Ready?

Well, the Sens managed to avoid arbitration with Emery, Schubert and Kelly.  That's probably a good thing.  There tend to be hard feelings after an arbitration hearing; as it's hard for players to hear team management and coaching staff tear down their ability.  Which brings me to Sean Avery.  I guess he was 'shocked' that the Rangers called him out as a selfish player.  What did he think an arbitration hearing was about?  At least they didn't say "media hog" or "cancer to the team".

 

Anyway, the Sens roster appears to be set.  There's some room for a rookie to make the team, but no clear intention of bringing anyone up like with Kaigorodov last year.  I wish him well with the Coyotes, but he seemed far from ready to play North American style hockey.  Giving away Comrie and trading Schaefer will open up some premium ice time.  I'm hoping that Eaves, Kelly and Vermette are given a chance for quality ice time.  Eaves has a ton of heart and plays a nice power forward game in high traffic areas.  Kelly has solid game, and put up points when playing with Heater and Spezza for a limited time last year.  Vermette has a ton of skill, i think he lead the team in shorthanded goals, but can be more than a PK specialist. Time to see what these guys can do. I think at least two of them will be on the 1st or 2nd line by mid-season.  Donovan and Dimitrakos are new additions.  I think Donovan is a good checker, which is what the team needs.  Dimitrakos is probably more of an experiment?

 

Now it will be pretty slow until training camp.  Most of the free agents have been signed.  August is a slow month.