With Eugene Melnyk indicating that his Ottawa Senators need to go out and acquire a veteran-type, number-one centre to help insulate some of the youth on the roster, there’s no better time to start exploring the speculation mill. Thanks to the Seattle expansion draft and a flat salary cap, there is expected to be lots of movement this offseason, which should in turn provide the Senators with the opportunity to go out and land the kind of player they’re looking for --- that’s if they are willing to pay the price!

And, that’s where you come in. While there hasn’t been much in the way of formal rumors about Ottawa’s targets, there has been lots of speculation. The names I’ve listed below are for your consideration. Drop an offer for one, two, or all in the comments section, and I’ll post my next blog wearing my “opposing GM hat” with either acceptance or rejection of your offers.

Sean Monahan – Calgary Flames
The Flames were a disaster this year, and it seems like they are heading towards a major shakeup. That has many people believing that Sean Monahan, who has two years remaining at an average annual rate of $6.375M, will be available on the trade market. After playing at more than a point per game pace two seasons ago, Monahan has really struggled to gain offensive traction for the last two years; he only posted 28 points in 50 games this year.

Jack Eichel – Buffalo Sabres
There’s plenty of reason to believe that Eichel is upset with things in Buffalo – and it’s tough to blame him for that. The cost of acquiring such a dynamic, prime-aged player would be astronomically high, but that’s not really a surprise considering all that he brings to the table.

Claude Giroux – Philadelphia Flyers
Like the Flames, the Flyers were a disappointment this year. That’s led many to think that they might consider moving on from Giroux, who at age 33 is on the wrong side of the aging curve. The Ontario native only has a single season left on his current contract, which makes him a slightly lower-risk gamble than someone with term.

Nazem Kadri – Colorado Avalanche
In his article earlier this week, Bruce Garrioch mentioned Nazem Kadri as someone who might be on the move from Colorado after being suspended once again during a playoff run. The thought of Kadri in Senators red and black after so many seasons in Leafs blue and white seems odd, but stranger things have happened in this league.

Send your offers through via the comments section, or let me know why you prefer someone who isn’t listed or no one at all.

As always, thanks for reading.

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