Fish

Not very big news to non-Senators fans, but Fisher was signed for 5-years, $21MM.  That's $4.2/year.  Pricey?  I think a little bit.  But it shows some committment to him for the long term, as I don't think $4.2MM is that easy to trade away. I was concerned that Fisher would not get re-signed this year, since all the attention will be on Heatley (he will probably get a max salary deal) and Redden.  But Fisher deserves his share.  I'm biased as a huge fan, but the guy does everything well: hits, forecheck, backcheck, makes plays, he's just not the Spezza or Heatley-type scorer (although his slapper is deceptively nasty). It's another matter if his body can withstand the punishent that his playing style dishes out, for another 5-years. 

 

Speaking of Salary issues, I'm wondering about Spazza.  If he doesn't improve defensively, continues to get pushed around physically, misses games from his bad back, I am thinking that not giving him a new deal is the way to go.  Let some team like Edmonton throw a crazy RFA offer sheet at him next summer.  Spezza is bound to command over $6MM/year, that means Ottawa gets 4 first rounders in return.  One of those four guys would probably not be afraid of getting hit.