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Ottawa Senators: Second edition of the SenShot mailbag

By Naftali Clinton

OTTAWA, ON - OCTOBER 5: Erik Brannstrom #26 of the Ottawa Senators corrals the puck against the New York Rangers at Canadian Tire Centre on October 5, 2019 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - OCTOBER 5: Erik Brannstrom #26 of the Ottawa Senators corrals the puck against the New York Rangers at Canadian Tire Centre on October 5, 2019 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 10: Rudolfs Balcers #38 of the Ottawa Senators skates against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on January 10, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 10: Rudolfs Balcers #38 of the Ottawa Senators skates against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on January 10, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Do you think enough time has passed as well as the wounds have healed for Dany Heatley to be accepted back by way of a Ring of Honour induction? @Gr8WyteGibster

Skill-wise Dany Heatley should have gotten a Ring of Honour years ago, and maybe even a jersey retirement. But of course, nothing in Ottawa is as simple as it looks.

You can never really predict what kind of reaction will ensue after something like this happens. I think it would be a good look for the team to honour the greatest pure goal-scorer in franchise history.

Will it happen?

I can’t say for sure but I’m all for the Ottawa Senators having a Dany Heatley night, although I’d rather it not be against the Winnipeg Jets because of their past history as the Atlanta Thrashers.

Do you think Ottawa would be more likely to trade for a top-six forward or a top-four defenceman, and who would you rather them trade for? @SensNoahAll

With the way the salary cap is structured for the next two seasons, we could see the Ottawa Senators make numerous trades benefiting off of other team’s cap troubles.

The Senator’s defence is pretty set for next season with Thomas Chabot, Christian Wolanin and Mike Rielly/Mark Borowiecki on the left side, and Erik Brannstrom, Nikita Zaitsev and Artyom Zub on the right side. Of course, if a team comes knocking and is offering a top-four defenceman the Senators will take it, but right now that doesn’t seem like the most likely scenario.

That leaves the top-six forward option, I could definitely see the Senators signing a veteran forward to mentor and lead the young players. Another option would be to trade for an established forward.

I notice the cap situation of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Tampa Bay Lightning in particular as potential trade partners in and around the 2020 draft. Kasperi Kapanen in Toronto would be a good option for the Senators as he is on a good deal and would be a huge help on the penalty kill in the absence of Jean-Gabriel Pageau.

dark. Next. Ottawa Senators: Most likely Belleville graduates

From Tampa, Anthony Cirelli would be an absolute gem to pick up but I doubt the Lightning will give him up very easily. I could potentially see the Senators trading for one of Alex Killorn, Mikhail Sergachev or Anthony Cirelli to alleviate some cap trouble for the Lightning.

Why does Rudolfs Balcers get no love? @1SensFan1

I wouldn’t go that far and say Rudolfs Balcers gets no love, but he is definitely an underrated Ottawa Senators prospect.

In my mind, he is one of the better prospects in the Ottawa Senators organization and projects to be a solid 3rd line winger. He was among three players on the Belleville Senators to notch more than a point per game along with Josh Norris and Drake Batherson.

He already has 51 NHL games under his belt and will fight for a spot on the roster in 2020-21.

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