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In Entertainment
2007-08 Off-Season
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#59
 06-12-2007 02:14 PM |
Well it's that time of the year again. We had a lot of good discussion in last year's thread and I expect the same will happen this year.
Our Senators are coming off their best modern-era season. Unfortunately they still came up short in the end. With a ton of young stars in the making, the future is remains bright in Ottawa. Eugene Melnyk has already said that he's willing to spend to the cap to ensure the Senators remain competitive. Some fans tend to disagree with this approach, since the GM is nearly hand-cuffed at the trade deadline to make any significant transactions.
Heading up to July 1st, the following players are without contracts for next season (last year's salary in brackets):
UFA:
Mike Comrie (3.5 million)
Dean McAmmond (.725 million)
Serge Payer (.450 million)
Tom Preissing (.600 million)
Lawrence Nycholat (.475 million)
RFA:
Chris Kelly (.725 million)
Oleg Saprykin (1.064 million)
Danny Bois (.450 million)
Christoph Schubert (.475 million)
Ray Emery (.925 million)
Kelly Guard (.469 million)
With an abundance of centermen on the current NHL lineup, the Senators are likely to part ways with Mike Comrie and Serge Payer. In obvious displeasure after being benched for most of the final 2 periods in the 2007 SCF, Tom Preissing appears unwilling to sign with the Senators. Lawrence Nycholat could be signed to a minor league deal but no word on his contract status as of yet.
Which leaves Dean McAmmond, a very unheralded signing last year. McAmmond played a significant role, with limited ice-time, for the Senators this year. He killed penalties, chipped in offensively and fit in very well on the Sens' Energy line. Assuming McAmmond is willing to chance having a similar role next year, it is expected (Bruce Garrioch on the Team1200) he'll be re-signed with a small increase in salary for a 2 to 3-year contract. McAmmond is said to like Ottawa and doesn't want to make his family move again.
As for the RFAs, all players are expected to be re-signed. However, we have yet to receive any word on Danny Bois, who lead the Binghamton Senators in penalty minutes and collected 14 goals. With the exception of Saprykin, all players are expected to have their salaries doubled and Ray Emery possibly being offered a contract in the $3 million range. With Preissing's anticipated departure, Schubert will be expected to push for a more prominent role on the blue line.
Therefore, with the current crop of returning, the Senators lineup shapes up something like this:
Forwards:
Heatley-Spezza-Alfredsson
Schaefer-Fisher-?
Eaves-Vermette-Neil
?-Hennessey-?
Extra:
McGrattan
Defensemen:
Phillips-Volchenkov
Redden-Meszaros
Schubert-Corvo
Goalies:
Emery
Gerber
Estimated cap hit for 2007/08: $40.565 million
Anaheim seriously exploited our undersized defense and since the Sens are already dangerously close to the cap, any significant signings will have to come via trades or salary dumps. All fingers are currently pointing at Gerber and Redden to be moved before the trade deadline. Their suitors are Edmonton for Redden and Phoenix, LA or St. Louis for Gerber. No mention has been made for what the Senators expect to get in return.
Team needs for the draft:
1. Big bruising/defensive defenseman
2. Big energy style winger to fill the hole left by Schubert
Team needs to be filled on July 1st:
1. Shutdown style defenseman
2. Scoring 2nd line center
3. Backup goalie should Gerber be traded
4. Puck moving defenseman should Redden be traded
The up and comers in the farm system and juniors:
Nick Foligno
Brian Lee
Shawn Weller
Michal Biranka
Foligno, Weller and Lee likely require another season in the AHL and Biranka, coming off a few injuries, will need to be lured out of Europe.
This off-season should be more of a piece filling mission rather than a complete roster overhaul. The team came very close to winning and must avoid at all cost to suffer from the SCF hangover season that Edmonton and Carolina has in the 2006/07 season. The Senators also have a decision to make on the future of Brian Murray who is also currently without contract.
Enjoy the off-season! It'll be short as training camp starts in roughly 10 weeks!
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