-Trade any 2 of these 3.......

Chris Phillips 2,500,000 UFA 2016

Patrick Wiercioch 2,000,000 RFA 2016

Eric Gryba 1,250,000 UFA 2016

-Resign Methot.

If Philly and Patty come off the books, there is $4.5 mill cap they spend on methot.
- Erik6Karlsson5

I agree with Phillips and possibly Wiercioch in a trade... but I would keep Gryba... sometimes he has horrible games, but we know he elevates his games if the team makes the playoffs and his hitting will be required to replace Chris Neil's soon departure.

great write up. i've long felt that methot was a good 2nd pairing guy, playing on the top pair simply because we have nobody else to put there.

i'm not averse to bringing him back, but i'd prefer if it was for max 3 years
- sensarmy_11

This is the sticking point for me. I would possibly bump it up to 4 years at 20m. If he wants more then that then dish him at the deadline and the team continues to drop. Him and his agent played roulette at the start of the season and lost. They refused a long term deal and he got injured.

If they do trade him I think it increases our chances of dropping all the way to the #3 pick where we could draft Hanifin. I think he's a true blue chip defenceman that in time would develop into a solid #2 and would play well alongside Karlsson for years to come.

This is the sticking point for me. I would possibly bump it up to 4 years at 20m. If he wants more then that then dish him at the deadline and the team continues to drop. Him and his agent played roulette at the start of the season and lost. They refused a long term deal and he got injured.

If they do trade him I think it increases our chances of dropping all the way to the #3 pick where we could draft Hanifin. I think he's a true blue chip defenceman that in time would develop into a solid #2 and would play well alongside Karlsson for years to come.
- SENS 613

The price of defenders right now is overly inflated. Wait until FA and the contract length and terms will drop heavily. Methot realistically deserves a 4 to 4.5 mil/year, nothing more; especially if the cap floor drops. Trading Methot if he doesn't take a HT discount would be the best situation for the Senators. They'll easily replace him in the FA, maybe even add an extra piece or two for depth. If a contender is where Methot ends up being traded to, then that team will be forced to either move away contracts to make room for him, or let him go (basically a rental). If that happens, Methot will end up in a cap-basement team in FA. Win-Win in the stand point of the Senators.

As much as I loved Volchenkov, trading him when we did was one or the wiser moves the franchise has made in the last decade. He was given an overpriced deal, much like Methot will be, and regressed sorely in the following two seasons to the point where he was no longer a factor.

If Methot wants to cash in as a FA, fine, let somebody else overspend. I bet we can find an equivalently talented defender on the market for the same cost over less term.
- TommyDeVito

I don't recall them ever trading Volchenkov, as opposed to letting him walk for nothing... which is not something that I'd like to see the team repeat. As for 'the market', have you actually looked at the list of UFA defencemen? This is the same market that badly overpaid guys like Orpik, Niskanen, Fayne, and Nikitin last year. Methot is widely regarded as one of the top 3 or 4 defencemen available... which doesn't bode well in terms of shopping for affordable replacements, let alone anyone capable of playing 20min/gp effectively with Karlsson.

People seem to be all freaked out about the $5M mark... personally, I have no problem with that for players that earn their keep with production or big minutes. It's the overpaid mediocrity that you really have to watch out for. Obvious cases like Greening or Michalek aside, I'd certainly rather see Methot kept at $5.0M/yr than MacArthur kept at $4.7M/yr. Factor in that not one of the other defencemen on the team looked even remotely good beside Karlsson in the first half of the year, and I think the decision becomes even easier.

Staal pretty much set the market at 6yr x $5.7M. Methot might go for something like a 5yr x $5.0M extension, but if the Senators are dead-set on low-balling him on money or term beyond that, I think they might as well start taking trade offers.

The discussion going on here surrounding the Methot situation is one that is never ending until either A) He signs a new deal or B) He gets traded. Hypothetically speaking, if his signing price is too high for the Sens, due to price, age, and length. What about a deal with the Jets to bring in Kane, and local boy Clitsome, who according to the graphs Jared posted, has similar numbers, in terms of advanced stats. Maybe something like this works for both teams?

Winnipeg: Kane, Clitsome

Ottawa: Michalek, Chiasson,Methot,(2nd?)

This does a few things to solve some of the issues in both organizations. For the Jets, they get rid of their headache in Kane, and receive two everyday NHLers(Top 9), which will no doubt help them with their playoff push. This also makes their backend a little more rugged, which is definitely also needed for a Western playoff push.

For the Sens, this brings in that Top 6 power forward they have so longed for, and a Top 4 caliber local Dman, who carries a much smaller price tag than Methot would. Also, this kind of tackles the organizations issue with too much depth and not enough top end talent.

With Kane being currently injured, a deal of this nature is highly unlikely, but one that at least seems to fill a few needs for both squads

I don't recall them ever trading Volchenkov, as opposed to letting him walk for nothing... which is not something that I'd like to see the team repeat. As for 'the market', have you actually looked at the list of UFA defencemen? This is the same market that badly overpaid guys like Orpik, Niskanen, Fayne, and Nikitin last year. Methot is widely regarded as one of the top 3 or 4 defencemen available... which doesn't bode well in terms of shopping for affordable replacements, let alone anyone capable of playing 20min/gp effectively with Karlsson.

People seem to be all freaked out about the $5M mark... personally, I have no problem with that for players that earn their keep with production or big minutes. It's the overpaid mediocrity that you really have to watch out for. Obvious cases like Greening or Michalek aside, I'd certainly rather see Methot kept at $5.0M/yr than MacArthur kept at $4.7M/yr. Factor in that not one of the other defencemen on the team looked even remotely good beside Karlsson in the first half of the year, and I think the decision becomes even easier.

Staal pretty much set the market at 6yr x $5.7M. Methot might go for something like a 5yr x $5.0M extension, but if the Senators are dead-set on low-balling him on money or term beyond that, I think they might as well start taking trade offers.
- khawk

And yet, despite those insane signings, the best defenseman signed in the offseason was Anton Stralman, for 4 million on a 5 year term. Another good signing costing far less than other name guys was Tom Gilbert.

And how did those big money guys work out? Orpik, Niskanen, Fayne, MacDonald - all these guys were on talented teams or beside talented players, were overhyped much like Methot, and are now looking like miserable signings.

Methot will too. I don't believe for a moment that he is worth top 2 money, he is being flattered by Karlsson. Hey may not be another Kuba, but the effect is the same. He is a 3 million dollar defenseman that Karlsson is making look like a 5 million dollar defenseman, and he will get 6 on the open market.

The discussion going on here surrounding the Methot situation is one that is never ending until either A) He signs a new deal or B) He gets traded. Hypothetically speaking, if his signing price is too high for the Sens, due to price, age, and length. What about a deal with the Jets to bring in Kane, and local boy Clitsome, who according to the graphs Jared posted, has similar numbers, in terms of advanced stats. Maybe something like this works for both teams?

Winnipeg: Kane, Clitsome

Ottawa: Michalek, Chiasson,Methot,(2nd?)

This does a few things to solve some of the issues in both organizations. For the Jets, they get rid of their headache in Kane, and receive two everyday NHLers(Top 9), which will no doubt help them with their playoff push. This also makes their backend a little more rugged, which is definitely also needed for a Western playoff push.

For the Sens, this brings in that Top 6 power forward they have so longed for, and a Top 4 caliber local Dman, who carries a much smaller price tag than Methot would. Also, this kind of tackles the organizations issue with too much depth and not enough top end talent.

With Kane being currently injured, a deal of this nature is highly unlikely, but one that at least seems to fill a few needs for both squads
- toult

Cheveldayoff's asking price for Kane is the following:

An NHL player, a top prospect, and a 1st round pick

He has been clear he will not waiver from this.

Now, this is addressed to everyone in here, because there's been far too many of these desperate proposals. Stop trying to peddle crap in your hyppothetical trades, the jets GM does not and will not ever think that a package centered around a bunch of veterans you want to offload is enough to trade away a 23 year old first line player.

Marc Methot's value: 1st round pick [15th-30th] + depth D or F prospect.... let the team talk to him to negotiate an extension ONCE THE DEAL is in place. What do you think?

His $: 5 years @$5M is very fair for him. Call it a real hometown discount

Karlsson's Partner: I often wonder which player in the NHL (what type of player) would fit best on that left side with Erik Karlsson. So far the criteria is minimum 1) skate very well 2) log big minutes. Right now a guy like Methot is a good fit; but not the best one. Keith has Seabrook, Pietrangelo has Bouwmesster, and Karlsson needs a guy like that - someone that can skate, log big mins, and is not void of offensive input. I think Yandle - Ceci would be REALLY good - reminds me of Keith - Seabrook. Obviously age differences are really off.

Hoffman Contract: Players know contracts well. Hoffman knows in an article released today that the team won't sign him to 2 years; making him a UFA. He also wants a long term deal. I'd be hesitant to do that just because you don't know what you have in him. I'd think 4 years @3.5 is good but once you go beyond that, it's risky. What do you think?

And yet, despite those insane signings, the best defenseman signed in the offseason was Anton Stralman, for 4 million on a 5 year term. Another good signing costing far less than other name guys was Tom Gilbert.
And how did those big money guys work out? Orpik, Niskanen, Fayne, MacDonald - all these guys were on talented teams or beside talented players, were overhyped much like Methot, and are now looking like miserable signings.
- TommyDeVito

So you found one relevant example of a team signing a top-4 quality UFA defenceman last year at below market value (Gilbert is basically a 3rd pairing guy), and that's supposed to be something a non-playoff small market team with the lowest payroll in the league can hang their hat on to resolve their lack of a #2 defenceman? Not sure I like those odds.

Ok TV deals have nothing to do with Rogers putting in place Melnyk. Melnyk is the sole owner of the team. Selling rights to broadcasting games does not give at all any decision power to Rogers. And I am also sure, part of the broadcasting rights prevents Rogers from bashing any NHL team owner. It just sounds like it would have been a really dumb thing to do on behalf of the NHL commisionner's office.
- PtotheY

Of course Rogers/Bell don't have any decision making abilities.

The NHL situation (in Canada) is becoming closer to the NFL. TV deals make up a huge chunk of overall revenues. If TV ratings drop huge (remember this is Ottawa..people will stop watching) Rogers and Bell will suffer in the form of less advertising revenue.

If the on ice product is terrible and the owner does nothing to change that and continues to cry poor, I can see articles coming out talking about his finances and how he filters money from the Sens into CSM.

With these TV deals, there is no reason for Melnyk to cry poor. If his stinginess causes the team to suck for a long time and TV ratings to drop, I could see them writing some nasty stuff.

Rogers and Bell "invested" in this team. If they don't see a return on their investment, due to Melnyk they will do something about it through their journalists.

Plus side: Methot is the kind of defenseman Cup-winning teams have in their 2nd pairing.

Minus side: they tend to pay them $2.5-$4M, and ride out the top pairing for most special teams time, and those guys don't have career-threatening back issues in the background.

I mean, Duncan Keith gets only $5.5M, which makes the Hawks able to afford extra forward depth year after year versus if he was paid market.

There are way too many guys making in the $4-$4.5M range who are solid and have some offence to their games.

Offer $4.3M per year, and if he doesn't accept, trade him. Teams with cap issues in the summer will likely give up a solid $4M defenseman for cheap rather than scarcer scoring forwards to make the cap.

Cheapo is going to take a beating down the stretch here for not ponying up for a player or two to be in contention.

Outside of Hab and Leaf games he will likely lose 2-4,000 seats per game and related beer and food sales, not to mention season ticket sales crashing for next year.

He needed to add one great piece even at an overpayment in the short term. Now that fans can even expect to lose more often than not at home (11-13 record) the momentum is sliding quickly, and the feeling that it won't come back for awhile is settling in.

Gene will likely be 60 before the team is really a contender again, and his chance for glory before he is long over the hill is slipping away rapidly.

So you found one relevant example of a team signing a top-4 quality UFA defenceman last year at below market value (Gilbert is basically a 3rd pairing guy), and that's supposed to be something a non-playoff small market team with the lowest payroll in the league can hang their hat on to resolve their lack of a #2 defenceman? Not sure I like those odds.
- khawk

First off, you're giving me a run for my 'longest sentence-writer on the blog' title. Well done.

Secondly, re-signing Methot would resolve the Senators' lack of a #2 defenceman? Point is, Methot is a second pairing defenseman. He's decent but if the Senators have to throw 5 million+ over a long term just to retain decent 2nd pairing defencemen, they will never ever win a Stanley Cup

First off, you're giving me a run for my 'longest sentence-writer on the blog' title. Well done.
Secondly, re-signing Methot would resolve the Senators' lack of a #2 defenceman? Point is, Methot is a second pairing defenseman. He's decent but if the Senators have to throw 5 million+ over a long term just to retain decent 2nd pairing defencemen, they will never ever win a Stanley Cup
- Mr_Clean

a) On this team, Methot is very clearly the #2 defenceman... and there's really nothing on the team's prospect radar screen in terms of a viable replacement. Given that they barely have a viable 2nd pairing and major question marks up and down their entire roster, do you really believe the Senators are within 3-4 years of a Stanley Cup? How about they start with a couple of playoff appearances in a row.

b) Why is the $5M mark such a crazy-making thing for people? They're about to pay MacArthur 5yrs x $4.7M to be a mediocre 2nd line winger, and gave $4M/yr to Michalek to play an even less significant role... and they still have the lowest payroll in the league. I'm not saying that overpaying players isn't an issue, but some people are really going nuts about a $2M raise for a player who plays a very significant role on the team.

Whatever... a month or two ago this team couldn't trust anyone but Phillips to play over 20min/gp when Methot was hurt, and yet now apparently Methot is easily replaceable. I'm sure it won't be a problem to replace him with bargain-bin UFA players, or guys who were clearly unable to play anything close to that role just a couple of months ago.

Plus side: Methot is the kind of defenseman Cup-winning teams have in their 2nd pairing.

Minus side: they tend to pay them $2.5-$4M, and ride out the top pairing for most special teams time, and those guys don't have career-threatening back issues in the background.

I mean, Duncan Keith gets only $5.5M, which makes the Hawks able to afford extra forward depth year after year versus if he was paid market.

There are way too many guys making in the $4-$4.5M range who are solid and have some offence to their games.

Offer $4.3M per year, and if he doesn't accept, trade him. Teams with cap issues in the summer will likely give up a solid $4M defenseman for cheap rather than scarcer scoring forwards to make the cap.
- WillieAA

Though I agree with this post very much - especially that cap friendly terms help build contenders for the long term - Methot is very underpaid at $3M. He is not Chris Phillips - a stay at home 2nd pairing guy that falls to 3rd in his old age (that's not a knock against big rig). Methot has shown great mobility and impact in his game. So I'd say a fair deal would fall $4.25-$4.75M. The problem is that the market has gone out of whack. I have to agree that if it goes beyond $5M I wouldn't mind trading him, but as fans, would we ever know what the $ was offered?

methot for noeson he would look good in a Ducks sweater

man look at the cap hits of players on the habs (besides PK)....same thing with Tampa.... those are contenders for next couple seasons

methot for noeson he would look good in a Ducks sweater
- rubberduckies

no one looks good in a ducks uniform

no one looks good in a ducks uniform
- AlfieisKing

Bobby Ryan didnt look good in one I agree with that one

Cheveldayoff's asking price for Kane is the following:

An NHL player, a top prospect, and a 1st round pick

He has been clear he will not waiver from this.

Now, this is addressed to everyone in here, because there's been far too many of these desperate proposals. Stop trying to peddle crap in your hyppothetical trades, the jets GM does not and will not ever think that a package centered around a bunch of veterans you want to offload is enough to trade away a 23 year old first line player.
- TommyDeVito

he absolutely will waiver from it, because he's never going to get that for kane, and he has no choice but to move him. this will be similar to the heatley situation, the jets will get bent over the barrel on this deal.

Bobby Ryan didnt look good in one I agree with that one
- rubberduckies

someone still sounds a little bitter that they got bent over in that deal.

Plus side: Methot is the kind of defenseman Cup-winning teams have in their 2nd pairing.

Minus side: they tend to pay them $2.5-$4M, and ride out the top pairing for most special teams time, and those guys don't have career-threatening back issues in the background.

I mean, Duncan Keith gets only $5.5M, which makes the Hawks able to afford extra forward depth year after year versus if he was paid market.

There are way too many guys making in the $4-$4.5M range who are solid and have some offence to their games.

Offer $4.3M per year, and if he doesn't accept, trade him. Teams with cap issues in the summer will likely give up a solid $4M defenseman for cheap rather than scarcer scoring forwards to make the cap.
- WillieAA

Agreed.

The price of defenders right now is overly inflated. Wait until FA and the contract length and terms will drop heavily. Methot realistically deserves a 4 to 4.5 mil/year, nothing more; especially if the cap floor drops. Trading Methot if he doesn't take a HT discount would be the best situation for the Senators. They'll easily replace him in the FA, maybe even add an extra piece or two for depth. If a contender is where Methot ends up being traded to, then that team will be forced to either move away contracts to make room for him, or let him go (basically a rental). If that happens, Methot will end up in a cap-basement team in FA. Win-Win in the stand point of the Senators.
- TheCalSen

This is a problem, in my mind, that people are overlooking.

Suppose Methot is not signed and Murray tries to trade him..... every GM in the league knows that there will be players available, just like Methot come FA time, or when teams need to drop salary .

This will drop Methot's current trade value, giving Ottawa less of a return than people think.

I'm not saying that we need to give him a Staal type deal, but for the sake of an 'extra' $500K, get the guy signed and move on.

Cheveldayoff's asking price for Kane is the following:

An NHL player, a top prospect, and a 1st round pick

He has been clear he will not waiver from this.

Now, this is addressed to everyone in here, because there's been far too many of these desperate proposals. Stop trying to peddle crap in your hyppothetical trades, the jets GM does not and will not ever think that a package centered around a bunch of veterans you want to offload is enough to trade away a 23 year old first line player.
- TommyDeVito

I'm pretty sure Bryan Murray said the same about Spezza did he not? GMs always ask for the sky when a player is available. It's the smart thing to do, you never know who is willing to pay up. GMs will indeed waiver from that though. I don't think the Jets will waiver to the level of some of the proposals on here, but there is a chance the price will go down. My idea is waivering is basically dropping the 1st rounder to a 2nd rounder. That's about it.

I'm pretty sure Bryan Murray said the same about Spezza did he not? GMs always ask for the sky when a player is available. It's the smart thing to do, you never know who is willing to pay up. GMs will indeed waiver from that though. I don't think the Jets will waiver to the level of some of the proposals on here, but there is a chance the price will go down. My idea is waivering is basically dropping the 1st rounder to a 2nd rounder. That's about it.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

i think the price will go down drastically. i expect the return for him to be similar to what we got for heatley.......couple of okay roster players, and a 2nd.

kane has potential, but other than one season, he hasn't lived up to it. his production has been average at best the last couple of years.....he has a fairly sizeable price tag....plus all of the personal issues.

i think other teams know that the jets HAVE to trade kane, and they'll wait the jets out until the asking price comes WAAAAYYY down.