Cornwall Ontario – The Ottawa Sens have been a budget team for years. They struggle to put butts in the seats out in Kanata and do a really poor job of marketing. CFN has reached out to them several times to no avail, but the squad under Guy Boucher has played inspired hockey this season in spite of some key injuries and off seasons by some of the key players like Bobby Ryan who’s not earning his $7M cap hit and is all but untradeable, and now injured.
With that said they sit two points behind the Habs with three games in hand. In other words their future is in their hands.
But with the coaching change in Montreal and a move or two, or three expected from Habs GM Marc Bergevin the Sens will be challenged to make a move or two themselves.
They are secure in net with Craig Anderson starting to play games again and Mike Condon doing a fine job of keeping the ship afloat.
D is the Sens strength. Eric Karlsson is not on a point per game pace, but he’s rounding out his game getting hit by pucks 145 times so far which is insane as he’s the team’s most valuable player. Cody Ceci, while not putting up the points is making Dion Phaneuf look good. Phaneuf has come on strong of late as the team is pushing to get past the Habs.
Marc Methot is not contributing offensively, but he’s still putting up D numbers with 118 hits to go with his +14 while Borowiecki and Wideman have been serviceable on the bottom pairing with Borowiecki leading the team with 245 hits!
With Ryan and Clarke Macarthur done for the season forward is definitely a place the team can use some help, plus up the middle. Kyle Turris has done his best as the teams #1C and JG Pageau has shined at #3C, but the team needs more out of both spots. Derick Brassard has been a bit underwhelming this season after the trade for Mike Zibanejad, but that could be impacted because of the Ryan woes.
Zack Smith has had good season and plays wing and Centre. Mark Stone and Mike Hoffman have both earned their paycheques. Ryan Dzingel has been serviceable this season as well, but the team needs some offensive depth.
With the Avalanche dangling Landeskog and Duchene the question is what could the Sens give up besides a 1st round draft pick? They can’t really afford to let go of any of their roster players and the Hamburglar isn’t going to get er done.
Would the Sens give up Tomas Chabot? Should they to land one of the Avalanche studs? I would in a flash send him off for either player if it was a deal breaker.
What the Sens do have is miles of cap space which probably won’t be changing soon and may be able to pluck a gem from a team with cap issues which is how they landed Phaneuf as the Leafs clearly wanted to be rid of Dion’s contract.
The Penguins would love to find a home for Marc Andre Fleury who has a reasonable cap hit and pedigree. His cap hit isn’t brutal for a starter and Craig Anderson, his wife’s health aside, isn’t getting younger.
Could Marcus Kruger help the Sens up the middle? Chicago is always in cap trouble.
San Jose is up against the cap and would have to dump salary to make any significant moves.
Calgary also has little cap space.
There are a few opportunities out there, but the bottom line is if ownership is willing to reward the team for a fine season by loosening the purse strings?
What do you think Sens fans? You can post your comments below
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Both Eugene Melnyk and Pierre Dorion have said giving up the future, Tomas Chabot and / or Colin White, to gain a player for today won’t be happening. So, that’s not even on the table. As for Marc Andre Fleury (32), he isn’t that much younger than Craig Anderson (35). So, again that won’t happen. After yesterday’s loss, both on the scoreboard and in players, let’s see what Bimhamton can send us.
Welcome back Hugger1 🙂
Eugene (Penny Pincher) Melnyk won’t spend a dime on the team. His Sens are near the bottom in cap space spending.
I am not back. My comments will be few and far between.