I think everyone would agree in taking Ekblad, but if you could get him at #3 or something, you might want to try to move down while grabbing another later pick or player.

I still maintain though, it would be hard to get Florida to trade their 1st overall in a deal where they didn't get another 1st in the same draft back. That's just my instinct. If they aren't getting another 1st back, they will likely want a prospect back. If we are going to have to make a "bigger" deal if Spezza is moved, I'd like to see Murray try to snag one of the bigger names from St. Louis.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

if they could get a better player in the return, they might be willing to move the pick without another 1st coming back. i doubt any other team would be willing to move a player of spezza's ability in the deal. and you have to think that, given the fact they traded for luongo, they're kind of in a "go for it ASAP" mode.

either way, if we're gonna move spezza, i REALLY REALLY hope they get a d-man back that can step right into the top 4. so if it's florida, then the pick and maybe kulikov.....if st louis, then shattenkirk.....if anaheim, then lindholm. etc.

I think everyone would agree in taking Ekblad, but if you could get him at #3 or something, you might want to try to move down while grabbing another later pick or player.

I still maintain though, it would be hard to get Florida to trade their 1st overall in a deal where they didn't get another 1st in the same draft back. That's just my instinct. If they aren't getting another 1st back, they will likely want a prospect back. If we are going to have to make a "bigger" deal if Spezza is moved, I'd like to see Murray try to snag one of the bigger names from St. Louis.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

also, i don't think anyone would trade up to number 1, and then not take ekblad. the other 3 guys slated to go in the top 4 (the 2 sam's, and draisaitl..no idea how to spell that) are all very similar players, so if you miss out on one, you just take the other. the only reason to trade for the #1 pick, is to take ekblad. it's just my opinion, but i think there's basically zero chance he doesn't go #1

also, i don't think anyone would trade up to number 1, and then not take ekblad. the other 3 guys slated to go in the top 4 (the 2 sam's, and draisaitl..no idea how to spell that) are all very similar players, so if you miss out on one, you just take the other. the only reason to trade for the #1 pick, is to take ekblad. it's just my opinion, but i think there's basically zero chance he doesn't go #1
- sensarmy_11

That also may be the case. Since we don't have a 1st, I haven't been following the draft as closely, but keep hearing there isn't any "superstars" available but you can't really go wrong with any of the top 4. I guess it comes down to want teams want.

Murray will get at least one piece that is NHL proven talent in return. Those Citizen packages are aiming lower than what they will actually get.

This is a tough one. They said the same things about Seguin, and look how that's turned out for Dallas. Kane is very young, he probably just needs to mature.

Unload Greening for Stewart... Parallel move, I guess, depending on throw-ins and details. We really need to replace Greening with a good possession guy though, to help out Smith. Neil's not going anywhere, and he is what he is. This 'should' be 4th line, minimal minutes.

I'd like to see Da Costa back up. He was very good, and appears to be getting better. However it was a pretty small sample size.

About Spezza... well... Still on the fence with this. I agree with the consensus that if we can re-sign him for 3-4 years, it would probably be worthwhile. I don't think he'd agree to that, so you gotta listen to offers. Either way, I get the feeling that he's going to have a really good 14/15 season.
- Stringer74

The main difference between Seguin and Kane is that Seguin was making players around him better in Boston. Seguin was also just a cog in a big machine and was never asked to be the man in Boston. Kane has been the man in Winnipeg and has floundered. Kane makes players around him worse and I would gladly ship him out of Winnipeg.

Also I think Ottawa should keep Spezza as the Senators will never get a fair return on him!

Murray will get at least one piece that is NHL proven talent in return. Those Citizen packages are aiming lower than what they will actually get.
- Cup 06

I really hope you're right...

Murray will get at least one piece that is NHL proven talent in return. Those Citizen packages are aiming lower than what they will actually get.
- Cup 06

they better...i dont even want to move him at all..

Murray will get at least one piece that is NHL proven talent in return. Those Citizen packages are aiming lower than what they will actually get.
- Cup 06

what were the offers in the citizen? I can't link to that page from a DND computer.....or atleast from my p.o.s. dnd computer.

It's kind of creepy how similar they are, actually. Stewart might have a half-leg up on Greening on the scoring differential alone (think it's like 0.12 per-game iirc), but otherwise, it's fairly close.

Other than Stewart maybe exhibiting an uptick in shooting ability, I don't see much else there.
- Travis Yost

Watched him with the Avs. Fans here were more upset at losing Shattenkirk than Stewart in the EJ deal. He's lazy at practice and workouts and not the best guy in the dressing room. Greening seems to be a good guy and even tho he isn't the best, he seems to try a lot harder. Stewart was suppose to be a 2nd line power forward and he has the tools to do it, he's just not that bright to figure it out.

Sens should NOT waste their money on this guy. I'd go after Jussi Jokinen and keep Michalek. Maybe add Brooks Orpik and/or Joni Pitkanen on D.

Watched him with the Avs. Fans here were more upset at losing Shattenkirk than Stewart in the EJ deal. He's lazy at practice and workouts and not the best guy in the dressing room. Greening seems to be a good guy and even tho he isn't the best, he seems to try a lot harder. Stewart was suppose to be a 2nd line power forward and he has the tools to do it, he's just not that bright to figure it out.

Sens should NOT waste their money on this guy. I'd go after Jussi Jokinen and keep Michalek. Maybe add Brooks Orpik and/or Joni Pitkanen on D.
- HKYNT

those sort of seem like moves that a team who's ready to compete now, and just looking for that finishing touch, makes. not sure that applies to ottawa.

also, i think orpik will get much more than he's worth on the open market. not sure i want murray to spend big money on a player who seems, if you listen to pens fans, to have had a drastic decline in his game the last year or two.

jokinen is intriguing, but based on the playoffs he had, he's probably gonna also get more than he's worth. If you could get him for like 3 mil, i'd be all for it, but i doubt after the season and playoffs he just had, that he'd settle for that.

Murray will get at least one piece that is NHL proven talent in return. Those Citizen packages are aiming lower than what they will actually get.
- Cup 06

Chris Campoli, Alex Kovalev and Jonnhy Cheechoo agree with you

Chris Campoli, Alex Kovalev and Jonnhy Cheechoo agree with you
- tuna99

campoli and comrie were traded for the 26th overall pick (palmieri) and deam mccammond. please explain to me how that was a bad trade.

kovalev was a UFA signing

cheechoo was a throw in, in a trade that murray was forced to make while being completely handcuffed, and the primary piece in that package was michalek......who's actually a better player than heatley right now.

Murray has to negotiate with Florida. Even if he does not get the first pick it causes everyone else who is interested in Spezza to put their A offer on the table leading up to the draft.

Whatever team takes Spezza, you know that a long term deal will have already been worked out.

I really like the 06 Nashville proposal of Josi, Hornqvist and a the 11th pick. I would take that over getting Florida's #1 pick.

Murray has to negotiate with Florida. Even if he does not get the first pick it causes everyone else who is interested in Spezza to put their A offer on the table leading up to the draft.

Whatever team takes Spezza, you know that a long term deal will have already been worked out.

I really like the 06 Nashville proposal of Josi, Hornqvist and a the 11th pick. I would take that over getting Florida's #1 pick.
- spatso

i'd do that deal in a second. would nashville give up that much?

Murray has to negotiate with Florida. Even if he does not get the first pick it causes everyone else who is interested in Spezza to put their A offer on the table leading up to the draft.

Whatever team takes Spezza, you know that a long term deal will have already been worked out.

I really like the 06 Nashville proposal of Josi, Hornqvist and a the 11th pick. I would take that over getting Florida's #1 pick.
- spatso

Teams will only offer so much though. If you keep pushing and pushing, teams will go to plan B. I can see teams like St. Louis and Anaheim falling out quick, then you're stuck with two teams that have less than desirable assets available. You saw at the deadline Vanek get traded for less than his worth because the Isles pushed interested teams too hard and they went elsewhere. I know this isn't a deadline deal, but a similar situations could happen. At least we have the option to keep him.

Teams will only offer so much though. If you keep pushing and pushing, teams will go to plan B. I can see teams like St. Louis and Anaheim falling out quick, then you're stuck with two teams that have less than desirable assets available. You saw at the deadline Vanek get traded for less than his worth because the Isles pushed interested teams too hard and they went elsewhere. I know this isn't a deadline deal, but a similar situations could happen. At least we have the option to keep him.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

vanek also had 18 or so games left on his contract compared to 1 year of spezza who is a better player regardless

can you really build a hockey team like in the baseball movie moneyball?

can you really build a hockey team like in the baseball movie moneyball?
- dmnted

sens are gonna cost per point there way to the stanley cup!!! WOOOOOO

The main difference between Seguin and Kane is that Seguin was making players around him better in Boston. Seguin was also just a cog in a big machine and was never asked to be the man in Boston. Kane has been the man in Winnipeg and has floundered. Kane makes players around him worse and I would gladly ship him out of Winnipeg.

Also I think Ottawa should keep Spezza as the Senators will never get a fair return on him!
- TheUltimateJet

Travis, do you know where I could find the information for a chart like the last one you did for Stewart, for Kane? I'd like to see if this is true.

can you really build a hockey team like in the baseball movie moneyball?
- dmnted

well, the leafs tried the exact opposite, and we all know the tragic end to that story

vanek also had 18 or so games left on his contract compared to 1 year of spezza who is a better player regardless
- karlsson

Thier floatability level is about equal, so is their offensive level - pretty comparable players at this point of their careers. Vanek got shipped out in his contract year, can only hope Ottawa can get the same return for Spezza - maybe the NYI are looking for a center to compliment JT?

Travis Yost: Chris Stewart is a Terrible Trade Target
- Travis Yost

go get staff instead of stewart

i'd do that deal in a second. would nashville give up that much?
- sensarmy_11

(frank) NO

Murray has to negotiate with Florida. Even if he does not get the first pick it causes everyone else who is interested in Spezza to put their A offer on the table leading up to the draft.

Whatever team takes Spezza, you know that a long term deal will have already been worked out.

I really like the 06 Nashville proposal of Josi, Hornqvist and a the 11th pick. I would take that over getting Florida's #1 pick.
- spatso

We'd have to throw in some other GOOD asset to get that much out of Nashville.

I'd take just Hornqvist and the 1st for Spezza in a second.

(frank) NO
- TommyDeVito

i don't think so either, but ottawa could sweeten the deal too. add hemsky's rights, a prospect, anything.

josi could play on the top pair with karlsson.....he's been doing it with weber.

hornqvist would be a very solid addition to teh top six

mac - turris - ryan
hornqvist - zibby - stone

i like it, get it done murray