Zak MacMillan: Rumors Rumors regarding trades and contract extensions in Ottawa

Claude Giroux

The Senators are actively engaged in contract negotiations with veteran forward Claude Giroux. This could be a bridge deal.

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Claude Giroux

The Senators are actively engaged in contract negotiations with veteran forward Claude Giroux. This could be a bridge deal.

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This is what happens when you have AI writers and zero proof reading skills.

Claude Giroux

The Senators are actively engaged in contract negotiations with veteran forward Claude Giroux. This could be a bridge deal.

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- Nuckerwhatever

I thought it looked out of place too but thought maybe a bridge to an over 35 contract but Claude turned 37 in January.

My curiosity was why the trend toward shorter contracts? Ottawa is getting better I am curious why they wouldn't want to lock up some of their better young players.

My curiosity was why the trend toward shorter contracts? Ottawa is getting better I am curious why they wouldn't want to lock up some of their better young players.
- Tom Dusome

My guess would be salary cap related. With the rapidly rising cap over the next few years (to around $120 million in 3-4 years) players may "bet on themselves" and take a shorter contract and then lock in on a longer term deal for even more money in a few years. In this example .... Pinto may get 5-6 million now for term, but by waiting a few years it would rise to 7-8 million per year even if his play levels off.

Wouldn't surprise me if a bunch of big names take a one year deal in order to be available for next year, when the cap rises again and a bunch of teams have more space. For example, marner picks a team where he will get lots of PP time and can rack up points on a 12.5 to 13 mill deal. Then cashes in on a huge deal next year.

I like the fact that the Sens are taking their time on a Giroux deal. I hope the days of the Senators having to pay the Sens Tax (one extra year and one million more per year than other teams to lure people here) are gone.

Why hasn't Giroux signed yet?

I'm intrigued by the notion that a deal is already done and both sides are waiting to see what the Sens can do with free agency. Giroux is waiting to see what the Sens can do to improve their playoff chances before signing. And the Sens are waiting to see what cap space they will use up with free agency before committing to final numbers with Giroux. Both sides will be playing a risky game, but I believe both want each other and will wait.
Things that make you go hmmmmmm.

The return of Lassi Thomson?

The obvious solution for Ottawa is trading for Karlsson. Ekblad isnt going to be available. Pens can take Jensen back.

Karlsson ($3M), Ned & Caps 2nd & Pens 3rd for Jensen, Perron & Ottawa 1st.

I think the value there is fair if you are like me, assuming that Jensen and Perron will be either neutral or addition by subtraction for the Sens.

The obvious solution for Ottawa is trading for Karlsson. Ekblad isnt going to be available. Pens can take Jensen back.

Karlsson ($3M), Ned & Caps 2nd & Pens 3rd for Jensen, Perron & Ottawa 1st.

I think the value there is fair if you are like me, assuming that Jensen and Perron will be either neutral or addition by subtraction for the Sens.
- MacPatty

Give us Crosby as a sweetener.


Why would we ever want Karlsson back? We have Sanderson and Chabot and Klevin and Zub .......... Karlsson brings us nothing that we need. If you have a big 6ft 4in d-man who plays right side and plays a heavy game, and can skate .... then we're listening.

Give us Crosby as a sweetener.


Why would we ever want Karlsson back? We have Sanderson and Chabot and Klevin and Zub .......... Karlsson brings us nothing that we need. If you have a big 6ft 4in d-man who plays right side and plays a heavy game, and can skate .... then we're listening.
- OttawaB

Well you lacked offence in the playoffs and Karlsson still brings that. Your RD group seemed like a big letdown to me, so while Sanderson and Chabot are great, having a guy like Zub on your 2nd pair isnt getting you far.

If Dubas is just going to continue to flush the team down the toilet, I would be happy for Ottawa to get Crosby. Unlikely as it may be.

I think Pittsburgh is the only team that is in sell mode this off-season. And all this upcoming season. No more retooling....they need to tear it down.

Skinner has played his last game in Edmonton. They can't bring him back...have to make a change there, whether or not it is deserved. Gibson and a player for Skinner and Kane? Demko? Binnington? No many goalies out there. Also....if I'm Ekblad, Marchand and Bennett I sign in FLA for another year - one year only - to try to win another cup. Then cash in when the cap rises more next year and there are WAY more teams with cap space. But Marchand specific....if people are talking 3 x 8 for him on next contract, why doesn't FLA go the TB route and sign him long term for the same total money to bring donw the AAV. Like 7 x 3million. Gets the AAV down and he gets more money overall and without state tax for a longer period

I think Pittsburgh is the only team that is in sell mode this off-season. And all this upcoming season. No more retooling....they need to tear it down.
- GrimmdaGoalie

Its sad to me. These past 2 years Dubas has done such a poor job. If we wanted, we could still be competitive even this year, but Dubas doesnt have the brains/guts. We needed to be the ones to get Chuchryn from Ottawa and Dubois from LA. We had the assets to get them, but we didnt have a GM with the balls.

We are obviously going in a get young direction, so need to deal with that reality. This also happens to be the best year since Crosby to tank for the top prospect.

Rackell should be traded at his high value. No brainer. I would trade him and be willing to overpay an equivalent winger or two in free agency so Crosby at least has NHL caliber linemates.

Rust is harder, I'd be cool with him retiring as a career Penguin, but he probably also wants to play meaningful hockey.

What is Karlsson's value? Not entirely sure but I think he is 100% traded. Hopefully we can retain some salary and get a 1st.

Malkin is on his last legs. He has a home in south Florida... I've always felt like the Panthers could be a great fit for him. Im perfectly happy keeping him but if he wants to go for a cup, he would bring back a solid return.

Maybe Edmonton is finally willing to take a chance on Jarry, who badly needs a change of scenery.

Skinner has played his last game in Edmonton. They can't bring him back...have to make a change there, whether or not it is deserved. Gibson and a player for Skinner and Kane? Demko? Binnington? No many goalies out there. Also....if I'm Ekblad, Marchand and Bennett I sign in FLA for another year - one year only - to try to win another cup. Then cash in when the cap rises more next year and there are WAY more teams with cap space. But Marchand specific....if people are talking 3 x 8 for him on next contract, why doesn't FLA go the TB route and sign him long term for the same total money to bring donw the AAV. Like 7 x 3million. Gets the AAV down and he gets more money overall and without state tax for a longer period
- GrimmdaGoalie

I've thought the same thing with Marchand and Florida. With the core they have, they probably have a meaningful window of 3-4 years of being competitive. So to keep Marchand now and eat some retirement dead cap 5-8 years down the road would be a smart play. I think 6 years at $5M is pretty smart money.

I think Ekblad will take a major underpayment to say in Florida. Bennett, I'm not as sure on but quite possibly also. They just seem to have such a good thing happening there.

Wouldn't surprise me if a bunch of big names take a one year deal in order to be available for next year, when the cap rises again and a bunch of teams have more space. For example, marner picks a team where he will get lots of PP time and can rack up points on a 12.5 to 13 mill deal. Then cashes in on a huge deal next year.

I like the fact that the Sens are taking their time on a Giroux deal. I hope the days of the Senators having to pay the Sens Tax (one extra year and one million more per year than other teams to lure people here) are gone.
- GrimmdaGoalie

Zetterlund signs for 3 years at $4.2m. Love this signing. I think he will play top 6. I would love to see him play his crash and burn style on a line with Timmy and Brady. It would make it even harder to try and contain Brady down low.

I think Giroux will be under $4m on a one year deal and play 3rd line minutes.

I like Zetterlund's signing as well. I think the plan is to play him in the top 2 lines. I just don't know what the Sens do with Giroux. Can we afford to have both Peron and Giroux .... not fast but can be crafty veterans. Both should play a diminished role on the team, but where can we fit them both? They can't play on the same line.