Ottawa Senators' 2009-10 Season Preview

(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

I will be previewing all 30 NHL clubs. I will be looking at their available salary cap room, the additions and deletions from the 2008-09 rosters, and where I think they will stack up in their division and conference for the 2009-10 campaign. 

Let's get a move on with the Ottawa Senators, which play in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference.

What a mess.  Last season was a disaster in our nation’s capital.  They signed a new head coach at the start of the season and by February 2, Craig Hartsburg was out and Cory Coulston then placed behind the bench. 

By the trade deadline, General Manager Bryan Murray had decided his team was a seller and went out and traded for a new number one goaltender.  That’s right I said a seller.  Murray traded Antoine Vermette to the Blue Jackets for Columbus’ former number one goaltender, Pascal Leclaire.  Leclaire was deemed to be expendable with the sudden emergence of Steve Mason between the Blue Jackets pipes.

Murray and Coulston still are not sure what they have in their new goaltender because at the time of the trade, Leclaire had sustained a season-ending ankle injury and won’t be seen in a Senators uniform until the pre-season.

Then, there was Dany Heatley.  He came out after the season and stated that he wanted out of Ottawa because he was unhappy with new head coach and how he was being utilized after Coulston’s promotion in February.  He was mainly unhappy with his playing time and looking at his numbers, Heatley has a point.

Before February 2, Heatley played more than 20 minutes in a game, 36 out of 48 games or 75 percent of the time, under Hartsburg.  Under Coulston it happened nine times out of 34 games or 26.4 percent of the time.

Just for comparison, Daniel Alfredsson played more than 20 minutes in a game, 30 out of 47 games or 63.8 percent and under Coulston it happened 24 times out of 32 games or 75 percent.

An attempt was made to trade Heatley to Edmonton.  A trade had been finalized but hinged on Heatley’s no-trade clause.  He decided not to waive the clause and as of today, is still an Ottawa Senator.

Let’s take a look at what moves G.M. Murray was able to make and see which players will be part of the Ottawa Senators in 2009-10.

Significant Additions

The unrestricted free agents that have been signed by the Senators are as follows: Drew Bannister (Germany), Mike Brodeur (N.Y. Rangers), Andy Chiado (Russia), Geoff Kinrade (Tampa Bay), Alexei Kovalev (Montreal), and Martin St. Pierre (Boston).

 
Significant Deletions

The unrestricted free agents that have moved on from Ottawa are: Alex Auld (Dallas), Brendan Bell (St. Louis), Danny Bois (Chicago), Drew Fata (Boston), and Greg Mauldin (N.Y. Islanders)

There are five former Senator Players that have yet to sign deals with another franchise.  They are: Mike Comrie, Jeff Glass, Brad Isbister, Jim McKenzie, and Geoff Waugh.

The Projected 2009–10 Ottawa Senators roster

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