Trade could be coming in Sens’ net
Three-headed goalie situation needs a solution
Three’s a crowd when it comes to NHL teams and goaltenders.
Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray recognizes he must deal with the logjam that is Craig Anderson, Robin Lehner and Andrew Hammond. The solution could very well be a summer trade.
“We have two goaltenders signed right now (Anderson and Lehner) and Hammond is an unrestricted free agent,” Murray said Wednesday. “We will make an offer to (Hammond), and we’ll see if he’s interested and willing to accept what we have for him. If that happens, if he does (sign), then obviously, there will be a change with one of the other two guys.”
The complication is that Lehner continues to deal with a concussion following the Feb. 16 crease collision, which opened the door for Hammond to take over and deliver a 20-1-2 record to close out the regular season.
“He tried riding a bike a couple of times and the next day, there was a hangover from it,” said Murray. “The doctors yesterday told him to shut it down for a week. We know, with most injuries, it will get better. We hope by early May, he will be able to start working out again.”
The goaltending situation is chief among the many areas which need to be addressed in what Murray acknowledges will be a “busy” summer.
The re-signing of coach Dave Cameron to an extension is a foregone conclusion. Murray says the team played to its strengths after Cameron replaced Paul MacLean in December, looking like a faster team while spending less time in its own zone.
Murray's dream, as it has been for sometime seemingly, would be to add another proven frontline scorer, saying “if we could add one more piece up front, it would make a huge difference in our team.”
Again, a trade could be the most likely route to acquiring such a high-profile player.
As usual, though, there are budget concerns. The Senators will need to re-sign restricted free agent forwards Mark Stone, Mike Hoffman, Mika Zibanejad, Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Alex Chiasson. They have Colin Greening, David Legwand and Chris Neil under contract next season, players who finished the season on the sidelines.
“I believe we will have (a higher budget), but we won't be a cap team, I don't think we have to be a cap team, if we do it right. We have a big summer ahead of us, with our restricted (free agents). We have to move a couple of guys — for their benefit, as much as ours.”
The door, Murray says, is also open for former captain Daniel Alfredsson to join the front office, in some capacity. Alfredsson watched Game 5 and Game 6 of the Montreal series beside Murray.
“Not management, necessarily. We've talked to him about getting involved, learning the business, spending a little time,” Murray said.
“It was good to see him around, good to talk to him. He's a bright guy and I think down the road, he will make a decision whether he wants to be in hockey. Very definitely if he was interested, we would be interested in talking to him.”
Murray also addressed several other players who finished the season with injuries and/or in slumps:
He's reluctant to trade Jared Cowen, who played sparingly in the final months of the season and will require surgery for a sports hernia: “He's a 6-5 defenceman, he's young, he's going to be a real good player in NHL. We're going to be careful with Jared Cowen and get him healthy. I suspect he will come back to (training) camp next year as a better player.”
Erik Karlsson had “muscle damage” in his back and required injections before a few playoff games against Montreal.
His message to Bobby Ryan: “Get in shape, work real hard this summer and just be Bobby Ryan next year.”