Ottawa- After a disappointing loss in the playoffs GM Rob Botham decided he needed to make major changes to the Ottawa Senators, and while Alfredsson and Kozlov have already been brought in the right before the draft the Senators still weren't happy, so gone are players like Ryan Miller, Scott Gomez, Ales Kotalik, Ladislav Nagy and even prized youngster Alex Radulov. Brought in to replace them is a group of stronger grittier players that will surely step up there game when it matters the most in the playoffs.
One of the first deal Ottawa completed was a deal with Buffalo that saw Ladislav Nagy head to the Sabres in return for Ray Whitney, who looked to be in the Senators plans at the time but would end up only lasting a few weeks with them team. Whitney was quickly packaged and sent to Philly though in what turned out to be a major turning point in Senators history as two huge deals were completed that has changed almost the entire core of the Senators.
The first trade which was made Monday evening saw Whitney, Scott Gomez and some picks and cash traded to Philly while coming back to Ottawa is young power forward Scott Hartnell, defenseman Willie Mitchell, and prospect Fredrick Petterson.
"Moving Scott was a very hard decision to make as I think he is a world class player, and I had very high hopes for Ray Whitney, but there was no way we were going to be able to hang onto Whitney for more then one season so when the opportunity to move him and bring in a player with the potential of a Scott Hartnell I had to jump at the chance," said GM Rob Botham, "and I can't say enough good things about Willie Mitchell, I have been trying to bring in Willie for close to a year now I think he is incredibly under rated and is one of the top shut down defenders in the league and I expect him to become a leader of this team."
The second trade completed which was completed yesterday saw star goalie Ryan Miller, prized youngster Alex Radulov and prospect Colin Fraser head to Boston while Ray Emery, Taylor Pyatt, Dimitri Patzold, Jeff Cowan and a 6th round pick are coming back to the Senators.
"Moving Radulov was probably the toughest decision I have made since joining the Senators as I think he is going to be an amazing player, and I certainly had no intention of moving Ryan Miller when I first started talking to Bryce, but as talks progressed and the possibility of bringing in Ray Emery who is younger, cheaper and just as good as Miller came up I knew this was the best thing for our club."
"Of course this deal isn't just about providing our team with a better situation in goal, we would of never of moved Radulov just for that we brought in another young power forward in Taylor Pyatt, who I believe can score 25 to 30 goals on a regular basis, and a under rated youngster in Dimitri Patzold was also a big part of this deal," added the GM, "and bringing in a little extra muscle with Jeff Cowan won't hurt either."
The Senators have also completed several smaller deals that should improve the team defensively and has also made them younger. Matt Cooke was brought in from Chicago with a couple of prospects for Ales Kotalik and a pick. Mike Zigomanis and Ryan Craig where also brought in for prospect Jannick Hansen and veteran Eric Belanger although it is rumoured that Hansen could return to the Senators before the start of the season. Also joining the Sens in a separate deal is youngster RJ Umberger and depth defenseman Brendan Bell while Derek Morris was sent to the NY Rangers.
While chances are the Senators look to be done making any major moves, it is rumoured that the Senators might look for an upgrade on there second line center position which is currently being held be Hecht but nothing has been confirmed at this point.
-- Edited by Sens at 13:47, 2007-08-29
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Season 5 BRHL 1 Champion Season 1 BRHL Euro Champion Season 1 BRHL Juniors Champion
Should look fairly close to that Vandermeer will be my 7th defenseman and will get the call before Bell or Edler (although if I do have to recall a player they will be the first) and don't expect Craig to start the season with Ottawa so the 4th line will be Umberger (who is listed as C/W) Zigomanis and Linden at this point.
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Season 5 BRHL 1 Champion Season 1 BRHL Euro Champion Season 1 BRHL Juniors Champion
