My last armchair gm

Team: 2024-25 Ottawa Senators

Initial Creation Date: Jun. 23, 2024

Published: Jun. 23, 2024

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

*Very Long Read

Draft:

Ottawa Selects with the 7th overall pick
Berkley Catton
Ht/Wt:5'11"/170 lbs
Position: C
Team: Spokane (WHL)

a hard-driving game, is relentless in puck pursuit and has a compete level too good to ignore. Catton became the third WHL draft-eligible skater since 2000 to top 115 points in a season, joining Bedard (143 points in 2022-23) and Nic Petan (120 in 2012-13)."

Ottawa Selects with the 25th overall pick
EJ Emery
Ht/Wt:6' 3"/181 lbs
Position: RHD
Team: US NTDP

(6-3, 183) impressed with his high-end athleticism during the NHL Scouting Combine, after already standing out with his smarts, skating and defensive ability. The 18-year-old right-handed shot likely won't be a big offensive contributor but should develop into a very good complement to a high-end offensive-minded defenseman."

Trades:

Ottawa is the likely landing spot for Ullmark, Boston wants a D back and Ottawa is willing to give up Chychrun, and give Boston a cheaper backup in Forsberg while creating salary and picks for their troubles. Another option for Ottawa is running it back with the current duo.

Both Brannstrom and Kaliyev are looking for a change of scenery, I could see this trade just being one for one but won't be surprised if Ottawa needs to throw in a mid-pick to get this done. Kaliyev is scoring way below than he should, giving him time with Greig and JVR will probably make him a 30-40 point scorer. The guy also has a great shot. Other options for that 3RW position are keeping Joseph or moving JVR to that right side.

Reports state that Ottawa is interested in bringing in Brandon Tanev and is also looking to dump Joseph to bring him in, while Joseph alone could probably get it done, the salary retention makes the pick necessary. Brandon Tanev honestly doesn't add much to this team other than luring his brother Chris Tanev and veteran experience and physicality, so 4th line will do. Other options are just keeping Joseph or dumping him for a mid-rounds pick.

Kastelic is likely gone, I wouldn't mind keeping him but also if we're getting any assets for him I'll take it.

I apologize in advance to Philly fans, I'm not sure about the value of Zamula, but I'm hoping this is enough, a B-level (JBD) prospect and a possible A-level prospect (Boucher)if the guy can stay healthy, but at worst will be a bottom 6 guy, and a 3rd round pick. Zamula adds depth scoring and good defensive metrics to the team. Could move up in the lineup / play on the powerplay if an injury occurs. Other Options include calling up Kleven, Keeping JBD, Keeping Brannstrom, signing Calvin De Haan or singing Alec Martinez.

Free Agency:

Ottawa is likely going to target vets in free agency so these signings will reflect that.

If Ottawa can get Brandon Tanev I think Chris Tanev becomes more possible, likely will still need a slight overpay to come to Ottawa. Chris Tanev is a Big RHD who will play a shutdown role next to Sanderson which will allow Sanderson to be more of an Offensive producer next season, like 60-70 Points. Other options are Matt Roy, Tyler Myers, Brett Pesce, Brandon Montour or Sean Walker, either way, Ottawa should end up with a more defensive-minded RHD this Free Agency.

Signing a vet like James Van Riemsdyk who can still put up around half a point a game will be huge for the middle 6, amazing offensive metrics for a 35-year-old, could also (god forgive) play that second line if Norris gets injured. Also has good defensive metrics so will help the bottom 6 massively. Other Options are moving Brandon Tanev up to the 3rd line, Signing Dakota Joshua, or keeping Joseph.

Calvin De Haan is an Ottawa native and has shown interest in coming to Ottawa on Twitter, he's a cheap depth option who can play either side, plays a smart reliable game, is nothing flashy but gets the job done, and also provides veteran presence to the lockerroom for the backend. Other Options are Calling Up Klevin, Keeping JBD, Keeping Brannstrom or Signing Tyler Myers.

Cal Clutterbuck is the exact type of vet Ottawa needs in the bottom 6, plays a very physical game and is never afraid to get in front of the puck. Great for the penalty kill. Other options are Crookshank, Kelly, Keeping Kastelic or SIgning Zach Aston-Reese.

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare is a very defensive forward who would be perfect in a shutdown role and penalty kill, also is a very experienced player.

Miscellaneous notes:

Kelly's Contract needs to be a 2-way contract. This allows for free movement between the younger players if theirs an injury, Kleven, Halliday, Crookshank, Jarventie, Guenette and Sogaard can all move up and down freely with the cap space provided, and will, give us a nice sense of security in case of injury.

I don't think giving Korpisalo one more year is a bad idea if we can afford it, cause if he bounces back that tandem will be deadly.

Calvin De Haan can be the 7th Defenceman but I think Kleven should be given a buffer for one more year so he's not just given a spot and has to earn it, but also allows that spot to not be taken by another player who needs ice time.

Yes, that 4th line is old, but again the young guys in the system can move up freely and can slot in if a player is struggling or injured.

1st line - This line should be able to bounce back and hopefully be all point-per-game players, my prediction: Tkachuk 33G-54A-87P , Stutzle 37G-59A-96P , Giroux 21G-52a-73P

2nd line - moving Norris to the wing should hopefully help him out, have him just worry about getting goals, and leave the puck getting to Pinto and Batherson. Pinto will add a good Two-way game to the line with decent scoring and Batherson will be dishing the puck to Noriss and hopefully, Norris gets his scoring touch back.
My Prediction: Norris 41g-26a-67P , Pinto 22G-28A-50P , Batherson 19G-52A-71P

3rd line - A new look 3rd line, JVR adds a vet presence with a good all-around game, Greig adds youth and that Powerford-type game and Kaliyev an elite shooter could really add a scoring touch to that bottom 6.
My Prediction: JVR 12G-25A-37P , Greig 19G-22A-41P , Kaliyev 22G-17A-39P

4th line - A vet line that will be only used in defensive situations, won't put up many points at all, but lots of blocks and hits.
My Prediction: B. Tanev 5G-6A-11P , Bellemare 3G-4A-7P , Clutterbuck 8G-6A-14P

1st Paring - Sanderson and Chris Tanev will be up there with one of the better pairings in the league, Sanderson both offensively capable and defensively capable with Tanev being one of the best defensive defencemen in the league. Elite 1st paring which will eat heavy minutes.
My Prediction: Sanderson 15G-53A-68p , C. Tanev 6G-15A-21P

2nd Pairing - Chabot will be purely used offensively, let Zub stay back and just play a shutdown role, fairly let him join the rush. Let Chabot excel at what he does best and let Zub excel at what he does best, should be a great second pairing judging it was our first pairing for a long time.
My Prediction Chabot 11G-54A-65P , Zub 4G-7A-11P

3rd Pairing - should play a purely shutdown pairing role but Zamula can put in some offence if needed but shouldn't put up many points in that 3rd pairing.
My Prediction: Zamula 5G-11A-16P , De Haan 3G-6A-9P

Goalie Tandem - If Korpisalo can bounce back then this tandem could be one of the league's best, Ullmark has amazing HDSV% which will help bail this team out if needed.
My Prediction: Ullmark 921SV% - 2.45GAA , Korpisalo 912SV% - 2.89 GAA

Team Prediction: 46W-29L-7OTL-100PTS (3rd in Atlantic)

*ALL PREDICTIONS ARE BASED ON AN 82GP SEASON AND NO INJURIES OR SETBACKS, IT OBVIOULSY WILL NEVER HAPPEN FOR THE ENTIRE TEAM.

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