Senators suddenly find themselves deep in offensive prospects
For a team that was once wondering where its next goal was going to come from, the Ottawa Senators are all of a sudden swimming in top offensive prospects.
PHOENIX — For a team that was once wondering where its next goal was going to come from, the Ottawa Senators are all of a sudden swimming in top offensive prospects.
It’s about to get very crowded and general manager Bryan Murray will have to do some delicate shuffling.
Brandon Wheat King right wing Mark Stone, Swedish centre Mika Zibanejad, and Swedish left wing Jakob Silfverberg are already more or less penciled in for next season.
Then there is Binghamton right wing Andre Petersson, who made his NHL debut on this road trip in Anaheim, and four forwards who were selected in last year’s draft: right wing Stefan Noesen, left wing Matt Puempel, left wing Shane Prince, and centre Jean-Gabriel Pageau.
Noesen, Puempel, Prince, and Pageau are at least a year or two away, maybe longer, but Stone, Zibanejad, Silfverberg, and Petersson will compete for spots next year. Not to mention Stephane Da Costa, who is toiling away in Binghamton but is viewed as an NHL-calibre player.
Murray has seen most of them so far this season and likes what he sees.
“We’re optimistic at this point,” he said.
“That’s what happens when you draft kids. You hope that they turn out. We’re optimistic that they’ll all turn out. We probably know from history that that may not be the case, but I’m pleased, obviously.”
That could be tricky because there won’t be many roster spots opening, unless, of course, Murray creates some through trades.
Next summer, there will be three restricted free agents: Nick Foligno, Peter Regin, and Kaspars Daugavins. Jesse Winchester and Zenon Konopka will be an unrestricted free agents.
There is the possibility that Daniel Alfredsson will retire, to open a roster spot, but if he doesn’t he has another year left on his contract.
You’d have to think that Murray would re-sign Foligno and Daugavins, but it’s also possible he might take a pass on Regin, given his history of injuries. The saga of Pascal Leclaire might be an object lesson to be embraced.
Winchester is useful player who is not expensive, so there’s a good chance he’ll be retained, but the guess is that Murray will pass on giving Konopka another year. The era of staged fights is ending.
I suspect BM will offer up a prospect from the first group (Prince/Pageau/Noesen/Puempel) one from the the second group (Zibanejad/Stone/Silvferberg) + a first round pick for a player like Bobby Ryan or Rick Nash which should clear up some of that space. Winchester/Konopka will not be retained. I suspect Regin will get a qualifying offer just to keep his rights.
All positions in camp will be open. i.e. ‘let the best man win’. Players not making the cut will be assigned to the BSens at the end of camp, possibly exposed to waviers. I don’t expect much in the way of trades to make room. BM won’t want to cut guys early, he’ll give them the opportunity to make the team. There aren’t many trades coming out of camp because teams are all giving the young guys a shot before looking at the trade route.
I suspect based on the success of the team so far this year, as long as they continue at the clip they’ve been playing that Alfie will be back for another year. He’s obviously playing at a high level still & he is also enjoying himself. As long as his health remains, he’ll be back.
Yes, Alfie will be back next year, hopefully longer. You can see himm improving every game. Getting his young step back.Spezza will just have to wait for the big “C”, that in my opinion he does not deserve anyway. I don’t like the way the media is alway stateing that its Spezzas’ team. Its not, its Alfies team.
Just my opinion
Scrap regin and winchester. How is Winchester more useful then Konopka? Konopka is a great leader and puts up better numbers than Winchester
Winchester doesn’t take stupid penalties in the offensive zone, that is how.
Let’s face it…the Sens won’t be contenders for several years. As a result, I really think the Sens should try to be sellers this year.
Fortunately, they are overachieving right now, which means some of the vets’ stock has never been higher. Now would be a great time to test the waters on a trade of players like Michalek or Foligno, both of whom are projected in the 45-55 pt range. If the Sens think they potentially have 2 players in this massive youth crop who can give them 50 pts a season in a couple years, why not give them to chance to prove it?
I also think 50 NHL games might have given the GM a chance to assess some of this year’s youngsters (Butler, Greening, Smith, Condra) to see if they’re a good fit. If they aren’t, why not trade for picks and free up spots?
I realize the fanbase might balk if the Sens make the playoffs this year and next year they dress 5 rookie forwards. However, the roadmap the Sens started on at least year’s deadline is only a year old. I’m more than willing to wait and see what develops.
And I have absolutely loved seeing the young faces and growth of the young players on the ice. The Sens might not win the Cup, but they’ve thrilled me with effort and enthusiasm this year!
Go Sens!