Sens Depth Chart and What I'd do about it

  With Colin Greening signing a 3 year contract extension, it is safe to assume that he is in the Senators long term plan. Meanwhile, it is no secret that the Senators have far too many prospects than spots available this season. With the likes of Mark Stone, Shane Prince, Stephane Da Costa, Ludwig Karlsson and potentially JG Pageau in Binghamton primarily due to an excessive amount of depth in Ottawa, some changes to the roster must be made through trade. It hit me hard seeing David Rundblad (with his beautiful hair) and Jakob Silfverberg (with his beautiful shot) be traded for immediate help, but Kyle Turris has been excellent for Ottawa and Bobby Ryan looks to do the same. I made a quick look at what the depth chart could look like coming into training camp.

Michalek - Spezza - Ryan

MacArthur - Turris - Greening?

Conacher - Zibanejad - Condra

Kassian - Smith - Neil

Karlsson - Methot

Phillips - Wiercioch

Corvo - Cowen*

Anderson

Lehner

* if Cowen sits out and waits for a contract, Gryba, Ceci or Borowiecki will fill in.

  Obviously forwards is a bit more congested than defence. Here's what I would do to bolster the team's offence to push the Senators to the next level (and give more depth to forwards).

I would look at trading Kassian, Smith and O'Brien. 

Kassian offers very little to the team other than fighting and sits in the press box on the majority of nights We could acquire a 5th or 6th round draft pick. 

For the past 2 years, there have been rumours about Smith being traded for Hjalmarsson (2012) and Hemsky (2013). I'm not certain about the trade value of Smith but a 2nd or 3rd round pick seems reasonable. 

Jimmy O'Brien has been reportedly looking for a trade out of Ottawa for a little while now. He has fallen out of favour in the organization and I personally see no future for him here. I also don't know what he could get in trade.

Now what would trading these 3 players do for the team? Trading Kassian frees up space on 4th line Left Wing which could be replaced by Shane Prince, Ludwig Karlsson or Mark Stone. Trading Smith could bring Pageau over from Right Wing to Centre. As @sens_adnan said today, a 19, 7, 93, 44 Centre combo would be deadly. Neil will play Right Wing (even though I'd rather him not) and you have some improvement on the 4th line.

Michalek - Spezza - Ryan

MacArthur - Turris - Greening?

Conacher - Zibanejad - Condra

Prince/Karlsson/ Stone - Pageau - Neil

I personally love the look of that team, especially the 4th line (minus Neil). Thanks for reading!

Season Preview: Spicing up the Entertainment

  With the 2013/14 NHL season looking to be an exciting one for the Ottawa Senators, Cyril Leeder and the rest of the strangely named Sens Front Office will be looking for ways to spice up the festivities inside the newly named Canadian Tire Centre. I have intensely investigated and compiled (while on an extended break at work) many techniques that could get the 100 Level to actually stand up after a goal (kinda like the Max Keeping looking guy who always appears on TV camera's after a goal and just claps). For perfect reading conditions, I suggest you sit back in a dark area and loudly play Dancing in the Dark by Bruce Springsteen.  I tried it and it is probably the best article I've ever read.

1. Numerous Spartacats

  Everyone gets excited when they see the long hair, happy face and sheer devotion of our beloved Captain Daniel Alfredsson mascot Spartacat. Imagine the excitement when they get to see him 2 to 3 times more often! The loud meter during stoppages would be off the charts! (...well it breaks every time)

2. New Jerseys

  There's been much talk about the Sens releasing a new jersey. Whether that be new home and away jerseys, a white heritage jersey for the Heritage Classic or an alternate route, all Sens fans are on the edge of their seats in anticipation. I suggest the alternate route. I made a quick mockup a few weeks ago and I think it truly stands out among a bunch of truly boring and lame jerseys. Sidenote: I did not know that I was allowed to use fake laces.

I can confidently say that it blows Nike out of the water.

3. Centre Ice Eugene Melnyk Face

  There's nothing that says "we love our dear Supreme Leader Euge" quite like unwillingly placing his image for all to see! There are many excellent photos of Great Leader but only one can take the prize. I say use the horse one. 

4. Every Player National Anthem

  Did you know that Buffalo plays both the American and Canadian anthems before each game even if both teams are from the US of A? What if Ottawa pushed this a little bit too far and played the National Anthem of every player in the game before each game. We could hear Lyndon Slewidge belt out 8-13 Anthem each night! No way that Leafs or Habs fans would ever show up now! Euge:1, Opposition Fans: 0.

5. Only play Cotton Eyed Joe

  For obvious reasons.

 

Thanks for reading!