I like watching the Sens play and damn do I wish Lazar was an Oilers prospect but Hemmer is going to fetch 4-5 million or more as a ufa, to offer 3.3 was just ridiculous. I bet he ends up in Detroit, Pitts or NJ.
- Horseguts

Pittsburgh most probably, they need forwards and are a Playoff team.

I don't understand the discussion. I have been told by a reliable source the Ryan contract will be announced July 1st. Most fans will be happy with that situation. I'm okay with it, never was a big fan of the trade, I oppose trading 1st round picks as a matter of principle.

I was okay with Ryan not signing as you know he would bring back a great return in a trade.
- spatso

Well, you can't be all prospects, Spatso, we need somebody established.

I don't understand the discussion. I have been told by a reliable source the Ryan contract will be announced July 1st. Most fans will be happy with that situation. I'm okay with it, never was a big fan of the trade, I oppose trading 1st round picks as a matter of principle.

I was okay with Ryan not signing as you know he would bring back a great return in a trade.
- spatso

If you're so opposed to trading 1st round picks then maybe you shouldn't be harping on trading 10th overall (which we don't have yet, and Spezza for 10th and DSP is a bad trade btw), Lehner and Lazar for E Kane!

If you're so opposed to trading 1st round picks then maybe you shouldn't be harping on trading 10th overall (which we don't have yet, and Spezza for 10th and DSP is a bad trade btw), Lehner and Lazar for E Kane!
- riceroni

We all have our breaking points and mine is Kane. I thought this time last year he was going to be the power forward on Crosby's wing at Sochi.

Two players that I have always thought were going to be a lot more than their actual performance were J.Bo and Kane. J.bo has finally been put in a right situation in St. Louis and we are seeing how strong and steady he plays, beautiful skater.

Kane falls into the same kind of pattern. Everyone sees the talent. It is worth the risk to try and see if you can make it happen. It won't in Winnipeg. Way too much has already happened, both sides need a fresh start. But, Kane will not come cheap, he is a good talent.

We all have our breaking points and mine is Kane. I thought this time last year he was going to be the power forward on Crosby's wing at Sochi.

Two players that I have always thought were going to be a lot more than their actual performance were J.Bo and Kane. J.bo has finally been put in a right situation in St. Louis and we are seeing how strong and steady he plays, beautiful skater.

Kane falls into the same kind of pattern. Everyone sees the talent. It is worth the risk to try and see if you can make it happen. It won't in Winnipeg. Way too much has already happened, both sides need a fresh start. But, Kane will not come cheap, he is a good talent.
- spatso

You and I have both been advocating JBo since the his Calgary days. That I agree with and he would have been worth a good package a few years back. Now, not as much as he's a little older and the package was only good when we could have gotten 5+ years of service from him while he was still in his prime. Now I know you can say that's exactly what a good package will get you in Kane now but I still think it's way too risky for him and the Sens should stay away unless they can buy low on him.

Well, you can't be all prospects, Spatso, we need somebody established.
- TommyDeVito

No I agree. Ryan was a better deal than I expected. He is young enough to connect with the long term plan of a rebuild. On the other hand, he is a good enough talent that he could be flipped for probably a better return than what Murray paid to acquire him. He is better than I thought.

You and I have both been advocating JBo since the his Calgary days. That I agree with and he would have been worth a good package a few years back. Now, not as much as he's a little older and the package was only good when we could have gotten 5+ years of service from him while he was still in his prime. Now I know you can say that's exactly what a good package will get you in Kane now but I still think it's way too risky for him and the Sens should stay away unless they can buy low on him.
- riceroni

I think there is something to study in watching Murray operate. Every year he does a deal. Methot for Foligno, Turris for Rundblad and a second, Ryan for Silfverberg, Noesen and a 1st. In every case Murray telegraphed the deal. We knew in advance who he wanted and in each case he paid a fair price.

This year, all he says is I want a "hard" top six player. He has repeated it several times. When he does repeat it he always places the stress on the word "hard."

If he gets his man, he will pay a fair price. I hope it is Kane. I have never thought Murray had any disappointment over having to move Spezza. I do not believe he wanted to give him a long term deal.

I hope he will roll the assets he gets for Spezza into getting his hard player. I would not be disappointed if he paid a huge price for ROR as an alternative.

I think there is something to study in watching Murray operate. Every year he does a deal. Methot for Foligno, Turris for Rundblad and a second, Ryan for Silfverberg, Noesen and a 1st. In every case Murray telegraphed the deal. We knew in advance who he wanted and in each case he paid a fair price.

This year, all he says is I want a "hard" top six player. He has repeated it several times. When he does repeat it he always places the stress on the word "hard."

If he gets his man, he will pay a fair price. I hope it is Kane. I have never thought Murray had any disappointment over having to move Spezza. I do not believe he wanted to give him a long term deal.

I hope he will roll the assets he gets for Spezza into getting his hard player. I would not be disappointed if he paid a huge price for ROR as an alternative.
- spatso

I could get onboard for RoR much more than kane.

i think the price would be ridiculously high though

would cowen, smith, 2015 1st be too much? not enough? just right?

I could get onboard for RoR much more than kane.

i think the price would be ridiculously high though

would cowen, smith, 2015 1st be too much? not enough? just right?
- sensarmy_11

If that's what it cost then sign me up. But only if you could sign ROR to a 7 year deal at $6.5.

If that's what it cost then sign me up. But only if you could sign ROR to a 7 year deal at $6.5.
- riceroni

not sure the avs would go for it though. it's a good deal for them if cowen pans out and bounces back, but if he doesn't, they lose that deal big time......unless that pick ends up being really high

I could get onboard for RoR much more than kane.

i think the price would be ridiculously high though

would cowen, smith, 2015 1st be too much? not enough? just right?
- sensarmy_11

Not enough. Not nearly enough. It will cost a serious jewel (Lazar) and someone that helps Colorado this year (Methot) plus a good #1 pick.

I have always seen the Spezza deal as secondary to Murray's overall plans for the summer. Part of the reason that he seemed so comfortable not chasing Hemsky, I think, is because Murray already knows the hard top 6 player that he wants. I also think he will be content to use the Spezza deal to acquire assets and supplement his roster.

Not enough. Not nearly enough. It will cost a serious jewel (Lazar) and someone that helps Colorado this year (Methot) plus a good #1 pick.

I have always seen the Spezza deal as secondary to Murray's overall plans for the summer. Part of the reason that he seemed so comfortable not chasing Hemsky. I think, is because Murray already knows the hard top 6 player that he wants. I also think he will be content to use the Spezza deal to acquire assets and supplement his roster.
- spatso

if that's what it costs, i'd rather just keep lazar, and let him become what RoR is.

if that's what it costs, i'd rather just keep lazar, and let him become what RoR is.
- sensarmy_11

You are probably right.

But, I have total faith in Murray in these matters.

I think Murray believes he has a good team. Way too many people dump on Smith, Greening, Condra and the rest of the bottom six skaters. They have never been a problem. So, Murray in one swoop has killed the second line (some might argue top line). Just one hard player and one skill player away from doing some serious damage.

Way too many people think that dealing Spezza and letting Hemsky and Michalek walk is a step back. I just don't see it that way.

You are probably right.

But, I have total faith in Murray in these matters.

I think Murray believes he has a good team. Way too many people dump on Smith, Greening, Condra and the rest of the bottom six skaters. They have never been a problem. So, Murray in one swoop has killed the second line (some might argue top line). Just one hard player and one skill player away from doing some serious damage.

Way too many people think that dealing Spezza and letting Hemsky and Michalek walk is a step back. I just don't see it that way.
- spatso

i agree that smith and condra are underrated, but greening is as useless of a plug as exists in the NHL......except for maybe chris neil

i agree that smith and condra are underrated, but greening is as useless of a plug as exists in the NHL......except for maybe chris neil
- sensarmy_11

Smith is a 4th line C and should not get more than 12 minutes a night. He can be very effective in smaller minutes but he needs to keep his head in the game. Way too many penalties, especially lazy ones or even worse, retalitory ones. I'm open to trading Neil (he probably has good value around the league) and would get rid of Greening at almost any cost and like to put Smith with two younger players. Ideally a 4th line of Grant-Smith-Lazar could be good with all players capable of protecting the puck in all zones.

Smith is a 4th line C and should not get more than 12 minutes a night. He can be very effective in smaller minutes but he needs to keep his head in the game. Way too many penalties, especially lazy ones or even worse, retalitory ones. I'm open to trading Neil (he probably has good value around the league) and would get rid of Greening at almost any cost and like to put Smith with two younger players. Ideally a 4th line of Grant-Smith-Lazar could be good with all players capable of protecting the puck in all zones.
- riceroni

i would package neil and greening and move them for a bag of pucks and a smile, and still feel like we won that deal.

As long as he is a Senator, Karlsson will be the highest paid player. Forget anyone who needs to be paid as much or more. Just the way it is unless the $ situation changes

As long as he is a Senator, Karlsson will be the highest paid player. Forget anyone who needs to be paid as much or more. Just the way it is unless the $ situation changes
- JACMAN

i could easily see ryan getting as much, or even a little more than karlsson. EK signed his current deal coming out of his ELC.....i'm pretty sure it's understood league wide that your 2nd "real deal" is the "big money" one.

Smith is a 4th line C and should not get more than 12 minutes a night. He can be very effective in smaller minutes but he needs to keep his head in the game. Way too many penalties, especially lazy ones or even worse, retalitory ones. I'm open to trading Neil (he probably has good value around the league) and would get rid of Greening at almost any cost and like to put Smith with two younger players. Ideally a 4th line of Grant-Smith-Lazar could be good with all players capable of protecting the puck in all zones.
- riceroni

Championship teams are built around their top players. The bottom of the roster needs to fill the in the roles behind your top players. In the SCF both the Kings and Rangers got fantastic play from their bottom six. But, you would not have seen that if the top six had not led the way for both teams.

Ottawa does not have a bottom six problem. It problem is the Spezza line. Guys who focus on Smith, Greening and Condra get upset with them in order to avoid looking at the real problem.

Spezza going to Nashville is more likely, but, certainly a concern for OTT if they did get a deal done with STL
- club101

More likely? Please explain.

i would package neil and greening and move them for a bag of pucks and a smile, and still feel like we won that deal.
- sensarmy_11

The Sens ain’t winning anything with what they got back there, OR up front.

The point was someone tried to reference the appeal of playing with the likes of Macarthur, Turris, Zibanejad, Lazar or whatever (not even in the NHL yet!!!), as some sort of appeal to Bobby Ryan. There are 15+ teams that can list off a better group of forwards for him to play with. That’s all. It just seemed like a silly post.
- prock

Well the Sens have a much better team than Nashville...

So you're saying the Leafs rushed Bernier back? Hmm, sounds like bad management to me...

Prock, your team made the playoffs one time in the past 10 years. The whole Leafs organization is a disaster. The suits that run the team are all laughing at guys just like you. They don't care about winning or ever improving, they only care about how much you are willing to spend on the team year after year. The fact is that there are a lot of pathetic people like you (but probably with money) that buy Leafs tickets, swag and other stuff just to try and fit in with their other idiot friends and they believe that this will be their year. All you have man is a gang mentality. Congrats, there are a lot of idiots just like you. You're not better than anyone, in fact you're the worst of all fan bases. You're just a sucker dude, you drink the blue kool-aid day after day. Ha, we all laugh at you man and I am sure your friends, family and co-workers all roll their eyes whenever you talk hockey. You're just an angry guy that gets his kicks out of spewing garbage out on the internet. Everyone knows exactly what you are.
- riceroni

Yes, the Leafs organization is a disaster.

Sorry, but the Sens organization is at least as bad at the moment, albeit for different reasons.

I could get onboard for RoR much more than kane.

i think the price would be ridiculously high though

would cowen, smith, 2015 1st be too much? not enough? just right?
- sensarmy_11

No offense intended... I think RoR is a player any team would want but that Ottawa draft pick should be untouchable.

No offense intended... I think RoR is a player any team would want but that Ottawa draft pick should be untouchable.
- Aetherial

if we get a good return for spezza, AND add RoR to our lineup, i can't see this team missing the playoffs next season. i'd have no problem moving that pick.