(UPDATE 10:37 AM)- Tim Murray spoke on the negotiations with Jared Cowen this morning and described the process as being at a "stalemate". What is interesting is that Murray mentioned that the two sides have agreed on a four year term but that the dollar amount remains a sticking point.
The Ottawa Senators will take to the ice for a second straight day in preparation for their preseason opener this weekend in Winnipeg.
Once the preseason schedule starts it will be a busy one for the Sens as they will play 8 games in total over the span of just fourteen days including a split squad night to close out their regular season tune up on September 29th. And for now anyway, they'll tackle that schedule without defenceman Jared Cowen.
Despite claims early on (by myself included) that a bridge deal might make most sense for both sides, it seems like it may be the organization may be the one that’s a little hesitant to go down that path.
If Cowen did sign that traditional two year bridge contract, he would join Spezza, Ryan, MacArthur, Zibanejad, Condra, Pageau, Methot and Anderson as free agents heading into the 2015/2016 season. The team likely figures they’ll be busy enough that summer without another negotiation with Jared Cowen to worry about.
And that’s where it gets tricky.
With that ideal two year pact made less attractive, both sides need to start looking at something a little longer term. A three year deal would work nicely for the Senators but they would prefer to keep Cowen’s cap hit below that of Marc Methot, who is currently pulling in $3 mil a season.
Cowen’s camp seems a little hesitant to take that kind of deal. So the two sides have looked at an even longer term contract, potentially a max 8 year deal. But on that sort of contract the Sens want Cowen to come in under $4 mil a season and that doesn’t seem to appeal to Cowen’s side.
So that’s how I understand the situation to this point. Fact remains Jared Cowen has very little leverage in this negotiation and if he wants to get back in the lineup and prove he can play a big role on this team, he may have to take a little less than he thinks he’s worth.
Here’s hoping the two sides can find common ground in the not too distant future. There’s no real reason for this holdout to go on much longer than it already has.
The Sens take the ice at the SensPlex this morning at 9:00 AM.
- With Dan Cleary returning to Detroit for another season, it means their current #11 will have to find a new number. Former Sens Captain Daniel Alfredsson will likely wear #24 with the Red Wings this season. I kind of like that his time as #11 will end with his final game in Ottawa. Will make it that much more meaningful when the organization retires his number down the road.
- Speaking of Captains, is today the day the Senators name their new one? Could be. Bryan Murray’s mother passed away this week which meant Bryan, Tim and Head Coach Paul MacLean were away to attend the funeral yesterday.
