hehe

I just think that what this team is missing is a legit 2nd line RW. I thought Cheechoo was that guy, but it doesn't appear to be so. Believe me man, I would love for Cheech to assume that role and for the team to be complete, but it isn't the case. And because we don't have that right-handed winger on the 2nd, it screws up the rest of the lineup because Clouston can't skate Cheechoo in that slot...for whatever reason it is.

Right now, Cheech can't keep up with Michalek and Fisher on that line. But Alfie is on line 1, and Neil or Shannon don't fit the 2nd line either. Among Cheechoo, Neil, and Shannon, Cheechoo makes the most. No way we're trading Neil, and Shannon won't get us back a legit 2nd liner.

I suppose if it was possible, trading Shannon, Campoli, and a pick for Whitney would work, as we could roll with:

Kovalev - Spezza - Alfredsson
Michalek - Fisher - Whitney
Foligno - Kelly/Regin - Cheechoo
Ruutu - Kelly/Regin - Neil

But the problem there is the cap. Cheech is the perfect guy to trade because losing his salary actually gives us room to work. I realize he hasn't had all the chances, but other players on our team have stepped with even less opportunity than him. It's not that I really want Cheechoo gone, it's that his salary could be used much more efficiently. As could Pascal Leclaire's...

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PERFECTLY said.

Our forward lines at the moment have everything.

Speed: Shannon, Fisher, Michalek, Karlsson

Intensity: Regin, Alfredsson, Fisher, Michalek, Foligno, Neil, Phillips, Volchenkov, Ruutu

Pure Skill: Kovalev, Regin, Alfredsson, Spezza, Karlsson

Awesome rookie depth: Regin, Karlsson, Carkner

Depth: Kelly, Ruutu, Donovan, Smith

Agitators: Ruutu, Neil

Goaltending: Elliot, Brodeur.....Leclaire?

Defence: Phillips, Volchenkov, Campoli, Karlsson, Carkner

What are we missing from that group? A number 1-2 defenceman and as long as Kuba is gone i don't mind who it is.

No way do we move Shannon that guy has some serious potential and at the moment has the lowest value of his career.

We don't need a person with skill. Notice how against Boston, in the early stages, we got dominated physically and whitney won't help that cause. As AK47 said Ruutu would be awesome.



So what do we need to be solid contenders?

Top priority= Kuba gone and someone that is all-around to replace him

Second priority= Physical top 6 forward like:

T.Ruutu
Upshall

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Forward wise, I think we need a finisher. Somebody that would convert Kovalev's passes into goals. If Clouston keeps Spezza-Kovalev together, I think that will be a good line.

That could also be a very lazy line.

I believe though Regin needs to be with a very skilled person(Kovalev, Spezza)

Also i think that's why Murray was interested in Jussi Jokinen, he has speed and can finish.

Very true. The only reason why i believe Kovalev is actually on a streak is because his line mates give him NO reason to slack off.

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I'm just gonna throw some ideas out there and see what you guys think. Reguarding the Volchenkov situation. If we can't get a deal done by the trade deadline:

Volchenkov, Alex Picard for Cam Barker and Shawn Lalonde? Should we do it? Would Chicago do it?

Or here is an idea, Volchenkov for Zbynek Michalek straight up. Both upcoming UFAs, Michalek would almost certainly re-sign here because of his brother, Volchenkov will likely command more money but Phoenix has loads of cap space to make the signing. They have the offensive guys in Jovanovski, Yandle and Aucoin, they could use that gritty, tough shutdown guy for a playoff run, and I think they realistically believe they have a shot this year, as do we and this doesn't hurt us in the short term either.

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Those are interesting proposals.

If we trade Volchenkov to Phoenix I'd also try to squeeze a mid pick out (3rd/4th).

We need to avoid Barker at all costs. He is just another medicore D guy who we will eventually come to hate as he just takes up cap space and makes dumb defensive plays. Our blue line will be stacked with frustration with campoli lee kuba and barker

If we had to and no other deal was on the table I would seriously consider your phoenix offer. But also agree with MTA that we would want a 3rd/4th to get it done.

Want to win the cup?

Move Kuba and than....well that's it, i think.

The only reason we got hammered in the finals was:

1)Redden
2)Redden
3)Redden

You see where i'm going here? Kuba is just going to be another Redden.

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I think Murray is going to bring in someone he drafted.

Lupul for Cheechoo, Campoli, and a pick would be pretty sick.

Other great additions that he drafted would be Huselius, Knuble, and Spacek.

Haha, I agree we need to move him, but we need to get a good return too. I really like the Kuba and Picard to St Louis for Tkachuk, Colaiacovo and Jonas Junland idea I came up with. It hurts our defense a bit but it gives us that 2nd or 3rd line winger some here think we could use, as well as the added grit and toughness up front some others mentioned. Also gives us some veteran leadership and playoff experience. And most importantly, gives us cap room for the summer. If we could pull off that trade and a trade for a good all-around defenseman - Gilbert, Pitkanen, Spacek, Beauchamin - and dump Cheechoo's salary, I think that would be the perfect scenario for both the long and short term.

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As i said before Visnovsky is available and will only make the Senators a more deadlier team.

Senators get:

Lubomir Visnovsky
Pouliot

Edmonton gets:

Kuba
2nd rounder
Cheechoo
Winchester


Edmonton standpoint:

Kuba will replace Visnovsky on their blueline for that offensive role so it won't be missed. Ottawa has 2 second rounders and can afford to loose one. Winchester is a young player who has a lot of grit, something they dearly need instead of all those young players. They also get Cheechoo who's contract expires in a year instead of the extra 2 years for Visnovsky's also Cheechoo brings in much needed grit.

Ottawa standpoint:

Phenomenal offensive juggernaut who is considered one of the best offensive defenceman in the league. Has a laser and vision that can make any PP deadly...Imagine Visnovsky and Alfredsson on the point for the PP....*Shrieks* Small but is VERY aggressive on the forecheck just like Karlsson. Will help Karlsson become a better offensive defenceman with him as his mentor. Sens get Pouliot as a depth player.

Visnovksy-Karlsson
Phillips-Volchenkov
Campoli-Carkner

Bring on the playoffs!!!!!

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I could actually see this one working, but do the cap hits match?

Check the one i edited

While that trade PL proposed is a decent, it wouldn't happen. Here's why. Jonathan Cheechoo. Edmonton is a rebuilding group but has a lot of salary cap tied up. They need to open up salary cap, not add to it. Visnovsky makes about 5.5 mil, while Kuba makes 3 and Cheechoo makes 3 as well.

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Visnovsky makes 7 mil this year and 6 mil next.

Edmonton is still going to be a rebuilding team next year IMO.

Also Cheechoo can be a test for them. They play a hard aggressive game and some players fit into that system(Brule, Penner)

If Cheechoo does well than they keep him for his last year, if not they can sell him out.

I highly doubt they sell out Visnovsky and when it comes to him becoming a free agent they might loose him for nothing and he might not want to re-sign, instead they get a powerplay quarterback to replace him and a decent pick and a energy forward.

It just seems to be perfect for both teams. I would also consider trading Kelly instead of Cheechoo if needed be.

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Yeah, but what goes against the cap isn't how much he makes in a season, it's the average, and Visnovsky's average salary is 5.6 million.

Jonathan Cheechoo makes 3 million and Filip Kuba makes 3.7 million average.

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No...

I understand what you mean but for these next 2 years he's pay will cost the oilers 6 mil and 5 mil. These are the 2 most important years. Where as they get 3.5+3.7= 7.2 Plus Cheechoo will only be there for one more year or they could buy him out.

I didn't mention the fact that Vis will make 3 mil because by that time Cheechoo can be out of their books. Heck, the second year he can but still.

How about:

Visnovsky

For

Kuba
2nd rounder
Kelly
Condra/Hennessy

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