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Madferret
8-12-05, 7:03 PM
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SENATORS RE-SIGN FIVE PLAYERS
OTTAWA - The Ottawa Senators today announced they have re-signed five players. Returning to the Senators organization for the 2005-06 season on one-year deals are centres Jason Spezza and Antoine Vermette, right-winger Chris Neil, and defenceman Christoph Schubert. Defenceman Anton Volchenkov signed a two-year contract.

All players signed today lined up with the Senators American Hockey League affiliate during the 2004-05 season, with only Neil joining the Binghamton Senators late in the regular season and playoffs.

Neil, 26, joined Binghamton on March 2 for a late push in the 2004-05 season and playoffs. In 22 regular-season games with the B-Sens, he recorded 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists) and 132 penalty minutes. Neil also added two points (1-1) and 26 penalty minutes in six playoff games. In three season in Ottawa, from 2001 to 2004, the Markdale, Ont., native had 43 points (24-19) and 572 penalty minutes in 222 NHL regular-season games.

Schubert, 23, played his third season with the Binghamton Senators in 2004-05. The Munich-born defenceman had 10 goals and 22 assists for 32 points ? 10 more points than he scored in the his previous two seasons combined. Third best blue-liner in scoring on the team, Schubert added 110 penalty minutes in 76 games last season. He also contributed two goals and as many assists in six playoff games. He has yet to play an NHL regular-season game. The Senators fourth-round pick, 127th overall, in the 2001 draft has represented Germany in international competition, most recently the 2005 World Championship.

Spezza, 22, returned to Binghamton for the 2004-05 season as a result of the NHL lockout. The 2005 AHL most valuable player led the league in scoring with 117 points (32-85), playing in all 80 regular-season games. In six playoff games, he added four points (1-3) to his season tally. Spezza also played in the AHL all-star game and was named centre for the AHL first all-star team. In two seasons with Ottawa ? 2002-03 to 2003-04 ? the Mississauga, Ont., native recorded 76 points (29-47) and 79 penalty minutes in 111 games. He also recorded a goal and assist in six playoff meetings. The Senators selected Spezza second overall in the 2001 NHL draft.

Vermette, 23, collected 28 goals and 45 assists for 73 points to finish third in scoring for the B-Sens. He also led Binghamton in playoff scoring, tallying one goal and four assists for five points in six games. In 2003-04, Vermette saw his first NHL action, recording seven goals and seven assists for 14 points in 57 games during his rookie season with Ottawa. The St-Agapit, Que., native was Ottawa?s second second-round draft choice (55th overall) in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

In 69 games during the 2004-05 season, the 23-year-old Volchenkov finished second in scoring among Binghamton?s defencemen with 10 goals and 35 assists for 45 points. He also finished tied for second in plus-minus with his +24 rating, and was a mid-season selection for the PlanetUSA squad at the AHL All-Star Classic. Volchenkov has played two NHL seasons with Ottawa after originally signing a three-year contract in July of 2002. In two NHL seasons, the Moscow native has four goals, 15 assists and 48 penalty minutes over 76 games. He also added a goal and assist in 22 playoff games. Volchenkov was Ottawa?s first selection, 21st overall, in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

Beauty. All focus on Hossa and Andreychuck now..

Darsehole Tucker
8-12-05, 7:10 PM
Haha. Let it go Ferret. This is awesome news though. I agree that it won't be totally complete until we lock up Hossa and Bondra though ;)

Man.Utd
8-12-05, 8:43 PM
Great news! Let's see wait and see if rumours are true about Spezza just signing the QO and later negotaiting a multi-year deal. Here's hoping (assuming the terms are fair).

Volchenkov at two years was a no-brainer. We simply could't have 3 of our top 4 defenseman (the top 2 as UFA's) needing contracts next off-season. It'll be interesting to see the financial terms with the A-Train. Mangement made it clear they were going to give him a certain offer and say take it or stay in Russia. Maybe we get him at a steal for calling his bluff? Did we cave to his bargaining ploy? If anything, I can't help but think it'd be the former. We have never been the type to be held hostage by our RFA's.

Vermette, Neil, and Schubert must have signed their QO's or negotiated a deal close to them.

Kelly and McGratton still need to be signed whether they be inked to one-way, two-way, or minor league deals, But they'll be making around the league minimum if they play in Ottawa. Salaries paid to Binghamton players obviosuly won't count towards the cap.

PDO
8-12-05, 8:44 PM
Spezza signed his QO.

Can we say it together ladies and gentlemen?

C-O-L-L-U-S-I-O-N

There's no way no GM wouldn't think he's worth 2.99 mil and a few picks.

Man.Utd
8-12-05, 8:49 PM
See my post above, PDO. The buzz around Ottawa is that the two-sides both want are working towards a multi-year deal. Mucks just wants everybody locked up so he can put the Hossa situation on the front-burner.

I'd like to see Jason signed long-term but this works too. We get to seee him on the first line before handing over big bucks. What if he (and I doubt it with the wingers at his disposal as a playmaker) flops?

Madferret
8-12-05, 9:53 PM
I guess the Leafs & Oilers couldn't muster up that offer sheet for Spezz... :rolleyes:

Man.Utd
8-12-05, 11:09 PM
Welcome back, Anton!



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Newfie John
8-12-05, 11:42 PM
Spezza signed his QO.

Can we say it together ladies and gentlemen?

C-O-L-L-U-S-I-O-N

There's no way no GM wouldn't think he's worth 2.99 mil and a few picks.

I was thinking exactly the same thing, but you know, if you saying anything anti-senators it's considered trolling so I held back.

Man.Utd
8-13-05, 12:01 AM
I was thinking exactly the same thing, but you know, if you saying anything anti-senators it's considered trolling so I held back.

No no, please go ahead. I can't see how you could turn a player of Spezza'a calibre signing his QO into an anti-Ottawa rant......

:confused:

grim
8-13-05, 1:57 PM
Spezza signed his QO.

Can we say it together ladies and gentlemen?

C-O-L-L-U-S-I-O-N

There's no way no GM wouldn't think he's worth 2.99 mil and a few picks.

I was thinking exactly the same thing, but you know, if you saying anything anti-senators it's considered trolling so I held back.

No no. He said C-O-L-L-U-S-I-O-N. Not C-O-L-L-I-S-I-O-N. :]

http://www.harriscolorgraphics.com/sitebuilder/images/flipped-car-247x158.jpg

Man.Utd
8-14-05, 2:28 PM
Looks like Spezza got a small raise over his QO at $1.2M. Still a steal though.

Newfie John
8-14-05, 2:33 PM
Looks like Spezza got a small raise over his QO at $1.2M. Still a steal though.

Do you think its possible that Spezza got a little money under the table?

KB in Kelowna
8-14-05, 4:30 PM
Do you think its possible that Spezza got a little money under the table?

I am not sure of that, but I would love to see what the new CBA says and does about that kind of thing. For the record I am not accusing the Senators organization of anything illeagal. I' m just wondering if there are provisions in the new CBA to deal with off the book tranactions and under the table compensations.

Man.Utd
8-14-05, 7:48 PM
Do you think its possible that Spezza got a little money under the table?

I doubt it. Although possible and I'm sure it happened some times during the old CBA, I doubt Ottawa would do it. Not now. I don't think any team would try such dealings so shortly after the CBA was ratified and financial records will likely be under lots of observation fora while yet.

Anyway, the Sens have been known to be able to pull off very good value signing with their RFA's. Chara taking 4.5M (pre-rollback so 3.75M now) last year was a key example. Marian Hossa's deal was very fair although it's now expired. Redden makes little $$$ for a top 15 (arguably top 10 defenseman) in the league. Havlat was forced to take our low-ball last time around and the 2.6M he just got is very fair considering Alexander Frolov just got 2.9M/yr out of LA for far less proven production and very similar potential. Volchenkov making 1.2M for each of the next two seasons is also a good deal for a guy that is a very solid #5 guy and on the very cusp of being able to round out a top-4.

Spezza just had no other option than to take the 1.2M. He was an RFA and ineligable for arbitation. At least it was more than his QO. He was in a huge position of weakness, what was he supposed to do but take the one-year deal, work hard to put up good numbers, and ask for more next time around when he has more leverage?

Max Power
8-15-05, 12:04 PM
According to this article the Sens put in a late offer for Lindros before he signed for TO. As much as I think he has skill I?m glad that did not materialize. Seriously if that?s true WTF is Mukler thinking?
http://www.ottawasun.com/Sports/Hockey/2005/08/14/1172329-sun.html

Man.Utd
8-15-05, 12:15 PM
Didn't some other team (slipping my mind now...... Nashville?) offer him 3.5M? I think we were just driving up the price. Couple that with the blowing smoke regarding Price heading up to draft day (or you can only think that since they were obviously targeting Lee and had a jersey with his name on it. And they claimed they had him 4th on their list) Muckler has been doing some sly GM'ing.

And (thus far) I'm a big fan of all the contracts he's singed both in terms of financials and durations. Spezza would've been great to lock up long term but apparently they just couldn't agree on financials so they signed a one-year deal. I'm fine with that at the price (1.2M). Havlat would've been nice to lock up too but some things are just impossible.

If Mucks can sign Hossa to a fair multi-year deal (and if cap-room provides, maybe even sign/trade a gritty 2nd line LW'er) he would've earned his pay this summer.

Max Power
8-15-05, 12:22 PM
If Mucks can sign Hossa to a fair multi-year deal (and if cap-room provides, maybe even sign/trade a gritty 2nd line LW'er) he would've earned his pay this summer.

True enough
Also granted that with all the talent wee needed to make new contracts for a fee agent bonanza would have been irresponsible.

Madferret
8-15-05, 7:07 PM
SENATORS RE-SIGN CHRIS KELLY AND BRIAN McGRATTAN

The Ottawa Senators today announced they have re-signed right-wingers Chris Kelly and Brian McGrattan to one-year contracts. Kelly, 24, spent the 2004-05 season with Ottawa?s American Hockey League affiliate, the Binghamton Senators. In 77 games, Kelly recorded career highs with 24 goals, 36 assists and 60 points. He also tied a franchise record for most points in a game on October 29, 2004, notching four points (1 goal, 3 assists) against the Norfolk Admirals.

Kelly has spent three seasons with the B-Sens ? the last two as team captain ? and has recorded 56 goals and 69 assists for 125 points in 208 games. During the 2003-04 season, he was recalled to Ottawa on two occasions and made his NHL debut on February 5, 2004, against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Kelly was Ottawa?s third-round pick (94th overall) in the 1999 NHL draft.

McGrattan, 23, has also spent the last three seasons with Binghamton. The 2004-05 season saw him record seven goals and one assist for eight points in 71 games. The Hamilton native also collected 551 penalty minutes last season to set a new AHL single-season record.

McGrattan is the B-Sens' franchise record holder for most career penalty minutes (1,051 PIM), with his 2004-05 total eclipsing his previous two-season total by 51 minutes.

McGrattan was Los Angeles?s fourth-round draft pick (104th overall) in the 1999 NHL draft.

Max Power
8-16-05, 10:07 AM
I heard on the radio that Hossa refused a new offer for 2 years @8million. The arbitration hearing has been set for a week today I think