- (Ottawa)
General Manager Alex of the Ottawa Senators wants a big name player signed in free agency. Its a rather large goal of his.
"I do not feel this team is a Cup Contendor. Definetly a playoff contendor, but not a Cup contendor", stated Alex.
He may be right. After Alfredsson, Langkow and Parise lining up the first line, theres not much left on the team. Dumont, Vermette and Rucinsky will most likely make up the second line, with Richards or Gordon fighting it out to center the third line. When it comes to the defence corps, it doesn't get much brighter. As of now, Ron Hainsey, Dennis Wideman, and Steve Eminger representing the best of the defensive corps.
However, there is good news. The Senators have currently only a 30 million dollar payroll, which means they have 20 million dollars to spend on a great free agent market. Players such as Jarome Iginla, Jaromir Jagr, and Marc Savard coming in on the UFA market, Alex will have to work fast to grab some players.
Apparantly the Senators organization has a lot of interest in Jaromir Jagr, Marc Savard, Patrice Brisebois, Zdeno Chara, Phillipe Boucher, Jay McKee, Willie Mitchell, Sami Salo, Andy McDonald, and Chris Mason. However, this is a pretty long list that could apply to any team. However, there are rumours that Alex may make a pretty large signing this year, and who it may be is up in the air. However, Alex has to remember J.S. Gigure and Daymond Langkow both become UFAs next year, and Alex will have to decide what to do with them. There are rumours that he wants to sign them both back on.
Anyways, in closing the Sens have their work cut out for them to go from contendor to pretender.