 still needs a solid veteran to play with to continue his development. So while we may have to give up some youth to get J-Bo it at least helps Karlsson.
Not worried about this bad contract since we have plenty of cap space the next two years and then he's gone (or resigned cheaper etc).
As per Chirp's outline - money is no object so no need to beg Euge for the money.
Giroux told him, he was going to Philly to train and if there is a lockout.. he is going to Switzerland.
You know, I have a real problem with these guys going to Europe during a lockout and taking jobs from those players there that make a hell of a lot less than the NHL players. How are those players going to get buy while some arrogant NHL player is playing in their place?
If they have a valid NHL contract.. lockout or not.. they should not be going oversees to play there.
It's just not right.
While I feel for the other players, this is a lockout, not a strike. Might be semantics to a degree but basically NHL players are being told they cannot work or collect a paycheck in the NHL - so hard to fault them for wanting to A) play and B) get paid.
I see your point, but I just don't think it's fair to blame the players. Their other option is to sit at home and not get paid at all??
Someone mentioned trading Pumpel for Gormley. I would love that as well.
Karlsson-Methot
Subban-Cowen
Gonchar-Phillips
Next year have Gormley and Ceci fighting to get in along with Borocop and Weiroch...
So, take Gonchar (and I wish somebody would), at the end of a season long lock out, he would have 1 year left on his deal. What happens if post lock out but before the start of the season he decides to retire?
Would the senators still be on the hook for his cap hit because he signed that deal as an over 35 year old? Or would there be special dispensation because his contract should have ended a year earlier than it did.
But Chirp also says BM comes back next week... I want to give myself a chance to get the full-time gig!
Also, I still think you want to have value for money players. Going forward, you'll want to give yourself the room to re-sign our prospects.
I don't mind going after JBo. I would just prefer to hold onto our top-tier prospects. If we could ship out a Condra and Wiercoch for J-Bo? I understand it may not be enough...
Yeah but a lot of them can sit home on their 5M + salaries that they have made in the past. They don't need the money. They can survive financially just fine. I get they want to play hockey..
But they don't give a damn about the European player who makes significantly less than that 5M (as an example)-- but he is expected to sit out -- or in this case.. find himself another job outside of hockey just to pay his rent/mortgage because he is not financially set like those NHL players.
Karlsson near phillips rating..please
Michalek - Spezza - Silfverberg
Latendresse - Turris - Alfredsson
Smith - Regin - Condra
Greening - O'Brien - Neil
Karlsson - Methot
Phillips - Gonchar
Cowen - Lundin
Craig Anderson
Ben Bishop
Not sure what would happen cap wise for that contract but no big deal anyway. The Sens would be far under the cap anyway and at the moment I believe are under the floor or very close to it so leaving Gonchars $5.5M hit without actually having to fork over more money allows Eugene to spend more on taking on a salary like JBo or somehting like that and still be under the cap. Gonchar retiring or playing would be a win win
I don't want Gonchar taking a roster spot in 2013/14 from somebody like Boroweicki, WireCock or Ceci. I want him gone.
Really? your concerned over jobs in Europe? who gives a shit who they play for, I'm sure the fans, Org and League would be thrilled to have these guys play for them, boost League revenue and attendence. Really, who cares about the scrub who gets bumped.
presumably the scrub and his wife and kids
at least we know we won't have to shower you with sympathy if somebody comes and boots you from your job
Your assuming the scrub has a wife and kids...there are more than enough teams to get another job.
If not go bag groceries at the local food market.
Also, refs are impacted as well. NHL refs will be reffing in lower leagues and will push refs in lower leagues down as well. I have a friend who is a professional ref and he said the last lockout was brutal for them as well
Just because someone's salary is 100x your own doesn't mean they're not earning every penny of it. If two people won the lottery and one person took 90% of it even though they split the ticket would the 10% guy not have a right to complain even though they're still getting millions?
Same thing goes for sitting at home so scrubs can play in Europe - just because Karlsson already has a big house and nice cars he should stay home and lose a year of his prime earning years?
Don't get me wrong, it's a sweet life for NHL stars and I do feel for the scrubs getting pushed aside - but I wouldn't even call it "unfair".
Unless you want to say it's unfair that hot girls always go home with the good looking guy, or that smart guys get all the good jobs etc.
Survival of the fittest man.
Well Bill McCreary (I did not like him) had to get a job installing kitchen cabinets.
These guys are selfish.. the owners as well..
If I wasn't so angry at the thought of a 2nd lockout in 8 yrs.... it would be laughable to see multi-billionai re owners & multi-millionai re players fighting over money - a lot of it supplied by their fans -- who on average make less than 50,000 K a year...
But you see neither side gives a rat's ass for the fans, their non-player employees or other's negatively affected by this...
1) Take care of someone we already have. Sign an extension for Kyle Turris. Everyone can see the potential of him having a career year next year... get him cheap (or cheaper)and sign him early... 4 years at 15-17M
2) Trade Gonchar, Noesen and a 3rd round pick in 2014 for Jakub Voracek. Philly isnt playing him right (3rd line - should be top 6). He's a guy who would fit the Sens mold great... explosive skater, great vision, very good shot, great pass, very strong defensively (will let Karlsson be even more creative), great work ethic, and his love for the game shows in spades. This is a player coaches love to have PM would relish to have him around.
3) Replace the loss of Gonchar by trading Weiroch, Petersson, and a 4th rounder for Bouwmeester. Like Voracek, JB wasnt played right in Calgary, and his style of play should fit well under PM's style.
Something along side of Bishop + Daugavins for Hammer and some AHL goalie.
Hammer-Karlsson
Cowen- Methot
Philips-Gonchar
Lundin
Forwards
Latendresse-Spezza- Michalek
Silfverberg- Turris- Alfie
Greening- Regin- Zibenejad
Obrien-Smith- Neil
Condra
Anderson
Lehner
Ouch. Not that Philly would take on salary anyway, but to me Noesen is completely untouchable. I get that you like Voracek and basically want to dump Gonchar, but I'd rather stick with the bird in the hand than risk this one blowing up in my face if I were GM.
Swap in just about any other prospect though and maybe (again, if Philly forgets they have no cap room).
Every time I see someone with Latendresse on our top line I silently curse Rick Nash.
Hoffman- Dacosta- Petersson
Prince- Cannone or (Zbad if he doent make NHL)- Stone
Kramer- Grant- Jessiman
Culek- Pageau- Dziurzynski
Hamilton/Caprusso
Borocop- Benoit
Weircioch- Blood
Eckford- Cleasson
Wideman
Aren't we all selfish? The beer guy will now have to work at McDonalds, or the ice girls will have to take waitressing jobs. It doesn't matter if you're a multi-millionai re or a low level scrubb, you have the right to make money. If you knock someone out, that's part of life. Nobody is entitled to anything. Life is hard. Get used to it.
Ultimately, a lockout breeds few winners. We all can agree to that.
Silfverberg-Turris-Alfy
Greening-Smith-Neil
Daugavins-Regin-O'brien
Methot-Karlsson
Gonchar-Cowen
Phillips-Colaiacovo
Borocop
LOL thought it was an "as-is" until I saw Colaia slipped in there.
I think I'd swap Regin and Smith though just have more grit on the 4th line - but a decent lineup.
(other than GL on the top line - sigh)
I have nothing against Latendresse - but he's NOT a top line winger. Not even when healthy. If we had Hossa on our top line then GL could be the third guy maybe, on his best day.
For sure he's an upgrade over Condra or Butler but I would love to see Spezza play with TWO legit top line wingers for a season or two.
I would strongly look at what it would take to pry Iginla out of Calgary. Though he has on numerous occasions reiterated that he has no desire to leave, I find it hard to believe that:
A) Jay Feaster (the genious** that he is) would turn down an attractive package
and
B) Iginla would hate the opportunity to be on Spezza's wing.
However, it wouldn't come cheap.
My offer would be:
Zibanejad
Bishop
2 Draft Picks
for
Iginla
---
Then I would go after a solid D man who can fight and play, someone cut from A Sutton's cloth. The guy was a favorite and though prying him out of EDM is nearly impossible as they need someone to protect the youngins, someone similar to him would be appropriate. I'd look at one of our young BSens D as bait there, as well as a pick.
Then I would talk to EA Sports and send them a video of Karlson and a video of Phaneuf playing hockey. Get them to explain why Dion is rated better then Erik.
I would talk to Burke and mention how I want to sign Kovalev that he's such a good player blah blah blah, hope he falls for it and signs him to a three year contract.
That takes care of Monday and Tuesday, the next few days I'll sit on my hands and wait for:
A) the CBA to be signed so I get a clear idea of what the salary cap will be; and
B) Let the prospects battle for the roster spots next year, with the chance of a minor move if the price is right midway through the season.
Let the rebuild continue.
Great post.
Hoffman-Dacosta-Petersson
Prince-ZBAD-Stone
Noesen-Cannone-schneider
Kramer-Grant-Dziurzynski
Hamilton/Caporusso/Cowick
Lundin-Benoit
Weircioch-Blood
Gryba-Wideman
Eckford
I'd take a different approach but this would be the basic idea.
I'd offer Philly Gonchar (they need D bad) with RW prospect Stone in exchange for Simmonds and a 2013 4th Rd pick (received from Columbus last year). We'd get the rugged 23 year old RW (great for the rebuild) who's a top 6, signed for 6 years. I considered Voracek, but I like the play of Simmonds more and he would be easier to get out of the two.
Contact Nashville about Jonathon Blum. Offer Gryba or Wiercioch (Either are ready to start as 3rd pairing, but play 2nd fiddle to Borowiecki) and a 2013 6th rd pick.
Offer Smith and a 2014 3rd round to St Lois for Stewart and a 2014 4th rd. Stewart is a guy who has top line potential but lost his way. He could turn it around big in Ottawa.
Contact the Flames for the 2013 2nd round pick, provide our recently aquired 2013 4th and 2014 4th rd picks in return along with the rights to Filatov.
Then, contact Colorado about Landeskog. Offer Michalek, Zibanejad the 2013th 2nd round.
Landeskog - Spezza - Simmonds/Silfverberg
Alfredsson - Turris - Stewart
Latendresse - Regin - Condra
Greening - O'Brien - Neil
Karlsson - Methot
Cowen - Phillips
Blum - Borowiecki
Lundin
Silfverberg-Turris-Alfy
Greening-Smith-Neil
Daugavins-O'brien-Latendresse
Methot-Karlsson
Gonchar-Cowen
Phillips-Colaiacovo
Borocop
Any of these require our 2nd back from ST. Louis, so first order is to trade to get it back. They obviously need D, so either Wiercioch+5th rnd pick for our 2nd OR Gonchar for our 2nd and their 3rd or 4th. I'll assume they take the Gonchar route as they may feel they're on the cusp of being SC competitors after last season.
With the pick, I offer sheet E. Kane for the max in the 1st + 2nd + 3rd range (~6.3mil avg) x 10 years. I also send them Condra and Petersson (would consider other lesser prospects/role players) for a 7th and future considerations for them not to match it.
Next up is D, and I think Subban is the most likely to be available out of that RFA group. Da Costa + Wiercioch + 2014 1st. This may require another later pick, but I hope I could convince them on this or even adding Borowiecki or Gryba.
So we got our top 3 forward, but are now just even at D, requiring 1 more top 4. Puempel and Bishop (+2nd rnd in 2014 if needed) for Yandle. (Would also look into JayBouwmeester if they'll take him for less than that).
Enter 2013 with:
Kane - Spezza - Silfverburg
Michalek - Turris - Alfie
Greening - Smith - Neil
Latendresse - O'Brien - Regin
Daugavins/Hoffman
Cowen - Karlsson
Subban - Yandle
Phillips - Methot
Lundin/Borowiecki
Anderson
Lehner
Zibanejad and/or Stone are the first callups and would be given the chance to win a spot over Regin, Latendresse and Daugavins. I would have no issue waiving Daugavins at the start of the season and sending him to Bingo if he clears.
Still have Ceci, Noesen, Prince in the pipelines as above average talent, so though we're losing a lot of picks the next 2 years, we won't really need that type of prospect for a few years anyways.
Critique away! Which deals am I offering too much/too little in?
Which I think is a baaaaad idea...
This is our legacy, signing unproven junk
Doesn't matter... there probably won't be a season for these guys to play a game.
If I remember correctly, I could be wrong though, I don't think the contracts slide. I think they just expire.
So no Lundin, Latendresse, Gonchar, and especially and most important no Alfie.
Add to that.. Cowen, Silfverberg, and yes Zibanejad will be there.. Don't know who else on the Sens could go down to Binghamton without clearing waivers...
There is going to be a lockout.. so let these young guys play there... Give Silfverberg & Zibanejad used to playing on smaller ice surfaces.
But it's the fact that these NHL players are multi-millionai res and those they are replacing are not. I guess I'm one of the few who does have some compassion for this sort of thing.. How foolish of me.
Unless the new CBA specifically states otherwise, contracts will slide. They did last time.
No one is (or should be) faulting your compassion - but I just don't think you can blame individual players for playing in other leagues if they're locked out of the NHL.
Those NHL players have bills to pay aswell, just cause they make millions dont mean they dont have to pay the toys they got. It all goes with lifestyle, yes they make big money but they also have big bills and payments!
The little guy will probably survive better as his lifestyle is not threatened!
Sandy, I think your compassion is well placed, and I too feel bad for the little guy that loses his job/spot because the NHL is locked out, but it's not the players going on strike, it's the owners locking them out, so I don't place too much blame on the players personally. The NHL won't even continue under the old CBA they wanted while they negotiate a new one. It's really hard to blame the players this time around.
I would love to pull off a trade along the lines of:
OTT: Mike Lundin, Matt Puempel, 2014 2nd round pick for
DAL: Trevor Daley
I really like the style of play Daley has. He is durable (played 550 of his last possible 574 games), puts up respectable points (last 4 yrs: 25, 27, 22, 25), and is pretty solid defensively.
He could pair up very well with Karlsson and I think this would be a significant improvement for our back end.
I believe this is in reference to my thoughts on Landeskog for Michalek, Zibanejad the 2013th 2nd round? I thought the same at first, but would be willing to throw in more if needed. Right now I think Landeskog will be one of the best in the NHL in the near future as well as captain material. I'd pay MUCH more than I originally suggested but would never offer that much up front. Damn I wish we would have landed him. So what do you think it WOULD take to get him?
If you're looking for out of the box trades look at mine tell me what you think, comment #88
the poorest NFL Franchise is worth more than the richest NHL Franchise yet NHL players think they should be getting paid more, dollar for dollar, than NFL players? Nope, don't think so.
I am mainly pissed that the NHL should have been more vocal about this all along and how further recessions would need to be made. At least we could have emotionally prepared for this.
Owners have a right to make the most money they can. Even after a 24% reduction last time, NHL players are still paid way more proportionately compared with the value of the franchises that pay them in all pro sports with a salary cap. Of course owners are going to take issue with that. Fact is, the owners should have asked for more the last time but they didnt, for the sake of not losing another year of NHL hockey.
But how the owners settle for Gary Bettman is beyond me. He has done a great thing to bring in money via TV contracts the last 5 years but he has pretty much let it all go down the drain propping up franchises in weak markets, at the expense of the other owners. Why do they allow that to happen?
This is TV revenue alone:
MLB - $923M per season (this is from Forbes in March 2012.) They expect that to exceed 1.5 billion/per season in 2015 based on more lucrative contracts some more teams have signed.
The following info was from April 2011.. just various websites?
NBA - $930M per season
NFL - 1.3B per season
NHL - 2B over 10 YEARS from NBC/Versus -- works out to about 200M a season + 100M each from TSN & CBC.. so total is 400M.
Now how in the hell, with a straight face can Fehr stand up there and start yapping about comparisons to MLB when the TV revenue alone blows the NHL right out of the water. Of course the MLB is happy. With that TV revenue alone they are very wealthy.
The players are buying this? They expect the fans to buy into this? Are we that naive?
Step one, sign Colaiacovo. - Shores up D and gives us another mobile and puck moving d-man to play with either Methot or Cowen.
Gonchar, Wiercoch, Da Costa and 2014 2nd Rounder to Philly for Jason Akeson (Ottawa Boy), and a 2013 First Rounder.
Philly is Desperate for D-men right now, but we'd need to sweeten the pot a bit to get their first. Akeson seems like he has some potential, putting up half decent numbers in the AHL last season, and we seem to be stoking up on more local talent.
Stone, Latendresse & Philly's First Rounder (or ours) to Winnipeg for Kane.
I think Kane could be an outstanding player with talent like Spezza and if he is in fact unhappy in WPG, a package like that could be what they need to let him go. Stone would be an instant hero in WPG, and they're looking for more size and puck possession up front which would make Latendresse really attractive to play with a guy like Wheeler.
1st Line Spezza Kane, Greening
2nd Line Turris Alfie and Michalek
3rd Line Zibby Regin, Silfverburg
4th Line Smith Neil, & other
Karlsson Methot
Colaiacovo Cowen
Lundin Phillips
No line on that team would be fun to play against, even the 3rd and 4th lines could put up really decent numbers. I kept Greening on the first line, because- as was recently pointed out in another blog, Greening is currently Ottawa's fastest and strongest player- would be great for creating space for Spezz and Kane to create Magic.
I think this is certainly a decent team that would be sustainable for at least 3 years- (who are we going to lose any time soon?) Could theoretically be the building blocks for something exceptional a few years down the road.
Actually I like Daley. Good 2nd pairing guy, no real value on the PP though. He's much like Methot, so to me I didn't consider him. If I was going to trade for him, the problem I see here is using Lundin. I just don't see any team taking him in a trade when we signed him as an FA. Including Puempel and a 2nd is good return, but considering what he brings to Dallas I don't see them taking that.
Trade back the future considerations, zibby and first for patrick sharp
Offer sheet PK subban 4.7 mil per season
Trade daugavins condra and the rights to filitov for Rundblad
trade phillips and bishop for 1st and 2nd round picks
Promote Lehner, Ceci, Silferberg, Hoffman ,Noesen, Stone
Sharp -Spezza - Silfverberg
Michalek -Turris -Alfredsson
Stone - Stalberg -Greening
Noesen - Hoffman - Neil
Karlsson - Cowen
Subban - Ceci
Rundblad -Methot
Anderson - Lehner
... at least its creative
...and they all have good hockey names
... except for Rundblad
Kane Spezza Silverburg
Ryan Turris Alfie
Latendresse Smith Stone
Greening Regin Neil
Condra Daug
Karlsson Methot
Cowan Gonchar
Phillips Lundin
Borowecki
Anderson
Lehner
Move the lines around all you want on who is playing the best any given night.
Trade 1- Chi: Bishop, Smith and Puempel for Hjalmarsson and Chicago's 2012 2nd Rd Pick
Trade 2- SJ: Stone, Greening and Chicago's 2nd Rd Pick for Havlat
Chicago is looking for a gritty 3rd line centre and Smith fits the bill. They also have a big question mark in net, and could look to Bishop for the answer.
San Jose is rumored to have interest in Doan. They would likely have to clear some space in order to sign him and Greening replaces Havlat's speed while Stone gives them the Blue Chip prospect they desperately lack.
Latendress had his most productive season playing with Havlat in Minnesota. Havlat was a fan favourite in Ottawa, and while injuries could be a concern, players like Zibanejad, Prince, Petersson and Hoffman are waiting in the wings for a call up.
Hjalmarsson instantly shores up the Senators defense. Having played on a pairing with Karlsson in the World Championships is an added bonus. He also provides some toughness on the back end, which became an area of need with the departure of Carkner.
A three way trade could also make for an interesting story. (Havlat was initially traded from Ottawa in a rare 3 way trade between SJ, OTT and CHI, making the story come full circle)
2012/2013 Senators Line-Up:
Michalek-Spezza-Alfredsson
Latendress-Turris-Havlat
Silfverberg-Regin-Condra
Daugavins-JOB-Neil
Anderson
Lehner
Hjalmarsson-Karlsson
Methot-Phillips
Cowen-Gonchar
add toughness to bottom 6 -->
Daugavins and A. Petersson for RFA Matt Martin NYI
add some size on D -->
Stone, Claesson, pick(s) for Bogosian
add a top 6 winger in January if the team is in contention. if not, move the pending UFAs (gonchar, latendresse) for picks.
Latendrese Spezza Michalek
silferberg Turris Alfie
Greening Smith Neil
Martin O'Brien condra
regin
Methot Karlsson
Phillips Bogosian
Cowen Gonchar
Boro Lundin
I would trade P.Weircoch, P.Regin and 2014 2nd for N.Leddy
I would then make a trade with Philly:
To Ott: J.Vorachek, Z.Rinaldo,
To Philly: S. Gonchar, C.Greening, S.DaCosta, M.Hoffman (Philly would take this based on there needs on D and lack of depth but desire to acquire Bobby Ryan. They now have more trade bait and comfort certain players).
I would then make my tentative lines for camp as:
Silfverburg - Spezza - Vorachek
Michalek - Turris - Alfie
Neil - Smith - Latendresse
Condra - O'brien - Rinaldo
EX; Daugavins
.:Defense:.
Karlsson, Methot
Leddy, Cowen
Lundin, Phillips
Boro
Stone, MZ would be assigned to Bingo and called up unless they earn a spot out of camp.
These moves provide a competitive team now, are cap friendly and build for the future. It also upgrades prospects like Wiercoch into a Nick Leddy.
We also keep our 1st round pick for 2013, which is huge given the depth in that draft, all while adding a bonafide top 6 forward (Vorachek). When Alfredsson retires you then have the option to promote from within or sign a UFA.
Also, toughness is addressed by adding Zac Rinaldo.
You lose Gonchar (who you have no real need for), Regin and Greening but you gain that additional coveted top 6 forward (Vorachek). You lose a few wildcard/unprov en prospects who are hard pressed to win spots (now or in the future) in Weiroch, Hoffman, Da Costa but gain another point producing D-man which are not easy to find (Leddy).
Your prospect depth takes a small hit BUT your top-tier prospects (MZ, Silverberg, Boro, Stone, Lehner, Bishop, Gryba, Noesen, Puempel, Prince, and others) remain. So does your 2013 1st rounder.
Wow, these aren't good trades. SJ fleeces us on that 2nd trade and we get worse long term.
Pretty much your 'realistic' trades are terrible for Ottawa. The other teams GMs would love us though.
You're Muckler 2.0
Id say Zubov and Filatov are all but gone. I'd also bet they won't be here for camp.
Even with those trades we would still have Zibanejad, Noesen, Da Costa, Prince, Hoffman etc in the system.
This will likely be Alfredssons last chance at a cup, we owe it to him to stock up for one last run.
Let me explain something to you. Havlat isn't great any more. So you wanna trade one of your better prospects (Stone), a good 3rd line player who can log top 6 min (Greening) if needed and a 2nd rounder for a guy who is always hurt, has a 5mil+ cap hit and is over 30???
Wow. Where do I sign if Im SJ.
Its a terrible trade, probably one of the worst I have seen written here. Your Chicago trade isn't very good either.
Its not about over valuing prospects, its about making logical decisions for now and the future. This isn't one.
Next, time to call chicago. Regin, 3rd rounder 2013 and Bishop for Hjalmarsson. I truly feel bishop can be considered expendable, and with their need for goalies, he provides potential while being an excellent back up. Regin offers again, a little potential, and can play his natural center there, while we absorb some more money to shore up our D with what I consider to be an upgrade over Methot.
Last one is the big one. With the addition of Voracek, we turn to Anaheim, lovely city it is and find out what Perry is worth, especially iwth one year left. My thoughts are that it would be slimly possible to offer Milan Michalek, a player they really like, Colin Greening and Marc Stone, a solid prospect, with potential blue chip status and Patrick Weircioch for Perry and Fowler. I'm not a big Stone fan, but to get a real threat in Perry (big physical former fifty goal scorer??? OM NOM NOM) and Cam Fowler will be an AMAZING defenceman. We have to give up Weircioch I feel to git him, and MM with still give thim a solid top 6 forward. We may end up regretting it down the road but thats in potential, while I feel Perry is obviously proven and Fowler gives us a player who could be with the team a long time.
Line up now looks like this
Silfverburg - Spezza - Perry
Voracek - Turris - Alfreddson
Latendresse - Smith - Neil
Daugavins - Obrian - Condra
Karlsson - Hjalmarsson
Fowler - Cowen
Gonchar - Phillips
Boroweicki - Lundin
Anderson
Lehner
The top six is a lot more balanced, silfverburg doesnt have to feel as pressured to score, while our defence gets a lot more powerful. All the players acquired are young and will have the oppurtunity to stay with the team in the future.
I would try to get either one of Ryane Clowe or Corey Perry.
SJ Sharks may need a major shakeup if they don't make the playoffs this up coming season or are sitting in eigth place come the trade deadline I could see Doug Wilson wanting a dman back in return and I see Ryane Clowe as being offered up as trade bait at the deadline.
If the Anaheim Ducks know by the trade deadline that they can't resgin Corey Perry then they have to trade Perry rather then losing Corey Perry for nothing next summer.
For my first move I would trade Bishop and Regin for Zbynek Michalek.
I would then trade Zibanejad, Wiercioch, and a 2014 1st round pick for Bobby Ryan.
Ryan - Spezza - Silfverberg (Oh, Ah)
Michalek - Turris - Me
Latendresse - Smith - Neil
Greening - O'Brien - Condra
Karlsson - Methot
Cowen - Michalek
Phillips - Gonchar
Borowiecki
Anderson
Lehner
@ Captain Alfie,
Bryan Murray tried to get Z.Michalek and his $4 million
contract in a trade on July 24th, but GM Ray Shero could not accomodate Murray.
Penguins eventually traded him to Coyotes for 3 players.
Trading Bishop and Regin might not be enough to get Michalek
Same would probably apply in trade for Ryan: Anaheim would want 1 more roster player along with Zibby, Wiercioch, and
2014 1st round pick ! Maybe Greening or Condra ??
So Chirp, this would be my GM move ( which is based on Captain Alfie's reworked trade )
The Projected Lineup above, would be more than adequate, to
to take a run at Stanley Cup, one more time for Daniel Alfredsson !!!!!!!!!
GO SENS GO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!
What i would do though is go see Phenix, ask for my Rundblad + 2nd round pick for my first rounder this year. And negotiate from there on since they would likely want me to remove that 2nd round pick lol Then i would sit down with him to make sure that he doesn't hold any grudges and explain in a friendly way that we liked him so much that we traded a second time to get him back. Boost up player moral !!
Phenix has no use for him with the upcoming D talent they have. I'd much rather he plays in Ottawa or Bingo. Once Gonchar leaves at the end of the season, David would have developed a full year and would be ready to take a load off Karlsson with a 1 - 2 combination of pure offensive skill. Puck possession game for Mclean
I wouldn't worry about training camp.. there won't be one.
I also find it weird that we still sprinkle in Condra-O'Brien' and Daugavins in our 3rd and 4th lines - if that is still the case we won't be very competitive.
Here were the lines as I saw them
Michalek-Spezza-Turris
Alfie-Stastny-Silfverberg
Latendresse-Regin-Zibby
Greening-Smith-Neil
No weak links in that lineup and all four lines have grit and scoring ability. Just roll the lines Stache!
Ok Sandy, that will do.
Only thing I would do is trade for Corey Perry. I would trade Z-Bad, Greening, and either Puempel or Bishop. Then I would ice this line up
Perry-Spezza-9MM
Silfverberg-Turris-Alfie
Stone-Smith-Niel
GL-Regin-Condra
Karlsson-Gonchar
Phillips-Cowen
Gybra-Lundin
To Ottawa 2013 First, Riley Sheahan, Gustav Nyquist