As a budget-conscious team, Ottawa has not historically been a huge player in free agency. Most of the team’s big moves have come via trade in recent years, including a 2016 summer centre swap that sent Mika Zibanejad to the New York Rangers and returned Derick Brassard. There’s unrest on Ottawa’s defence at the moment, not only because the team lost Marc Methot in the expansion draft, but because the attempt to keep Methot involved asking Dion Phaneuf to waive his no-move clause. Phaneuf declined and suddenly his name is popping up in trade rumours. General manager Pierre Dorion says the team’s request did not put a strain on its relationship with Phaneuf, so we’ll see where this goes.
Regardless, if Ottawa plans on pitching some free agents, chances are it’s to fill holes on the back end. There’s also the possibility of pursuing a backup goalie if a deal can’t be worked out with pending-UFA Mike Condon.
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SALARY CAP BREAKDOWN
Forwards: $36,862,500
Defence: $18,850,000
Goalie: $5,500,000
Approximate Total: $61,262,500
Approximate Space: $13,737,500
AREAS OF NEED
Left-shot defenceman: As noted, the Sens lost Erik Karlsson’s long-time playing partner when Methot was snagged by Vegas. Right now, they could use at least one body who can play in the top four and that number could increase should Phaneuf move.
Scoring depth: Ottawa ranked 22nd in average goals-per-game with 2.51, so a little extra offence can’t hurt. Granted, anyone who joins the mix will have to fit coach Guy Boucher’s strict system.
POTENTIAL TARGETS
Karl Alzner, D: Stat-heads would not approve, but here’s betting Alzner’s possession metrics would skyrocket if he was paired with Karlsson. Consistency is the 28-year-old’s calling card, as Alzner has not missed a game since his sophomore season of 2009-10.
Radim Vrbata, RW: The cagey vet managed 20 goals for the Arizona Coyotes last year. He’s not going to be a go-to guy on the attack, but, at 36, he can still help your power play and contribute some goals from deeper in the lineup.
Dmitry Kulikov, D: Perhaps some buy-low potential after the Russian’s miserable, injury-ravaged season this past year in Buffalo. Kulikov has adequate size and decent career possession numbers considering he’s toiled on some fairly disastrous Florida Panther teams.
Trevor Daley, D: The long-time Star became a crucial member of the Pittsburgh Penguins blue line from the moment he joined that club in December, 2015. He’ll turn 34 just days after the upcoming season starts, but you can still count on 20 minutes per night from Daley.
RECENT FREE AGENT ACQUISITIONS
David Legwand, $6 million, two years, signed in 2014: This wound up being the centre’s final NHL contract. He averaged just over 13 minutes per game for Ottawa, then was sent to Buffalo with Robin Lehner for a first-round pick in 2015 that netted Colin White.
Clarke MacArthur, $6.5 million, two years, signed in 2013: MacArthur buried 24 times during his debut campaign with the Sens. Unfortunately, he’s been limited to a combined eight regular season contests in the past two years because of concussion problems.
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