staal was an RFA, and was still really young when he got moved.
- sensarmy_11

wiki:

"Staal was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Brandon Sutter, Brian Dumoulin and the Hurricanes 8th overall selection at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft (which the Penguins used to select Derrick Pouliot) on June 22, 2012. The trade unites Jordan with his older brother Eric. While both Sutter and Staal were 23 at the time, Staal was only one season away from unrestricted free agency while Sutter was three seasons away."

Bogosian would be untouchable unfortunately. Him and Trouba will be a 1-2 punch for Winnipeg just like Keith-Seabrook are for Chicago. I would love to have him, a fellow Armenian on this team would be special, but I think the reality is it will never happen.
- TheCalSen

Well, he's been rumoured to be potentially available for much of the summer, and Winnipeg sure doesn't play him like Keith or Seabrook - but I agree that the price would be very high. That said, Ottawa has the right kind of prospect depth to make a trade like this feasible. It's also a question of whether he's getting tired of playing behind the likes of Byfuglien and Enstrom in terms of prime offensive minutes, because he sure didn't give the Jets any kind of a discount on his contract.

It's okay man, we all go through this.

Can I interest you in an 8 game pack? It's only $549
- tuna99

... no thanks

wiki:

"Staal was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Brandon Sutter, Brian Dumoulin and the Hurricanes 8th overall selection at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft (which the Penguins used to select Derrick Pouliot) on June 22, 2012. The trade unites Jordan with his older brother Eric. While both Sutter and Staal were 23 at the time, Staal was only one season away from unrestricted free agency while Sutter was three seasons away."
- AlfieisKing

how was he a UFA, he was like 23 when he was traded. weird

Am I the only one who'd rather see them try to acquire Bogosian from Winnipeg? I like Kane well enough (in fact, my Vancouver Giants jersey has his name/number) - but a young RH defenceman with two-way ability, good offensive upside, and who's signed long-term strikes me as a more valuable commodity to this Senators team, especially given the number of young forwards in their system.
- khawk

I love it, but they would want the farm for him.

how was he a UFA, he was like 23 when he was traded. weird
- sensarmy_11

I think at the time, the limit was age 26 or 6 years NHL experience.

Since, it has risen to 27 or 7 after the last CBA.

So if Staal started playing for the pens at 19, he would have been eligible for UFA at 24.

I love it, but they would want the farm for him.
- TommyDeVito

call me crazy but I'm more concerned with the left side of the Sens defense

Erik Karlsson, Cody Ceci is a great 1-2 on the right side. Both great tireless skaters with a booming shot. Eric Gryba is a capable (but not anything more) 6th Dman.

On the left side there's more of a big body presence but less mobility and puck skills. Jared Cowen (will the real J.C. please stand up.. I repeat..) Marc Methot, Patrick Weircioch, Chris Phillips, Mark Boroweici . There's quantity there not top end quality.

I'll give you tons of names of Dmen that would fit get on the left side: Hamhuis, Vlasic, Hjalmarsson, Wideman, Edler

(Ideally guys like Suter, Chara, Keith, HEDMAN!) but hey let's stop dreaming. We already got one franchise, Sens just need one more guy to play big quality mins

I see Borowiecki going on waivers, even his NHL salary is pretty cheap.

If nothing else changes:

Cowen - EK
Methot - Ceci
Wiercioch - Gryba
Phillips

Which, really still sucks. Ceci is okay, but not good enough for 2nd pair. These pairings will be pretty fluid. I like the idea of having a PMD on each pair, but I don't know if it works. Any way you line these guys up, there are some pretty major problem areas. Pairings that probably won't work:

Cowen - Ceci (just plain weak)
Methot - Ceci (methot is 2nd pairing quality, Ceci is not)
Wiercioch - Ceci (two PMD's? Nope.)
Phillips - ?? (weak)
- Stringer74

I can kinda see that happening as well..or maybe trading him for a low pick

Either that or Wiercioch gets moved (which would suck).

how was he a UFA, he was like 23 when he was traded. weird
- sensarmy_11

He played 6 full seasons immediately after his draft year. He had 1 to go before UFA status.

call me crazy but I'm more concerned with the left side of the Sens defense

Erik Karlsson, Cody Ceci is a great 1-2 on the right side. Both great tireless skaters with a booming shot. Eric Gryba is a capable (but not anything more) 6th Dman.

On the left side there's more of a big body presence but less mobility and puck skills. Jared Cowen (will the real J.C. please stand up.. I repeat..) Marc Methot, Patrick Weircioch, Chris Phillips, Mark Boroweici . There's quantity there not top end quality.

I'll give you tons of names of Dmen that would fit get on the left side: Hamhuis, Vlasic, Hjalmarsson, Wideman, Edler

(Ideally guys like Suter, Chara, Keith, HEDMAN!) but hey let's stop dreaming. We already got one franchise, Sens just need one more guy to play big quality mins
- AlfieisKing

We erred in missing out on the Hoff, I'm afraid

We erred in missing out on the Hoff, I'm afraid

- Mr_Clean

ya agree.. would have been a good pick up.

I would of done a package trade him + stewart for a few forwards and a dman.

Prince, Greening, Weircioch or something along those lines

Great, positive quote from Melnyk on player budgets from a June business interview.

"I’m not going to talk to talk about money unless you want to buy the team"

One of his most encouraging comments. I assume it means he is prepared and likely is talking with some potential buyers. In addition, the Senators are making extensive upgrades (and expenditures) to improve their building. These kind of costs are something similar to me "staging" my house in order to get it ready for sale.

More important this is a very good young team on a very lean and highly efficient budget that investors can understand. Although there are some weak deals there are not any really bad long term contracts. The Senators have been fully prepped and are ready for sale. The sky is the limit for a new owner wanting to invest and bring the team to a higher level of accomplishment. May it happen soon!

Great, positive quote from Melnyk on player budgets from a June business interview.

"I’m not going to talk to talk about money unless you want to buy the team"

One of his most encouraging comments. I assume it means he is prepared and likely is talking with some potential buyers. In addition, the Senators are making extensive upgrades (and expenditures) to improve their building. These kind of costs are something similar to me "staging" my house in order to get it ready for sale.

More important this is a very good young team on a very lean and highly efficient budget that investors can understand. Although there are some weak deals there are not any really bad long term contracts. The Senators have been fully prepped and are ready for sale. The sky is the limit for a new owner wanting to invest and bring the team to a higher level of accomplishment. May it happen soon!
- spatso

So true, let's hope he doesn't stubbornly hold out for an outrageous sum when the listing goes up though.

Management still has to make a move with our d.

7 players on 1 way deals,

You throw in Ceci (who makes the team) that's 8
- Trilla

i think Wiercioch is a trade bait

Great, positive quote from Melnyk on player budgets from a June business interview.

"I’m not going to talk to talk about money unless you want to buy the team"

One of his most encouraging comments. I assume it means he is prepared and likely is talking with some potential buyers. In addition, the Senators are making extensive upgrades (and expenditures) to improve their building. These kind of costs are something similar to me "staging" my house in order to get it ready for sale.

More important this is a very good young team on a very lean and highly efficient budget that investors can understand. Although there are some weak deals there are not any really bad long term contracts. The Senators have been fully prepped and are ready for sale. The sky is the limit for a new owner wanting to invest and bring the team to a higher level of accomplishment. May it happen soon!
- spatso

The Sens received millions from the NHL for these upgrades. It is a program that is available to all teams, certain criteria is required (don't know what that criteria is)

If we are going to trade with Winnipeg my first choice would be Enstrom then Kane. I don't think Bogo is available so I am leaving him out...

But, I'd go for Enstrom no problem and I'd offer Stone, Weircioch and Dal 2nd

If we are going to trade with Winnipeg my first choice would be Enstrom then Kane. I don't think Bogo is available so I am leaving him out...

But, I'd go for Enstrom no problem and I'd offer Stone, Weircioch and Dal 2nd
- riceroni

Phaneuf is probably available for a marginal player like Greening. But the cap hit is too crazy.

Phaneuf is probably available for a marginal player like Greening. But the cap hit is too crazy.
- spatso

I'd actually take Dion... He'd be a perfect compliment player to Karlsson. Dion isn't terrible at all, he's just not used correctly in TO. Ideally he should not be relied upon to carry the offense but to support it. Having him would allow Karlsson to skate more freely and Dion can just worry about watching his back.

Ottawa will not be a cap max team in the near future so having Dion at $7 doesn't really affect us. Heck, even if we got a new owner that was willing to open his purse we would not be a cap team. What guys this summer in UFA would you have tried to sign that would have gotten us to between $67-$69M and how much would you have to pay them and give term to them to get them to come to Ottawa?

If it comes down to having to move Ryan at the deadline how would you guys feel about Larsson and a first in 2016 but if the devils make the finals it becomes this years ? And maybe Ryder or Brunner for whoever is your five six d man just so we don't have a hole to fill on thwbback end ?

If it comes down to having to move Ryan at the deadline how would you guys feel about Larsson and a first in 2016 but if the devils make the finals it becomes this years ? And maybe Ryder or Brunner for whoever is your five six d man just so we don't have a hole to fill on thwbback end ?
- blizzzard

Umm, if I *had* to move Ryan at the deadline, I'd think that was fair. The only thing I wouldn't like is the clause where we'd have to accept your 29th/30th overall if you made the finals in 2015. Would much rather wait an extra year for the chance at a mid-rounder.

If it comes down to having to move Ryan at the deadline how would you guys feel about Larsson and a first in 2016 but if the devils make the finals it becomes this years ? And maybe Ryder or Brunner for whoever is your five six d man just so we don't have a hole to fill on thwbback end ?
- blizzzard

I am not really sure... I love Larsson and think he'd be a great fit beside Karlsson.

The 1st would have to be 2015 and I think NJ would have to add maybe a bit more. But, I could see it as a deal that would work out well for both sides...

Ottawa's D would be..

Larsson-Karlsson
Methot-Ceci
Cowen-Weircioch

Extra Phillips...

We'd have to find a home for Gryba, Boro and figure out what to do with Classen and the kid we drafted this year...

I am not really sure... I love Larsson and think he'd be a great fit beside Karlsson.

The 1st would have to be 2015 and I think NJ would have to add maybe a bit more. But, I could see it as a deal that would work out well for both sides...

Ottawa's D would be..

Larsson-Karlsson
Methot-Ceci
Cowen-Weircioch

Extra Phillips...

We'd have to find a home for Gryba, Boro and figure out what to do with Classen and the kid we drafted this year...
- riceroni

Either way, the value would be close...

Phaneuf is probably available for a marginal player like Greening. But the cap hit is too crazy.
- spatso

Doubt he is available for that.

Doubt he is available for that.
- ClarksonDavid

Well Greening can battle the other 10 bottom 6 forwards for a spot. I'd take Ottawa's 1st for Dion though. In fact, there's only 4 players I wouldn't trade for Ottawa's 1st.

Trading a D-man

Which D-man (dmen) would you trade if push came to shove. Erik Karlsson isn't going anywhere but it's a toss up after that. Methot? hometown boy UFA-to-be. Cowen? trading potential for an accomplished guy (in other words giving up on him, or trading him for a player you want more). Weircioch? He is a great puck mover but where does he fit. Is he defensively capable. Phillips? NMC, don't see him waiving it. Boroweici, Gryba, Ceci (doubt it as much as anyone outside Karlsson)

Bobby Ryan

The Salary cap is at $69M. That means that a $6.9M player is eating up 10% of the salary cap. If Ryan was offered a 8 year $56M deal today; would you sign him or wait?