You may have noticed it has been fairly quiet around here the last few days.
Last week was a fairly hectic week around the SensChirp household but after some website down time, I’m ready to get things back on track. We have officially entered the dog days of the NHL's off season but there's still news trickling in Sens land. Let’s play a little catch up on some news and notes from the last week and look ahead to what’s left of the NHL off season.
- Bryan Murray has been busy getting his restricted free agents locked up for next season. Erik Condra, Dave Dziurzynski and Mark Borowiecki were all signed to contracts for next year. Condra is a lock to make the team while Dziurzynski and Borowiecki will both come to camp with two way contracts looking to crack the Sens roster.
- Still a few notables RFAs that need to be locked up. On defence, both Jared Cowen and Patrick Wiercioch require new contracts but neither is expected to be much of a problem for the Senators. Hard to imagine Cowen comes in at anything higher than $2.5 mil a season while Wiercioch is likely in that $1.2-1.5 range. Both players figure to be regulars for the Sens next season so getting them under contract is a priority for Murray over the next couple weeks. Stephane Da Costa, Mike Hoffman and Corey Cowick all need contracts as well.
- As far as UFAs go, it certainly sounds like the Sens are done. Bryan Murray suggested that he likes Jaromir Jagr but that the team isn’t willing to spend right now. We have exhausted the B-word around here as of late but it’s interesting to think what this team would look like if money was no object.
- Have to sneak this in here because in the shock of free agency, I never really weighed in on the whole Daniel Alfredsson departure. This is kind of fitting because Alfie and the organization have both been pretty quiet about it too. I’ll keep it short- it stinks. The whole thing stinks and there's a story to this negotiation that has not yet been told. Alfredsson has been vilified by some fans for bailing on the team but I assure you there is more to it than that. And when Alfie suggested that it was a “selfish” decision he made in going to Detroit, I really believe that was his way of shouldering the blame in a situation where both parties messed up. I don’t blame Alfredsson for leaving and never will. With that said, it’s time to move on. Good luck to Daniel in Detroit.
- The league is expected to announce its schedule for next season on Wednesday and we’ll all be looking to see when the Wings make their first visit to the CTC. The preseason schedule was released last week along with the details for Sens/Canucks outdoor game to be held at BC Place on March 2. Will share schedule details as they become available.
- The Sens introduced a couple of the new guys last week which included the numbers they’ll each wear in an Ottawa uniform. Bobby Ryan went with a somewhat unconventional forward number (#6). It’s a number that was made famous in Ottawa by Wade Redden and had previously been worn by Gord Dineen and Chris Dahlquist. Clarke MacArthur will wear the #16, which previously belonged to Mark Stone, who is now making the switch the #61. I feel for those fans that have bought Stone jerseys over the years but he has indicated that he’s #61 for good. Defenceman Joe Corvo briefly considered fighting Kyle Turris for his usual #7 but has instead opted to go with #77. Wonder if I can add a seven to my jersey?
- On Thursday, my Grandmother passed away at the age of 85. She was an incredibly kind woman and a rock for our family over the years. She was also a huge fan of the Ottawa Senators and rarely missed a game. I know she’ll be looking on when the Senators finally win the Stanley Cup. Thanks to all of you for your kind words in the comment section over the last couple days. Means a lot. And thanks for keeping this place active in my absence.
