Super Cake
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- Jun 24, 2013
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I use to be one of those people who constantly complained about melnyks money issues, but posters like you quickly made me see things differently. I completely agree with everything you said.
Speculation: 2013 Offseason: UFAs, Trades, What's Next? | Part VII
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I use to be one of those people who constantly complained about melnyks money issues, but posters like you quickly made me see things differently. I completely agree with everything you said.
FolignoQuantumLeap
Don't Hold The Door
This is how you should come into a forum such as this: open mind and ready to listen to others. I certainly thought near the trade deadline that the best way for Ottawa to ascend the ranks was to spend money and poach from teams who were gong to be hit by a cap crunch.
Things change instantaneously. When Daniel Alfredsson made his decision, everything changed and we had to adapt. We could have spent money on Horton or Clarkson but instead we went the road less traveled and got younger, faster and stronger without Melnyk having to cash in more stock (figuratively speaking of course) and instead cashed in on some long term assets to address real needs instead of half assing it (or should I say Nonising it?). Alfie wasn't going to be replaced by another Kovalev.
The decision to add Ryan and lean on the farm system and young players is far better than going for the quick fix imo. You'll always net greater returns with this approach and its one that we've found success with through the many highs of this franchise's short and recent history.
As far as I'm concerned, Richardson, Dorion, Maclean and the rest of the staff have to prove that they can't make this approach work because so far, its been golden. Every IF seemingly has an OR; every question has a follow up. Year 3 of the rebuild isn't even underway and I truly believe we have the best roster this city has seen since 2003. Let them prove me wrong and we'll address it when or if it comes.
Is it September yet?
Quo
...
Yes on almost all counts.
IIRC, Florida went on that spending spree a couple summers ago in a desperate attempt to reach the cap floor. It wasn't like they were going above and beyond their internal restrictions to build a genuine competitor. They were $20m under the cap floor prior to FA 2011. They were doing the best they could in that position to meet the league minimum requirements for player salary. Tallon had just arrived. The prospect cupboard was bare. It was a necessary stop gap until the farm could be rebuilt, a process still underway but progressing nicely IMO.
Otherwise, very nicely put. It's something of a marvel that the Sens are where they are thanks to Murray and his staff being able to rebuild so smartly. I don't see money as an issue yet and also hope we're bankrolling for the future. Like I said, tomorrows problems.
Until that happens though, the questions re: our finances are still legit IMO. If you think Melnyk is being disingenuous when he says the money isn't there, fine, but I won't be taking that leap until the money actually starts flowing for the young ones when it comes time to lock them up.
I hope Cowen signs shortly.
FolignoQuantumLeap
Don't Hold The Door
Its a concern. Just not to the extreme that some here want to make it. There are plenty who've said 50M is the internal cap and we can't spend another penny. Personally, I think its more like 60M with the presence of mind to know we'll be closer to a 65-68M team down the road when somes ELCs expire, whilst Eugene builds more revenue streams, invests in the area and development system to support that kind of salary structure. Its part of the meta rebuild, not just the NHL club personnel but the entire organization. If it were that dire, I don't think players like Nathan Lawson would have 2 way AHL deals with 150,000 in salary owed or Tyler Ekford at 175,000 when cheaper options are ready and available. Or hell, Jim O'Brien sitting in limbo nom nom noming on his 600,000+ salary.
We probably go into the season spending 54ish and leave room for call ups and deadline acquisitions as usual and stay comfortably under that cushion while only spending a few million less than high rollers by season's end. Realistically, there aren't FAs out there that we can sign to short term deals and/or improve us to an extent that warrant the financial risks that come with them down the road coupled with our expiring contracts in the same time frame. As of yet, I don't think we've seen big roster moves that have indicated terrible financial cut backs. Alfie and Gonchar's contracts take them into their 40s. I can't really fault this team for not committing those dollars in Gonch's case and I think its generally accepted that Alfie left on his own terms rather than for a paycheck considering Boston offered him more than Detroit did. If money were THAT tight Phillips and Michalek probably wouldn't be Senators (at least imo).
ReginKarlssonLehner
Let's Win It All
Quo
...
I think that's very fair FQL. I personally don't believe we'll be close to the high rollers by season's end, even with some deadline acquisitions and call-ups. Everyone comes cheaper at the deadline (from a salary perspective) and salary may go the other way too. Maybe $60m by seasons end if all goes according to plan and we're in contention. Push it a bit higher if we decide to make more long-term, name-type investments like Ryan. Lower if we add more kids like Conacher on their first or second contract. It's all a guessing game though. Where Ken Warren got this $50m number from I'm not quite sure now. Probably a soft figure willing to bend for the right people, our own people like Wiercioch and hopefully Cowen. Dem outsiders though...hard to say. Have to be really worth it I think. Harmonize with the long-term vision at work, the character of the club.
We should be @ $54m to start this year - we better be if we want to keep Cowen.
We should be thinking $65m - $68m further down the line - we better be if we hope to keep up with the rising cap.
The concern stems from, as I see it, Melnyk's ability to secure those alternative revenue streams in the interval. The big one (the hotel/casino) is still up in the air, and that only because he threatened a lawsuit to keep it there. If he's unable to secure these alternative streams for whatever reason (political outmaneuvering, lack of creativity, mismanagement, whatever) then we're potentially looking at some dire straights. The meta-rebuild (as you nicely dub it) may hit the skids and who knows where we'll be? Ya know?
We're sitting relatively pretty now though, for sure. No stupid deals here, no sir, and a team that can contend while keeping costs low. Overall positive short-term outlook.
McManked
Ooh to be a Gooner
Man I wish Murray would get Michalek from Phoenix.
They have what, 9 defenceman on 1 way contracts? Probably wouldn't cost that much.
They have what, 9 defenceman on 1 way contracts? Probably wouldn't cost that much.
The time to get him was from Pittsburgh after a horrible year. But Murray had no interest. Phoenix likes him and won't let him go.
Also, great post FQL!
Hear, hear!
McManked
Ooh to be a Gooner
I disagree.The time to get him was from Pittsburgh after a horrible year. But Murray had no interest. Phoenix likes him and won't let him go.
Also, great post FQL!
Hear, hear!
He recorded 2 points, last year, and while that isn't his role, Phoenix is in a position where they need to get rid of a defenceman badly. They also like Stone a lot, and Schlemko doesn't have much value. Schlemko also has a much cheaper contract.
God Says No
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- Mar 16, 2012
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Yeah, he's a nice player but there is no room. Who does he push out? Greening?
Klesla, Summers and Rundblad would probably all be gone before Michalek. Despite his 2 points, he was still better than he was in Pittsburgh.
You seem to be downplaying him and saying he's not that good. Why do you want him then? Is he that much better than Gryba that it's worth giving up assets and spending 4M bucks?
McManked
Ooh to be a Gooner
Actually, I didn't downplay him at all. I'm pretty sure I focused a lot more on the fact that he plays with 8 other 1 way contracts.
Also, I want him because he is a defenceman who can comfortably play 20+ minutes a night on the right side. That's something Corvo or Gryba cannot do without me fearing for the team.
McManked
Ooh to be a Gooner
To show that he may not be as untouchable as some other people think he seem to be. The whole "that wasn't his role" made it pretty clear that I wasn't making a huge knock on his game.
And Wiercioch will be playing anyways, but Michalek over a guy like Corvo turns this team into a lot more of a contender than they are right now.
McManked
Ooh to be a Gooner
Hammertyme
Registered User
Corvo is Benoit+.. come in where needed. I doubt if he is playing top 4 minutes unless somebody ***** the bed.
Clifford can replace O'Brien and Kassian. If he performs well enough and on a consistent enough basis then we will either trade or bench whoever he is performing better than.
I don't know what exactly LA is looking for, but I would be willing to part with some combination of:
Matt Kassian
Jim O'Brien
David Dziurzynski
Mike Hoffman
Stephane Da Costa
Andre Petersson
McManked
Ooh to be a Gooner
McManked
Ooh to be a Gooner
saskriders
Can't Hold Leads
I guess that's cool, would have rather done it before last years draft though. I wanted a 2nd round pick of Dano, although even if we had one we wouldn't have got him 
Sensinitis
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- Aug 5, 2012
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