Imagine a top line of Milan Michalek, Jason Spezza and Marian Hossa. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

There are lots of former Sens around the league, and 2 names really jump out immediately.

How would the Senators blue line look now with Zdeno Chara and Marc Methot as the first pairing while Erik Karlsson was out of the lineup? Methot has been a capable partner for Karlsson, but having a pair of Norris contenders as the first unit would be very intimidating for any other team.

Up front, Marian Hossa has been injury prone over the years, but is a consistent 30 goal threat and is a talented two way player who is a key in Chicago.  Hossa would be that top line threat that Ottawa is missing on the wing in the top 6 that would increase the threat while taking attention away from the other forwards, giving them more room to work.

Those are the two biggest names.  Others, such as fan favorite Mike Fisher has been miscast in Nashville as an offensive threat but is a heart and soul player. Ditto Chris Kelly, who had a career year in Boston last season but has cooled down and settled into a more comfortable checking role this season. Matt Carkner was very popular in Ottawa, as was Zenon Konopka for their abilities to take care of business in a certain way. Antoine Vermette is also kind of miscast in a top scoring role in Phoenix, something that he is probably not capable of fulfilling on a consistent basis.

How about some names that wouldn’t be welcome back in Ottawa?  Dany Heatley would be at the top of that list, but other players that would be joining him on the blacklist might be Filip Kuba (a disaster in Florida this season), Martin Havlat (really underachieving in San Jose)  and this year, Brian Elliott. Bobby Butler is still kicking around in New Jersey, being a part time player.

So, all things being equal, and without having to give anyone up in return and not considering contract status or paycheck: