We've identified some roster needs and come up with five former Senators whose return to Ottawa might help.
Ottawa Senators GM Steve Staios had plenty of trade discussions over the past week, but he opted to play it safe at his first NHL trade deadline. The ails of the Sens' roster were not going to be fixed overnight, and Staios refused to try and make a splash by undervaluing his assets in a buyer’s market.
Staios knows full well that the roster that exists today won’t be good enough to take this team where it wants to go. It is incumbent upon him to plug the holes with players who will make the team harder to play against with depth to survive injuries.
Specifically, some of the holes needing to be filled are:
a) Bottom-six forwards
b) Bottom-pair defensemen
c) Penalty killers
Matt Murray ($1.5 million), Bobby Ryan ($1.8 million) and Michael Del Zotto ($750K) come off the books this summer.
Forgetting Belleville call-ups and waiver claim Boris Katchouk, the expiring contracts of Dominik Kubalik, Shane Pinto, Parker Kelly and Erik Brannstrom need to be dealt with.
Stripping out all of the expiring contracts, the Senators are committed to $75.3 million next season. This includes Jake Sanderson’s new contract.
The salary cap is projected to move from $83.5 million to $87.7 million.
This leaves approximately $12.35 million to spend.
Kubalik is easy.
Shane Pinto has shown that he is a member of the core and should take priority. For argument’s sake, let's say he signs a $5 million x 4 years.
That leaves $7.35 million for Kelly and/or Brannstrom and ?
What if what was missing from Ottawa's lineup could be found in former Senators who've moved on to enjoy success elsewhere? Consider these five players and how they might fit in the roster and the budget Staios will have to work with.
1) Curtis Lazar (RW) – 1 year remaining at $1 million - New Jersey – 29 years old
He will never live up to the 17th overall selection in 2013. However, Lazar has fashioned himself over 500 games as a depth fourth line winger and his price is right. He's gritty, can skate and kill penalties.
He has also been acquired at two trade deadlines. Teams see value in him, he's a great teammate, and he is affordable.
2) Cody Ceci (RD) – 1 year remaining at $3.25 million – Edmonton – 30 years old
Ceci fell out of favour in his hometown and eventually found a home in Edmonton, where he hasn't had to be a top pair guy. He was a big part of the 2017 run and if paired and slotted appropriately, he could help shore up the right side with Zub.
Edmonton might not want to give him up. However, it might be worth a phone call to bring home the local boy.
3) Andreas Englund – 1 year remaining at $1 million – Los Angeles – 28 years old
This would be predicated on moving Erik Brannstrom. However, his price point is attractive, he is huge, and he is no fun to play against. That’s more of a bottom pair defenceman description.
The Senators spent four years developing him. Worth a phone call at least.
4) Mike Amadio – UFA – Vegas – 27 years old
He only played five games as a Senator. However, after not being qualified, he has played 176 games for Vegas, won a Stanley Cup, and might get another this spring.
He would be an upgrade on right wing and bring a wealth of experience from a winning environment.
5) J.G. Pageau – 2 years remaining at $5 million – New York Islanders – 31 years old
In the event Josh Norris isn't available, Pinto moves up into the two hole and LTIR would allow the Senators to take on this contract.
Pageau is a proven veteran who performs best in the playoffs and kills penalties. His value would be felt in the room as well. It's hard to see a downside in bringing him back.
Familiarity and trust are what brought Steve Staios to the Ottawa Senators. In an uncertain world of free agency and trades, sometimes the devils you know beat the devils you don’t.