Senators at the Deadline, my thoughts

In the midst of this losing streak I took to twitter this morning to rant about what I think the Sens should/shouldn't do at the deadline. And then I realized I've been thinking of doing a fan post for a while and figured this rant was something to build on. Mainly I think that the Sens should become Sellers with a touch of buying. I will touch on 3 main themes for the Deadline. First I don't think we should be looking to add a top 6 forward unless it is a low cost Rental. 2nd I believe we should be selling on some assets to add draft picks. And third we should be on the lookout for a good young two-way Defenseman.

More after the Jump.

Firstly everyone seems to be talking about the top 6 forward position and how that’s our priority, and while I wouldnt be opposed to it, I don't it to be a rental. If we move Picks or a Prospect for Ruutu we better be going all out to resign him. Allthough I would much rather add a low cost (3rd Rounder or later) type guy to help with a playoff push but not deviate from the rebuild. If we look at whats in the System, and our current top 6 I don't fully buy that we need to acquire anyone even with the view to resign them. Going forward I think Spezza, Michalek and Turris are locks for the top 2 lines. Greening is a bubble guy, I think he is either a 2nd line winger or a very strong third line winger. So there are 2 or 3 spots open in the top 6. Alfie is retiring this year or next. We have Butler who last year I would of said was a guarantee to be a top 6 player, now I'm not so sure. But he still has potential. Filatov if given a shot could still work out. Personally I'd like to see Butler get a shot playing with Spezza and Michalek, have Greening with Turris and Alfie and then play Foligno with Neil and Smith. If we now look to our prospects Stone could become a Power Forward in the NHL, and would look great with Spezza or Turris, Puempel has shown he might become a Dynamic scorer at the NHL Level. Noesen has a solid two way game. Peterson has had a decent first pro season and could still figure in the Top 6 at some point. Silfverberg has had a good season in Europe and looks like he could become a top 6 player. And Ziba showed at the WJHC that his future may lie as a winger. So there 8 potential guys to fill 2-3 spots in the next two years. I don’t think its that unrealistic to think that at least 3 of those guys will realize their potential.

After losing a 2nd Rounder in the Turris deal, we don't have one in the upcoming draft (I believe so anyway, haven't double checked it). So if we could move Gonchar or Kuba for a 2nd Rounder why not. They arent part of the rebuild. And I really hope they don't intend on resigning either when their contracts are up. So why not cash in. Also in my opinion Konopka should be moved as well, I can see teams looking to add toughness and faceoff ability being interested in him. Might get a 3rd Rounder back. And really losing Konopka and one of Gonchar or Kuba, doesn’t hurt as too bad. We should be selling because at this point, barring an insane win streak, I think if we make the playoffs we would likely be the 7th or 8th seed. I also think FLA, WSH and WPG are going to be aggressive at the deadline because if they win the division they finish 3rd and get home ice for the first round. So I don't even think its guarantee we get in. And really I know anything can happen but unless we climb to the 6th spot, I don’t like our chances against the Rangers or Bruins in a 7 game series.. Mainly this isn't our year to be aggressive at the deadline. There isn't one final piece out there to put us over the top. We just aren't there yet in my opinion. Also as someone else mentioned in a fan post maybe we can grab a guy like Zidlicki on the cheap to replace Gonchar or Kuba, so we don't have to call up anyone from Bingo for the stretch. Maybe Brian Lee gets a chance in Minnesota, give two guys a fresh start who knows.

Finally I think we should be on the lookout for a good young two way Dman. Karlsson keeps improving in his own zone which is great. Cowen has shown some offensive upside, but I don't think he will regularly chip in 40 points from the blueline. Most of our defensive prospects seem to be Stay at Home types (Boro and Gryba), Wiercioch could become that guy but past that I haven't heard of anyone. Can we find that guy at the Deadline, maybe probably not. I actually think the guy who would be perfect would be Ryan Murray if we could add him at the draft that'd be great but we would need to move into the top 10 all the more reason to add a 2nd Rounder in another deal. Maybe we make a run at Suter in Free Agency. Maybe there is deal to be made. But I feel like our future isnt has bright on the back end (past Cowen and Karlsson) as it is up front. Someone like a Brent Burns, Jack Johnson, Suter, Dan Hamhuis, guys who are good at both ends and are good skaters. Maybe they don't excel offensively but can be on the 2nd PP unit, chip in 10 goals maybe 30 Assists. Are any of those guys available, probably not. But thats the type of Guy that could form a great blueline along with Cowen and Karlsson.

Thats it, thats my rant, I just dont want to see us move for Rentals if we are paying anything more than a 3rd Rounder, and still I'd like to see us Buy and Sell at the deadline. Talent for Talent deals are harder to make but they can be done. The Neal for Goligoski deal, Setegouchi for Burns deal as well. They can happen. Can they go out and add young top 6 forward who is allready in the NHL by moving a prospect or two maybe. Jamie Benn from Dallas is a guy I would love to add. Does Dallas move him, I dont know I dont talk to GMs or have any inside sources, but I have built the Senators into a Stanley Cup champion on NHL 2012, so that counts for something right? Would love to hear feedback.