If Ottawa did a deal with St. Louis, clearly my preference would be J.Bo coming back. J.Bo has always been my idea of the perfect match for Karlsson. Great skater, logs huge ice time, better as a #2 than as a #1.

Kadri and Clarkson to Ottawa for Spezza makes huge sense all around. Clarkson is a Murray type player. He would be a good fit in Ottawa and regain a good deal of the form he had in NJ. Last year was just an off year with two suspension including the first 10 games. And, we all know the Murray attraction for Kadri. It goes without saying Spezza gives Toronto a star player and a number 1 center.

Making it work financially is pretty simple. Toronto is getting killed on the cap (Clarkson is a huge part of cap problem). But, the Leafs have boatloads of cash. Ottawa is in great shape on the cap but Melnyk is cash flow poor.

There are lots of way to move cash between franchises especially where they have overlapping territories. In the CBA, teams trading a player are allowed to pay a portion (I think it is up to half) of the salary. The Leafs and Sens could agree to 5 preseason Sens home games over the next 5 years (worth about $7.5m in extra cash flow to the Sens).

No I like this deal so I am going to stick with it.
- spatso

WHAT!!!!!!

A lot of times you say smart things but this is the complete opposite.

Also, if Murray wanted a Clarkson type player then they should sign Ott to a bad contract that would still not be as horrible as the Clarkson deal

Kadri and Clarkson to Ottawa for Spezza makes huge sense all around. Clarkson is a Murray type player. He would be a good fit in Ottawa and regain a good deal of the form he had in NJ. Last year was just an off year with two suspension including the first 10 games. And, we all know the Murray attraction for Kadri. It goes without saying Spezza gives Toronto a star player and a number 1 center.

Making it work financially is pretty simple. Toronto is getting killed on the cap (Clarkson is a huge part of cap problem). But, the Leafs have boatloads of cash. Ottawa is in great shape on the cap but Melnyk is cash flow poor.

There are lots of way to move cash between franchises especially where they have overlapping territories. In the CBA, teams trading a player are allowed to pay a portion (I think it is up to half) of the salary. The Leafs and Sens could agree to 5 preseason Sens home games over the next 5 years (worth about $7.5m in extra cash flow to the Sens).

No I like this deal so I am going to stick with it.
- spatso

where is spezza going to toronto even coming from? NO WAY murray trades js19 to the leafs... and certainly NOT for clarkson and kadri

WHAT!!!!!!

A lot of times you say smart things but this is the complete opposite.

Also, if Murray wanted a Clarkson type player then they should sign Ott to a bad contract that would still not be as horrible as the Clarkson deal
- riceroni

Don't be so quick to dismiss a Spezza to Toronto option. Murray's primary purpose has to be to get maximum value for Spezza. There are several teams that value Spezza but nobody would want him more than the Leaf fan base. So, if for no other reason, than just the desire to leverage your trade position, Murray needs to let it be known he would trade his top center to the Leafs.

Senator fans need to get their head around the same idea.

Don't be so quick to dismiss a Spezza to Toronto option. Murray's primary purpose has to be to get maximum value for Spezza. There are several teams that value Spezza but nobody would want him more than the Leaf fan base. So, if for no other reason, than just the desire to leverage your trade position, Murray needs to let it be known he would trade his top center to the Leafs.

Senator fans need to get their head around the same idea.
- spatso

If top value is Kadri and Clarkson then Murray should just hang onto Spezza and hope he plays well. If so then try to extend him or look for a better package than Kadri and Clarkson at the trade deadline...

Don't be so quick to dismiss a Spezza to Toronto option. Murray's primary purpose has to be to get maximum value for Spezza. There are several teams that value Spezza but nobody would want him more than the Leaf fan base. So, if for no other reason, than just the desire to leverage your trade position, Murray needs to let it be known he would trade his top center to the Leafs.

Senator fans need to get their head around the same idea.
- spatso

I don't dismiss Toronto having interest in Spezza. I also don't dismiss Murray trading with Toronto in general. I do have a beef with Ottawa taking on Clarkson. It makes next to no sense to bring him aboard. Clarkson was a great player when no one thought he'd be able to score goals, so played without a target on his back, but now everyone knows about him and is just going to be a glorified 3rd liner. Love to have him on my team, but not at that salary price. I don't see Toronto wanting to take part of his salary either.

To then have Spezza own the senators... i think it is pretty damn obvious that if Spezza gets traded it probably be out west, not in the eastern conference rival.
- PtotheY

This is all just guessing, as are most of these trade proposals.Nobody knows where spezza goes if traded ,but to say Toronto wouldnt be interested is nuts ,and if they offer what our gm seems fair he will be a leaf

If top value is Kadri and Clarkson then Murray should just hang onto Spezza and hope he plays well. If so then try to extend him or look for a better package than Kadri and Clarkson at the trade deadline...
- riceroni

But creating a market has a lot to do with establishing a buzz. Being willing to deal with the Leafs (the fan base that desperately wants a top line center) is just good business. At some point the two teams will do a deal on something bigger than Damien Rhodes. So, why not make it a blockbuster. Kadri would be a very nice fit in Ottawa playing on the wing with Zack Smith.

If top value is Kadri and Clarkson then Murray should just hang onto Spezza and hope he plays well. If so then try to extend him or look for a better package than Kadri and Clarkson at the trade deadline...
- riceroni

Kadri is a decent part of the deal. A really good player. To me just fits into the "real good 2nd line centre" mould like Turris. I think a d-man would have to be thrown in. Gardiner and Reilly are off limits, but perhaps something could be worked out with Franson. Ottawa might have to add another piece.

Don't be so quick to dismiss a Spezza to Toronto option. Murray's primary purpose has to be to get maximum value for Spezza. There are several teams that value Spezza but nobody would want him more than the Leaf fan base. So, if for no other reason, than just the desire to leverage your trade position, Murray needs to let it be known he would trade his top center to the Leafs.

Senator fans need to get their head around the same idea.
- spatso

I do think that there is a possibility that the Sens and Leafs makea trade that revolves around Spezza but I think it's a small chance.

Spezza is a lightning rod here in Ottawa with our main troll media being Garrioch and Brennan, imagine how the dbags at the Toronto Sun, Toronto Star, Sports Net and other TO media will absolutely tear Spezza apart every drop pass that goes the other way and in behind Bernier!

I know Spezza grew up a die hard Leaf fan but do you really think he can handle playing in that market?

Also, what has the Leafs been missing since Sundin left? A big #1 C. So if Ottawa were to trade them just that then they would want a boatload in return. I am sorry but any mention of Ottawa taking Clarkson back is a dialtone from Murray.

Murray was interested in signing Clarkson but that was only after Clarkson showed up on our doorstep asking for a tour. Also, I highly doubt Murray was offering Clarkson big money and term like TO did. Now in hindsight that deal that TO gave is a monster and Murray is probably happy it wasn't him that inked Clarkson.

A fair return for a #1 C to be traded WITHIN this division is a #2C, 1st rd pick and a D man, heck I'd even take Reimer over the D man and then trade Andy away.

I don't dismiss Toronto having interest in Spezza. I also don't dismiss Murray trading with Toronto in general. I do have a beef with Ottawa taking on Clarkson. It makes next to no sense to bring him aboard. Clarkson was a great player when no one thought he'd be able to score goals, so played without a target on his back, but now everyone knows about him and is just going to be a glorified 3rd liner. Love to have him on my team, but not at that salary price. I don't see Toronto wanting to take part of his salary either.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

A third line of Smith, Kadri and Clarkson sounds pretty solid to me. If Kadri had never been asked to play center and take face offs we would be talking about him in a very different light. Unlike Toronto, Ottawa is very solid down the middle with Turris, Zibanejad and Smith with some really good young guys coming (Lazar). Kadri has a chippy game, he is a good fit!

Kadri and Clarkson to Ottawa for Spezza makes huge sense all around. Clarkson is a Murray type player. He would be a good fit in Ottawa and regain a good deal of the form he had in NJ. Last year was just an off year with two suspension including the first 10 games. And, we all know the Murray attraction for Kadri. It goes without saying Spezza gives Toronto a star player and a number 1 center.

Making it work financially is pretty simple. Toronto is getting killed on the cap (Clarkson is a huge part of cap problem). But, the Leafs have boatloads of cash. Ottawa is in great shape on the cap but Melnyk is cash flow poor.

There are lots of way to move cash between franchises especially where they have overlapping territories. In the CBA, teams trading a player are allowed to pay a portion (I think it is up to half) of the salary. The Leafs and Sens could agree to 5 preseason Sens home games over the next 5 years (worth about $7.5m in extra cash flow to the Sens).

No I like this deal so I am going to stick with it.
- spatso

1st - we have lots of useless 3rd liners who aren't good at playing hockey........why the hell would we want clarkson....even at half the cap hit.

2nd - part of the reason you move spezza is because you have an abundance of young centers (turris, zibby, lazar, smith, pageau, etc, etc), and maclean already has a hard time finding ice for them. why would you trade your captain just to add another player who plays the position the franchise has the most depth at

3rd - if you're moving spezza, who (no matter what anyone thinks) will fetch a decent return, you move him to fill an organizational hole......DEFENSE

4th - if you move, arguabaly the best offensive player ever to play for your franchise, who could conceivably still have 3-4 good years left of production.....WHY THE (frank) do you move him to your hated division rival, to watch him potentially pump your team for the next 3-4 years?

5th - STOP WITH THIS (frank)ING TRADE PROPOSAL, IT SUCKS!!!!!

Don't be so quick to dismiss a Spezza to Toronto option. Murray's primary purpose has to be to get maximum value for Spezza. There are several teams that value Spezza but nobody would want him more than the Leaf fan base. So, if for no other reason, than just the desire to leverage your trade position, Murray needs to let it be known he would trade his top center to the Leafs.

Senator fans need to get their head around the same idea.
- spatso

murray's primary purpose is doing what's in the best interest of the organization.

giving a division rival a potential 80pt, top line center, and getting a 2nd and 3rd liner in return.....is ABSOLUTELY NOT in the best interest of the organization.

you could get better deals from teams that aren't the leafs, and the sens have no need for either one of those players.

it's a TERRIBLE DEAL, give it up.

But creating a market has a lot to do with establishing a buzz. Being willing to deal with the Leafs (the fan base that desperately wants a top line center) is just good business. At some point the two teams will do a deal on something bigger than Damien Rhodes. So, why not make it a blockbuster. Kadri would be a very nice fit in Ottawa playing on the wing with Zack Smith.
- spatso

Yep we could do that, or we could take a Kadri/ Methot package and try to get EK a very good defense partner

I do think that there is a possibility that the Sens and Leafs makea trade that revolves around Spezza but I think it's a small chance.

Spezza is a lightning rod here in Ottawa with our main troll media being Garrioch and Brennan, imagine how the dbags at the Toronto Sun, Toronto Star, Sports Net and other TO media will absolutely tear Spezza apart every drop pass that goes the other way and in behind Bernier!

I know Spezza grew up a die hard Leaf fan but do you really think he can handle playing in that market?

Also, what has the Leafs been missing since Sundin left? A big #1 C. So if Ottawa were to trade them just that then they would want a boatload in return. I am sorry but any mention of Ottawa taking Clarkson back is a dialtone from Murray.

Murray was interested in signing Clarkson but that was only after Clarkson showed up on our doorstep asking for a tour. Also, I highly doubt Murray was offering Clarkson big money and term like TO did. Now in hindsight that deal that TO gave is a monster and Murray is probably happy it wasn't him that inked Clarkson.

A fair return for a #1 C to be traded WITHIN this division is a #2C, 1st rd pick and a D man, heck I'd even take Reimer over the D man and then trade Andy away.
- riceroni

Not to worry. If Spezza crashes in Toronto that is a Leaf problem. If he folds under the pressure of their media....oh well, some guys will never figure it out.

Yep we could do that, or we could take a Kadri/ Methot package and try to get EK a very good defense partner
- top shelf 15

I agree. Spezza is now a negotiable asset. You take the best rate of exchange you can get. I still think there is leverage with Hemsky as well. Any team interested in Spezza might also be interested in Hemsky. So, someone sniffing around Spezza might be open to a conditional deal on Hemsky.

The right team could dramatically reverse their goal scoring problems (eg., NJ, Islanders, St. Louis or LA) if they could pull off the double.

5th - STOP WITH THIS (frank)ING TRADE PROPOSAL, IT SUCKS!!!!!
- sensarmy_11

great use of capital letters

I agree. Spezza is now a negotiable asset. You take the best rate of exchange you can get. I still think there is leverage with Hemsky as well. Any team interested in Spezza might also be interested in Hemsky. So, someone sniffing around Spezza might be open to a conditional deal on Hemsky.

The right team could dramatically reverse their goal scoring problems (eg., NJ, Islanders, St. Louis or LA) if they could pull off the double.
- spatso

Yep agreed ,we have lots of options .I love JS but its time ,both team and player need the change .This offseason could be one that will redefine the sens for a long time to come ,hopefully it works out

Yep agreed ,we have lots of options .I love JS but its time ,both team and player need the change .This offseason could be one that will redefine the sens for a long time to come ,hopefully it works out

- top shelf 15

Reality suggests Turris is the #1 center for the Senators.

You need to give playing time to the kids next year. If Ottawa has an off year next year, the draft is incredibly strong. No, this is the year to make the move.

Kadri and Clarkson to Ottawa for Spezza makes huge sense all around. Clarkson is a Murray type player. He would be a good fit in Ottawa and regain a good deal of the form he had in NJ. Last year was just an off year with two suspension including the first 10 games. And, we all know the Murray attraction for Kadri. It goes without saying Spezza gives Toronto a star player and a number 1 center.

Making it work financially is pretty simple. Toronto is getting killed on the cap (Clarkson is a huge part of cap problem). But, the Leafs have boatloads of cash. Ottawa is in great shape on the cap but Melnyk is cash flow poor.

There are lots of way to move cash between franchises especially where they have overlapping territories. In the CBA, teams trading a player are allowed to pay a portion (I think it is up to half) of the salary. The Leafs and Sens could agree to 5 preseason Sens home games over the next 5 years (worth about $7.5m in extra cash flow to the Sens).

No I like this deal so I am going to stick with it.
- spatso

Spatso, Buddy, you are WAY out to lunch on this one.

Kadri has already shown what he is, which is Spezza ultra-lite. Clarkson is a 4th liner who "regained his form" in Toronto, by going back to being what he actually is -another Chris Neil.

He is paid 6 mill a year, toronto does not have the cap space to eat half of that, and Spezza would add another 7 million to their cap.

That would also be trading a good albeit flawed player to a division rival.

Lastly, you've lost your marbles if you think it is within the owner's power to simply add preseason games to the schedule. There would be a provision outlined in the CBA that states how many preseason games are allowed per year, I guarantee you that.

No chance, Spats. give it up now before you get all sad when it never evens gets discussed.

I don't think Spatso is out to lunch per se by suggesting that Spezza to the Leafs is a possibility. If Toronto offered the best package for him then I think Murray would go for it.

But I doubt very much that the best package for Spezza would be Kadri/Clarkson.

I think they'll get an offer for him that nets them the following things:

1st round pick this year
Partner for Karlsson
LW prospect

Toronto would probably be unwilling to move their first, they barely have a defenseman to offer up to play with Karlsson, and I don't think any of their LW prospects stand out enough.

I figure he goes to St Louis, San Jose, Anaheim, Nashville, or Colorado. They'll get that three component offer from one of these 5 teams, and as long as they aren't on the no-move list, I'm figuring that one of these will be the destination.

I don't think Spatso is out to lunch per se by suggesting that Spezza to the Leafs is a possibility. If Toronto offered the best package for him then I think Murray would go for it.

But I doubt very much that the best package for Spezza would be Kadri/Clarkson.

I think they'll get an offer for him that nets them the following things:

1st round pick this year
Partner for Karlsson
LW prospect

Toronto would probably be unwilling to move their first, they barely have a defenseman to offer up to play with Karlsson, and I don't think any of their LW prospects stand out enough.

I figure he goes to St Louis, San Jose, Anaheim, Nashville, or Colorado. They'll get that three component offer from one of these 5 teams, and as long as they aren't on the no-move list, I'm figuring that one of these will be the destination.
- the_terror

i'm kind of wondering if maybe the panthers could be a sleeper team to land spezza. they have a poop load of attractive assets, both picks, prospects, and roster players.....and are in need of a forward who can put points up.

i dont' like the idea of trading him within the division, but it stings less if it's the panthers...........for some reason.

it would be an attractive place for spezza too.....weather, tax free, not a lot of media to crucify him, etc.

I would say Shattenkirk would be worth it, alone, but then I checked the breakdown of his TOI and it seems as though he doesn't PK.

We need a steady Dman (I don't even care about offensive numbers) to insulate our crappy D - a steady Dman that can PK.

He did play more on the PK in past years, so maybe it's just a case of them having too many good Dmen. Who knows.

Ideally, Ottawa needs a guy to play with Methot, so Karlsson can slide down to the 3-4 hole.

Instead of trying to 'make' Karlsson a responsible shut down guy as well as offensive machine, we need to let him loose.

If you look at all the offensive greats in the past few decades, they have all played in the 3-4 pairing. Everyone loves to talk about Scott Neidermayer and compare him to Karlsson, but he was never tasked with playing in the 1-2 pair. He was in the 3-4 for the majority of his career. When you're playing 2nd/3rd lines more than 1st lines, you are naturally going to be on the ice when your team is on offense more.
- Charliebox

I was with you until i read "Karlsson can slide down to a 3-4 hole." Karlsson is a number 1 Dman on every team. They need a number 2 to play with him.