Centers and Defence

Centres: It’s a lot easier to switch from centre to wing, so that’s not a problem, really. Zibanejad played as a winger in the World Juniors, and he looked good there; I think he’d fit in well on a line with Turris, but he could also work well with Spezza.

Da Costa makes way more sense as a centreman based on his style, but he could turn into a Kyle Wellwood-esque winger, too. Still, some of his passes are incredible, and I think there’s good reason to expect him to play on the third line next year (which might end up as a 2B line).

That would leave the top four centres as Spezza-Turris-Da Costa-Z. Smith. Not a bad top four, although I wouldn’t be surprised if Z. Smith climbs up to the third line once again.

Defencemen: Boro’s had a hell of a rookie season, but it’s still a big leap from the AHL to the NHL—especially for young, physical defencemen. His strength won’t be an issue, but his speed and decision-making might, so that’s what he’ll have to work on. He might have another partial or full season in Binghamton in order to work on it, but time will tell. I don’t really see Gryba or Wiercioch as ready for the NHL yet, either, but a summer of working out might better prepare them.

I agree with 80, to a degree, that there’s little NHL-ready defensive depth for Ottawa right now. There’s Cowen and Karlsson, who’ll be in the top four without a doubt. Then there’s two slow old guys (Phillips and Gonchar) and two limited-effectiveness young-ish guys (Lee and Carkner). If no one else if ready to step up next season (which looks like it will be the case), Ottawa will need to sign or acquire someone. There are names out there, but I’d like the person to be young and have middle-pairing potential. Cam Fowler could be an intriguing option.

If we’re looking at UFAs to sign: Barrett Jackman, Pavel Kubina, Matt Carle, Greg Zanon, and Kurtis Foster all look fine. Maybe even Sheldon Souray would be an option.

To answer your question about Da Costa is anyone’s guess, and that’s up to Da Costa. He will be among a large group of “potentials”, (and I use that word loosely) for next year’s TC.

How many of Z’jad, Silfverberg, Stone, Petersson and maybe our 1st round pick will be ready is anyone’s guess. Da Costa will be hard pressed to get ahead of that list in a cap era where the guy with the contract usually wins out even if he gets outplayed.

Da Costa’s fate also depends on which prospects, if any get moved.

And which guys will end up being the centers and which ones will be the wingers will be the Paulrus’ job to figure out.

We started the season supposedly with our strength being our depth on defence. Being at the bottom of the heap in GA in both the NHL and the AHL attests to the fallacy of that. We have alot of potential #6 and #7 dmen in our system, but it is increasingly clear that Phillips, Gonchar and Kuba need to be replaced NOW… Kuba because of his contract situation, and the fact that it’d be difficult to get him to agree to a one year deal.

The good news is that this is the year where a team can rebuild it’s defence long term if they have enough draft picks… but BM and company have the short term to worry about.

I like Peter’s list… Cam Fowler, Barrett Jackman, Pavel Kubina, Matt Carle, Greg Zanon, and Kurtis Foster as possibilities… until he gets to Souray. Please NO to Souray. Another defensive liability is not the answer. There’s a reason he ended up in the AHL. He should have stayed in Montreal, but he got greedy.

Can you imagine the number of shorthanded goals against with Souray and Karlsson on the PP?