With a week already gone in the month of August, the start of NHL training camp is suddenly just a little over a month away.
Obviously that statement comes with a significant asterisk as CBA negotiations continue to loom over the start of the 2012/2013 season. The NHLPA is expected to make a counter proposal in the next couple of days and the current feeling from both sides is that it will be tough to get something in place before September 15th when the old CBA expires.
That doesn't necessarily mean the start of the season will be delayed but it's not exactly a good sign for fans that are hungry for the start of the next NHL season.
As we enter the dog days of summer, there has been an obvious lull in Sens related news.
And while there's still time for the Senators to make another move to shore up their top six, it sounds like things are fairly quiet for Murray and his staff right now. They have kept a close eye on the Anaheim Ducks but according to people I have spoken with, the price is far too high for Murray's liking right now.
And really, why wouldn't Ducks GM Bob Murray ask for the world?
Despite the public comments made by Ryan, the Ducks are not in a situation where they have to move the New Jersey native. They can listen to offers but if the interested General Managers aren't meeting his asking price, he can hang on to the winger. The Ducks will be interesting to watch over the next 11 months or so. With both Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry set to become unrestricted free agents, difficult decisions will have to be made in Anaheim.
The Sens will continue to monitor the situation with Ryan closely but as of right now, I would call it a long shot.
- Have read some talk about the possibility of moving Sergei Gonchar the past couple days. Can confirm that while the Senators have explored that option and will continue to, there isn’t a whole lot going on right now. The Flyers would be an interesting option but moving Gonchar would leave a fairly significant void on the Sens blue line and would see them slide another $5 mil below the cap floor. Also important to note that Gonchar has a full no-trade clause right now and on January 1, 2013, can submit a ten team trade list.
