Bleacher Report - Articles by Chris Wilson

Ottawa Senators' Free Agent List (Bouwmeester!!!)

Chris Wilson — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:46:02 -0400

So Dany Heatley wants out.

My first thought is, "you have to be kidding me?"

My second thought is, "Good riddance, cap space is coming."

Depending on the return Ottawa gets for Heatley, it will need to get someone from free agency to fill in a bit of the hole left by Heatley.

Here are some of the upcoming unrestricted free agents I believe could do some great work in Ottawa.

Erik Cole: LW (Carolina)

Last Year: 4M

He didn't have a great season last year, but picked it up during his time in Carolina and during the playoffs. He isn't the best option for Ottawa, but Murray seems to like him. In order to have the room to sign him, the return for Heatley will have to include a top five pick or top prospect as the main piece, so there is cap space to give him an offer.

Projected Salary: 3.5M-4M (two years, 7.5M (3.5,4))

No doubt someone will give him more than four million, given his playoff performances. I believe he is worth closer to three million from his stats, but you always over pay on July 1.

Ales Kotalik: RW(Edmonton)

Last Year: 2.5 million

A 20-goal scorer without a big price tag. Kind of a one dimensional player, but not a blaring hole defensively. Actually a plus while playing for Edmonton last season. He could play well with Spezza with his touch.

Projected Salary: 2.5-2.8 million (three years, 8.1M (2.5, 2.8, 2.8))

A slight increase given to this free agent, to me worth about what he's being paid. Wouldn't be a bad signing for Ottawa at this price, hopefully he could be had for lower.

Taylor Pyatt: LW(Vancouver)

Last Year:1.575 million

Hasn't lived up to his potential, and I really don't think he will ever get over 45 points in his career. Unless he plays with someone who feeds him the puck constantly, then more 20+ goal seasons will come, hopefully approach 30.

Projected Salary:1.2M (one year, 1.2 million)

After last year he doesn't deserve as much as he made. If he goes anywhere for over 1.4 million, it will be a major overpayment.

Alex Tanguay: LW(Montreal)

Last Year:5.375 million

More than he is worth, definitely. His first and only year in Montreal:Sub-par compared to his career stats.

Projected Salary:3.8M-5M (two years, 8 million (3.8, 4.2) with five million option for a third year).

3.8 million would be a great price for him if he performs to his ability, but if he is past his prime, it isn't too much to either eat, or move at the deadline to a contender. The five million option for a third year, would be a club option. If they pick it up it is because he has proved himself. 4.2 million might be too much to pay him if he doesn't perform well in the first year, so maybe some bonuses should be put in there, that if achieved would bring his salary to 4.2 million.

Mike Cammalleri: LW(Calgary)

Last Year: 3.6 million

Not even analyzing this one. He will demand more money than Ottawa should be spending up front this offseason.

Jay Bouwmeester: D(Florida)

Last Year:4.875million

The only way he comes to Ottawa is if almost no players that can step into the lineup right away come back in the Heatley trade.

Projected Salary:6-7.5 million (five years, 34.5 million (7.5, 7.5, 7, 6.5, 6))

He will get 7.5 million to start in this free agent market, look what Campbell got and Bouwmeester can do more than "spin." I would personally love to sign him for that salary structure. But to do that Kelly, Schubert and Smith must to moved to make space to bring in at least one forward from the market.

Kurtis Foster: D(Minnesota)

Last Year:1.025 million

6'5'', 220lbs, from the Ottawa area(Carp). If Bouwmeester is gone, or a good chunk of salary comes back for Heatley, he can fit into the top 6 defense: Volchenkov, Phillips, Kuba, Campoli, Lee and Foster. There are other options internally(Eriksson) and externally(Bouwmeester). If Bouwmeester can't be had, then Eriksson should be given a very good look for the NHL roster this season.

Projected Salary: 1.1 million (one year, 1.1 million)

A little pay raise, just for the free agent market. But it could go the other way as well, due to the fact he only play 10 games last season. He did however put up good production in those 10 games. One million will be the lowest he goes.

What Can the Ottawa Senators Do?

Chris Wilson — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 06:50:12 -0500

The Ottawa Senators have started to turn the season around a bit, but does something still need to be done? Yes, something does need to be done to turn this team around.

Only Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley seem to be going, after those three, Filip Kuba is the secondary scoring. Well, he gets a lot of secondary assists on the big three's goals.

What can Ottawa do?

The problem isn't in net, Alex Auld has that covered, and Marting Gerber might come around. The defensive unit has been relatively solid. No absolute big name, but all around solid. Maybe Alex Picard isn't fitting in how expected, but right now that seems to be the only problem in the back end.

The problem is that no one else can score. It has come down to praying that the big line can get it done. Well bad news, they will not always score three goals a night. So the games that they don't score three times, who's there to pick up the slack?

Mike Fisher has played well these last two games, but just isn't putting the pucks in the net. Antoine Vermette shows a bit of flash every now and then, but like Fisher, doesn't put the put in the back of the net.

A trade might be in order for the Senators just after the new year. One of the good young forwards will have to go if the Senators want to get a return worth while to make an impact this season.

Vermette should be the one on the block. Yes, he's a great penalty killer and has amazing speed, he has all the tools to be a great scorer, but has never pulled through.

Fisher is being paid a lot of money, but all that money isn't just for scoring goals, its his defensive play that makes him valuable to any team in the league. This right now is a Radek Bonk situation where the Senators are trying to make him a scorer, where he's really the prototype of a third-line centre.

What can Ottawa get for Vermette? Right now his value isn't as high as it could be, but Ottawa can still get a good piece for the crafty player.

Tampa Bay: Tampa seems to be wheeling and dealing a lot this season, not too sure what they want in a team. A lot of talent here, but would it be available. Martin St. Louis has proved to be an amazing player before, and he still is. He isn't doing what is expected out of him either this season.

Of course Vermette wouldn't be enough for him, so Ottawa would have to include a draft pick or another prospect.

Columbus: Fredrik Modin is 34, and I'm sure the Blue Jackets would welcome a younger player who is also not living up to expectations.

Although maybe a one for one wouldn't be equal it could happen, with maybe a 4-6 round pick coming from Columbus as well.

Edmonton: It is well known that Edmonton has not been impressed with Dustin Penner. With the size of his contract the Oilers would have to either send money, a pick or a prospect along with him to Ottawa for Vermette.

If the Senators choose to make a change up front, one of these could work, but Bryan Murray might have something else up his sleeve.

Sean Avery, Shut Your Mouth!

Chris Wilson — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 10:33:49 -0500

One thing has become apparent today, if it wasn't absolutely clear to anyone before, today shows that Sean Avery is a joke and needs to shut his mouth and play hockey.

He has never been shy about speaking his mind, but there is a time where it becomes too much.

Does Sean even love the game he plays—the game that pays his bills and allows him to travel across North America to show everyone his freak show?

He is a disgrace to the game—not just the NHL, but the entire game of hockey, from Novice to Midget, from the ponds to the rinks. This man is a joke.

It is too bad he will be suspended, especially for tonight, because Dion Phaneuf is the hardest hitter in the league and would have no problem lining Avery up. Well, maybe he'd have some trouble, because Avery would duck and cover.

Just like he did when challenged by Brian McGrattan, the same game when he decided it would be nice to punch Dominik Hasek.

It has come time that the show needs to end. No one should talk to this man. Don't give him the attention he wants. Leave that for the fashion world!

Phil Kessel: NHL Break-out Player

Chris Wilson — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:49:21 -0400

When I enter my special fantasy pool, picking seven players who are classified as (A), seven as (B) and seven as (C), with one extra player who isn't on the list, my eyes light up whenever I don't see Phil Kessel on that list.

Each season he's played, this young player has gotten better. In his rookie season, which was shortened by testicular cancer, he scored 11 goals and got 18 assists for 29 points, in 70 games.

Not a bad season for a young player—especially for such a young man going through those trials just before the season began.

If he were healthy, maybe I wouldn't be considering 29 points "not bad," in fact I'd consider it average.

Last year, his second year in the NHL, was better for him. He scored 19 goals, and handed out 18 assists, for 37 points, playing all 82 games—a solid improvement.

This season will be big for Kessel. He has all the tools to be a top contributor for the Boston Bruins, and playing with Marc Savard, an assist Guru, will help him a lot. Thus far seen this season with four goals and one assist in the first four games. A goal per game isn't bad.

He obviously will not keep up that pace, but he will definitely go over 20 goals for the first time in his young career.

I expect him to almost double last year's production: 38-42 goals and 25-30 assists.

Phil Kessel was my write-in choice and so far, so good. Now, I just need the real stars like Ovechkin to start lighting it up and everything will be great.

NHL Season Ahead: Week One Fantasy Players to Watch

Chris Wilson — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:27:05 -0400

First for a surprise, the Leafs beat the Red Wings—WHAT!?!?

The Red Wings weren't at their best, but who put money down on Toronto for this one? For sure I wouldn't have. I don't think I'd put money on the Laughs this season at all.

Anyway, here's my list of fantasy hockey players to keep an eye on after Week One:

Hot

Aaron Voros (NYR)

Three goals and four assists so far this season—half of his point total from last year already, in five games compared to 55. I don't think he'll keep it up, so he'll stay on waivers, in my leagues at least.

Brandon Dubinsky (NYR) *Sleeper alert*

Three goals and four assists in five games. I don't expect him to keep this pace, but he will be a valuable fill in for the head-to-head rosters, and, if he keeps it up, be worth a start for a while in the roto leagues. I now expect about 30 goals and 42 assists from him this season, making him climb my charts quite a bit.

Andy McDonald (STL) *Sleeper alert*

Six assists in three games, and he will keep that pace up. Andy will find the stride he had a couple years ago and once again reach over 50 assists—my guess would be over 60.

He'd be a great pickup for head-to-head, where you can switch players in and out day-to-day, but I don't think he will crack the roto league, as he will not score enough goals to be there.

Filip Kuba (OTT) *Sleeper alert*

Dany Heatley, Jason Spezza, and Daniel Alfredsson own this team, but who is tied for the Seantors' lead in points right now? Filip Kuba, with four assists. He will keep this up all year in Ottawa, making him worth a fifth defenseman spot, or even cracking the top four on your roster, depending on your situation.

Sergei Kostitsyn (MTL) *Sleeper alert*

That's right—Sergei, not Andrei. Sergei can't possibly keep up this pace—two goals and two assists in three games—but he will put up so great numbers for anyone looking for the ultimate sleeper.

Don't confuse him with Andrei. Andrei will get more points this year, and is most likely owned in your league. Sergei would be an interesting pickup—especially now while he's on fire, which will not last much longer. If you own him, sell high in a couple weeks. Expect 18 goals and 28 assists out of him this year—25 goals and 36 assists, tops.

Cold

Petr Budaj (COL)

Eight goals given up on 39 shots so far this year. At the start of the year, I would've said he's a No. 2 goalie if you have weak goaltending—but, at this point, he'd be down to No. 4 for me.

Don't expect a lot out of him this year. He will end up splitting starts with Andrew Raycroft, and neither are good enough to keep the other from getting a full number of starts from Colorado. Stay away from both!

That is all for now. Later this week: team and playoff predictions.

See you soon!