Senators deal Foligno to Columbus
The Ottawa Senators have traded Nick Foligno to the Columbus Blue Jackets for defenceman Marc Methot, an Ottawa native.
After a busy Canada Day full of wheeling and dealing, of signing players and saying goodbye to others, Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray conceded that “we lost some good players.”
Just the same, Murray believes the Senators have capably filled the holes left by the dearly departed.
Gone is left winger Nick Foligno, defencemen Filip Kuba, Matt Carkner and centre Zenon Konopka. The newly arrived include defencemen Marc Methot and Mike Lundin and left winger Guillaume Latendresse.
It might take a while to digest the changes.
“It’s a little different look, but I think we have people that bring what we need to take the next step, really,” Murray said of the moves made following the opening of free agency Sunday.
The biggest splash was the trade for Methot from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Foligno. While Foligno had a solid 2011-12 season, scoring 15 goals and 32 assists, inconsistency kept him from securing a full-time spot on the Senators top two lines ever since being the club’s first round draft selection (28th overall) in 2006. The Senators were also facing the prospect of a difficult summer of negotiations with Foligno, who became a restricted free agent on Sunday.
Methot, meanwhile, answered the need for a top-four defenceman due to the departure of Kuba to free agency. Kuba, who served as a playing partner for Erik Karlsson last season, signed a two-year, $4 million deal with the Florida Panthers.
Methot, 27, could now serve as Karlsson’s partner. He definitely fits the bill as a stay at home defenceman, an Ottawa native who cares more about preventing goals than scoring them. He also comes with a better price tag than Kuba, making $3 million in each of the next three seasons.
“It’s an unbelievable opportunity, an absolute thrill for me and my family,” said Methot, who averaged 20:03 of ice time with Columbus last season, scoring one goal and six assists in a season shortened to 46 games due to a groin injury. In 275 career games with Columbus, Methot has scored seven goals and 44 assists.
“I’ve never been traded before, but in this particular case, I’m so excited. I grew up in the city and it’s a hockey town and there’s a great hockey team here. My family is pretty pumped about it, too.”
Murray says “Foligno was a good man for us”, but the organization is brimming with young talented forwards pushing to play in the big leagues. He says the deal came about because Columbus asked if Foligno was available and the Senators were naturally looking for defence to fill their own void.
“(Methot) is a big guy, a mobile guy, he plays real well defensively and there’s a price to be paid when you have to (add) that,” he said. “He has size (6-3 and 225 pounds) and strength. He’s a real steady guy who is under contract for three years.”
Lundin and Latendresse, meanwhile, are looking to re-establish themselves as quality NHL players. Both saw limited action in 2011-12 due to injuries and were content to sign one-year deals as unrestricted free agents. Lundin will make $1.15 million and Latendresse $1.25 million next season.
“It’s going to be a new, fresh start,” said Latendresse, who, at 6-2, 230 pounds, has always carried the promise of being a hard to defend power forward. “If I look at top six (forwards), I think that could be a good spot for me. I’m not the coach, so maybe you can ask him, but I think I’m an offensive guy and I can bring that (scoring) for sure.”
Latendresse, 25, burst into the NHL as a shining star with the Montreal Canadiens after being selected in the second round (45th overall) in 2006, but had a tough time living up to the expectations of being a French-Canadian star in Montreal. In the past two seasons with Minnesota Wild, he has been limited to only 27 games — scoring eight goals and seven assists — due to hip surgery and concussion issues.
“I know what kind of player I am,” he said. “I know what I can bring to a team. I think Ottawa is a really good fit for me. As far as my injuries go, I’m 100 per cent now. I know I can be the player I was when I first went to Minnesota. I can bring a lot to this team.”
Lundin, 27, who also comes from Minnesota, dealt with back and hernia issues in 2011-12, registering two assists in 17 games. He played 69 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2010-11 and that body of work impressed the Senators. Murray says Lundin is a “transition” type of defenceman, a good skater who can move the puck quickly.
“I’m more of a defensive specialist, I’m not real flashy,” he said.
Like Latendresse, he believes his injuries are behind him. He had hernia surgery on March 15.
“I’m thrilled, it wasn’t one of the the greatest year for me last year with injuries and everything,” he said.
“I’m excited to come and play for a Canadian team, with the potential they have following last season and only looking to get better.”
Murray doesn’t anticipate making any more moves in the near future – at this point, he says, there’s no room to re-sign unrestricted free agent Jesse Winchester – and he says he still doesn’t know when captain Daniel Alfredsson will decide whether he’s returning or retiring.
The Senators general manager acknowledges the team has lost a bit of punch due to the loss of Carkner and Konopka, but he’s hoping Methot will be able to make up for some of it. He also sent a message to Zack Smith, saying the Senators need Smith to be more physical.
Considering the money that Carkner, Konopka and Kuba received on the open market, Murray says there was no way the team could match, without going over their internal budget.
While Kuba’s two-year, $8 million deal with Florida was somewhat expected, the money given to Carkner and Konopka was staggering.
Carkner received a three-year, $4.5 million deal with the New York Islanders, but not without some controversy. Before signing with the Islanders, the Colorado Avalanche announced they had signed him to a two-year deal. The Senators were only prepared to offer Carkner a one-year contract.
Konopka received a two-year, $1.9 million contract with Minnesota. The Senators, overloaded with depth forwards, didn’t bother talking to Konopka or his agents following the season.
WTF? We all know that Howson over rates his own players, but to trade a solid 15 goal scorer for a D-man that is below any of a number of RFAs that could have been signed without losing an asset is a head scratcher. Unless something else is coming down the road in the next few days, and we needed the salary space to make room for it, we got robbed, plain and simple. The only other possibility that comes to mind is that it frees up roster space for the up and coming forwards. If we are lucky maybe one of them will blossom into a solid 15 goal scorer.
We don’t need cap space, we have cap space.
Foligno was an overrated fan favourite. I have wanted him moved along for TWO years. I am happy it’s for local guy Marc Methor, a physical defensive defenseman, who will be great for us!
Foligno, so long!
I did not say cap space, I said salary space. You can have all the room under the cap you want, but when you hit what the owner is willing to spend that it is for your budget.
Sorry Stefan,
I misread that.
But, I do believe Melnyk would have no problem spending $ on solid players. Foligno was a so-so player. Methot is exactly what the Sens need and he’s signed for a number of seasons!
I did not consider that Methot is under contract for a couple more years while Foligno is an RFA. I will grant that Methot would slot in well as a 5/6 D-man, but I still have some trouble seeing him as top 4. Maybe he’ll make us all forget about Kuba, but I am skeptical. I still say it is more about moving Foligno out to make room for more rookie players who may or may not amount to much.
And yes, Melnyk will open up his wallet for solid players. Although I don’t think he will be offering up the 100 million plus contracts that are coming to the big two this year. I have trouble relating to hockey player making 12 million plus in a season, which is the number being tossed around, and I’m ok with him keeping his wallet closed for that nonsense.
Parise is a good player, not an elite player. He’s milking his last name pretty well. 2 x 12 million signing bonus for him is insane?! I also don’t understand the hype of a Ryan Suter either. What’s he done recently that makes him worth that type of hype and money?
If you ask me people add too much value to players nowadays.
i think the Leafs will punish the Sen’s all year long, they lost too much grit today….wtf!
Great trade for the Sens who acquire a top 4 dman and get rid of an overrated 3rd liner. Foligno had a career year and would have commanded a 3.5-4M contract. For a 3rd liner, he is not worth it especially with Zibanejad, Silverferg, Stone, etc. moving into top 6 roles in the near future.
Absolutely detest these moves.
So we move out Foligno who was a consummate professional, a good company man and a gritty forward who had no fear of getting his nose dirty for a bottom-pairing d-man? We HAVE a Methot in our system in Borowiecki or any number or others. And Boro IS homegrown since he’s from here AND IN OUR SYSTEM.
Latendresse is pillow soft and had his past two seasons ended by concussions.
DO NOT LIKE. DO NOT WANT.
Methot was a bottom pairing guy…IN COLUMBUS. How is he even going to fit in here?
Just brutal. I hope Murray goes far, far away after his contract is done. Far too much change for a team that claims to be growing from within.
I’ll wait and see how “Murrays miracles” pan out?
r should be very interesting for Neil
I like the moves. The Sens problem last year was goals-against. They needed another good stay at home defenceman. Foligno never lived up to his potential. He should have been a 25-30 goal-scorer and probably wanted to be paid $3-4 million a year which is way too much. If Stone, Silfverberg, Zbad, Prince, and the other young forwards coming up are as good as they say, Foligno’s 15 goals will be easily made up for and more.
I don’t see how the Leafs will push the Sens around all year since they don’t have any toughness either. Kessel and Lupul don’t scare anyone. But, the Sens do need to add a little more grit to protect the young guys.
It is going to be open season on Karlsson without Carkner or Konopka in the lineup. The Sens just got a lot softer after yesterdays moves.
I initially didn’t like the moves either, but when you think about it they weren’t that bad. Carkner is dangerous to re-sign because of his knee, and he didn’t even play much last year during the Sens’ success. Foligno had a pretty good season, but has been inconsistent since he entered the NHL. Kuba had a good season but I doubt he’ll repeat that what he did in the next to years. Finally, Konopka didn’t play big minutes last year either during the Sens’ success during the regular season.
The contracts to Latendresse and Lundin are so miniscule that they don’t affect the team’s financial situation, and Methot brings size lost from the departure of Carkner. As far as grit goes there’s still Neil, Smith, Cowen (hopefully this year), Methot, and if Borowiecki sees some more playing time, he brings some more punch. In my opinion, the worst move Murray made recently was trading for Gilroy at the expense of Brian Lee, but we all know that Murray never cared much for Lee as a player on his team.
Anyways, there are still moves that can be made throughout the year, and the Sens have a much better coach that they’ve had in the past 3- years so these moves have a chance at working out.
Lee also asked to be traded to a US team!
Unbelievable how everyone is crying about Foligno for Methot! I understand Foligno was loved in Ottawa but He’s always been and always will be a fringe top 6… we have many many prospects who will eventually fill that need if not exceed it! We are still a rebuilding team with potential to make the playoffs, Methot is exactly what we needed a solid D with experience… I’m sure in a couple years when Prince or Z or Silfverberg or any other prospect fill the void we will all forget about Foligno.
I think you’re all looking at this from an emotional stance. Foligno on a contender would NEVER move out of the bottom 6. His lack of consistency, lack of ability to properly use his teammates, his tendency of taking costly penalties, and his inability to establish himself after five years on the team eventually cost him. We’ve got SO man up and comers hungry for ice time and a chance to prove themselves. This is the beginning of year 2 of a rebuild guys. We have to make space for younger and higher potential players to step in and get groomed.
Methot is a better player than people give him credit for (he’s an Ottawa native and got trapped in the CBJ system). I expect him to be a fantastic player for us that has something to prove. He’ll be a top 4 with a physical presence.
Latendresse may have had injury issues, but so did Kuba and Carkner and we didn’t lynch them or that when it came time to hand over money and term! He is also only 24!!! He’s a big body and has offensive skills. He’s signed for one year, so he is playing for his next contract!
I really think people need to step back and not be so emotional about moves that are being made. Signing Carkner to a 3 year deal would simply be dumb, he’ll spend at least 2/3 being a healthy scratch or on IR. Konopka (and to say people complained about him being signed last Summer!) didn’t play much, had good FO stats, but spend the rest of the time as a scratch. We’ve also became quite a bit younger with yesterday’s moves!
Relax people, deep breaths, it’ll be okay!
Aaron Ward was an Ottawa native too and I NEVER would have wanted him on my team. I’m fine with Ottawa natives…IF THEY HAVE HIGH LEVELS OF SKILL AND JAM. Methot has only half that equation, if that.
FOligno was fine! He was one of the FEW forwards on our team that combined skill, jam and work ethic. Those goaltender interference penalties people love to complain about? You only get those when you’re creating traffic in front of the net, something that our team has lacked FOREVER.
We were sold on this being a REBUILD and we were told we were going to BUILD FROM WITHIN.
Bryan Murray, you have broken your word with the Rundblad trade, you have broken your word with the Foligno trade. Bryan Murray, you care NOTHING for your rebuild and our future! You care only about getting your last chance in for a championship that has LONG passed you by!
Give me a GM that will build for the FUTURE and not sacrifice our roster or cap space to do so! Enough with overhauling the roster every two to three months!
Our team is now MUCH easier to play against in the opponent’s end!
Wow, this is quite the emotional response.
Rundblad, a bluechip Offensive Defenseman prospect, was used in a trade to acquire a #2 center: Kyle Turris. Without Turris Ottawa would’ve never sniffed the playoffs. The impact this trade made on the team is bigger than most people see/admit.
Nick Foligno was a dime a dozen players in the organization, we have plenty of players who will easily fill out the bottom six. Foligno had 5 years, FIVE! To establish himself as a top 6 forward on the team and he failed to do so year after year. This past season, a contract season, Foligno scored 15 goals (with a handful of those being empty netters) and added 32 assists. In essence he scored 1 (ONE) goal more than the previous year and had 12 more assist. His point totals went up by a WHOOPING 13 points. Yup, a top 6 development curve already! To top it off he went from collecting 43 PIM’s to 124 PIM’s in 82 games played. Definitely a guy you want to pay on average 3.5/4 mil/season for 3-4 years right? Makes perfect sense,
. There’s doing a task your coach asks the smart way and then there’s doing a coaching task the Foligno way.
Put this in perspective: Kyle Turris played 49 games, scored 12 times added 17 assists for 29 points while racking up 27 PIM’s.
We all agree we have a solid number of forward prospects who need ice time to develop, yet we don’t want to move a guy like Foligno who had a career year for a need we have? That need being a physical defensive defenseman.
Essentially we trade from a position of strenght, being forwards, for a position of need, being defensemen. Foligno was the guy asked for and he was expandable. It’s the nature of the business.
A rebuild doesn’t consist of drafting and patiently sitting around for the pieces you’ve drafted to develop into exactly what the team needs. It’s not an exact science. Sometimes it doesn’t work out, sometimes it does. When you have too much of one thing (bottom 6 forwards) you trade it for something you really need.
Carkner played 29 games, 1G 2A with 32 PIM’s (3 fighting majors), not the PIM’s of a guy who fiercely defends his teammates. As good a guy Carkner is as terrible a hockey player he is. I am happy he’s found a team willing to sign him to a three year contract. Noting he’ll most likely spend 2/3 on the IR.
Konopka played 55 games for 3G 2A and 193 PIM’s. (18 fightings majors). He doesn’t bring much to the table other than his Face Off winning ability, BUT with the rule change where you can no longer play the puck with your hands while on the face off makes him pretty useless because it was the only reason he won that many faceoffs.
No team wins the cup without trading drafted players for pieces that fit the team better. It’s going to take ice time and opportunity for our kids to develop. They can’t play in Junior, Europe, or the AHL forever.
Take a deep breath, relax and let the new guys come in and prove their worth. Keep in mind both Lundin and Latendresse are signed to one year deals, if they do not pan out they won’t be a long term issue and at least our kids got the extra time they needed to develop.
Go Sens Go!
While I agree that the money the Isles shelled out for Carkner was insane and that the Sens were right to not offer more than a 1 year deal to him, I totally disagree about Konopka. There is getting to the playoffs, and there is staying there. Konopka may not have been a big contributer during the regular season, but he was easily one of the best Sens in the playoffs. He is the type of player that all teams look to and need in order to succeed during the playoffs. I would have signed Konopka knowing that even if the Sens tank this year he would be worth a second round pick at the trade deadline to some team that needed to tougher up for the post season. If the Sens are playoff bound this year they will be giving up an R2 draft pick for someone exactly like him.
Too bad about Kenopka and Carkner; good riddance to Kuba; the Foligno trade seems solid, but the Latandress signing was questionable. Overall, the sens are a little worse off; however, it’s hard to argue with Murray’s decision. Those players, especially Kuba, were paid way more than they were worth by the teams that signed them. Better to let them go than to overpay.
Apparently Foligno was asking for about $4M a season.. over 3 or 4 seasons. That’s too much. Considering what is coming down the pipe in way of prospects.
Sens needed a defensive defenseman. Methot is still young and learning.. so he fits with the rest of the team.
Was hoping for another defenseman to replace Kuba.. but it is what it is.
Maybe its a blessing in disguise that he never blossomed into a 30-40 goal scorer. The going rate for those this off season is 2X12 million signing bonus plus a hundred million dollar long term deal.