Episode 3…Forward (w)ho(a)!
July 6th, 2008 by Gerald NortonThe recent spate of free agent signings certainly give value seekers time for pause. Has it really come to the point that, under this new salary cap era, an aging 2nd line forward can command a more then 100% pay increase, and a 4 year term? It seems what is taking place is a mix of two circumstances. 1. Poor salary management. I would use this to define the signing of Wade Redden to 6.5M/yr 6yrs. The New York Rangers have the money to spend to the cap, but does that mean they need to throw it away? 2. Poor working conditions. I would use teams like CLB, FLA, and even the much fan lauded TML as examples of teams that have been forced to anti up a little (ok, a lot) extra to lure UFA’s into playing in what their colleagues consider to be either basket case locker rooms, or apathetic hockey markets.
So, how has this effected the Senators ability to address the long festering issue of secondary scoring? It hasn’t. In fact, it has likely far worsened the situation. Not only did they lose Stillman to the hockey hot bed of Miami Florida (where all greedy players go to retire…on ice), but it has also stifled Murrays ability to sign replacement players to fair valued contracts. In many ways, the loss of M. Havlat, for what has amounted to a bag of pucks and a couple of marginal NHL calibre players, has rotted the core out of the once shiny red apple that was the Senators depth at scoring. But, alas, all is not lost. It’s not like Stillman packed a real punch in Ottawa, and yet the team finished as the best offensive team 5 on 5 and short handed (let’s not mention the PP, I’ll get to that blackhole at a later date) in the NHL for 2007/08. Scoring per say is not a major issue, but, when injuries occur on the top line, scoring doesn’t simply slow, it stops, cold. That’s a problem. We fans know it, the competition knows it, and, most importantly, Murray knows it.
In terms of second line scoring, where is the team right now? At centre is Fisher. Ummmm, did I mention Fisher already? Yes? We’ll, then I guess that’s it. Seriously.
Now, I don’t want to pile on after coming off of a bad year, but Fisher is not known as being a particularly prolific producer. Look, the guy is a rock, has tremendous work ethic, and grit, and is without a doubt one of the best character guys in the league, but when Canadas’ team is down 2 goals in the last half of the third, you rarely find yourself thinking “Quick Murray, get Fisher out there!”. Fisher’s scoring touch was so cold last year, that when Stillman came on board, he spent more time along side Vermette and Kelly, then Fisher and mystery top six player of the moment. So, logically, what are the remaining options in addressing the lack of depth on the 2nd line? The way I see it, there are only 3 options in improving any club at this time of year, not including a straight up trade.
Sign a reasonably priced UFA - Note this was not sign a UFA, because (if you haven’t already noticed) I’m not a believer that a bad contract ever makes for an improvement…ever. That being said, whose left out there that could help on the second line?
RW - Brendan Shannahan
RW - Teemu Selanne
C - Peter Forsberg
(Noticing the trend here?)
C - Mats Sundin
C- Joe Sakic
RW/LW - Jason Williams
LW - Pavol Dmitra
2. The RFA offer sheet route. A look at who is rumoured to be available via trade and who remains eligible for an offer sheet;
C - Patrick O’Sullivan (RFA)
C - Jarret Stoll (RFA)
#3. The internal promotion. Who are the most likely candidates?
LW-C-RW - Antoinne Vermette
LW - Nick Foligno
C - Ilya Zubov
Still some options, and with a powerhouse first line, Murray is wise to not break the bank in an effort to round out the scoring.
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4 Responses to “Episode 3…Forward (w)ho(a)!”
By scotty on Jul 6, 2008
Wow, there’s a lot of grey hairs on your list. I doubt Murray will pick them up, unless he hires Pat Quinn as an advisor. I’m not a Sens fan, so seeing their lack of depth is somewhat refreshing. It used to be one of the strengths of the organization, but surely it is now evident how hard it is to draft exceptional players when you’re actually a contender. Teams playing the Sens know that if they can keep line#1 off the scoreboard (and not give them much PP time), chances of winning are fairly good.
Here’s an idea that may sound like heresy to diehard fans, but it’s probably due time to trade Alfreddson. He’s 35 and is reasonably inexpensive for what he brings and Ottawa could get players in return that are closer to the ages of Spezza and Heatley (who are coming into their prime). Then Ottawa could have two decent scoring lines and try to resurrect their shot at being called a contender again before. Murray needs to ask himself if Alfredsson is untouchable for the rest of his career or does he need to go for the future of the team (much like they tried to get return for Sundin, only the Sens captain does not have a no-trade clause).
Of your RFA list, I’d take a chance on O’Sullivan.
By Gerald Norton on Jul 6, 2008
Whatha…whotha….trade Alfredsson?
Who is this guy?
I’d sooner be a Leaf fan.
But seriously, it’ll never happen. He’ll retire a Sen, and be the first modern day Sens sweater in the rafters. Besides, at 4.414M, he’s worth more then a couple of prospects.
As for drafting…absolutely, it is hard to consistently draft well when you have top 1/3 picks. The Sens are definitely showing the strain of these high finishes, and some poor draft picks (Chouinard, Klepis) but, they will make the play-offs again this season, and with some luck this re-tool will allow a couple of their better offensive prospects (Zubov, O’brien, Daugavins, Regin, Winchester, Foligno, Nikulin, Hennessy, and Bashkirov) to earn some experience in the NHL and develop into legitimate second liners. Defensive prospects are actually quite decent, and with some time, will step in to spell off the soon to be aging frame off Phillips.
I think the news of the Sens demise is a tad inaccurate, but, from desperate Leaf fans, what else are they going to focus on (ok, that was a low blow, but come on, trade Alfredsson!).
By scotty on Jul 6, 2008
I just can’t see them getting far into the playoffs with their current roster, even if Murray gets another defenseman. They were the 3rd worst team after Christmas last year, but maybe that will be remedied with the departure of Emery. But it’s possible that some other problem exists for which Ray was the scapegoat. It’s hard to say. Their nose dive in the second half is something of an enigma dressing room issues aside. I’m just saying that sometimes GMs have to make a tough (and perhaps unpopular) decision much like Lowe made with Ryan Smyth, Fletcher made when he traded Clark, the Sharks made when they traded Nolan… Some of those were also financial decisions, but I’m pretty sure the Leafs would like Brad Boyes back. Is Murray willing to get one or two in-their-prime players and maybe some picks in return for a guy who will be retiring in the next four years? Or will he make another big push to give Alfredsson another shot at the cup with this team and sacrifice even more of the future in the process? Or, will he stay the course and hope these prospects overachieve quicker than expected before Heatley fades away? Or, will he trade Spezza before his NTC kicks in? All these options may seem crazy to Sens fans, but Murray could follow any of these options and justify himself to the fans with legit reasons. I know I’m not him, but I’d trade “the face of the franchise” while he can still get something of value in return in both the present and the future.
By Gerald Norton on Jul 6, 2008
Scotty, Agree to disagree, lol!