Havlat...DONE!....Now What..?
Well, I didn't think it would happen this weekend but knew it was happening. However, I didn't think Chicago was the destination, though the deal worked out greatly, spite what some of you might think.
I was reading the SUN paper this morning, and the article suggested that the Senators were left at the short end of the stick of this deal, and it might seem that way, however there was more to this deal than just a trade.
Ottawa needed to free up CAP space and by doing this deal, they have done exactly that, with room to spare, perhaps even another Forward (center) to sign also....I will get to that in a bit....but we still have valuable RFA's to sign, doing this allows just that.
In return we get a GREAT defenseman. Some of you might not know alot about West Coast players, such as Corvo or in this case, Preissing, but he is a great puck moving DMAN who can put up points, skate well and play Defense in the process, look for him as a #4 Dman. I thought Ottawa would be hard pressed to get a current NHL player, because of the contract issues with Havlat, but Muckler managed to do so and did a GREAT job in my opinion.
Also the prospects they received could be valuable in the future, I like Josh Hennessey, whom has done well for himself with a below average AHL team last year and did very well with Quebec in the QJMHL, you may see him sooner than you think as he will be a good NHL hockey player. Like I said in previous posts and comment responses, I figured Ottawa would have to sweeten the deal, because even though Havlat is an unbelievable talent, his contract issues got in the way, throwing in Bryan Smolynski was a great move for both teams, as Ottawa loses more salary and Chicago gets a veteran presence. Havlat then signed for 6MIL a year for 3 yrs, an offer he could not turn down, obviously Chicago wants to make him there franchise player....but at 6MIL...we'll see how well he does.
Did Ottawa lose in the deal, a little bit, BUT only because Havlat is a great player, but it had to happen and they got a good return too, and remember, Ottawa did fantastic without Havlat last year, they will be just fine this year.
Now to the future, I still think Ottawa has one more trick up there sleeve, not sure, but I believe that they may make a move to sign a veteran center UFA.....time will tell, however I am optimistic that it will happen and soon...don't rule out Peca, Armstrong or Perrault, whomever it is, Ottawa has some holes in Forward, we might even see some Bingo players or Kaigordorov..sp? given a chance. I plan on obtaining more info this week about the coming season.
In closing, no matter what happens, Ottawa will still be a force to reckon with...and I dont say that as a Sens fan but a hockey fan. They have lost Chara and Havlat, but gain two defenceman that Im sure you will take a liking too immediately and perhaps there is more to come.
Thats it for now.
- S.I.
I was reading the SUN paper this morning, and the article suggested that the Senators were left at the short end of the stick of this deal, and it might seem that way, however there was more to this deal than just a trade.
Ottawa needed to free up CAP space and by doing this deal, they have done exactly that, with room to spare, perhaps even another Forward (center) to sign also....I will get to that in a bit....but we still have valuable RFA's to sign, doing this allows just that.
In return we get a GREAT defenseman. Some of you might not know alot about West Coast players, such as Corvo or in this case, Preissing, but he is a great puck moving DMAN who can put up points, skate well and play Defense in the process, look for him as a #4 Dman. I thought Ottawa would be hard pressed to get a current NHL player, because of the contract issues with Havlat, but Muckler managed to do so and did a GREAT job in my opinion.
Also the prospects they received could be valuable in the future, I like Josh Hennessey, whom has done well for himself with a below average AHL team last year and did very well with Quebec in the QJMHL, you may see him sooner than you think as he will be a good NHL hockey player. Like I said in previous posts and comment responses, I figured Ottawa would have to sweeten the deal, because even though Havlat is an unbelievable talent, his contract issues got in the way, throwing in Bryan Smolynski was a great move for both teams, as Ottawa loses more salary and Chicago gets a veteran presence. Havlat then signed for 6MIL a year for 3 yrs, an offer he could not turn down, obviously Chicago wants to make him there franchise player....but at 6MIL...we'll see how well he does.
Did Ottawa lose in the deal, a little bit, BUT only because Havlat is a great player, but it had to happen and they got a good return too, and remember, Ottawa did fantastic without Havlat last year, they will be just fine this year.
Now to the future, I still think Ottawa has one more trick up there sleeve, not sure, but I believe that they may make a move to sign a veteran center UFA.....time will tell, however I am optimistic that it will happen and soon...don't rule out Peca, Armstrong or Perrault, whomever it is, Ottawa has some holes in Forward, we might even see some Bingo players or Kaigordorov..sp? given a chance. I plan on obtaining more info this week about the coming season.
In closing, no matter what happens, Ottawa will still be a force to reckon with...and I dont say that as a Sens fan but a hockey fan. They have lost Chara and Havlat, but gain two defenceman that Im sure you will take a liking too immediately and perhaps there is more to come.
Thats it for now.
- S.I.
posted by sensinsider at 6:53 AM
4 Comments:
What other names are being whispered as potential UFA signings? Peca? Rucinsky? Sykora? McAmmond? Any inside information you could provide us would be appreciated.
According to Garrioch and Stevenson there is no way the Sens will sign another "name" free agent...is this true?
What about Mike Leclerc ?
From my estimation the Sens payroll will be around 40 million once the RFA are signed...there's still room!
They will only sign someone at the right price....Muckler wants around 2-3MIL left over to go into the season with.
Don't believe everything Garrioch and Stevenson say, they know some things but not every thing.
What's going on with the RFA signings? Any updates for us on Schaefer, Vermette, Neil and Kelly? Supposedly they have all been offered 2 year contracts - is that true?
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