Ottawa-- It certainly wasn't how Senator fans pictured the season going but after not being able to sign any offensive help in the offseason and struggling to start the season, the Ottawa Senators have taken the first step towards rebuilding there team.
"It certainly isn't the direction we saw our team taking but we just don't have the fire power to keep up with the top teams and our defense and goaltending wasn't picking up the slack so we had to make changes and after talking within the organization we felt it was better to rebuild then trade what youth we did have to try and find more scoring," said GM Rob Botham.
The first trade occurred last night as long time Senator Jochen Hecht was sent to Atlanta while collegiate defense man Mike Mitera and an undisclosed amount of cash is heading back to Ottawa.
"We loved Jochen's two way game and what he has brought to the Senators but with our change in direction we felt this was a solid move for the organization and for Jochen (Hecht)," said the GM, "and getting a kid like Mitera back is very exciting and while we expect he will finish school he will certainly make an impact on this team soon."
The second deal and certainly the biggest to date saw Martin Erat and Todd White head off to Phoenix while coming back to Ottawa is David Perron and a 3rd round pick.
"We had more then a couple of GM's express interest in Erat, but nothing had really jumped out at me till this morning when I heard from the Phoenix GM, and initially he approached me about White and not Erat but after the a few minutes I approached him with a Perron for Erat trade and we were able to come to a deal fairly quickly."
"Getting a player like Perron back for Erat was definitely what we were looking for when we started talking to other teams he is a great young talent and someone we feel we can build around," added the GM.
Surprisingly Scott Nichol was the next player traded as Nichol and a small sum of cash is going to St.Louis while Vyborny and a 5th round pick are coming back to the Senators.
"David (Vyborny) has already expressed to us his desire to play over seas next year but we feel getting any pick even a 5th rounder will help our team," said the GM."
It is rumoured that trade talks are on going for both Bryzgalov and Prospal with several teams and something could be completed soon for both players although nothing is expected to occur in the next few hours.
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Season 5 BRHL 1 Champion Season 1 BRHL Euro Champion Season 1 BRHL Juniors Champion
