The Rebuild

Here is your one stop shop for all your latest Ottawa Senators trade news, signings, player pick-ups and anything to do with the rebuild.

SEPTEMBER 19th: OTTAWA SIGNS MARK STONE TO A 3 YEAR ENTRY LEVEL CONTRACT

Ottawa Senators’ prospect Mark Stone has been signed to a three-year, entry level contract. With the contract worth $630,000 a year, it probably won’t kick in until next season as it is expected Stone will return to junior to play out his last year.

With his breakout 2010-11 campaign, where Stone notched 106 points, he has flew up Ottawa’s depth chart since he was selected 178th in the sixth round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Expected to play a huge role this year with the WHL Brandon Wheat Kings, Stone hopefully can build on last year’s success and continue to improve his play.

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AUGUST 3RD: OTTAWA RESIGNS FORWARD KASPARS DAUGAVINS TO A ONE-YEAR TWO-WAY CONTRACT

With so many players from the AHL Calder Cup winning team leaving for other opportunities, the Binghamton Senators may see one of their core players return for one more season. Fan favorite Kaspars Daugavins was expected to take his talents overseas as he had signed a deal with Dynamo Riga of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Daugavins had rejected the Sens qualifying offer which was a two-way deal and signed with Dynamo. However, in his contract, he had a deal to come to Ottawa’s training camp in the fall in an attempt to stick with the big club.

But news came this week that Daugavins had actually signed a one-year, two-way deal to stick with the Senators. The deal will pay him $600,000 if he plays in the NHL, and $105,000 if he lands in the AHL. Daugavins will get a $42,500 raise if he plays in the AHL from his last years salary.

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JULY 14TH: OTTAWA RESIGNS FORWARD BOBBY BUTLER TO A TWO YEAR, $2.1 MILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT

Ottawa resigns RFA forward Bobby Butler to a two year, $2.1 million dollar contract. The cap hit per season will be $1.05 million. In 36 games last year in Ottawa, Butler scored 11 goals and had 21 points. More will be expected of Butler this season as he and his great shot will have a chance to line-up on the top two forward lines in Ottawa. Showing great chemistry last year with Jason Spezza, Butler could have a chance to score 20 goals or more this season if paired with Spez.

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JULY 13TH: OTTAWA SIGNS PROSPECT MIKA ZIBANEJAD TO A 3 YEAR ENTRY LEVEL CONTRACT

Ottawa signs their 2011 first round draft pick, Mika Zibanejad to a three year, entry level contract. The deal was to ensure Ottawa did not have to pay a large fee to Zibanejad’s Swedish team to be able to negotiate with him. This also ensures that Zibanejad can come to Ottawa’s training camp in the fall. It is expected that Zibanejad will play next season in Sweden, but he will be given a chance to make the team in the fall.

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JULY 6TH: OTTAWA RESIGNS FORWARD ERIK CONDRA TO A TWO YEAR, $1.25 MILLION CONTRACT

Ottawa resigns forward Erik Condra to a two year, $1.25 million dollar contract. Condra is fresh off his Clader Cup championship run and now will be suiting up full-time for Ottawa this fall. In his 26 game call-up this past season, Condra put up a respectable six goals and 11 points. Condra will be in the mix on the bottom two lines this fall and will be a fixture on the penalty kill.

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JULY 5TH: OTTAWA SIGNS FREE AGENT FORWARD ZENON KONOPKA TO A ONE YEAR, $600,000 DOLLAR CONTRACT

Ottawa beefed up their line-up as they signed free agent Zenon Konopka to a one year, $600,000 dollar contract. Konopka comes to Ottawa from the New York Islanders and will provide Ottawa with a great face-off man and a ton of grit. As an energy forward, Konopka was second in the NHL in fights last season with 25 fights. Here is a video of some of his work.

With Konopka, Ottawa now ices one of the most toughest line-ups in the league. Along with Chris Neil, Matt Carkner and Zach Smith, Konopka will help ensure Ottawa’s skilled players get their time and space on the ice.

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JULY 1ST: OTTAWA SIGNS FREE AGENT GOALIE ALEX AULD TO A ONE YEAR, $1 MILLION CONTRACT

With the kick-off to free agency, Ottawa solved their need for a capable NHL back-up for starter Craig Anderson by signing veteran journeyman Alex Auld to a one-year, $1 million dollar contract. Auld returns to Ottawa after spending last season with the Montreal Canadiens. Alud will keep the back-up role warm for prospect Robin Lehner as he will spend the year as the starter for the Binghamton Senators. Auld is a solid back-up and a great team guy. He won’t rock the boat and can be great in small streches.

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JUNE 25TH: OTTAWA ACQUIRES FORWARD NIKITA FILATOV FROM COLUMBUS FOR A 2011 3RD ROUND DRAFT PICK

In a great trade by GM Byran Murray, Ottawa traded a 2011 3rd round draft pick to the Columbus Blue Jackets for forward Nikita Filatov. This trade brings Ottawa a highly skilled forward with tons of potential. Never finding his way in the Columbus organization, Filatov comes to Ottawa with the chance to earn a top-six forward spot and possibly play with Jason Spezza.

Coming in at 6’0″ and 185 lbs, the skilled winger has speed to burn and can put up a lot of goals. With his game based on offensive, Ottawa could sure use his skill-set as Ottawa ranked in the bottom half in the league in all offensive categories. On the last year of his entry level contract, Filatov is an inexpensive experiment on the top two forward lines in Ottawa. If he doesn’t work out, he only cost a 3rd round pick. But if he does work out, Filatov could be a star in Ottawa.

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JUNE 24TH & 25TH: 2011 NHL ENTRY DRAFT

On June 24th and 25th, your Ottawa Senators started their rebuild with 12 draft picks in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. In total, Ottawa drafted ten prospects to stock the prospect cupboard.

With the number six selection overall, your Ottawa Senators selected Mika Zibanejad. The big, power-forward center is projected to be a second line center in the future when he comes over from playing in Sweden. The fastest riser in this year’s draft, Zibanejad started the year off playing in the junior Swedish league, but he was quickly promoted to the Swedish Elite League where he made an impact as a 17 year old.

With their second first round pick (that they acquired from Nashville in the Fisher trade), Ottawa selected 21st overall, right winger Stefan Noesen. The American forward scored 34 goals and 77 points for Plymouth this past year in the OHL. Noesen plays a gritty, power forward game and is hard to knock off the puck along the boards. With great hands, Noesen also plays a solid two-way game too.

With a shrewd move by GM Byran Murray, Ottawa traded two second round picks to Detroit for their first round pick, 24th overall. With their third first round pick, Ottawa selected left winger Matt Puempel. Playing for Peterborough in the OHL, the skilled winger has a deadly shot to mix with his great puck skills. With 34 goals in 55 games, Puempel knows how to put the puck in the net.

And here’s the rest of the 2011 drafted prospects by Ottawa:

2nd round, 61st overall: Shane Prince - hard-working, speedy, playmaking center.

4th round, 96th overall: Jean-Gabriel Pageau – small, but speedy, playmaking center.

5th round, 126th overall: Fredrik Claesson – defensive defenceman who can move the puck.

6th round, 156th overall: Darren Kramer – a tough enforcer who will fight anyone.

6th round, 171st overall: Max McCormick – honest, two-way winger with tons of grit.

7th round, 186th overall: Jordan Fransoo – project defensive defenceman.

7th round, 204th overall: Ryan Dzingel – skilled, playmaker with a good shot.

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JUNE 23RD: OTTAWA NAMES DAVE CAMERON AND MARK REEDS AS ASSISTANT COACHES

Your Ottawa Senators have rounded out their coaching staff as the team announced today the hiring of OHL coaches Dave Cameron and Mark Reeds as the two assistant coaches to new head coach Paul MacLean. With so much turnover behind Ottawa’s bench the last couple of years, the Sens will have a rookie staff leading the team through their rebuild. 

As per the Ottawa Senators press release,

Cameron, 52, has spent the last four seasons as the head coach and general manager of the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors of the Ontario Hockey League. Cameron recently led the club to the OHL’s best record and the Memorial Cup andOHL finals. In four years with Mississauga, the Majors posted a 165-91-16 record in 272 regular-season games.

Cameron also served as head coach for Canada’s national junior team, winning a silver medal at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship held in Buffalo, N.Y. He was also an associate coach for the national junior team in 2010, winning a silver medal in Regina/Saskatoon after winning a goal medal as an assistant coach in 2009 when the tournament was held in Ottawa.

Prior to joining Mississauga, Cameron spent three seasons in the Senators organization as the head coach of the American Hockey League’s Binghamton Senators. In three years with Binghamton, the team posted a 105-106-29 record over 240 games.

A native of Kinkora, P.E.I, Cameron came to Binghamton from the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors of the OHL, where he had served as head coach and director of hockey operations. In four years with Toronto, Cameron posted a 145-87-30-10 record.

Cameron also served as head coach of Canada’s national men’s summer under-18 team at the 2004 U-18 Junior World Cup, winning a gold medal. He led the same team to a fourth-place finish at the tournament in 2003.

As a player, Cameron appeared in 168 National Hockey League games, recording 53 points (25 goals, 28 assists) with the Colorado Rockies and the New Jersey Devils between 1981 and 1984. He was originally selected by the New York Islanders in the eighth round (135th overall) of the 1978 NHL Entry Draft.

Reeds, 51, recently completed his fourth season as head coach of the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack, where he compiled a regular-season record of 46-17-5 en route to the Western Conference title and eventual OHL championship.

A Toronto native, Reeds was recognized with the Matt Leyden Trophy as the 2010-11 OHL coach of the year as selected by OHL coaches and general managers. He led Owen Sound to the OHL playoffs in two of his four seasons behind the Attack bench, while his team posted a 119-118-35 record.

Prior to joining Owen Sound, Reeds spent four seasons as head coach of the United Hockey League’s Kalamazoo Wings. In his time with Kalamazoo, including the 2005-06 campaign when the Wings won the Colonial Cup as league champions, Reeds compiled a record of 194-86-28 over 308 regular-season games. Before his arrival in Kalamazoo, Reeds led the UHL’s Missouri River Otters for four seasons where he compiled a record of 159-105-34 in 298 games. He is a three-time recipient of the UHL’s coach-of-the-year award (2003, 2005 and 2006).

Reeds began his coaching career with the ECHL’s Peoria Rivermen prior to the 1996-97 campaign and spent three seasons with the club, compiling a 126-65-19 record in 210 games.

Drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the fifth round, 86th overall, of the 1979 NHL Entry Draft, Reeds played in 365 NHL contests, registering 159 points (45 goals, 114 assists) with the Blues and the Hartford Whalers between 1981-89.

The Cameron hiring has long been rumoured as has been the hiring of Reeds. Reeds is a MacLean hire and will be his right hand man. Cameron on the other hand is the organizational hire and is there in part due to his relationship with Sens owner Eugene Melnyk. Cameron is a good coach and deserves a chance to coach in the NHL, but will he be able to stay in the background of MacLean’s stache and tow the company line? Only time will tell.

With this new coaching staff now in place, you have to like that all have played in the NHL. They all know the hard work and effort that goes into being an everyday NHLer. I think this experience will give the new coaching staff (none of them who have every been a head coach before in the NHL) respect from the players who won’t be able to walk all over them. With the hire of Cameron and Reeds, Ottawa snags two of the best OHL coaches in that league to help teach the young squad and mold them into Cup contenders.

Joining MacLean, Cameron and Reeds on the bench will be Clouston leftovers, Luke Richardson, who will remain in the organization as a part-time coach and Rick Wamsley who will return for his second season as Senators goaltending coach. Video coach Tim Pattyson and Strength and conditioning coach Chris Schwarz remain with the club to round out the coaching staff.

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JUNE 15TH: OTTAWA NAMES PAUL MACLEAN HEAD COACH OF THE OTTAWA SENATORS

Your Ottawa Senators officially announced Tuesday the hiring of Paul MacLean as the team’s next head coach. MacLean will be the franchise’s ninth head coach since the Sens came back into the league 19 years ago and was signed to a three year deal. Coming over from the Detroit Red Wings where he served as an assistant coach to Mike Babcock for five years, MacLean brings with him NHL experience and pedigree.

Having played in the NHL as a player, MacLean knowns what it takes to succeed in this league. Known as a goal scorer back in his day, after his playing days were over, MacLean was an assistant coach and head coach in the minors for many years winning championships and building his resume. MacLean broke into the NHL as an assistant coach in Anaheim when then General Manager Byran Murray brought MacLean in as part of Babcock’s team. He then reunited with Babcock again as an assistant in Detroit where he won a Stanley Cup in 2008. In total, MacLean has coached in three Stanley Cup Finals with a record of 1-2.

Here is the press conference to announce MacLean as Ottawa’s next head coach.

MacLean seems to be a great communicator as he was very comfortable in front of the sometimes harsh Ottawa media. Able to tell stories and joke around, MacLean is a breathe of fresh air compared to the terminator-like Cory Clouston. MacLean plans to bring the Detroit-style to Ottawa as he plans to make the Sens a hard working, physical, puck possession team. As MacLean stated, “the NHL is a fast and physical league. It needs to be played that way. The game is played over 200 feet. You have to be able to skate the whole rink. We’ll play good defence, but we’re going to come out and attack the net.”

Seeming like a man’s man, Maclean looks to be a no BS coach and as he stated, “I like winning.” He’s willing to work with the players and grow with the team and will sit down with the leadership core and discuss his plans on how to improve the team. As he said, “I want to get to know them and let them get to know me and find ways to make them important. They’re already important on the team, but we need to have conversations about my perception about the way they play and their perception about the way they play. At the end of the day, everybody just has to be a little bit better.”

Here is an interview with Gord Wilson to get to know MacLean a little better.

Here is an interview with General Manager Byran Murray about the MacLean hire.

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MAY 30TH: OTTAWA SIGNS PROSPECT JAKOB SILFVERBERG TO A 3 YEAR ENTRY LEVEL CONTRACT

The Swedish Pipeline.

The Senators announced  that they have inked Swedish forward Jakob Silfverberg to a 3-year entry level contract.

Silfverberg is coming off a very respectable season with Brynas of the Swedish Elite League(SEL). In 53 three games, the 20-year-old scored 18 goals and had 16 assists for 34 points. He added four assists in post-season play. Silfverberg also helped Team Sweden capture a silver medal in the IIHF World Championships in Slovakia just a few short weeks ago.

Along with the signing came speculation that Silfverberg was considering remaining in the SEL for one more year, although nothing of the sort has been officially confirmed.

Silfverberg was selected 39th overall in the second round of the 2009 NHL entry draft.

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MAY 30TH: OTTAWA SIGNS PROSPECT LOUIE CAPORUSSO TO A 2 YEAR ENTRY LEVEL CONTRACT

The Ottawa Senators have signed University of Michigan centre, Louie Caporusso, to a 2-year entry level deal. Caporusso, selected 90th overall in 2007 NHL entry draft by the Sens, recently completed his fourth year at the collegiate level. In his four years at the U of M, Caporusso tallied 68 goals and added 76 assists for 144 points.

The kid has some moves, but don’t take my word for it.

Barring an outstanding training camp, Caporusso will likely ride the buses in Bingo to start the 2011-12 campaign.

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MAY 19TH: OTTAWA RE-SIGNS FORWARDS ZACH SMITH AND COLIN GREENING TO ONE-WAY CONTRACT EXTENSIONS

Ottawa/Binghamton Senator Zack Smith has turned his late season and Binghamton playoff run into a new two year, one way contract that assures the centre will have a home in Ottawa for the near future. Smith is having a stellar post season in Binghamton, after playing 55 games in Ottawa this season.  He has 6 goals and 17 points in 17 playoff games for the club that is bound for the AHL finals.  He blossomed in a third line centre role after the departure of Chris Kelly to Boston, and has been rewarded for his efforts.

Also signed to a one way deal was Colin Greening, who signed on for 3 years.  Greening was impressive in his stint in Ottawa and has also been an integral part of Binghamton’s playoff run.

The interesting part of these two contracts are the one-way deals. Smith’s contract is understandable as he as played an increasing role over the last three seasons in Ottawa (Smith’s contract is 2 yrs at $1.4 million – $700,000 per yr). Greening on the other hand has one year of pro hockey under his belt. An RFA, Greening seemed to have little bargaining power in negotiations. With Greening receiving a three year deal (3 yrs, $2.450 million, $816,667 per yr), it was surprising for him to get a one-way deal, especially with so many other RFA’s to decide from.

Check out what Tony thinks the Smith and Greening contract extensions mean going forward.

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APRIL 11TH: GM BYRAN MURRAY’S END OF THE YEAR PRESS CONFERENCE

Last week, GM Byran Murray had his end of the year press conference. He addressed a number of issues and answered questions from the media. Video courtesy of SensTV.

The highlights from the press conference were:

• On Murray’s decision to let Clouston go: Murray felt that Ottawa was a competitive team in the East (albeit, in the bottom half of the playoff picture) and that Clouston did not keep Ottawa competitive throughout the year.
• On why he fired him right after the last game: he wanted to give Clouston the best chance to find a job before they were all taken if he had waited to fire him later in the summer.
• On the next coach of the team: Murray states that he does not need a veteran coach, but a good communicator that will help teach the young players on the team. He also stated there is no urgency to hire a coach, but he hopes to have one in place by the draft.
• On goal tending: Murray states that he could not have made a goal tending change earlier in the season as the team made their commitment to Pascal Leclaire and did not have any money to make a change.
• Off-season plans: Murray’s goal is to find a top six forward that can create offense this summer. He’ll try to find this player either through a UFA signing or through the trade route.
• Organizational depth: Murray now knows that the organization has depth with the play of all their call-ups over the last quarter of the season. Murray is very happy with the development of many of his prospects.
• Daniel Alfredsson: thinks he’ll be back and that he will contribute next year.
• Jason Spezza: Murray states that Spezza is fully on board with the rebuild and the leadership role he has been given over the last part of the season.
• UFA’s/ RFA’s: Murray has not yet begun contract negotiations with any of his UFA’s or RFA’s for this upcoming off-season.

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APRIL 9TH: OTTAWA FIRES HEAD COACH CORY CLOUSTON

Senators GM Bryan Murray wasted no time in dropping the axe as Head Coach Cory Clouston and assistants Brad Lauer and Greg Carvel have been terminated by the club.

Clouston leaves Ottawa after his second full season with the Senators, posting a 95-83-20 record since taking over for Craig Hartsburg in Feb 2009.  Lauer had just completed his second season with the Senators while Carvel had spent 6 years behind the Senators bench, coming from Anaheim with Murray in 2005.

Clouston is the 4th coach fired by Murray (including himself after he replaced John Paddock in 2007-08) in his tenure as General Manager.

Speculation can now begin as to who the new coach will be, with Dave Cameron being the leading candidate. Cameron is currently coaching the St. Michaels Majors in the OHL, who will be hosting the Memorial Cup in May.  He has been a loyal soldier for Senators’ owner Eugene Melnyk, who has been very vocal this week about his respect for Cameron.  He also indicated that some other potential candidates may emerge after the season is over. Jared also takes a look at the coaching situation and wonders if the right candidate is already in the organization.

Here’s a video of Clouston speaking about his dismissal and about his future.

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APRIL 8TH: GENERAL MANAGER BYRAN MURRAY SIGNS A 3 YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION

Here for the long haul.

Sens owner Eugene Melnyk announced today that he had re-signed General Manager Byran Murray to a 3 year contact extension. Without a contract at the end of this year, Murray will be allowed to see this rebuild through as he will have 3 more years to finally get it right.

Tasked with the job to rebuild the Sens, Murray started his plans to turn Ottawa into a contender as he shipped out many fan favorite veterans this season. Gone are Mike Fisher and Chris Kelly, youngsters Brian Elliott and Chris Campoli, and veterans Alex Kovalev and Jarkko Ruutu.

In return, Murray stockpiled draft picks in the upcoming Entry Draft so Murray could do what he does best – draft. With 12 total picks in the 2011 draft, Murray will be able to make huge strides in the rebuilding process. Here a video of Murray speaking with the media after he signed his contract extension.

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APRIL 8TH: OTTAWA SIGNS NCAA FREE AGENT FORWARD PAT CANNONE TO A 1 YEAR ENTRY LEVEL CONTRACT

Adding to the prospect cupboard.

Hot on the heels of signing coveted NCAA free agent Stephane Da Costa, Senators GM Bryan Murray went back to school again today and has signed fourth year senior, forward Pat Cannone (#20 in white/red above), from the University of Miami-Ohio.

The 24-year old will report to Binghamton and may play in the final two games of their season this weekend.  The Bayport, New York native is listed at 5’11″ and 192 lbs.  He put up at least 30 points in all four of his NCAA seasons, topping out this season with 37 points in 39 games, fifth on the team in scoring.

The one year entry level contract will see Cannone compete for a spot on the AHL Binghamton Senators next season as he looks to begin his pro career. Cannone is a project and adds to the prospect cupboard that the Murray regime has stocked over the years.

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MARCH 31ST: OTTAWA SIGNS NCAA FREE AGENT STANDOUT STEPHEN DA COSTA TO A 2 YEAR ENTRY LEVEL CONTRACT

Ottawa GM Bryan Murray has scooped all other NHL general managers and has landed the prize of the NCAA Free Agent Crop, Merrimack College forward Stephane Da Costa and signed him to a 2 year entry level contract. Apparently it was down to Ottawa or Minnesota, but perhaps the local French speaking area influenced his decision.

Da Costa had two strong campaigns at Merrimack College as the center helped lead his team to the playoffs. Putting up 90 points in 67 games over two season at Merrimack, Da Costa is hoping to fill the vacant 2nd line center role left open by the Mike Fisher trade.

You can read here for more information on the leadup to the Fance native’s signing. Here is Da Costa’s first interview with the Ottawa media before he plays his first NHL game.

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MARCH 21ST: OTTAWA RE-SIGNS CRAIG ANDERSON TO A 4 YEAR $12.75 MILLION CONTRACT

(Photo: www.senstown.com)

It has been announced that your Ottawa Senators have signed goalie Craig Anderson to a 4 year contract extension worth $12.75 million with a cap hit of $3.18 million per year. Since the trade that saw him and Brian Elliott trade places, Anderson has been auditioning for the starting gig in Ottawa for next season and beyond.

This signing answers the question of who will be the main guy in the Ottawa net next year.  However, it raises the question about the quality of netminder that he is.  Is he the man who excelled in Colorado last season, unexpectedly leading the Avalanche to the playoffs, and then took Ottawa by storm for his first 9 starts in a Senators uniform?  Or is he the man who struggled mightily this year which allowed Colorado to deal him for Brian Elliott, and who has put up stinkers in his last two starts here? Considering he was injured at some point, likely during the game against Pittsburgh (although I didn’t see Matt Cooke near him!) so you have to give him the benefit of the doubt.

The term for Anderson is fitting of a goaltender who still has something to prove, and he has shown he can hold down a #1 workload.  This also allows Robin Lehner to spend a whole season in the AHL to get a #1 workload, and to prove that he is perhaps the franchise’s first homegrown star (with all due respect to Ray Emery).  Eventually Lehner will compete for the starting spot but it is Anderson’s to run with for the next year or two.

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FEB 28TH: GM BYRAN MURRAY’S TRADE DEADLINE PRESS CONFERENCE

With the Trade Deadline over, GM Byran Murrayheld a press conference to talk about the trades he has made and the assets he has acquired for the organization. In trading away six players that began the year with Ottawa, Murray picked up five draft picks in total (one 1st, two 2nd’s, one 6th and one 7th) in this year’s draft and cleared salary off the books. And in all the players Murray picked up, all of them are potential UFA’s which frees up cap space going forward. Here is Murray’s press conference.

(video courtesy of SensTV)

• Check out Jared’s Grading of GM Byran Murray’s rebuilding moves.

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FEB 28TH: OTTAWA TRADES CHRIS CAMPOLI AND A CONDITIONAL 7TH ROUND DRAFT PICK TO CHICAGO FOR A CONDITIONAL 2ND ROUND DRAFT PICK AND FORWARD RYAN POTULNY

(source: senators.nhl.com/)

Yesterday, your Ottawa Senators made their last trade before the 3 pm deadline as they shipped off defenceman Chris Campoli and a conditional 7th round draft pick to the Chicago Blackhawks for a conditional 2nd round draft pick and forward Ryan Potulny. The conditional pick from Ottawa’s side depends if they re-sign Potulny who is a UFA at the end of the year. The conditional pick from Chicago’s side will be the latest pick of their three 2nd rounders they have. The three picks they have are their own, Calgary’s and Atlanta’s 2nd rounder.

• Check out Tony‘s and Jared‘s Take on the Chris Campoli Trade/Ryan Potulny Pick-up.
• Here is a video of Chris Campoli speaking about his trade to Chicago.

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FEB 27TH: OTTAWA RE-SIGNS DEFENCEMAN CHRIS PHILLIPS TO A 3 YEAR $9.25 MILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT

(source: newshopper.sulekha.com/)

Your Ottawa Senators and long time Senator Chris Phillips have come to agreement on a new 3 year, $9.25 million dollar contract. As per TSN, the new contract also comes with a no-movement clause. This re-signing ends weeks of speculation of whether Phillips would be part of the the organizations future going forward.

Phillips has spent his entire 12 year career with the Ottawa Senators since they drafted him first overall in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. Having played 925 games in a Sens uniform, Phillips has been a face of the franchise and contributing member of the Ottawa community for many years.

With his contract situation settled, Phillips will try and get back to being a dominant shut down defender in the league.

• Check out Tony‘s and Jared‘s Take on the Chris Phillips Re-signing.
• Here is a video of Chris Phillips talking about re-signing with the Senators.

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FEB 24TH: OTTAWA TRADES ALEX KOVALEV TO PITTSBURGH FOR A CONDITIONAL 7TH ROUND DRAFT PICK

The Alex Kovalev era in Ottawa is finished as the enigmatic winger has been dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 2011 conditional 7th round draft pick (per TSN).

If Pittsburgh wins the first round of the playoffs and Kovalev plays in at least fifty percent of the games, the pick becomes a sixth-round selection.

Kovalev will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, and his 2-year tenure in Ottawa is one of the things critics point to as the downfall of the franchise. Kovalev returns to the Penguins where he previously played for parts of 5 seasons.

• Check out Tony‘s and Jared‘s Take on the Alex Kovalev Trade.
• Here is video of GM Byran Murray and coach Cloustonspeaking about the Kovalev Trade.

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FEB 18th: OTTAWA TRADES BRIAN ELLIOTT TO COLORADO FOR GOALIE CRAIG ANDERSON

(source: dobberhockey.com)        (source: sportsillustrated.cnn.com)

The Ottawa Senators have continued to dismantle the team as they have traded G Brian Elliott to the Colorado Avalanche.  The Senators receive goaltender Craig Anderson.

Elliot, the Senators 9th rd pick in 2003 was in his third full season in Ottawa.  He was a solid backup, but struggled mightily when counted upon in the starter role.

Elliott will best be remembered for his contribution to the Senators’ 11 game winning streak that was the defining factor in the club making the playoffs last season.

Anderson has been considered a viable starting goaltender in the NHL, but has struggled recently. He  will be a UFA at the endof the season if the Senators cannot sign him to an extension beforehand.

• Check out Tony‘s and Jared‘s Take on the Elliott/Anderson trade.

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FEB 17th: OTTAWA TRADES JARKKO RUUTU TO ANAHEIM FOR 2011 6th ROUND DRAFT PICK

(source: www.thehockeynews.com)

The rebuild continues as super pest Jarkko Ruutu has been dealt to the Anaheim Ducks for their 2011 6th round draft pick. A UFA at the end of the season, Ruutu will be joining his  fourth team as the 35 year old has also played for Vancouver andPittsburgh. With only two goals and eight assists on the year, Ruutu is having a down year.

In joining the Ducks, Ruutu will join a team likely to make the playoffs this season and could possibly make some noise. Ruutu is a great pick-up for a playoff run as he plays in your face hockey and is a great penalty killer. Andalong with their pick-up earlier in the season of super-super pest Maxim Lapierre, Anaheim looks like one annoying opponent to play in this year’s playoffs.

• Check out Tony‘s and Jared‘s Take on the Ruutu trade.

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FEB 15th: OTTAWA TRADES CHRIS KELLY TO BOSTON FOR 2011 2nd ROUND DRAFT PICK

(source: senators.nhl.com)

Long time Senator Chris Kelly has been traded to the Boston Bruins for their 2011 2nd round draft pick. Drafted in the 3rd round of the 1999 entry draft, Kelly has spent his entire six year career with the Senators organization. Known for his high hockey IQ, Kelly has been a steady and reliable player for Ottawa since he entered the league. With one more year left on his four year $8.5 million contract, Ottawa has cleared more cap space for the next season.

• Check out Tony’s and Jared‘s take on the Kelly trade.
• Check video from Chris Kelly and GM Byran Murray speaking about the trade.

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FEB 10th: OTTAWA TRADES MIKE FISHER TO NASHVILLE FOR A 2011 1st ROUND DRAFT PICK AND A 2012 CONDITIONAL 3rd ROUND DRAFT PICK

The player movement has started, as centre Mike Fisher has been traded to the Nashville Predators for a 2011 1st rd pick and a 2012 conditional pick.

Fisher was a 2nd round pick of the Senators in 1998 and was a fan favorite in Ottawa, but he was never able to live up to the standards of his large contract. The conditional pick, as per Bob McKenzie of TSN, is a 2012 3rd rd pick if the Predators win one playoff round, and a 2nd rd pick if the Predators win two or more rounds. This is the first of what is expected to be many moves as the Senators rebuild for the future in the midst of a disastrous season.

• Check out Tony‘s and Jared‘s take on the Fisher trade.
• Check out video of Mike Fisher, GM Byran Murray and other Sens players speaking about the trade.

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