For some players, unrestricted free agency is an opportunity.
Depending on how a guy perform in his contract year, UFA status can mean a rare chance to cash-in on the open market. As we’ve seen on so many occasions, teams have a tendency to over-spend on free agents and even an average player can land big money and term when the madness starts.
This year is going to be different.
With so much uncertainty surrounding the future of the National Hockey League, including the timeline for a return to play in the 2019/2020 season and the potential for a delayed start to a 2020 season, teams will have to take a more cautious approach this off-season.
It’s a situation that’s going to impact a handful of Ottawa Senators.
While some of the expiring contracts- including JG Pageau, Tyler Ennis and Vladislav Namestnikov- were already moved out at the deadline, there are still six players on the current roster approaching the end of their contract with UFA status.
That list includes Craig Anderson, Mark Borowiecki, Ron Hainsey, Mikkel Boedker, Scott Sabourin and Matthew Peca. At the AHL level, Morgan Klimchuk, Hubert Labrie and Jordan Szwarz are all UFAs.
In the case of Mikkel Boedker, it’s safe to assume the Senators will be ready to move on. While he’s well-liked by his teammates, his role has been almost non-existent under DJ Smith. He appeared in just 20 games this year, putting up four points and playing just a shade over 10 minutes a night.
Boedker is somehow only 30 years old though so maybe he lands another NHL gig somewhere.
Matthew Peca and Scott Sabourin are obviously different players in terms of their role but it’s possible that the organization could see them as useful depth. At the AHL level, primarily. Peca has looked like a useful forward during his nine games in Ottawa and Scott Sabourin could be a good guy to have around in Belleville.
Peca’s on a one-way deal while Sabourin is on a two-way contract.
The situation on the backend is a little more complex. Pierre Dorion has signaled, at various times, that the organization has an interest in bringing back Mark Borowiecki and/or Ron Hainsey.
Although with the signing of Artyom Zub, it seems unlikely there’s still room for both.
Chabot, Zaitsev, Wolanin, Reilly, Brannstrom and Zub all have contracts for next season and the likes of Max Lajoie, Christian Jaros and Andreas Englund are all knocking on the door. Meanwhile, the Senators also have Lassi Thomson and Jacob Bernard-Docker on deck.
Tough to know where that might leave the now 39-year old Ron Hainsey.
Hainsey is obviously a favourite of DJ Smith so it’s possible the Coach puts in a good word and he also has the makings of an excellent coach, should he decide to go that route when his playing days are done. It’s worth pointing out that Hainsey is currently serving as a member of the NHL’s Return to Play Committee.
And then there’s Craig Anderson.
The best goalie in the history of the franchise and a fixture of the Ottawa Senators for the last 10 years. A player who could have his number retired (or at least honoured) in Ottawa some day.
Anderson is in the final year of a two-year deal paying him $4 million this season.
With Anders Nilsson and Marcus Hogberg already under contract and Joey Daccord and Filip Gustavsson as potential goalies of the future, the crease is crowded in Ottawa.
Anderson has been understandably vague about what the future holds.
“I haven’t put too much thought into future plans. I’m kind of trying to stay in the moment as best I can… focus on the ‘what ifs’ with what we are going through as far as the current season… can we get back and finish our season? We’ll cross the bridge as far as future plans down the road but as of right now I am missing the game like crazy. I want to be on the ice, I want to be there competing with my teammates, so right now that would be the way I’m leaning, that I want to compete. And continue to do what I love every day.
Obviously it depends on where things stand with his playing career but it would be great to find a way to keep Craig Anderson in the organization in some capacity if he’s interested.
Pierre Dorion has mentioned during previous interviews that the team is in a bit of a holding pattern when it comes to the UFAs.
“With the UFAs (unrestricted free agents), it’s much the same thing; we started some discussions with some of them, and those discussions are on pause. At some time, agents have to call me back if they want their players to sign in Ottawa, and we’ll see when I hear back from them.”
These aren’t exactly make-or-break decisions for the General Manager but they’ll be among the items on lengthy To Do list this summer. Or fall. Or whenever sports starts doing stuff again.
Would you bring any of the UFAs back?
***
Still no news related to the Draft Lottery or the Draft but there is this.
Maybe a step towards “Phase 2” of the league’s return to play plan? We shall see.
Yesterday, MLB Owners tabled a plan that would see baseball resume on July 4th. The NHL has yet to put any sort of timelines on a potential return but that may give you some sense of what league’s are considering.
Frankly, I would settle for Draft Lottery date at this point.
