I would

Mac - Turris - stone
Michalek - zibby - Ryan

Nice balance. Gives puempel another year to develop in the AHL
- sensarmy_11

Yep now the next two lines

FA/TRADE-FA/TRADE-Lazar /Stewart-Berglund-Lazar

Greening-Smith-Condra

Dont know about you, but i can see a pretty good 4 line team starting to emerge there.

I bet you you Bobby Ryan will likely be traded (at the trade deadline 2015) -- Maybe Melynk won't pony up the dough.
- AlfieisKing

This should not be entirely dismissed as a possible outcome. Optics would not be good if Ryan is moved. But, better to move him than over pay and put your salary structure entirely out of whack. Certainly, if he does not sign in the next couple of weeks it is better to move him now and get a great return rather than push the agenda into next year.

Ottawa would get a lot more in return for Ryan than they gave up.

Not trying to spook anyone. But you cannot have a comprehensive rebuild without some pain. You need to hit a bottom, accept the futility of your situation (something the Leafs have never been able to do).

Remember, Murray announced Spezza request on same day that Melnyk issued his statement on selling (auction) of all his breeding stock. From a psychological perspective you will never find a more clearly shaped bottom. As painful as bottoms can be they are often the demarcation point that finally drives the momentum for change, improvement, excellence.

I am pretty happy with the way things are going. I refuse to be discouraged if Bobby Ryan does not sign. It would be another moment of adversity filled with opportunity. But, it is important to know that even though there may be a few more set backs the worst is over.

Ryan will be the first signing announced July 1st.

No worries there.

Ryan will be the first signing announced July 1st.

No worries there.
- Cup 06

Don't believe it for a second.

Ryan is gonna walk.

Karlsson is gonna be traded.

Turris is gonna be traded.

Were gonna re-sign heatley.

Melnyk will also buy the red blacks and 67's, as well as become mayor.

Pierre McGuire will become the new gm and coach.

We'll find out Ottawa is sitting on top of a super volcano that is about to erupt.

Prock will admit that he's actually a Sens fan.

Ryan will be the first signing announced July 1st.

No worries there.
- Cup 06

I believe the bottom has been made. Strange, but I think the sale of Melnyk's horses is the strongest positive yet. People make fortunes by picking market bottoms. People get chewed up by selling into a market that has already bottomed out.

I think Ryan does sign. But, more important, the rebuild has unfolded beautifully. Worst case scenario, Senators have a worse season than last and draft in the top 10. Best case scenario, the Senators have a terrible season and have a lottery pick in a spectacular draft. There is much to like about the way Murray has handled the last year.

Do find it strange so many people are starting to turn negative when there is much to be excited about.

EVERYTHING IS TERRIBLE

-or-

THINGS HAVE NEVER BEEN BETTER

Interesting split in the fan base, and I disagree with both... Things are not terrible, and they're certainly not great. I can't see the Senators being more than a 2nd round team at any point in the next 5 years the way things have been going, but they probably won't miss the playoffs more than twice in the next 5 years either...

EVERYTHING IS TERRIBLE

-or-

THINGS HAVE NEVER BEEN BETTER

Interesting split in the fan base, and I disagree with both... Things are not terrible, and they're certainly not great. I can't see the Senators being more than a 2nd round team at any point in the next 5 years the way things have been going, but they probably won't miss the playoffs more than twice in the next 5 years either...
- Mr_Clean

That is worse, worst case. A lifetime of mediocrity. May as well go back to being a Leaf fan.

Ryan will be the first signing announced July 1st.

No worries there.
- Cup 06

Now we forgave you for Alfredsson last July 1st. So, I am certain you would not put your neck out this far unless you had iron clad guarantees from God and Jesus.

That is worse, worst case. A lifetime of mediocrity. May as well go back to being a Leaf fan.
- spatso

You are a true leaf fan or at least think like one, you look at a completely mediocre team and think it's in the best shape it's ever been.

Now we forgave you for Alfredsson last July 1st. So, I am certain you would not put your neck out this far unless you had iron clad guarantees from God and Jesus.
- spatso

I wasn't wrong about Alfie, he had agreed to a contract that day.

EVERYTHING IS TERRIBLE

-or-

THINGS HAVE NEVER BEEN BETTER

Interesting split in the fan base, and I disagree with both... Things are not terrible, and they're certainly not great. I can't see the Senators being more than a 2nd round team at any point in the next 5 years the way things have been going, but they probably won't miss the playoffs more than twice in the next 5 years either...
- Mr_Clean

Who thinks their in the best shape ever? Not I.

I wanted to keep Spezza. But reality dictates that this isn't going to happen.


Btw, I know we've been told that Murray won't move him East but the Rangers will make an aggressive push for him and I expect the Flyers to make a strong push by the draft.

The market will get very hot by then but it will be a small window to take advantage of.

That is worse, worst case. A lifetime of mediocrity. May as well go back to being a Leaf fan.
- spatso

We aren't likely to get eichel or mcdavid next year, and we are unlikely to be great anytime soon either... Especially if Karlsson ends up being the only legit top player we have by seasons end.

And, personally, if we just 'happened' to tank this year, I wouldn't be terribly upset, but if we tank this year, I have a feeling we'll be in the tank for a while.

I'm not a huge fan of the Edmonton 'model'.

Who thinks their in the best shape ever? Not I.

I wanted to keep Spezza. But reality dictates that this isn't going to happen.


Btw, I know we've been told that Murray won't move him East but the Rangers will make an aggressive push for him and I expect the Flyers to make a strong push by the draft.

The market will get very hot by then but it will be a small window to take advantage of.
- Cup 06

I never said you. But you have to admit, there has been a lot of either bleak pessimism or blind optimism around these boards recently.

Who thinks their in the best shape ever? Not I.

I wanted to keep Spezza. But reality dictates that this isn't going to happen.


Btw, I know we've been told that Murray won't move him East but the Rangers will make an aggressive push for him and I expect the Flyers to make a strong push by the draft.

The market will get very hot by then but it will be a small window to take advantage of.
- Cup 06

I pray they can make a deal with Florida, with the 1st overall and spez as the focal points of the deal

I pray they can make a deal with Florida, with the 1st overall and spez as the focal points of the deal
- sensarmy_11

Why would Florida do that? Explain.

Why would Florida do that? Explain.
- Mr_Clean

They traded for loungo, already have a crap ton of young players, lack a top line center, and have stated that they want to try to win ASAP.

Wasn't implying a 1 for 1 trade, but a package

They traded for loungo, already have a crap ton of young players, lack a top line center, and have stated that they want to try to win ASAP.

Wasn't implying a 1 for 1 trade, but a package
- sensarmy_11

As in next year? I'm not sure that would be realistic.

So what are we talking here, Spezza++ for the 1st?

As in next year? I'm not sure that would be realistic.

So what are we talking here, Spezza++ for the 1st?
- Mr_Clean

Not the cup, but playoffs......for sure.

Something like

Spezza & methot

For

1st and Campbell (no salary retained)

Not the cup, but playoffs......for sure.

Something like

Spezza & methot

For

1st and Campbell (no salary retained)
- sensarmy_11

I like that one quite a bit, actually.

Lord knows if the Panthers would consider it good value, but I think it'd be a good deal for Ottawa.

I like that one quite a bit, actually.

Lord knows if the Panthers would consider it good value, but I think it'd be a good deal for Ottawa.
- Mr_Clean

I'd even add in a pick if need be........2015 2nd or something

I'd even add in a pick if need be........2015 2nd or something
- sensarmy_11

Yeah I was thinking it'd be something like that.

If Ryan is signed this July then the cap hit has to be around 7.

The team cannot afford to go higher than 7.5 especially considering they haven't seen a full year of Bobby.

I personally like to the return the Sens are getting for Spezza from Calgary. Hudler, Wideman, and backlund is a great return.

Who thinks their in the best shape ever? Not I.

I wanted to keep Spezza. But reality dictates that this isn't going to happen.


Btw, I know we've been told that Murray won't move him East but the Rangers will make an aggressive push for him and I expect the Flyers to make a strong push by the draft.

The market will get very hot by then but it will be a small window to take advantage of.
- Cup 06

I loved what Murray said about wanting to send him West. He did not say he would not trade him in the East, only he did not want to have to face him and be embarrassed by him. I read that as meaning eastern teams would have to pay a premium.

I understand the Flyers interest. If the Senators dealt Spezza for LeCavalier and Bradyn Schenn and the Sens retained 1/2 of Spezza's cap hit it would represent upwards of a $6m cap saving for the Flyers (Schenn is an RFA and will be looking for $4m). Other pieces could be added on both sides to make it look more balanced. The Flyers are in deep trouble unless someone helps them with their cap hit.

Love the Flyer roster. Would you take on the of the LaCavalier contract at $4.5 m for 4 years if the Flyers would include anyone of Schenn, Voracek, Simmonds or LaCouturier. It is tempting, but that contract is so ugly.

Exactly the same story for the Rangers. They have some really tough signings. Richards and Nash are budget busters. They only have one compliance buy out left. But insane for Ottawa to touch Nash.

Not the cup, but playoffs......for sure.

Something like

Spezza & methot

For

1st and Campbell (no salary retained)
- sensarmy_11

Spezza + Hemsky (rights) is still an option for a couple of weeks.

Spezza + Hemsky (rights) is still an option for a couple of weeks.
- spatso

Yeah, I'm not optimistic that that would add much value... maybe we could recoup our 3rd rounder?