Ottawa Senators Free Agency Outlook, Potential Fits
By Ryan Ritchie
Ottawa Senators Free Agency Preview/Outlook, Salary Cap Situation, Restricted Free Agents, Team Needs, and Potential Fits
Estimating the Ottawa Senators cost to re-sign Mike Hoffman and Cody Ceci (among others), the team should have anywhere between $8-10 million dollars for spending in free agency.
Don’t be surprised if most of the player movement occurs via trade, while July 1st is merely used to address minor needs.
Following a disappointing season, owner Eugene Melnyk made changes in the front office as promised. Pierre Dorion was appointed new GM, and Guy Boucher the new head coach.
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The Sens were in the playoff hunt for a large part of the 2015-16 regular season. Like Boston though, Ottawa struggled down the final stretch.
It got to a point where owner Eugene Melnyk made public comments with roughly 10 games to go, which essentially had everyone in the organization walking on egg shells.
In the end, Ottawa finished 11th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 38-35-9 (85 points).
After missing out on the playoffs, the Sens were set to pick 12th overall at the NHL Draft. Pierre Dorion however felt compelled to make a deal with New Jersey to move up one spot to snag 6’6 center Logan Brown.
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Ottawa Senators Free Agency Outlook/Preview
Salary Cap Committed to 2016-17: $55,524,165
Number of Players Signed: 32
Notable Unrestricted Free Agents: Philip Varone, Scott Gomez, Patrick Wiercioch, Mike Kostka, Mark Fraser, Matt Frattin, Dave Dziurzynski, Jason Akeson
Notable Restricted Free Agents: Mike Hoffman, Matt Puempel, Ryan Dzingel, Cody Ceci, Fredrik Claesson, Casey Bailey, Max McCormick
If the rumors are true, Ottawa will look to re-sign Mike Hoffman in hopes that he can flourish under a familiar new face behind the bench (Guy Boucher) – the pair shared a lot of success in junior.
The best way to free up cap space, or shake up the roster is to find trade partners for Bobby Ryan and Kyle Turris.
Among the notable players who didn’t receive qualifying offers, Patrick Wiercioch headlines the list. There’s still time to work out a deal, or a sign-and-trade, since it sounds as though the late Phaneuf addition made Patrick virtually expendable.
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Ottawa Senators Free Agency Team Needs
Top-Six LW Upgrade, Bottom-Six Forwards
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That top-six left wing upgrade should come with an asterisk.
Clarke MacArthur is due to return after missing an entire season, and Nick Paul may be ready to accept a larger role in the Sens offense. At the same time, there is uncertainty surrounding both. An upgrade should at least be considered.
A lack of NHL ready prospect depth should force Pierre Dorion to explore a few short-term bottom six forwards (one or two-year deals).
In a league that demands a team be three to four lines deep scoring, you can never have too much depth.
Next: Ottawa Senators End of Year Review, Grades
Potential Ottawa Senators Free Agency Targets
Top-Six LW: Andrew Ladd, David Perron, Mikkel Boedker
Bottom-Six Forwards: Boyd Gordon, Jamie McGinn, Steve Ott, Nathan Gerbe, Patrick Eaves, Brett Connolly, Mike Richards, Brandon Pirri, Mike Santorelli, Matt Halischuk, Landon Ferraro, Vernon Fiddler, Matt Martin, Patrick Bordeleau
*Salary/Free Agent information was obtained through www.generalfanager.com