Another Swede Bites the Dust

If last season’s apparent demotion of 2005 9th overall pick Brian Lee wasn’t enough to end Lee’s young career in the Nation’s Capital, then certainly the acquisition of David Rundblad did so. Brian, when on his game can be a real force on the ice. Smooth skating abilities, defensive awareness, those are only some things that John Muckler liked about this kid.

However, Lee is never on his game. Although we did see a glimpse early last season when Erik Karlsson was sent for conditioning to Binghamton, he never has been able to live up to expectations. Many people thought he would be the future defenseman of the team. Well, that ship has sailed quite far, with Erik Karlsson grabbing headlines last season, and with Jared Cowen and Patrick Wiercioch’s late season runs.

If Bryan Murray trading for Rundblad taught us anything, it was that a future Big Four has been set up for the Ottawa Senators. Karlsson-Rundblad, and Cowen-Wiercioch. Add in Chris Phillips who next off-season should become the second lifetime Senator next to the great Daniel Alfredsson, and either Matt Carkner, Chris Campoli, or a pending free agent to come, there is absolutely no room for Brian Lee anywhere. Even the Senators’ director of player personnel, Pierre Dorion has stated that “I would be surprised if Lee didn’t stay in Binghamton at the start of next season”.

Trade ” The General”. Find a good package with him and possibly a forward to deal for some picks and prospects. The last draft saw Ottawa pick only four times. We need to boost that up in 2011. Columbus had shown interest in the middle of last season. Go hunt them down and give them what they need, especially with the Ryan Johansen drafting.

He was taken before Marc Staal and Anze Kopitar. Obviously, he’s never lived up to that billing. Although we know, he may have an irrational fear of Swedish defensemen, right around now…