I agree, Spezza didnt live up to his past two seasons offensivly but idk where you could ship him out too. Who is in real need of a good playmaking center? I could see maybe being shipped to Atlanta like previously stated but one thing i have a problem with that deal is too many wingers for the Sens. With Danny, and Alfie getting up in age and adding Kovalchuk to the wing mix would still leave an opening at center. Yea they still have Comrie but hes not top line material.
I say this:
To ATL: Spezza
To OTT: Brian Little and 2009 1st Round Pick
Ottawa could use that pick and thier own to maybe trade up or down for some other key players. Say defensive help.
The popular choice seems to be Spezza, which I understand, but don't necessarily agree with. While he's skilled, of the top three (Spezza, Heatley and Alfredsson), he's also the most expendable and would garner a quality return due to his age and skill. Heatley's Heatley and players like him don't come around often, so I would say keep him at any expense. Alfredsson is signed to an affordable contract and just inked an extension, and is the team's best defensive forward. Unless the return is incredible, then I would say keep him as well.
The Senators had many issues last year, and I'm not sure that any single move will fix anything by itself. Lack of puck moving defensemen, lack of scoring behind the big three and lackluster goaltending.
The move that Murray made for Leclaire is the first step to improving the Senators for next season. Elliott will also likely improve and be a good goaltender for the Senators. I'd say that the goaltending situation looks better than it did last year.
In terms of offensive depth, Fisher didn't live up to expectations, and for the amount of money that he's making, he should be able to put up around 50 points a season, if not more. If a team would be willing to give up a young roster player / prospect and a draft pick, I would suggest that Fisher is moved as well. Foligno and Shannon should be receiving increased offensive roles next year. Bring in some of an offensive supporting cast of players like Jason Williams (39GP, 29Pts with Columbus), Mikael Samuelsson (81GP, 40Pts with Detroit), Mike Knuble (82GP, 47Pts with Philadelphia), Steve Reinprecht (73GP, 41Pts with Phoenix), and other similar players, since I assume you caught my drift already.
There's no need to pick up a star player since the top three will still carry the offense, but the rest of the forwards last season had 32 or less points. During the 2006-07 season, the Senators had 5 other forwards (outside of the top three) score over 32 points.
Looking at that season compared to the last also shows the other issue. Lack of puck moving defensemen. Kuba contributed 40 points this year, but the defenseman who finished second was Phillips, a defensive defenseman, with 22 points. Contrast that to 2006-07 when the leading defenseman was Preissing (38Pts), followed by Corvo (37Pts), followed by Redden (36Pts), followed by Meszaros (35Pts).
A full season out of Campoli will help, as will Brian Lee and the signing of Karlsson (assuming that he plays in Ottawa next year). Even though he's a good veteran presence, Smith is probably the odd man out, and a trade could be possible.
The only salary dumps I could see would be Spezza, Fisher and Smith. Smith and Fisher are easily replaceable with what's in the system and would be who I would send out first. If need be, Spezza could to be moved to free up his $7 million cap hit to spend on other players.
Spezza will never be traded mark my words. Did any of you even watch Spezza play under Clouston? he was way more responsible in his own end, fewer giveaways, point production increased. If it wasnt Hartsburg's failed system Spezza probably would have had 90+ points last year. I will predict this year Spezza cracks the 100 pt mark this year. Also Spezza has matured so much lately i can see him getting Heatley's "A" next year.
Spezza will never be traded mark my words. Did any of you even watch Spezza play under Clouston? he was way more responsible in his own end, fewer giveaways, point production increased. If it wasnt Hartsburg's failed system Spezza probably would have had 90+ points last year. I will predict this year Spezza cracks the 100 pt mark this year. Also Spezza has matured so much lately i can see him getting Heatley's "A" next year.
Spezza is a hell of a player. Thats why I want you guys to trade him to Edmonton.
I think Spezza has more pure talent than Heatley. HE has magic hands and a great imagination. I think if he played offensively more like LeCavalier instead of Thornton he would be better for it. More shooty less passy. And for god'sakes quit the friggen behind the back pass when he is skating parallel to the blueline. I must have seen him do that 4 or 5 times one game and 3 or 4 of those times it led to an odd-man rush the other way.
Alfie is going nowhere. HEatley will be gone somewhere, for less than what he would have gotten before he opened his mouth.
Smith and Fisher are two pieces I would move. Smith is a decent depth move for any playoff team. His grit and sheer determination are great qualities to add to a dressing room.
Fisher has been in my mind among the best 3rd line centers in the league for a while now. Unfortunatly he is not a #2 and that is where he has been playing in Ottawa. His $4M price tag makes it hard to justify him as a 3rd line center but that is where he belongs.
To Pit:
Fisher
Volchenkov
2nd 2010
To Ott:
Staal
Pit would need to clear around 1M from the cap before the season but the deal is an overall improvement to the team. Ott gets a true #2 center to play behind Spezza. It leaves the blueline lacking some sandpaper but the Sens could address that in the upcoming Heatley deal.
__________________
LEAFS TANK NATION: Well we Can't Tank, we got no 1st round Draft Pick.
LEAFS FAN: WTF is a 1st round Draft Pick?
CLIFF FLETCHER: Draft Shmaft!
Sig. Courtesy of VICE.
You ask Ovechkin if he would trade his Art Ross and Richard Trophies, to trade places with Sidney Crosby last June.
Who has to go in Ottawa
Who has to go in Ottawa
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