The NHL Entry Draft has handed, however the work has simply begun for Ottawa Senators normal supervisor Steve Staios. There isn’t a lot cap room to work with proper now, however with loads of commerce rumors circling the Senators, they could discover room to make a splash in free company. These are the highest 5 gamers they need to goal in free company this yr.
After all, touchdown Sam Reinhart or Steven Stamkos can be nice, however that’s unlikely, given the Senators’ present scenario. These 5 gamers are extra practical targets given the wage, crew match, and the chance of them being obtainable. These gamers are in no explicit order, and the projected contract will probably be collected from AFP Analytics.
Matt Roy, RHD
The largest gap on the Senators’ roster is on the precise facet of the protection. Matt Roy is coming off a powerful season, posting 25 factors in 81 video games. Whereas the offense is just not why Roy must be a goal, his defending is probably the most priceless a part of his recreation. Whereas he is an efficient puck mover, he is likely one of the greatest shut-down defensemen within the league.
He’s robust on the penalty kill, could be very cellular, and has good hole management and physicality. Wanting on the Senators’ protection, the one participant akin to him is Artem Zub. Getting one other participant like that to play on the precise facet alongside both Thomas Chabot or Jake Sanderson will assist this crew immensely.
His projected contract is simply north of $5.8 million for 5 seasons. That could be a bit steep, however it will be value it if the Senators might add him to get some consistency and powerful defending. There may be all the time a premium tax on right-shot defensemen, and Roy solves considered one of Ottawa’s greatest issues. One other title so as to add can be Brett Pesce for all the similar causes, however it appears to be all however confirmed he will probably be a member of the New Jersey Devils, in keeping with Elliotte Friedman on 32 Ideas.
Colin Miller, RHD
Extra of a depth possibility than a gentle top-four spot, Colin Miller is a troublesome two-way participant who would, once more, be an improve on any potentialities. Zub is on the precise facet. He has a blistering shot, which the Senators don’t have sufficient of on their protection, however he additionally performs a powerful two-way recreation in the precise function.
Associated: Senators Information & Rumors: Yakemchuk, Chychrun, Joseph & Extra
He’s somebody that may play in most conditions when wanted. He kills penalties, blocks pictures, and battles onerous. This stuff are nice belongings for a third-pair defenseman. On high of that, he can use his shot on the ability play if wanted and add power to the second unit’s blue line.
After being a rotation participant for the Winnipeg Jets after the commerce deadline, Miller is projected to obtain a contract much like the one he’s at present on, a two-year deal value $1.8 million per season. Contemplating the Senators had been paying $2 million for Erik Brannstrom final season, this is able to be a no brainer if they will persuade him to signal.
Cam Atkinson, LW/RW
Staios has talked about bringing in a high quality veteran a number of instances. The underside six is already fairly younger in Ottawa, and after Atkinson’s buyout from the Philadelphia Flyers, he could possibly be a strong addition to the Senators. He’s a small, expert participant who noticed an enormous drop in his manufacturing this previous season and has had damage points, however taking a danger on Atkinson might repay for the Senators.
It’s no secret that Atkinson’s defending is sub-par, which was a part of why he was a wholesome scratch for the Flyers within the late levels of the season, however there’s way more to his play than was on show with the Flyers this season. In 2022-23, he posted 50 factors in 73 video games. His manufacturing wasn’t as robust this yr, however there’s definitely a path to a bounce-back season. His management, accountability, and different intangible abilities are one other a part of why he can be an awesome match.
With a contract projection of $1.8 million, he can be one other viable possibility for the Senators to bolster their depth.
Nick Cousins, LW
Nick Cousins might turn out to be a cap casualty, because the Florida Panthers have cap points. Not as a result of he’ll demand a lot cash however as a result of they’ve greater priorities and prospects that might fill his function within the lineup. Cousins brings a really bodily, gritty recreation that might work very effectively within the Senators’ backside six. He had an outstanding run within the 2022-23 playoffs, and whereas he wasn’t as efficient for them this yr, the Florida Panthers had a a lot deeper lineup than earlier than.
Cousins is projected to signal for one yr at $1.2 million, and for the power he might deliver to the lineup, it could be value it. He scored 15 factors in 69 video games this previous season, barely over half of what he had the yr earlier than. He has way more to provide than 2023-24 noticed him, and once more, that’s as a result of the Panthers had been a lot deeper.
Tyson Jost, C
The final participant on this record follows the pattern of including depth. The Senators have a powerful core of gamers however actually lack depth. Including Tyson Jost is smart after buying and selling Mark Kastelic to the Boston Bruins as a part of the Linus Ullmark commerce. The Senators are and not using a fourth-line middle, and Jost suits the invoice.
He by no means panned out by way of being chosen tenth total, however Jost is a strong fourth-liner who can add 20 factors and be dependable defensively. He’s an improve over Kastelic and anyone else internally that the Senators might look to make use of, too.
His projected contract is a league minimal of $775,000 for one yr, and the Senators ought to reap the benefits of it in the event that they get the possibility.
The Senators want they might do much more, however being cap-strapped places them able of weak spot by way of including free brokers. They already made the largest enchancment wanted with Ullmark, however now it’s time to fill out the remainder of the roster.
