Show me the money

Well, the Sens managed to avoid arbitration with Emery and Schubert. I was pretty sure that Ray was getting a fat arbitration award. After the NY Insangers signed Lundqvist to $4.25MM, that meant a big payday for Ray-Ray. But Emery signed for 3 years @ $3.2MM/per which is reasonable. The bottom line is that the Sens don't have much cap room, and having Emery take on a huge contract makes signing Heatley and Fisher for next year that much more difficult. I'm a big fan of Emery, but had he been awarded $4.5MM it was time to walk away. Meanwhile, Schubert signed for 3-years at slightly more than an entry level contract. This was surprising. The guy was near the top of the league in hits, can play checking winger or defense. A lot of intangibles. Sens are lucky to sign him for cheap. All that's left is for Kelly to sign. And the Sens probably have the cap room if he wins an arbitration case. Not a lot of changes in the roster from last year, but not a lot is necessary.

Schaefer

Peter Schaefer off to the Bruins for Shean Donovan. This was purely a salary cap move. I will miss many parts of Schaefer's game: incredible board work, way under-rated stickhandling skill, and two-way ability. That said, it wasn't quite worth $2.3MM/year. Murray was simply off-loading $6.7MM in salary over the next 3 years, in exchange for a $.9MM contract through next season. If Donovan doesn't impress, he was a cheap rental. Either way, the Sens are freeing up money. If not for Emery, surely for next year with Heatley becoming a UFA. Smart money would be to sign him soon. Personally, I would low ball Spezza with offers this year. See if he gets any RFA offer sheets. Spezza would likely command high salary and the Sens would get 4 first rounders as compensation. I would take that. In salary cap NHL, entry level players are key for long term success.

Emery

I think the Sens are not making any deals until their RFA arbitration has been settled. Mainly Emery's decision. It could price them out of the market pretty quick. I should say, the Sens are not dealing to add any players. I'm sure Murray has been trying to deal Gerber $3.7MM (and possibly Corvo/Schaefer I've heard). But most GMs are not dumb, and the dumb ones will not have any cap room to take on Gerber. I think there's something to him being a $3-million minor leaguer, for the Sens to have cap room.

Emery didn't get an offer sheet from the Kings. Too bad. I think that it would have been kewl to see Emery and LaBarbera play locally. I see Emery's future as a Cujo type goalie. Playing his best for a losing team that gives up a lot of shots. I am afraid that Miller set a precident for Emery to get around $3.5MM...

Too free?

Seems like the big money was dumped on a few 'big' free agents and teams are signing cheap roster fillers now. So, that leaves the mid-level guys still out there with some anxious days as the summer rolls on. It seems like there may be quite a few decent players left homeless. We'll see. But with a bigger free agent pool and poor spending habits by GMs, I think some players will have to take a pay cut or not play next year.

No moves?

Sens have been pretty quiet so far. But logically so. They barely signed a replacement head coach. It's hard to lure in new players with an TBA head coach. Paddock was a good, safe choice. I was interested in Hunter. Quite a character guy while playing, and I guess he's been pretty good coaching Roy's minor league team. But more of a wildcard choice. Paddock and Murray see eye-to-eye. Murray should bring in players that they both like. GM and head coach chemistry is not always there. Plus, the players have a known quantity in Paddock. The only issue is if Paddock pulls a Lewis. I doubt it. Paddock was head coach over these same guys before in Binghamton. So, they've responded to him before. Now it is just a bigger stage.

Tired

JR is done. I would like to say I'm sad to see him go. But it is time. Actually, past his time. Like Hull, he played too long. At least Hull packed it in, rather than be a healthy scratch for the Coyotes, like JR was last year. I'm sure he will be a commentator soon, as his tryout during the playoffs this year seemed to go pretty well. A great personality, he can be as outspoken as Hull, but maybe not as brash.

I will miss his game. A mid-sized guy that could score and bang. Tough as they come, playing in the Playoffs with his jaw broken or teeth missing. Not afraid to go after the open ice hit. JR was the classic hockey warrior. I doubt anyone will be the complete package of skill, toughness and wit.