Capitol Outlook

[Madferret]

Ottawa Senators
13 players, $24,812,000

Players under contract: Daniel Alfredsson ($4.7 million), Zdeno Chara ($3.7 million), Wade Redden ($3.7 million), Dominik Hasek ($2.3 million), Greg de Vries ($2.3 million), Bryan Smolinski ($2.3 million), Chris Phillips ($2 million), Vaclav Varada ($1.2 million), Peter Schaefer ($988,000), Brian Pothier ($532,000), Brandon Bochenski ($513,000), Jan Platil ($356,000), Chris Kelly ($323,000)

Key restricted free agents: Martin Havlat, Marian Hossa, Jason Spezza, Todd White

Key unrestricted free agents: Peter Bondra

Player(s) who we think will be bought out: Greg de Vries ($2.3 million), Bryan Smolinski ($2.3 million)

The Senators' payroll looks a little top heavy, especially on defense. With Chara, Redden and Phillips already on the roster, de Vries seems like the logical one to go. And Smolinksi would be overpaid at $2.3 million in the new NHL, so he's a prime candidate to be bought out.

If the Sens do buy out de Vries & Smoke, does Bondra get signed? Is it used elsewhere? Or do we simply just get Havlat, Hossa etc signed and go with what we got?

[Max Power]

I said the same thing here a couple of days ago :thumb:
http://www.hockeystation.com/showthread.php?t=622

A few key players are missing in Vermette and Volchenkov
The problem with this is if the team is responsible for 25% of the player?s salary on the yearly payroll. That means if we buy out De Vries we'd need to find a better replacement for a little over a million if we want to free up salary. Same goes with Smoke

[macca]

Ottawa Senators
13 players, $24,812,000


Does this 24 million include the 24% rollback?

I think the one person on the RFA list whose value is diminished greatly is Todd White - who I believe won't be offered much - and if his demands are high could be riding the bus in Binghamton.

[Max Power]

Ottawa Senators
13 players, $24,812,000


Does this 24 million include the 24% rollback?

I think the one person on the RFA list whose value is diminished greatly is Todd White - who I believe won't be offered much - and if his demands are high could be riding the bus in Binghamton.

Yah according to the article it is with rollback.
The only player Ottawa doesn?t need to sign or at the least sign a replacement is Prusek. That would save close to a million. But I would love to see Prusek back up Hasek

[Madferret]

Yah according to the article it is with rollback.
The only player Ottawa doesn?t need to sign or at the least sign a replacement is Prusek. That would save close to a million. But I would love to see Prusek back up Hasek

I'm more for letting Emery finally have a go. Trade Prusek for a blue-chipper, a 1st rounder, and a prospect.

:D

[Max Power]

TSN has this posted
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature.asp?fid=9895
General Manager: John Muckler
Coach: Bryan Murray
2003-2004 Record: 43-23-10-6, 5th East
Goals For: 262
Goals Against: 189
Power Play: 21.6% (1st)
Penalty Killing: 83.6% (18th)
Scoring leader: M. Hossa (82)
Goals leader: M. Hossa (36)
Assists Leader: D. Alfredsson (48)
Ready for Prime Time?: G Ray Emery, C Patrick Eaves, D Andrej Meszaros

Senators Team Page Think about the future:
Goaltending was the No. 1 concern for GM John Muckler after bowing out in the 2004 playoffs, and he improved their fortunes in net by signing Dominik Hasek. With six Vezina Trophies, two Hart Trophies and a Stanley Cup ring, it's championship or bust with the Dominator...Jason Spezza continues to improve with every season - whether it's in the NHL or not. He led all AHL skaters in scoring in 2004-2005 with 117 points, and it's safe to say he'll play more than three postseason games (the number of games he dressed for in 2004) in the Sens' next playoff run...Jacques Martin was dropped after another disappointing playoff performance, and it will be interesting to see what Bryan Murray can do as his replacement.
Does anybody else think Patrick Eaves or Andrej Meszaros are GTG? I mean bring them to Bing first and maybe use them for injury reserve but that's it?

[Newfie John]

TSN has this posted
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature.asp?fid=9895

Does anybody else think Patrick Eaves or Andrej Meszaros are GTG? I mean bring them to Bing first and maybe use them for injury reserve but that's it?

They were saying the same thing about Colaiocovo 3 years ago.. Colaiocovo wasn't ready back then and neither is Meszaros now. Eaves? Maybe.

[Madferret]

They were saying the same thing about Colaiocovo 3 years ago.. Colaiocovo wasn't ready back then and neither is Meszaros now. Eaves? Maybe.

Quinn never gave Coli a chance John, you know that. Plus, I woudn't compare the two's clubs reputation with dealing with young players who are on the cusp.

[Madferret]

Ferret's take...

Under contract...Daniel Alfredsson, Zdeno Chara, Wade Redden, Dominik Hasek, Greg de Vries, Bryan Smolinski, Chris Phillips, Vaclav Varada, Peter Schaefer, Brian Pothier, Brandon Bochenski, Jan Platil, Chris Kelly

Get Marty, Hoss, Spezz, Fisher, Volchenkov, Vermette, Neil, Langfeld all get resigned. (Let's say 23 million more there) Let Whitey, Bondra & Simspon walk. Buy out de Vries ($2.3 million), Smolinski ($2.3 million)...so 4.6 from 23 is 18.4 mimillion. Put's us at approx 39 million.

Anyone see any more possible moves Mucks could make to open up some cap space? Who do you figure is expendable of those listed above?

[Max Power]

Ferret's take...

Under contract...Daniel Alfredsson, Zdeno Chara, Wade Redden, Dominik Hasek, Greg de Vries, Bryan Smolinski, Chris Phillips, Vaclav Varada, Peter Schaefer, Brian Pothier, Brandon Bochenski, Jan Platil, Chris Kelly

Get Marty, Hoss, Spezz, Fisher, Volchenkov, Vermette, Neil, Langfeld all get resigned. (Let's say 23 million more there) Let Whitey, Bondra & Simspon walk. Buy out de Vries ($2.3 million), Smolinski ($2.3 million)...so 4.6 from 23 is 18.4 mimillion. Put's us at approx 39 million.

Anyone see any more possible moves Mucks could make to open up some cap space? Who do you figure is expendable of those listed above?

How did you go from 18.4 to 39? Who will be making what to cover that gap?
Also screw Langfeld, sorry but he sucks. I cringe every time he's on the ice with his complete lack of skill. We can sign a much better player for the 500k minimum

[bluemeanie]

Your players already under contract make up the $21 mill differeance. What's Chara getting again?

EDIT: never mind... 3.7 mill... not bad.

[Newfie John]

Here's what the Sens could do... IMHO.

Current Players Under Contract

Daniel Alfredsson- 4.7 mil
Zdeno Chara- 3.7 mil
Wade Redden- 3.7 mil
Dominik Hasek- 2.3 mil
Greg De Vries- 2.3 mil
Bryan Smolinski - 2.3 mil
Chris Phillips - 2 mil
Vaclav Varada- 1.2 mil
Peter Schaefer - 988 000
Brian Pothier- 532 000
Bochenski ($513,000),
Jan Platil ($356,000),
Chris Kelly ($323,000

Total Payroll: 24.8 mil
Buy Out

Greg de Vries
Bryan Smolinski

Brings total payroll down to 20.2 mil

Restricted Free Agents

Marian Hossa
Martin Havlat
Jason Spezza
Todd White
Antoine Vermette(Couldn't find any info on him so I assumed he's an RFA)
Anton Volchenkov
Chris Neil
Josh Langfeld

Resign

Marian Hossa- 4 mil
Martin Havlat- 2.5 mil(if you're lucky)
Jason Spezza - 2 mil
Antonie Vermette- 700k
Anton Volchenkov- 1.1 mil
Chris Neil - 700 k
Josh Langfeld- 800 k



Brings total payroll up to 32 mil

Unrestricted Free Agents
Peter Bondra - let him go.

Sign

Jeff O'Niell- 2 mil
Rod Brind A'mour - 2.5 mil

Brings totaly payroll up to 36.5 mil

That's a pretty rough sketch but the Sens should do fine. After all of that they still have a good bit of room to sign another defencemen or forward if need be.

[Max Power]

Ottawa is at $23,600,000
IF we pay off De Vries and Smoke
19 Million
Sign Hossa 2 years at 4.0 first year and 3.0 second year
Sign Havlat 2 years at 2 the first year and 3 the second
Sign Fisher 1 year 1.5
Sign Volchenkov 1 years 1 millon
Sign Vermette 1 year 1 millon
Sign Neil 1 year 750
Sign Spezza 1 year (let him prove himself as a #1) 1.5 million
Sign White 1 year 900

This might be conservative outlook but plausible
13 million + 19 million gives us 32 million (Smart like Tuna I am)

So this gives us 16 players on a 21 man roster whose salaries = 32 million.
So we need a 2nd Goalie at 500k (Emery or Prusek)

After that we need 4 players with 4 - 6 million to spend depending on the details of the cap

2 4?6 th man defenseman
2 forwards

To me buying out De Vries and Smoke makes more sense with the potential free market options. For example a guy like Peca with his 4 million contract could be a good bet for a buy out among many other option that would make more sense then Smoke

Plus players that are being bought out might be very willing to sign with a contender for much less then they're worth

But then again the Sens might just stick with what they have

[macca]

For example a guy like Peca with his 4 million contract could be a good bet for a buy out among many other option that would make more sense then Smoke



Absolutely. I still believe the Sens need a tough centre who can play and produce in the playoffs. This has been their achilles heel for 5 years now and the Sens have never adressed it. Assuming they're OK in goal, a tough centre to compliment Mike Fisher would be perfect. Smolinski is 'window dressing' and nothing more. Todd White is a useful utility player but is he worth 900K? I don't think so.

[Madferret]

How did you go from 18.4 to 39? Who will be making what to cover that gap?
Also screw Langfeld, sorry but he sucks. I cringe every time he's on the ice with his complete lack of skill. We can sign a much better player for the 500k minimum

Maxy I was using the numbers provided at the Top of the thread for the 'players under contract', they total 23 quid.

[Max Power]

Absolutely. I still believe the Sens need a tough centre who can play and produce in the playoffs. This has been their achilles heel for 5 years now and the Sens have never adressed it. Assuming they're OK in goal, a tough centre to compliment Mike Fisher would be perfect. Smolinski is 'window dressing' and nothing more. Todd White is a useful utility player but is he worth 900K? I don't think so.


You're right about White I probably gave him too much at 900k.
Plus signing someone like Peca would give Spezza a shot at the #1 center position

Shaffer Spezza Alfredson
Verada (Free Agent) Hossa
Vermett Fisher Havlat
(Free Agent)White Neil

Redden Volchenkov
Philips Chara
Pothier (Free Agent)

I realize Havlat might get a shot in the first line on the left wing but this gives us an idea of what needs to be signed with 5 million

Can you tell I can't wait for this stuff to happen =]

[TimmyTabasco]

Jeff O'Niell- 2 mil
Rod Brind A'mour - 2.5 mil


I think they would be better off signing someone like Jason Arnott. Big center, capable of 20-25 goals a season..with lots of playoff experience.

[Max Power]

Newfie not the only one seeing Rod B

True grit time for SensLook for team to toughen up during Muck's busy summer
By BRUCE GARRIOCH, Ottawa Sun

SENATORS GM John Muckler shouldn't count on much sleep this summer. Not with so much to do ... and so little time to do it.

On the ice at a hockey school in Muskoka when he got the word the NHL lockout had been settled, Muckler had to be thinking about everything he has to put in place before September.

Though Muckler made bold moves last summer by hiring coach Bryan Murray to replace Jacques Martin and signing free-agent goalie Dominik Hasek to take Patrick Lalime's spot on the roster, there is still a lot of work ahead.

With 10 restricted free agents -- including Marian Hossa, Martin Havlat, Mike Fisher, Todd White, Jason Spezza and Anton Volchenkov -- to sign, the Senators have to get their own house in order and decide who they want to bring in.

"I know John Muckler has a lot of work to do, but I spoke with a GM today who only has three players under contract. I'm not sure that I would like to be in that position," said Senators president Roy Mlakar.


Muckler would like to change the chemistry on the Senators slightly and add more toughness. It's believed the league will give teams a one-time opportunity to buy out players and that's a possibility here.

Senators centre Bryan Smolinski, scheduled to make $2.24 million (all figures US) with the 24% rollback, and defenceman Greg de Vries ($2.28 million) are both candidates to get bought out if Muckler wants room to make moves.

A decision has to be made on the future of centre Todd White and it's not known if the club is going to willing to make him a qualifying offer of $988,000 to retain his services.

Sources say Muckler would like to add more grit at centre and might look for a veteran presence.

One possibility on the Senators' list is Hurricanes centre Rod Brind'Amour -- an Ottawa native. The club looked at him at the trade deadline last year, but his price tag of $5 million was too restrictive. He is scheduled to make $3.8 million with the 24% rollback and is a candidate to be bought out.

"I believe John Muckler is in a position where he wants a veteran presence.

"You need those types of guys with character when you get into the thick of the Stanley Cup playoffs and the going gets tough," said a league source.

Guys like Hossa, Havlat, Fisher, Spezza and Volchenkov might not be that fond of this deal. Their salaries will be restricted.

"Everyone is kind of in the same situation," said Spezza, who will be the No. 1 centre in Ottawa, replacing Radek Bonk who was dealt to Montreal during last summer's entry draft. "Not having a contract here, I'm hoping something will get done in a few weeks.

"It's going to be up to the agents to know exactly what is going on."

bruce.garrioch@ott.sunpub.com 

[Madferret]

Rod the Bod eh. Interesting. Has he suffered any major injuries or missed any significant time over the last few? Let's pull up ol' Rod's stats.,.

2000-2001 Hurricanes 79 GP
2001-2002 Hurricanes 81 GP
2002-2003 Hurricanes 48 GP
2003-2004 Hurricanes 78 GP

Anyone remember why Rod only palyed 48 games in 02-03?

[Max Power]

Found this
2002-03: Finished the season ranked tied for 12th in the league in faceoff percentage (56.5%) ... Named "Fan Favorite" by the Carolina Hurricanes Booster Club ... Underwent successful hand surgery, 1/22 ... Placed on injured reserve (right hand), 1/21 ... Earned his 100th assist with the Hurricanes vs. COL (1/12) ... At ATL (1/7), scored the Hurricanes' first goal, had an assist on the game-tying goal and won 21-of-27 faceoffs ... Tallied three power-play assists vs. DET (11/29) ... Scored a goal and notched an assist on Battaglia's goal vs. OTT (11/19)
http://www.carolinahurricanes.com/custom/rad1B522.asp

[Madferret]

Found this

http://www.carolinahurricanes.com/custom/rad1B522.asp

Thank you Maximus. Didn't he say it was his 'life-long' dream to play in his hometown also?

[TimmyTabasco]

Rod Brind'amour is a solid veteran presence. BTW he was born in Ottawa, but raised in BC :nod: :laughing:

$3.8 million for this guy is still much too high. If the Hurricans buy him out, and the sens could sign him for 1.5 million..I'd say why not. But I do not think he is worth more than that.

He is a solid 3rd line center, very similar to Linden. Veteran presence, playoff experience, great on face-offs, and gritty

[Madferret]

Rod Brind'amour is a solid veteran presence. BTW he was born in Ottawa, but raised in BC :nod: :laughing:

$3.8 million for this guy is still much too high. If the Hurricans buy him out, and the sens could sign him for 1.5 million..I'd say why not. But I do not think he is worth more than that.

He is a solid 3rd line center, very similar to Linden. Veteran presence, playoff experience, great on face-offs, and gritty

I like Gritty...
RBA would fit nicely in here, but as TT said that 3.8 is a little steep.

[Max Power]

I like Gritty...
RBA would fit nicely in here, but as TT said that 3.8 is a little steep.

Yah but if he's bought out I'm sure he would come at a much cheaper price tag. Especially considering his dream has been to play in his town of birth

[Madferret]

Yah but if he's bought out I'm sure he would come at a much cheaper price tag. Especially considering his dream has been to play in his town of birth

And I heard he'd take any kind of a paycut to play for Ottawa. Luckliy for us!

[TimmyTabasco]

And I heard he'd take any kind of a paycut to play for Ottawa. Luckliy for us!

You sound like a fan from a city of the white and blue :roll: :groovy: :jacks:

[Madferret]

You sound like a fan from a city of the white and blue :roll: :groovy: :jacks:

Unfortunately I can't back up my statements....

[Max Power]

Sens pay the priceChara, Redden get early shot at unrestricted free agency
By BRUCE GARRIOCH, Ottawa Sun

THE NEW collective bargaining agreement could soon be costly for the Senators.

If reports that indicate the age of unrestricted free agency will move to 29 next summer are correct, then the Senators could be faced with the difficult task of trying to re-sign top defencemen Zdeno Chara and Wade Redden.

Under the terms of the new agreement, which is expected to be ratified by the NHL and the NHL Players' Association next Thursday, Redden and Chara will both be able to shop themselves around on the open market.

"You could really see teams dismantled by this deal," said a league source yesterday. "The Senators could be coming off a Stanley Cup victory and their two biggest defencemen could be gone. Nobody will like that.

"Teams with young players like Ottawa aren't going to stand to benefit from this agreement. It's not just Chara and Redden, guys like Chris Phillips, Marian Hossa and Martin Havlat won't be far behind either. You're going to lose control of these guys and they'll be able to move around."

Spending will be limited since the NHL will get a salary cap of $39 million (all figures US). But Redden and Chara, who are both scheduled to make $3.724 million under the new agreement, will want raises.

The Senators won't be alone with these kinds of troubles. The Boston Bruins will have a tough time keeping Joe Thornton, while the San Jose Sharks have Patrick Marleau, Brad Stuart, Kyle McLaren and Scott Hannan.

"Under the old system, players used to get their unrestricted free agency at age 31," said the source. "That means the NHL team controlled a player's rights for 13 years if that's what they wanted. That's not going to be the case anymore.

"Now you could start losing guys at age 29 and if this agreement is carried through its full six years, then it could be 25.

GAVE IN EASILY

"I cannot believe the NHL gave that in so easily on free agency. You can criticize the union all you want for accepting a salary cap, but I can guarantee the league is never going to get unrestricted free agency back to 31. That's not going to happen."

With young players like Hossa, Havlat, Mike Fisher, Jason Spezza and Anton Volchenkov to sign this summer, the Senators are going to be faced with dilemmas to keep everybody.

Senators GM John Muckler will not comment until the new CBA is ratified.

NOTES: The schedule won't be released until the deal is final, but the Senators are tentatively scheduled to open at the Air Canada Centre against the Maple Leafs on Oct. 5.

[Madferret]

I guess we hope that Mucks can get them signed or have a plan B. Chara must be resigned IMO. Redden is the expendable one between the two. I'd rather not lose either but...

- Sens vs Leafs to start the season....muahahahahahahaha!

[bluemeanie]

- Sens vs Leafs to start the season....muahahahahahahaha!

I can hardly contain mysel... opps.

[Max Power]

Yah I believe this group will want to stay together, especially if we have a good cup run next season. I?m sure the Sens will stay competitive enough with the salary to keep the players around. So far Redden appears to be a franchise player so unless any of these players will make a significant amount difference in salary then I?m sure they?ll stick together. Excluding Havlat

[butterfly_style]

We could certainly use a good face-off guy.
I don't know what our team face-off percentage is . . . but I'm guessing somewhere below 50%.

[Madferret]

We could certainly use a good face-off guy.
I don't know what our team face-off percentage is . . . but I'm guessing somewhere below 50%.

Believe it or not I think Mr Bonk was our better faceoff guy...Sillinger was great to have, short lived though. Rod the Bod is a 54% faceoff guy I believe..

[Newfie John]

We could certainly use a good face-off guy.
I don't know what our team face-off percentage is . . . but I'm guessing somewhere below 50%.

Face offs were huge last season in the leafs/sens series. We dominated the series in that respect IIRC. Sundin and Newy were over 80% combined, IIRC. Foggy memory.

[KB in Kelowna]

. Foggy memory.

must be a Newfoundland phenomena ;)

[grim]

Rod Brind'amour is a solid veteran presence. BTW he was born in Ottawa, but raised in BC :nod: :laughing:


So he's the opposite of Steve Yzerman then... born in BC... raised in Ottawa. Maybe Stevie Y would like to take a few faceoffs for us for a year for 1 million.