Vermette re-signs with Ottawa

With only a few minutes left before the arbitration hearing, the Ottawa Senators reached an agreement with their sole-remaining RFA forward, Antoine Vermette.  The Ottawa Sun is claiming the deal to be worth around $5.5 million with the young centreman scheduled to make $2.5 this year and $3 million next season.

The many rumblings and rumours had Vermette scheduled to be awarded in excess of $3.5 million on a 1-year contract in arbitration.  Bryan Murray has been quoted as saying that he didn’t want to cripple his team in the long-term with another multi-year contract.  It was reported that Vermette was satisfied with money but not the length of the contract.  He was seeking something along the lines of his teamate’s Chris Kelly’s deal.

Another great deal for GM Murray.

Au revoir Ray!

The Ottawa Sun is reporting that former Sens goaltender and constant pain in the butt, Ray Emery has signed a 1-year $2 million contract with a Russian Team of the Continental Hockey League.

The article also states that only 3 teams inquired about Ray’s services but decided to pass.  I assume that teams were trying to low-ball the troubled goalie or were offering a 2-way contract as a safety net.

The most interesting part of the article is a quote from Ray’s agent: “Unfortunately, it’s only been a short time since the buyout and there isn’t anybody willing to give (Emery) a second chance at this time.  I think if people knew the things that he’s done over the last little while to turn the corner, there might be more interest out there.”

Ray flat out told the reporters that he didn’t want to be the fall-guy for the Team’s demise last year.  This admission is a huge 180 from last season’s statement.  What exactly did Ray do?  Is Ray’s agent actually admitting that Ray had a problem last year?  What exactly was this problem?

Jason Smith signs with the Senators

For once the rumours held true… the Ottawa Senators have signed the hard-hitting, shot-blocking and endless character player, Jason Smith.

Some nay-sayers will point out that his ice-time was the lowest of the 6 Philly d-man during their playoff run last year but he did also play those 17 playoff games with 2 seperated shoulders.  He lead the team in blocked shots and hits for both the regular season and the playoffs. Smith has captained the Edmonton Oilers and more recently the Philadelphia Flyers.

Much like last year’s trades at the deadline, GM Murray has surrounded Daniel Alfredsson, Mike Fisher and Chris Phillips with more leadership.  He was signed for $2.6 million per year for 2-years.

Hopefully Murray isn’t done yet, as we still need a 2nd line winger to play the opposite side of Nick Foligno, centered by Mike Fisher.

Good job GM Murray!

Ottawa Senators’ Post-July 1st+2 2008-09 Projected Lineup

Bryan Murray missed out on the big fish but he’s made a few minor moves, so far in the Free Agency Period:

1 – Jarko Ruutu was signed to a 3-year $3.9 million contract
2 – Alex Auld was signed to a 2-year $2.0 million contract
3 – Shean Donovan signed a 2-year (estimated) $1.5 million contract

I think Ruutu is a risky signing because as Tucker showed last year, the Shift Disturbers tend to fade out quickly after they reach a certain age (around 32 years old) which Ruutu hit this year. I am quite happy that he signed for considerably less than both Avery (around $4 million per year and Tucker around $3 million per year). The tandem of Neil-Fisher-Ruutu will be one of the best lines in hockey.

Alex Auld will provide a solid back-up presense to Gerber and based on his interview with the Team1200 this afternoon, I think he’ll also push Gerber for the #1 position in the Nation’s Capital. We all know that Gerber doesn’t like to be pushed, but in my opinion, Gerber has yet to live up to his $3.7 million per year contract, thus I hope Auld comes in and pushes Gerber hard in the last year of his contract.

Shean Donovan was easily a top-6 forward for the Senators in the playoffs last year and I would put him ahead of Spezza, Heatley, Fisher and Lapointe off last year’s roster. I’m really happy that he decided on accepting less money from Ottawa and that Murray rewarded him with a 2-year contract.

So that leaves us with the line combos for next year. With the return of Donovan and the addition of Ruutu up front, I’d expect the lines to look something like this (edited July 3rd after reading a few articles):

Alfredsson (4.5)-Spezza (7.0)-Heatley(7.5)
Foligno(1.0)-Fisher(5.0)-Ouellet(1.2)
Winchester(0.5)-Kelly(2.0)-McAmmond(1.0)
Ruutu(1.3)-Bass(0.6)-Donovan(0.75)

Total forwards: 32.35

I’m going to make a bold statement and say that Vermette and/or Meszaros will be packaged with something else for Dan Boyle (plus maybe Michel Ouellet).

On defense:

Phillips(3.5)-Volchenkov(2.5)
Boyle(6.5)-Lee(1.0)
Nycholat(0.5)-Schubert(1.2)
Carkner(0.5)

Total defense: 15.7

In goal:

Gerber(3.7)
Auld(1.0)

Total Goalies: 4.7

Total cap hit: 52.75 (plus minor league contracts) + Ray Emery’s buyout: ~550K and we should be under the cap but with very little room for error.

In my wildest dreams, we may be able to sign Brendan Shanahan or Markus Naslund for small contracts with incentives and obviously we wouldn’t have room for Boyle.

Keep the Focus on Who Plays for the Senators Right Now

So as history dictates, the Senators will most likely continue to build through the draft and through smart trades (Dany Heatley, Wade Redden).  I’ve tried over and over to think up of big free agent signings that the Senators made at the free agency period.  The biggest name I could come up with on the current roster: Martin Gerber.

Aside from the top-3 players that are free agents this year (Sundin, Hossa, Campbell) is any other player really that much better than our current top-4 forwards and top-3 defenseman?  Furthermore, many of these players were great values because of their looming free-agency.

Does anyone want to throw $5 million / year at Radim Vrbata or keep Mike Fisher?
How about $7.5 million / year for Brian Campbell in exchange for Chris Phillips and Anton Volchenkov?
Michael Ryder is due for a pay raise of his $3 million contract, that’s a Chris Kelly and Chris Neil
Marian Hossa, who started his career here, reportedly turned down a $7 million / year contract by the Penguins, so let’s pencil him at $8 million.

So, regardless of what the Senators do this free agency period, know that we have Daniel Alfredsson, Dany Heatley, Mike Fisher, Chris Phillips and Anton Volchenkov on our team for $24 million next year.  I’d gladly take these 5 players before throwing $23 million at Vrbata, Campbell, Ryder and Hossa.

Plus I’d still have $1 million to sign Patrick Lalime.