I’ve been quite busy with various draft efforts (which has been met with some drama for the first time–more about that below), but enough news has accumulated for a post at last.
Nichols, while re-hashing the teams self-inflicted goaltending drama makes a point that’s worth re-iterating:
I guess I could understand the reasoning behind management putting its short-term interests ahead of an uncertain future that may be more fruitful. I mean, management has been operating this way since 2011, so it shouldn’t come as a shock if they decide to continue down this path.
Just let that sink in for a moment. Has there been any sign since the 2011-12 season that this team is going to push for a Stanley Cup? All those deals made to solve short-term goals (Ben Bishop comes to mind) resolved absolutely nothing and in the midst of that the organisation has been public in illustrating how poorly it understands its own talent (Patrick Wiercioch, Mike Hoffman, etc). I’d like to think that constantly failing with short-term fixes would eventually sink in, but there’s no evidence that’s the case. At this stage fans can only hope Murray does minimal damage with whatever deals he makes in the off-season.
Speaking of Nichols, he presents three different strategies he thinks the organisation might take in the off-season, all of which are taking a look at:
1) move Hoffman and Wiercioch or Cowen to Colorado in exchange for Ryan O’Reilly; move Lehner and one of Colin Greening/Zack Smith/David Legwand somewhere for a pick and a short-term bad contract; finally, move one of whichever dud forward is left for a pick
I can’t say I like this scenario and I’m not convinced brass has given up on Smith, but it is within the realm of possibilities that the Sens make deals like this. I don’t mind the acquisition of O’Reilly, incidentally, but I wouldn’t see the moves as a net win.
2) Lehner and Cowen go to Edmonton for the 16th overall pick; Hoffman and the Sens first-rounder for San Jose’s pick (9th); Legwand moved for a pick
While the first element is possible (albeit not one I’d be thrilled with), I don’t see the Sharks giving up a top-ten pick
3) Anderson plus Smith to St. Louis for Oshie/Goc or Anderson plus Cowen to Buffalo for Ennis/Moulson and some confetti; then a trade to remove some of the dead weight for a pick
Nichols considers this his least likely scenario, but it would make the most sense going forward.
It’s hard for me to judge all this as I see Murray as a conservative GM with a lot of loyalty to players who don’t contribute; that fact combined with most of the assets being offered aren’t particularly exciting (apparently Lehner is only considered the third best goaltender on the market–perhaps adding a bit of fuel to the Anderson alternative) makes the potential return pretty muted. Regardless, it’s interesting food for thought.
There was finally confirmation that Marcus Hogberg is going to spend another year in Sweden (something of an inevitability at this point, but I like clarity). Speaking of prospects, Fredrik Claesson has been extended with a one-year, two-way deal, while Tobias Lindberg (the only tangible asset remaining from the Bishop trade) has been signed and will be in Bingo next season. [A few hours after I posted the Sens re-signed Jean-Gabriel Pageau to a two-year, one-way deal.]
For those of us hoping the organisation had lost its addiction to big defenseman without puck skills, we can put those hopes to bed as the Sens are apparently pursing Kevin Tansey; the Clarkson grad has even less puck-skills than Mark Borowiecki and seemingly no discernable NHL upside.
It was a little surreal seeing former 2012 Development Camp invitee Trevor Van Riemsdyk win a Stanley Cup ring after being pressed into service with the Blackhawks. The undrafted New Hampshire player signed with Chicago last year and he’s the first invitee I can think of who has wound up with a ring in his career.
There was a fairly odd signing out of the European free agent market, as Pittsburgh signed Swedish veteran (and former LA draft pick) Niclas Andersen. I have to think this is some sort of tryout agreement, as the Swede is in the midst of a three-year contract with Brynas; the defender is coming off a career-year after six unremarkable ones previously. New Jersey made a slightly more comprehensible signing with Vojtech Mozik.
I’d initially written at some length about the Phoenix saga, but as that’s been beaten to death everywhere I’ll spare going into it in detail. All I’ll say is that it’s hard to imagine how the NHL can stay in Phoenix if the city (and by that I mean the people and the council) don’t want them there.
This article is written by Peter Levi (@eyeonthesens)
eyeonthesens 