DON’T EXPECT FREE-AGENT FIREWORKS
Senators won’t go on a spending spree because they can fill holes from within
The only fireworks show anybody should expect in the nation’s capital will happen Saturday night on Parliament Hill.
It doesn’t sound like there will be much of a show at the Canadian Tire Centre.
While Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion will huddle with assistant Randy Lee and the pro scouting staff before getting on the phones when the shopping for free agents officially begins at noon, it’s doubtful the club will go on any kind of spending spree to try to find immediate help on the lucrative market.
After advancing to the Eastern Conference final in May, the Senators don’t want to make big changes. If Dorion can find depth at centre to replace veteran Chris Kelly and perhaps another forward, then that’s likely going to happen. As for defence, the Senators may look to add a player or two for the organization, but don’t expect a big signing.
Much has been made about the fact the Senators need to find someone to play with captain Erik Karlsson after Marc Methot was picked up by Vegas in the expansion draft and then sent to the Dallas Stars in a trade. The Senators feel good about what they’ve got in the organization and aren’t expected to make a major move on the blue-line.
The reality is, the answer will likely come from within during training camp with Dion Phaneuf, Fredrik Claesson and highly touted prospect Thomas Chabot all getting a shot to show what they can do with Karlsson. Still, the most likely scenario would see Phaneuf start the season as Karlsson’s partner.
Dorion listened to offers on Phaneuf, but the reality is, the Senators are trying to limit their changes and they don’t want to do a makeover on their top-four defence. Teams showed interest after Phaneuf wouldn’t waive his no move clause to be exposed in the expansion draft, but the Senators have been pleased with the role the veteran has played.
Sure, the Senators looked around during the talking period with pending unrestricted free agents.
They’ve shown interest in Buffalo blue-liner Dmitry Kulikov because he played junior for head coach Guy Boucher in Drummondville and reports Thursday indicated he’s down to four teams — two in the East and two in the West. That deal is likely going to end up costing more than the Senators would want to spend.
The belief is the Senators kicked tires on Calgary defenceman Michael Stone, the brother of Ottawa winger Mark Stone, before he re-upped with the Flames on Friday by signing a three-year deal worth an average of US$3.5 million per season.
Defence is a position where the Senators have a lot of depth. If you need to see any evidence of that fact, listen to how much the club raved about Czech prospect Christian Jaros at development camp after the team’s top prospects held a scrimmage Thursday night at the Bell Sensplex.
Of course, Chabot, the Senators’ top pick in 2015, is getting plenty of attention because many feel he’s the heir apparent to replace Methot. The Senators don’t want to place those lofty expectations on the 20-year-old. The only focus for him should be trying to make the team coming out of training camp.
The Senators have blue-liner Ben Harpur, who was solid during the opening round series win over the Boston Bruins, and he should push for more playing time next fall. The 6-foot-5 Harpur spent most of last season in AHL Binghamton, but you get the feeling there may be no denying him an opportunity to play in Ottawa next year. What does all this mean? It means the Senators aren’t likely to bring in a veteran defenceman unless an option presents itself out of nowhere, and any blueliners they do sign will likely be for Belleville, the new home of their AHL affiliate.
Up front, the Senators have plenty of forwards and the market is thin.
The Senators could look at former Boston Bruins centre Dominic Moore if they want depth or Nate Thompson of the Anaheim Ducks, who has a history with Boucher from his days with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He made $1.7 million last season and would be a fit.
There’s no question the Senators will show interest in former Edmonton Oilers winger Benoit Pouliot. Bought out by the Oilers on Thursday, he’s been on Ottawa’s radar screen in the past and the club kicked tires on him at the trade deadline last year.
The 30-year-old Pouliot, who is from nearby Alfred, Ont., had only 14 points in 67 games with Edmonton last season. He crossed paths with Boucher while he was coaching the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs during the 2009-10 campaign when Pouliot did a brief stint in the minors while with the Montreal Canadiens’ organization.
By the end of the day, the Senators may have some new faces, but if you’re looking for big names, expect those ones to be going elsewhere quickly after the clock strikes noon.
The Senators had success last season and they would like to add to the mix by finding the right pieces to help them next year.
bgarrioch@postmedia.com Twitter: @sungarrioch