Just a few quick thoughts....
With the loss of defensemen Anton Volchenkov and Andy Sutton, many Senators fans may be looking to a big body like Jared Cowen to possibly make the roster to make that back-end look more imposing.
I'm not discounting the kid - he may very well surprise and beat Chris Campoli for a spot. But Cowen's salary is going to work against him.
If Cowen makes the team and hits all his performance bonuses, the Senators would be on the hook for all of his 1.295 cap hit. Even if he doesn't hit his bonuses, he'll be a cap hit of just over 900 grand. That's a lot of dough when you consider the Sens (according to Cap Geek) are less than a million under the cap as of right now.
If you look at the money side of it, newly signed David Hale might make more sense for the Senators this season. Hale is cheaper (675 grand) and is a fairly robust physical player himself. Even Brian Lee (the horror), currently on a one-way deal, is a potentially cheaper option, making under 900 grand for the year.
If you look at the forwards, the Senators signed the much sought after Bobby Butler out of the college circuit and it looked like he would follow in the footsteps of Jesse Winchester in being eased into the lineup almost right away. But Butler will make 900 grand in the NHL if he makes the team, considerably more than the aforementioned Winchester, Ryan Shannon and Zack Smith, the players he will be competing against for a roster spot.
If the payroll remains status quo, I don't like the chances of seeing either Jared Cowen or Bobby Butler on the opening night roster unless their play in training camp so impresses Bryan Murray that he is forced to move some salary out to accommodate them.
Hopefully for their sake, they make Murray's choice tough.
4 comments:
I hope you dropped some zeros on Lee's salary. Either that or whomever signed him is a frickin' genius!
Sadly for Cowen he's battling mono, and may not be in a position to play his best hockey. But I think that Butler and Wick will have real shots at displacing Ryan Shannon for a roster spot. Both are players with scoring potential, that can also play in a 3rd line fore-checking role because of their size (6' 185 lbs., 6'2 195 lbs. resp.) Both could also see second PP time depending on who's in the roster. Shannon is going to have to show that he can offer more than either of these guys over the course of the season. If not, he could be traded to a team that lacks scoring depth or quickness.
Don't be such a nickel and dimer, Bryan wants Jarod to make this team this year so bad...one for his size and grit...two get Phillips someone to work with...three it will force him to move Brian Lee!
Butts has no chance but big Wick can surprise and drive Petr to the center ice position and Shannon off the roster.
Seems that Canucnik and I agree on how camp will unfold, especially in regards to Wick. I hope that Cowen will be back to full health and force his way onto the team, but it will be tough for him.
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