Ottawa Senators

The upcoming draft in Minnesota may be the most exciting in Ottawa's history. Not only are the Senators loaded with a total of 12 draft picks, but many of these selections are in the first 66 picks. In fact, Ottawa possesses the 6th, 21st, 35th, 48th, 61st, and 66th overall picks. This is a massive step-up from last year, when the Sens had only five picks, inlcuding just one first-rounder (which was dealt for David Runblad during the Draft). If last year's draft was any indication, predicting draft picks past the first round (or even arguably in the first round itself) will be just slightly more effective than using a crystal ball. That being said, the first-round draft picks will be dis...

Defenseman David Runblad is an Ottawa prospect, who may make the team next season. To be frank, the Ottawa Senators will probably (99 per cent chance) not be extraordinarily active on deadline day. With their worst-place finish since the recent-expansion years, Senators GM Bryan Murray did the right thing; he began imploding his team with an eye to the future. Picking up draft picks is exactly what a rebuilding franchise should do, not trade away two first-rounders, and a second-round pick for a 30-35 goals-a-year sniper. Murray has moved out five veterans (Elliott, Fisher, Ruutu, Kelly, and Kovalev), and mostly for draft picks (now the proud owners of an extra first, second, fif...

The Ottawa Senators appear as though they have not yet finished making moves as they announced Tuesday night that they have shipped forward Chris Kelly to the Boston Bruins for a second round draft pick in the upcoming 2011 NHL Entry Draft. The 30-year old, Toronto native did not score in Tuesdays 4-3 shootout loss to the New York Islanders as he was still with the Ottawa Senators. But, he has 12 goals and 11 assists in 57 games this season. Kelly has one year remaining on a four-year deal worth 8.5 million, which he signed prior to the 2008-09 season. He will make 2 million next season, after which he will be an unrestricted free agent. No doubt, a smart trade by the Bruins as Kell...

While rival fans try to trip up expectations for 'Senchar,' Plekanec takes it literally. When the Sens signed Sergei Gonchar, there were mixed reactions. Some pondered whether singing him to a three-year contract at an annual cap hit of $5.5 million was a smart decision, or whether he was simply too old now. Although it is impossible to analyze the contract after only 20ish games of the first year, Gonchar is indeed performing well so far. I remember some fans (mostly of rival teams) claiming he would never reach 50 points in Ottawa. Judging by his 14 points in 21 games, I think the fans are flat-out wrong. Mind you, it is still early in the season, and he may go into a slump,...