Topic: 2008 / 2009 predictions

[Bergy]

I think you did a great job of breaking down the team!

Pierre Lebrun mentioned that the cap is going up to $56 mil on HNIC and that would be huge for this team , otherwise we are going to be in some serious cap trouble.

I agree that "the bingo boys" ( i like that name) will be dismantled this off-season. Emery will be bought out or traded in some sort of package, gratts will not be resigned and spezza will be traded. I have never been a big fan of Spezza since he was first drafted and even through last years playoff run, so I may be biased when it comes to him, but I just don't feel like this team can win with him as our #1 centre.

To replace Emery, perhaps bring up Eliot to be the #2 or sign a cheap backup in FA.

On another note, I love Cody Bass and his game,I think Lee can be solid 5 or 6 guy next season, but I'm not sold on Nick Foligno just yet. IMO he would need a good camp next year to make this team.

On the rookie front for next season, I don't believe the Russians are good enough, besides do we really need more soft, floating players out there? I would look at someone like Kaspars Daugavins to make an impact next season during camp and maybe given a shot at this roster. I loved his game in the OHL and he's played with men at the world championships for Latvia the past seasons (I believe) and performed very well.

I would love to bring Stillman back, hopefully he does not ask for too much.

Commodore is gonzo, lapointe is gonzo, i don't know about donovan, a part of me remembers how terribly he played until the beginning of March and thinks that it may have just been because he was misused, but the other part of me thinks that was the real shean donovan and what we are seeing now is someone just playing over their head and that he just looks good because everyone else is playing poorly.

Vermette is a tough situation, he's going to want a lot of money, but I dont think he's worth it. I would be willing to let him walk if he wanted over 3 million. If we can sign him for less, preferably around 2 mil, I would have him back in a heartbeat.

I would love to keep Kelly over Vermette, but we wont be able to afford both and i feel like kelly is going to get a big ,fat overpaid contract this summer from a team with a ton of cap space like Washington or Phoenix.

Finally...
Goodbye Wade Redden thank you for your performance against Philly in the 2003 playoffs, especially that OT goal, and I will always remember your gutty performance in the Tampa series in 2006 after your mom passed-away.

[thirstymoose_2000]

No, that's Donovan. So-so regular season with the ability to really step things up for the play offs.

[oz_sensfan]

Beat me to the punch Metal, I was doing something similar myself.
I'd really like to see us go after Rolston, re-sign Stillman, Vermette, Gratts & Mezaros (He's been average but he's young and probably just needs more time IMO).

Heatley-Spezza-Alfie
Stillman-Vermette-????
McAmmond-Fisher-Rolston
????-Bass-Neil

I'd really like the above spots plugged with some hard nuts.

Not going to put the D in pairings because I'm not sure how'd they'd come together but our D would include Phillips, Volchenkov, Mezaros, Schubert, Lee, Nycholat. I'd like to see us sign someone like Brendan Bell for a touch over league minimum to act as a 7th/8th D-man for depth. I'm not sure on having 2 essentially "rookies" on D in Lee & Schubert but I'm not sure how'd we'd go trying to get 2 decent D-man for a good price. Had a look at UFA  D-men and I don't think there is that much available, seeing as IMO, we need somebody with decent offensive skills. I'd love someone like Brian Campbell or Rob Blake but we don't have the cash for that, for the money we're going to spend to be able to spend I have no idea who we could pick up.

[Bergy]

I ask that all of you indulge me in my off-season fantasy that I have been conjuring up for the past hour. Obviously this is pure fiction that I think will keep us in contention, but also help rebuild and restock at the same time for a big run by 2010.

June 10th 11:00 Press Conference:

Murray steps down as coach and hires Pat Burns.

Draft Day:
Its in Ottawa, so Murray will want to make a splash. Vancouver may be looking to blow it up so I propose:

Spezza, Gerber ( see Mr. New Canucks GM, Gerber is actually a really good goalie and would have stolen two games for us in the playoffs if any of our players could score), and Alex Nikulin for Roberto Luongo.

Followed by:
Vermette and Ottawa 2nd round pick in 2008 to Chicago for their 11th pick OV, because they have so many young guys in there already, they need some veterans who can kill penalties and such, come on Mr Tallon, vemette will help you get into the playoffs.

Followed by: Praying Luke Schenn drops to # 11, barring that...
With the 11th pick OV the Ottawa Senators draft Tyler Myers from Kelowna a.k.a The Next Chara
With the 21st pick OV the Ottawa Senators draft Colte Tuebert from Regina a.k.a The Next Pronger with a lil less offensive potential

...and just like that our defense is set with some big, tough, rugged defensemen for the next 10 years!

Before July 1st...We have Luongo...see ya Razor Ray you've just been bought out!

July 1st 12:00am
Hey Brian Campbell, remember playing for the 67's? Remember how nice Ottawa is? How does a 5 year 7.0 million offer sound? No? 7.5 then.

July 1st 12:01 am
Christopher Kelly, we love ya! Welcome back with a 2.5 mil deal!

July 2nd 12:00 am
I know you had a tough year in Vancouver with injuries and the media breathing down your neck, so Mr Brendan Morrison how about you like to get a fresh start in Ottawa and play between Heatley and Alfredsson for the same money you were making last season? Sounds good? Cool!

July 2nd 12:00pm
So your wife loves Ottawa Mr Cory Stillman? You want to be close to Peterborough? Sign this 2.5 mil dollar contract then Mr Stillman....welcome aboard!

July 3rd 12:00 am
Shean Donovan, welcome back bud, with a little raise for playing so well in the playoffs, sign this 0.875 offer.

Training Camp

Kaspar Daugavins is a bull! You make the team!

Opening night roster:

Heatley-Morrison-Alfredsson
Stillman-Fisher-Foligno
Daugavins-Kelly-Donovan
Bass-McAmmond-Neil

Campbell- Volchenkov
Phillips- Meszaros
Schubert-Lee

Luongo
Eliot

After working out the cap money we would be at 52 million, 4 million below the projected 56 million cap as I heard it from Pierre LeBrun of Canadian Press.


-End fantasy- time to return to studying for exams 

[s3nsfan75]

I thought the 'Nucks had a goalie that wasn't half bad.... 

wouldn't mind him on my team!  

I said if first, (YES BEFORE DUMMY ON HNIC - although if he's a dummy and said it, what's that make me??? LOL)  Spezza for Luongo, Spezza for Luongo and hey we'll even throw in emery so we don't have to buy out his contract (insert evil laugh here!!)

[s3nsfan75]

I ask that all of you indulge me in my off-season fantasy that I have been conjuring up for the past hour. Obviously this is pure fiction that I think will keep us in contention, but also help rebuild and restock at the same time for a big run by 2010.

June 10th 11:00 Press Conference:

Murray steps down as coach and hires Pat Burns.

Draft Day:
Its in Ottawa, so Murray will want to make a splash. Vancouver may be looking to blow it up so I propose:

Spezza, Gerber ( see Mr. New Canucks GM, Gerber is actually a really good goalie and would have stolen two games for us in the playoffs if any of our players could score), and Alex Nikulin for Roberto Luongo.

Followed by:
Vermette and Ottawa 2nd round pick in 2008 to Chicago for their 11th pick OV, because they have so many young guys in there already, they need some veterans who can kill penalties and such, come on Mr Tallon, vemette will help you get into the playoffs.

Followed by: Praying Luke Schenn drops to # 11, barring that...
With the 11th pick OV the Ottawa Senators draft Tyler Myers from Kelowna a.k.a The Next Chara
With the 21st pick OV the Ottawa Senators draft Colte Tuebert from Regina a.k.a The Next Pronger with a lil less offensive potential

...and just like that our defense is set with some big, tough, rugged defensemen for the next 10 years!

Before July 1st...We have Luongo...see ya Razor Ray you've just been bought out!

July 1st 12:00am
Hey Brian Campbell, remember playing for the 67's? Remember how nice Ottawa is? How does a 5 year 7.0 million offer sound? No? 7.5 then.

July 1st 12:01 am
Christopher Kelly, we love ya! Welcome back with a 2.5 mil deal!

July 2nd 12:00 am
I know you had a tough year in Vancouver with injuries and the media breathing down your neck, so Mr Brendan Morrison how about you like to get a fresh start in Ottawa and play between Heatley and Alfredsson for the same money you were making last season? Sounds good? Cool!

July 2nd 12:00pm
So your wife loves Ottawa Mr Cory Stillman? You want to be close to Peterborough? Sign this 2.5 mil dollar contract then Mr Stillman....welcome aboard!

July 3rd 12:00 am
Shean Donovan, welcome back bud, with a little raise for playing so well in the playoffs, sign this 0.875 offer.

Training Camp

Kaspar Daugavins is a bull! You make the team!

Opening night roster:

Heatley-Morrison-Alfredsson
Stillman-Fisher-Foligno
Daugavins-Kelly-Donovan
Bass-McAmmond-Neil

Campbell- Volchenkov
Phillips- Meszaros
Schubert-Lee

Luongo
Eliot

After working out the cap money we would be at 52 million, 4 million below the projected 56 million cap as I heard it from Pierre LeBrun of Canadian Press.


-End fantasy- time to return to studying for exams 

Bergy... ya gots ta get outta my head man, wow crazy LOL

Nice fantasy!!!

[Quaresma2020]

well that's crazy.. very good breakdown of the team...

second SPEZZA is not going anywhere... he finished top point getter on our team and a very skillfull player... I know some of you are mad because of the way our season is finishing but it's the whole teams fault and that's it... and sorry yes gerber played very well for us.. but goaltending has always been our problem.... we need a BIG name goalie to come to ottawa for that experience and give us a solid chance to winning the cup. im not putting down gerber in anyway because let's face it he played fantastic and gave us all the oppertunity to be close in this series....

Buh BYE Emery! He's gonna go to the states where hockey is not big and people don't really watch it.. He got too much attention here in ottawa because everyone loves hockey and he loved the spot light... let' see if he loves the spotlight in american city where bearly anyone know's who you are lol!

[Sasquatch]

i dont know why every is under the impression that luongo is available... thats crazy talk.

[Sugar J.Hyde]

Just some quick thoughts.  Bergy, you got some interesting and, I guess, financially feasible ideas.  But I think it might be difficult to trade Spezza on any account due to his recently signed contract.  However, I hope it does happen for a couple of reasons.  1.  Do you know what they call Jason Spezza throwing a hit?  FALLING AWKWARDLY INTO THE BOARDS.  Thats how they described Jason Spezza's potential game 2 injury.  In order for a team to be gritty you need your top guys to be gritty.  Example, Jason Spezza needs to be out on the ice lookin to throw some El Ca Bombs (P. McGuire reference I'm sorry).
2.  I think Heatley relies too heavily on Spezza and when Spezza isn't into the game I think it brings Heatley down with him.

great post bergs

[nippletown]

a few scapegoats are needed

That's his role on this team.

[nippletown]

I didn't do that right.

[Ziggy]

Well now that it's officially over, what are some changes you think are gonna be made? Basically talk about anything Senators related until the next season begins.

It's been a tough year for the senators and their fans, hopefully with the changes done in the offseason they come out gunning and stay strong.

[ottawasensfan]

Redden is done
One of the goaltenders, at least, has to be gone. If they could get rid of both and bring in a bonafide starter - do it.
I would keep Stillman only if I decided I couldn't get what I really want - a big hitting forward who can score.
Lapointe Robitaille and Commodore should also go.
Luke Richardson can come back if he wants but as a depth defenseman/coach

I would sign both Kelly and Vermette but would not shy away from making a hockey trade - trade something to get something.
I would sign Mezaros but would look at a trade as well.
I would sign Sean Donovan to 4th line $$$.

UFA/Trade Market Wishlist:

Top-flight Defenseman
Power Forward
True Number One Goalie

[Sensfanwest]

Is there any truth behind alfy wanting to restructure his contract? If that's the case he more than deserves it!

[go_sens_go55555]

I can't really see him saying "4 mil isn't enough! i want more money!". Plus at this point in his career, don't you think those couple million dollars would be better spent on getting alfredsson a good surrounding cast to win him a cup here?

[JAY-MAN]

I think Both Alfie and the Organization want to restructure his contract because after next year all the years are option years based on his performance.  I think both sides want a contract that neither side has the choice to back out of.   So all is good.  I was happy to see the owner put confidence in murray.  I am confident he will put the pieces together to compete as a contender next season.

[Ziggy]

What do you guys think about Rolston? He's UFA, can score goals, and would be great on the second line with Fisher. Only problem is he's over 30. I don't know how much he'd want, he's making 2.4mil this year, but I would offer him a 2 year $5mil contract.

[tibbo_44]

Emery gone, no if's, ands or buts
If you can move Gerber and get a #1 do it
Redden gone, Robitaille, Commodore, Lapointe,
Keep Kelly, Vermette, Donovan, Meszaros, Rochardson as a 6th/7th dman, Stillman can stay
Sign a mobile but tough dman, tough I know
Sign a 2nd/3rd line player

[Sensfanwest]

What do you guys think about Rolston?

Wow, yes. if we can get him. he's got a wicked slap shot and is SUCH a warrior. although i believe the wild will be able to retain him

[OS]

I'd like to suggest that this thread be merged with Metalhawks "predictions thread" which has a wicked opening post breaking it down player by player