Are we a cap team next year?

[Caseus]

I haven't been paying much attention, are there any teams that are going to get seriously squeezed when the cap drops? We've got cap space to burn and some cheap, movable prospects. Is there anyone worth targeting in a trade?

 

[Do Make Say Think]

I haven't been paying much attention, are there any teams that are going to get seriously squeezed when the cap drops? We've got cap space to burn and some cheap, movable prospects. Is there anyone worth targeting in a trade?

You have to wonder if teams would take opportunities to shed salary via trade rather than use the compliance buyouts...

Philadelphia and NYR come to mind as teams that will have to do something pretty substantial: I wonder if they'd be more interested in a trade in order to not have to buyout Brad Richards or whoever they're thinking of using the compliance buyout on in Philly; giving the opportunity to the owner to save a ton of money might be a viable strategy.

 

[coladin]

Clarkson on this team would be mega.

 

[Iamok]

Clarkson will absolutely not be worth the money he'd get as a UFA. The FA pool as a whole really sucks.

 

[coladin]

Clarkson will absolutely not be worth the money he'd get as a UFA. The FA pool as a whole really sucks.

None of them are, but we have the cap space and in our conference how much of an impact would he have on "this" team? Huge IMO.

 

[Magix]

I see clarkson joining the overpaid/horrible contract club. Don't get the point of adding him while we have a glut of potential gems in the system and kids in the lineup who could be up to the challenge of stepping into the top 6.

 

[coladin]

I see clarkson joining the overpaid/horrible contract club. Don't get the point of adding him while we have a glut of potential gems in the system and kids in the lineup who could be up to the challenge of stepping into the top 6.

30 goals, 200PIMs, fights real good? Where?

 

[Do Make Say Think]

Truth of the matter is this team is going to need two top 6 wingers sooner rather than later

I pray Murray is not just hoping he can replace Alfie and Michalek with prospects only

I'd definitely be ok with overpaying (within reason, there's overpayament and OVERPAYEMENT) for Clarkson at the moment, I cannot wait to be rid of, or at tje very least not have Michalek on the top line, and Alfie will retire soon enough

 

[Magix]

30 goals, 200PIMs, fights real good? Where?

One year he had 30 goals. Since 2009 he has had 17, 11 (was on pace to pot 20 goals), 12 goals leading up to his career year and was on pace for 25 this year. I just don't think for the money he could potentially get, will be something he can live up too. Michalek is playing injured and we have no depth at left wing. Why move the only legit left winger we have to downgrade to clarkson who plays on the right?

We saw what a healthy michalek could bring with a healthy spezza. Doesn't make sense to move either (not saying anyone suggested to move spezza).

 

[YNWA14]

Clarkson will be overpaid based on his torrid start this year. Guy is not worth a payday.

 

[Do Make Say Think]

One year he had 30 goals. Since 2009 he has had 17, 11 (was on pace to pot 20 goals), 12 goals leading up to his career year and was on pace for 25 this year. I just don't think for the money he could potentially get, will be something he can live up too. Michalek is playing injured and we have no depth at left wing. Why move the only legit left winger we have to downgrade to clarkson who plays on the right?

We saw what a healthy michalek could bring with a healthy spezza. Doesn't make sense to move either (not saying anyone suggested to move spezza).

I don't think moving Michalek s a good idea but rather just let him walk once his contract is up at the end of next year

 

[Emerica]

He's slated to be an RFA.

That being said, the fact that he's restricted means he's probably on almost no one's lists, let alone their top player.

Unless someone is willing to throw "stupid" money at Stewart($6mil+), St.Louis will match... And anyone willing to throw "stupid" money at Chris Stewart deserves their fate.

Seems like you're right. He'll be a RFA. Scratch him off the list then.

Geez.. This year's UFA crop is horrid.

 

[StefanW]

Dupuis would look awfully good in a Sens uniform, not that he would ever play here or we would ever pay whatever inflated price he is going to fetch.

 

[dumbdick]

What I don't get is why a bit more cash wasn't spent this year.
Next season is the last year of cheap RFA players, and the sens management blew it.

Chicago had the perfect storm of UFAs and RFAs, and I kind of wish the sens had made even the slightest push like that. They didn't need to max the cap this year and next, but at least 1 forward upgrade on a 2 year (or 3) signed last year or this year would have made a big difference.

Alfie, Spez and not so 9mm is not a legit cup winning 1st line.

Couldn't agree more with this post. It's going to be very hard to watch if our team just barely falls to a cup favourite like the Pens, knowing we've got 16M of unspent cap space.

I see two explanations for why we didn't spend on a stop-gap player or two.

1) It's a money thing, and melnyk doesn't want to spend.

2) Murray/Eugene thought we weren't close enough to compete and were maybe secretly hoping for more high draft picks.

In either case, I completely understand the logic, so I can't fault the team.

 

[MtRundle]

Couldn't agree more with this post. It's going to be very hard to watch if our team just barely falls to a cup favourite like the Pens, knowing we've got 16M of unspent cap space.

Based on our regular season record plus the first game I am pleasantly surprised if we "barely fall" to the Pens. We don't have the first line horses to compete with the big-boys this year. I see the Murray's plan this year- sneak in, get more rounds playoff experience, see who fits (Pageau, Zibanejad, Condra, Turris) and who doesn't (Latendresse, Greening) and who's doing OK (Gryba, Silverberg).

Next year or the year after we trade some young bucs/draft pics for a Bobby Ryan type sniper who will jump right in and help us get past the 2nd round.

 

[IamJust0ne]

I know it's only Dave Nonis , but he recently said that with the cap going down ($6 million?) this draft coming up is going to be much busier than ones prior.

 

[BonkTastic]

I know it's only Dave Nonis , but he recently said that with the cap going down ($6 million?) this draft coming up is going to be much busier than ones prior.

I don't doubt him.

This is going to be a very eventful off-season, and the draft is probably going to be at least twice as busy as usual. Teams will be trying to move contracts around to get under the cap, and picks will be a valuable currency in this process IMO, especially considering how deep this draft is.

 

[dumbdick]

I would personally prefer to move from the top than the bottom. Trade an established NHL player with value for more futures. Every year try to bring in some short-term UFA stop gaps to fill out the top lines, and promote one or two guys. When we get near the cap, trade a pending RFA for more futures. Keep repeating this and we end up with a very good system forever.

 

[TeamRenzo]

Clarkson on this team would be mega.

I would like Clarkson on this team as well but he will get close to $6M/season as a UFA and I wouldnt want him at that price.

CBC panelists brought up some very good points as to why he will not be in a Sens jersey next year. Apparently, growing up he idolized Wendel Clark and he would love to play for the Leafs or so as Freidman eluded.

Even if he doesnt end up with the Leafs i am doubtful he comes here. The Sens need to acquire a top end winger in the off-season but Clarkson wont be the man.

 

[YNWA14]

I would personally prefer to move from the top than the bottom. Trade an established NHL player with value for more futures. Every year try to bring in some short-term UFA stop gaps to fill out the top lines, and promote one or two guys. When we get near the cap, trade a pending RFA for more futures. Keep repeating this and we end up with a very good system forever.

I think we're more in a position to move prospects/picks for players on contract.

 

[YNWA14]

Wouldn't mind going after Clowe tbh depending on his contract demands. We have a ton of space.

 

[WhiteLight*]

Interesting UFAs


Patrik Elias (1 year)
Jarome Iginla (2 years)
Andy McDonald (1-2 years)
Nathan Horton (3 years)
Derek Roy (2-3 years)
Pierre-Marc Bouchard (1 year)
Clarke MacArthur (2 years)
Dainius Zubrus (1 year)
Valterri Filppula (3-5 years)
Vinny Prospal (1 year)
David Clarkson (2 years)
Mason Raymond (1 year)
Pascal Dupuis (2 years)
Damien Brunner (2 years)
Viktor Stalberg (2 years)

Sergei Gonchar (1 year)
Mark Streit (1 year)
Rob Scuderi (1 year)
Ian White (1 year)



I probably wouldn't land any of them cause I'm not willing to commit long term lol. But the one I'd be most OK with signing long term is Filppula, and that's who should be the target. He can play centre or wing, and is a two-way puck possession player. Could be a good fit on Turris' LW. He had a bad year so he could come cheap

 

[WhiteLight*]

I think we're more in a position to move prospects/picks for players on contract.

That's not a good way to build a team.


Trade established players, say Michalek, for good futures. Then sign someone in free agency to replace Michalek. Bam, you get the best of both worlds.


With your way the Sens just lose assets.

 

[King Karlsson]

Interesting UFAs


Patrik Elias (1 year)
Jarome Iginla (2 years)
Andy McDonald (1-2 years)
Nathan Horton (3 years)
Derek Roy (2-3 years)
Pierre-Marc Bouchard (1 year)
Clarke MacArthur (2 years)
Dainius Zubrus (1 year)
Valterri Filppula (3-5 years)
Vinny Prospal (1 year)
David Clarkson (2 years)
Mason Raymond (1 year)
Pascal Dupuis (2 years)
Damien Brunner (2 years)
Viktor Stalberg (2 years)

Sergei Gonchar (1 year)
Mark Streit (1 year)
Rob Scuderi (1 year)
Ian White (1 year)



I probably wouldn't land any of them cause I'm not willing to commit long term lol. But the one I'd be most OK with signing long term is Filppula, and that's who should be the target. He can play centre or wing, and is a two-way puck possession player. Could be a good fit on Turris' LW. He had a bad year so he could come cheap

I'm a fan of Stalberg. He's one of those players that always impresses you when you see him play, should be cheap too

 

[WhiteLight*]

I'm a fan of Stalberg. He's one of those players that always impresses you when you see him play, should be cheap too

I like him too but I'm afraid he'd be too much like Greening. They could have the same role.




Also, I really like Elias, but he's getting up there so I'd only do 1 year, and he probably wouldn't leave the Devils anyway.