Amidst all the playoff talk I got to thinking about the team's 'tending next year, specifically wondering if Murray would be content to have Elliott/Leclaire for another year. I think there's no question Elliott is around next year no matter the playoff outcome, but can we risk going another year with Leclaire? I think anyone who thinks Leclaire is still a viable option for our goaltending is being pretty hopeful (although possible!).

So I got to thinking, there are not a lot of free agent goaltenders who are out there and Sens don't want to commit themselves long term that much with Lehner and Elliott still developing, so looking at what's out there I think Marty Turco would look great in Ottawa.

Turco is a good vet (not amazing, although he can be sometimes) who would be able to work with Elliott and hopefully provide solid tending. The best option I can think of to rid ourselves of Leclaire's salary is to trade him to Dallas for Turco's rights. I wonder if Dallas would be okay with having Leclaire and Lehtonen pushing eachother next year. Leclaire's stock is definitely down this year but there is still that chance he can live up to potential (potential that is quickly declining..). Dallas is rebuilding somewhat so I don't know if they would mind the price tag on Leclaire's contract either, since it is only for one more year. Then the Sens could sign Turco to a 2 year extension, hopefully no more than 3 million.

Turco may not want to accept a diminished role here but he has the potential to become a great option for Clouston to go to if need be. Elliott's future is still a question mark and I think if he were to falter Turco could pick up the ball. Dallas was a crap team this year and Turco's numbers are still very respectable.

I think Turco's style would fit in excellently with the Sens, considering they have a lack of puck-movers on the back end; Turco can move that puck like another d-man (Sometimes he can also look like a fool while doing it as well). 

Does anyone else think Turco would fit in great here? Ottawa needs a goaltender who is confident and has good experience! I know I'm being hopeful but doesn't seem too far fetched to me!

So I have been tempted to chime in on this headshot debate for awhile now. I don't mean to start one side against the other, and I recognize this is a Senators website, but I am interested to know if anyone else feels the way I do.

I am as big a fan as any of the regular NHL fight, brawl, hit, etc. However, I am not a fan of headshots. But who is really? Headshots do not need to be a part of the game. There is no reason for a headshot. None. And before anyone argues that it will soften the game if there is a rule made regarding headshots, please give your head a shake. The idea that eliminating headshots would soften the game is ludicrous to me. How can anyone believe that those types of hits that lead to headshots are necessary? They are not incidental because the majority of players who are delivering these hits are goons and cowards (see Matt Cooke, Steve Downie). These players are paid for this play. Sure none of them would admit it but that's what they do. 

What do we need to see next in order for it to stop? Do we need to see someone die? If the NHL does not seriously do something about this then it may be a possibility. And if that happens the American media outlets will go crazy coming down on the 'agressive ' and 'dangerous' league called the NHL. The NHL is an entertainment industry. It is there to serve the customers, as it should be considering they are the ones who pay the salaries (theoretically...) and unless they do something about it then something worse is going to happen and there will be an outrage if that is the case, leaving the NHL with probably the same amount of fans in Canada but losing ground in the ultra competitive sports industry in America. 

NHL concerned about softening the game? How about being concerned about losing money when people don't want to go see this cheapshot fest. Americans won't buy into the game as much as Canadians would after something like that. Or maybe even more concerned with a player dying on the ice, because that isn't that far from being a possibility.

I don't care how entertaining or aggressive the game is suppose to be, the NHL must do everything within reason to prevent something bad from happening on the ice, something that they are NOT doing right now. No game is worth losing your mobility or life for (or any other injury a headshot may cause). I understand that it is still a dangerous game and accidents do happen, but headshots are not accidents and they have no place in the game in the modern day.

It should be a players responsibility to make sure he is not delivering a headshot. I know the game is played at a high speed and players are bigger and heavier than before but these players still have the ability to sidestep making a headshot, they are not kids who don't know what they are doing out there. It should be like the highsticking rule where intentional or not, it's a penalty (make it 5 and a game). The only exception I would make is if it were completely and incredibly incidental and the player was not harmed at all. The game misconduct could be the referees discretion, but the 5 minute should be mandatory. The NHL could make a mandatory 4 game suspension for a headshot which could go up depending on the severity. And there may be an option to appeal the 4 game suspension if it can be shown that it was completely accidental (using video and historical player information). I'm not keen on hashing out exactly how it could be done but why is the NHL so tentative on eliminating these from the game?

Sorry for the rant, folks, I am just perplexed why I have heard so many people (and the NHL) who are opposed to taking this more seriously.

We are pretty lucky as Canadians and Sens fans to have a lot going on after the jubilation of the Gold medal game and now with the trade deadline coming up on Wednesday and the Volchenkov talks going no where. Looking at the calibre of players so far that have been getting teams 2nd round picks, you have to think Volchenkov will get at least a first. There are only a handful of quality top 4 defenceman available this deadline and I think we can agree Volchenkov is that. So this sets up Bryan Murray very well if he has to trade Volchenkov. Should he trade him and get what he can now? If he knows Volchenkov probably won't resign, will he keep him for the playoffs and lose him to nothing? Very hard decisions for Murray have to be made.

Jason Spezza has been the victim of many rants from Ottawa Senators fans who don't like one aspect of his game or another. Some blamed him for too many blind passes, or his seemingly care-free attitude towards the game. However, I think this year we have seen a great progression in Jason Spezza's career. No longer does he seem to have that goofy attitude that most people were bothered by for some reason (never really figured that out). Jason Spezza has really emerged as a leader on the Ottawa Senators. And you can thank Dany Heatley for that.

I think with Heatley gone, Spezza is realizing he has a lot of talent by himself, and does not need to have Heatley on his left side ready to score a goal twenty times a game. Spezza is a game-breaker by himself. While having a rough start to the year, after taking time off to rest his (multiple) ailments, he is looking better than ever. On a rampage in the last dozen games, Spezza has already stricken Heatley's name from the team record book for his goal-streak. It isn't inconceivable for Spezza to be a hundred point player for years into the future.

Spezza is really emerging as a leader on this team, and in the future when it's possible, he might even end up with a letter on his sweater. Does anyone else notice how much more responsible and mature Spezza looks now? Do you feel more comfortable this year with Spezza compared to the past? Is this another reason to praise Clouston?

I know a lot of fans have been getting frustrated for the lack of negotiation with Anton Volchenkov regarding a new contract. With many fans feeling the bitterness of having lost Chara AND Redden for nothing in the Muckler regime, they will be expecting Murray to sign Volchenkov as promptly as possible. However, I believe this decision to keep Volchenkov is a lot more complicated than many realize.

With great defensive prospects coming up the system, like Karlsson, Cowen, and Wiercoch, where will Volchenkov fit in three years? These prospects are hoped to develop into solid blueliners in the NHL. Voilchenkov is probably looking for something in the 4 million dollar range and for approximately 5 or 6 years term. However, the Sens would probably be more comfortable with a 3 years term at around 3 million. If this is possible then Murray should sign Volchenkov now. However, this is very unlikely and Murray knows that. Murray cannot commit long-term to Phillips and Volchenkov at the same time. There needs to be room for the upcoming players and if Volchenkov is signed it could very well hamper the development of these guys (and Phillips is going no where).

If these guys become good defenceman then that might push Volchenkov down the depth chart to be paid 4 million as a 4th d-man. Considering this, it is my suggestion that Murray must deal Volchenkov at the deadline. The team will survive without him (he won't be the reason if we miss the playoffs and if he is then there are more problems), and while he is a very valuable member of the team I think he may be overvalued by many Sens fans and hopefully by other teams in the league. If Murray were to sign Volchenkov for a long-term deal at a price around 4 million then it will not be worth it and it will be a burden of a contract for the Sens in the future, especially if these defensive prospects turn out great and then have to be resigned. This is probably the most marketable Volchenkov may ever be and I think Murray will trade him for prospects/picks. He won't command a huge package but a 2nd rounder (possible a first if we're ever lucky) and a good prospect will have been worth it.

What do you think Volchenkov is worth and how do you see him fitting in (or not fitting in) to the future plans of the Sens?

Good news for the Senators this week as they have bodies returning from injury after having gone through the last month or so having lost many key players. All in all, the record for the Sens considering how much their depth has been tested is what most people would have expected (18-14-4). Neil, Leclaire, and Donovan are all returning from injury, while Spezza and Foligno are still out. With all the injuries the Sens have had this year to absolutely key players (Spezza, Volchenkov, Kuba, Leclaire, Neil) I think we should be quite happy with the record they have going into the Christmas break. I feel the Sens are a good powerplay away from really competing in the EC. However, let's not fool ourselves, without a good powerplay teams don't tend to go far these days. The chances of Murray trading any prospects away are slim, so we're probably going to have the same roster going into the end of the season.

I am a fan of Murray, and I hope he is able to make some trades/signings during the season or this summer that will put the club in a good position for years to come. I think we can count on Murray to use his draft picks well, but I think it's crucial for the Senators to make a few trades to improve this club. Great drafting on its own does not make a great team (see previous years of Sens teams under Marshall Johnston). It's important that Murray really take a look around the league (and other leagues) for players who could contribute. Murray is going to have to find some diamonds in the rough, as well as some players that other teams might have given up on. Shannon is a good example of this, and while he played well last year, this year is another story.

In this modern NHL it is important to surround your draft picks with quality players. Detroit has done a wonderful job of this throughout the years (of course), as well as New Jersey. These clubs are machines and what a great thing it would be to have a club that is a machine like these clubs. The right mix of veterans, with home-grown draftees, as well as shrewd signings should see this club be atop the EC in two to three years time.

What's the point in making the playoffs just to lose in the first round or maybe second. I mean, don't get me wrong I WANT to see Ottawa make the playoffs but if they do I won't be nearly as excited because I don't think this team is competitive enough to make it deep. Is everyone not completely sick of being beat by hot goalies? This seems to happen to Ottawa a lot. It does not reflect the goalie, it reflects Ottawa's inability to bear down when it gets tough. Does everyone remember the horrible streak a couple seasons ago of losing one goal games, that's another indicator. I am excited to see what's coming up in a few years, but there needs to be a complete re-do in the culture of this team. Something has to give. A bunch of losses followed by a bunch of wins and then more losses does not bode well for this team. 

While Murray's drafting has been great IMO, compared to Muckler's especially, I think that they need to really upgrade their scouting staff. I mean, how many later-round draft picks have worked out in their favour. Ottawa used to be in the top 5 in the league for drafting players, something must have happened to create this change. I am unaware but when Johnston left, did his drafting staff leave as well? In a salary cap era you have to compensate by upgrading staff around the team. That might mean paying some guys more to come here, but it will be worth it. Ottawa needs to surround itself with winners. I love Murray as a GM and he has never won the cup himself (although built a great team in Anaheim, and a surprise team in Florida)  but he needs to bring in cup winners. This team needs to know how hard you have to compete to succeed.

Would anyone like to see Murray bring in more ex-NHLers to this team? I wouldn't mind seeing some in the coaching staff, as well as some positions in the front office and scouting. And I'm not talking about players like Shaun Van Allen, who is a good guy and was a good player for us, but never won. I mean real winners.

After a quarter season how do the Sens look? Having been written off by most media outlets and fans, the Senators are off to a somewhat surprising start. I say somewhat because it is not a surprise to most of us that the Sens are playing this well as of now. Sure, there have been a few players playing over their heads, but besides Fisher and Carkner, who else can you really say is playing over their head (is it playing over your head when you finally play how everyone hoped you would all along?)? The defence is solid, although not top 10 in the league, they are getting it done. I think the key to improving the defence is another top-4 D and better depth. I am not a fan of Campoli, Picard, or Lee. Karlsson was brought back up to help improve the powerplay, although I wouldn't say he's a legit top-6 by any means (although he will be). Although not a long term solution, the Sens do need to bring in a defenceman who can move the puck and hit the body. I know, it's not easy but would be great to see if Murray can get it done. The long-term plans for the Sens seem to have Volchenkov, Phillips, Karlsson, and Cowen as their top-4 defence, but in the meantime I think we will see Murray bring in a D with one or two years remaining on his term in order to keep us competitive in the meantime.

The depth on D is okay for now. Picard is a servicable top-6 and Carkner can round out the corps. Hopefully Carkner can settle into a 5 slot (where he probably should be playing) and stay there for years to come, allowing the 6th spot for new guys to come in and out in the upcoming years, and maybe some surprises forcing Murray to make adjustments. Say goodbye to Campoli, Picard, and Lee. Weircoch has a chance to be a good NHLer but that's not close to be a guarantee so it would be naive of Murray to expect that and plan for it. 

As for the forwards, good job on Murray to give Kovalev a 2 year contract to keep the Sens competitive while this mini-rebuild is going on. I don't think Murray has any plans to keep Kovalev beyond those years and nor should he. The make-up of this contract, although seemingly high dollar, should not drastically hinder the Sens as far as the cap is concerned. By the end of Kovalev's contract, there should be some guys who have developed and needing longer-term contracts. While he has potential, I don't see Regin as being a top-6 forward in the league, but hopefully he can surprise. The Sens only realistically have 6 forwards who will probably be with the team for the long-term, of course, obviously Alfie will be here until he retires (perhaps the end of his current contract), Michalek, Spezza, Fisher, Foligno, and Neil. I believe Neil is a player the Sens need to keep. He is a heart and soul player who is still young and effective. Foligno is also a player who will never command more than 2 million anytime soon, maybe he will surprise but I don't think the organization is counting on that either. However, he is a great 3rd/4th liner who the Sens should never have to worry about keeping under the cap, as he should always be a lower salary cap hit. The rest of the players I think the Sens do not have long-term plans for. Winchester perhaps will be able to grow into a great 3rd line centre, but beyond that, I think we're likely to see a lot of changes over the next few years. The Sens can really improve their forward lines by drafting well (which Murray has done) and signing smart contracts with free agents. I think the key to this is for Murray to try to duplicate what he did with Anaheim (not so easy I know) by drafting bigger players who have skill. If Murray can do this he will have really helped the team into developing into a contender. I think in the next couple drafts we will see a focus on these types of players as Murray has already covered the defensive prospects.

Looking at the goaltending, Murray has done a good job with having good goalies in the system. Bring in Leclaire was definitely worth it and he will prove his worth over the next few years. That is not to say Leclaire is a Stanley Cup calibre goalie. While some people believe so, I do not. Leclaire has a lot of improvements to make and so far his reflexes and speed have kept him competitive. Perhaps it is due to rust, although from clips I've seen of Leclaire in Columbus show the same, Leclaire tends to have trouble with positioning and often finds himself out of position on many plays. While some goalies have gotten Vezinas for this type of play (see Hasek and Thomas), that was only after they greatly improved on their positioning, something Leclaire needs to do in order to become an elite goalie. Fleury in Pittsburgh had the same problem a couple years ago, but has since been able to correct his positional play and really become the elite goaltender everyone thought he would be. Hopefully Leclaire can do the same. Elliot, on the other hand, is somewhat the opposite. He has great positioning. When I am watching him in net I notice he does not take himself out of plays half as much as Leclaire. While he has sound positioning, he may not have the reflexes and mobility to be a number one. Not to say that he can't, but I think it is easier for a quick, reflexive goalie to learn positioning then it is for a less mobile, positionally sound tender to learn reflexes and quickness. This is not to take away from either player, as they are still both NHL calibre goalies, but I hope Murray doesn't see either as the solution to the Sens goaltender problems. I think it would be smart for Murray to hope they can become that, which one or both can become if they improve in those areas, but Murray should and will also plan for alternate solutions, such as through the draft (see Lehner) or free agency.

All in all, I think Murray has done a wonderful job in bringing the Sens back to being a competitive team that can make the playoffs. I think in a couple years we will see the results of Murray's moves pay off, some which he has yet to make.