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UPDATED 5pm EST - Klingberg rumours to Ottawa!! |
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UPDATED - 5pm EST - John Klingberg's camp is realizing fast that teams don't want to pay 8M AAV on a 7 year deal. His camp is exploring the possibility of signing a one year deal, in hopes of more dollars available on the free agent market next year and allowing their client to have a big year knowing his production could result in the type of deal he wants! I know Seattle offered him a 3 year deal for 24M, but outside of that, no team has offered him a multi-year deal.
UPDATED - 2:30am EST - Pierre Dorion is focused on making a deal for Weegar or Marino, top 4 D, as both teams need cap relief. Zaitsev to Chicago as a salary dump along with a 2nd round pick is on the table.
UPDTED - 5:54pm EST - Connor Brown traded to the Caps for a 2nd round pick in 2024.
UPDATED - 4:15pm EST -
Kevin Francis
@KevinFr65525204
With the Pens adding Jan Ruutta on defense, a RD, I'm told talks are intensifying w/ the Pens & Sens regarding John Marino. Brannstrom & CBrown would be part of the package going the other way, more to come!
UPDATED Midnight EST - I'm being told MacKenzie Weegar could be back in play as a potential target for Ottawa as the Panthers want to extend Jonathan Huberdeau this summer, they want to lock him up now with only one year left on his deal. They don't want to encounter what Calgary is dealing with now with Johnny Gaudreau by not locking him up last year. I was told unless Panthers GM Bill Zito can get creative in unloading Sergei Bobrovsky, Zito knows there's no way they can re-sign Weegar and they need to maximize his trade value now with one year left on his deal rather than move him at the deadline as a rental. More to come as Wednesday unfolds!
With the Ottawa Senators acquiring Cam Talbot from Minnesota today and also putting Michael Del Zotto on unconditional waivers with the purpose of buying him out(the first buyout window ended at 5 pm EST today) you can start to see the Sens roster slowly taking shape. Sens GM Pierre Dorion's next move is to acquire that elusive top four defensemen. In doing so, he 100% has to move the contract of Nikita Zaitsev so he will still have the necessary dollars to sign UFA Claude Giroux. I was told by sources with the Yotes organization today that all has been quiet with Ottawa regarding Jakob Chychrun as I truly get the feeling Dorion isn't willing to meet the Yotes asking price of 4 pieces resembling first round picks. The problem for Dorion if he can't get a deal done with Arizona is then he will need to look elsewhere to move the contract of Zaitsev. I was told earlier today, something which I tweeted out and posted in the comment section of my blog is that both Chicago and Buffalo are willing to take on the contract for a 2nd round pick in 2024.
The way I see this playing out for Dorion in his attempt to acquire that top 4 defensemen, is he trades Zaitsev to either Chicago or Buffalo, then switches his focus to Pittsburgh in acquiring John Marino. Marino has 5 years left on his current deal with a 4.4AAV and his natural position is on the right side! I was told the Pens would want Erik Brannstrom and Alex Formenton in return, along with another high-end prospect. If Dorion can get the defense sorted out asap as he needs to move money out that is close to or equal to what comes back in any trade, then he can put all his focus into a top 6 UFA forward tomorrow, most notably Giroux.
Sens management feels with so many players not being qualified over the last few days that they can add another bottom six forward on a cost effective contract. Let's not forget Dorion needs to get Josh Norris signed to an extension while getting Mathieu Joseph signed as well. If Brannstrom and Formenton are dealt it lightens the load for Dorion in having two fewer RFA's off the books.
As I stated a few days ago, look for the Giroux contract to be 3 years at a 6.5M AAV.
All is quiet on the Connor Brown front, he would be included in any deal with Arizona for Jakob Chychrun. The Yotes have heard from the Kings, Preds, and Flyers today about Chychrun. I'm not sure Dorion would part with Brown as part of a package for Marino. Plus, a lot will depend on what the Pens do with Malkin.
On a side note, look for Artem Zub to get a contract extension done very soon. His agent is seeking a 4-5 year deal with a 5M AAV.
With the addition of Wade Redden to the player development coaching staff, I know management has reached out to Doug Wilson Jr. about the vacant position left by Trent Mann when he was promoted to Assistant GM. Wilson Jr. had a similar role in San Jose and would be a great addition as Chief Amateur Scout.
I will do my best to update the blog tomorrow while I'm at work.
Comments, thoughts Sens fans?!
Thanks for reading.
Kevin
Ottawa Senators Blogger • 
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