With the opening of NHL Free Agency now just a couple days away, teams around the NHL are getting set to open their wallets for what can best be described as a below average free agent class. Brad Richards is obviously the big prize this time around and looks posied to cash in this summer.
For the Senators though, it appears as though the club will keep a relatively low profile when free agency opens on Canada Day at Noon.
For Bryan Murray, it appears as though the only “must address” area is in goal. The club has Craig Anderson penciled in for 60+ games next season so Ottawa will be looking for a capable back up that can play between 15-20 games and give the team some solid minutes.
There are a handful of guys that will hit the market in a couple days that could fill that role. One name that comes up time and time again is Patrick Lalime. A former fan favourite in Ottawa, Lalime is a UFA to be and will be looking for work starting this weekend. Rumours suggest he has recently bought a house in the Ottawa area and has let it be known that he would love to close out his career in Ottawa.
But would the Sens be interested?
Lalime has declined significantly the past few seasons and has started just 23 games over the past two years in Buffalo. With that said, Lalime is known to be a fantastic teammate and would be a good guy to have warming the bench behind Anderson.
He would also likely sign for something close to the league minimum which is another obvious plus. What do you think? Would you welcome Lalime back to Ottawa?
A quick update from Sens Development Camp as forward Nikita Filatov has arrived and is expected to take the ice this afternoon. The players will skate at the SensPlex from 1:30-3:00 PM today and have a scrimmage scheduled for tomorrow night.
That event is open to seasons ticket holders.
If you don’t have a chance to make it out to the Development Camp, you can meet the prospects in a video now featured under the highlight tab on the home page.
