sens trying to sign alfie to extension

http://www.thefourthperiod.com/ott24.html (today's report)

http://www.thefourthperiod.com/ott23.html (yesterday's report)

Apparently he wants a long-term deal... and wants to stay in Ottawa.

http://www.thefourthperiod.com/ott24.html (today's report)

http://www.thefourthperiod.com/ott23.html (yesterday's report)

Apparently he wants a long-term deal... and wants to stay in Ottawa.

Well, he's looking for too much, IMO, if he's asking for $35 over 5 years. That's a lot of money for the Sens to commit to post-CBA for a player who will start decling in output over the next few years.

The Sens should be looking at a 3 or 4 year deal in the neighbourhood of $6 mil per year. The market for UFA's will not be as high this summer because of tentativeness due to the lockout, and Alfie will not be able to command the money that UFA's have traditionally been able to get.

Signing Alfie to a long-term deal would be a mistake, IMO. He's meant so much to this organization, but Havlat deserves to be on a scoring line--he can't stew on the third line forever. Time to make room for Martin.

Signing Alfie to a long-term deal would be a mistake, IMO. He's meant so much to this organization, but Havlat deserves to be on a scoring line--he can't stew on the third line forever. Time to make room for Martin.

You dont trade a ppg captain when he hasnt does anything to piss the coach or other players off.

Playing 3rd line in Detroit hasnt exactly hindered Brett Hull.

I could see a long term deal heavy on incentives in the final couple years.

Something tells me this thing gets done at some point. Probably not the $7mil a year average, but maybe close to $7mil the next couple of years.

Flip side is that he could be leveraged for a couple of decent returns?

You dont trade a ppg captain when he hasnt does anything to piss the coach or other players off.

Playing 3rd line in Detroit hasnt exactly hindered Brett Hull.

Hull hasn't played on the 3rd line in Detroit. His line has been the top line every year he's been in MoTown. The 3rd line in Detroit has usually been the Grind line of Maltby, Draper, and McCarty.

But I'll admit, you can't really deal Alfie NOW, when the Sens are poised for a Cup run. I'm not sure how you go about this, but I don't think you sign him to a multi-year deal.

Havlat and Hossa are the future of this franchise. Whatever your reasoning, having too many talented right wings is a good problem to have. :)

Hull hasn't played on the 3rd line in Detroit. His line has been the top line every year he's been in MoTown. The 3rd line in Detroit has usually been the Grind line of Maltby, Draper, and McCarty.

But I'll admit, you can't really deal Alfie NOW, when the Sens are poised for a Cup run. I'm not sure how you go about this, but I don't think you sign him to a multi-year deal.

Havlat and Hossa are the future of this franchise. Whatever your reasoning, having too many talented right wings is a good problem to have. :)

Although most people will disagree with you, I agree that signing Alfie to a long-term deal would be a large mistake by this franchise with the new CBA coming into effect. He's turning 31 next week and signing him to the aforementioned 5 year deal would seriously restrict this franchise in re-signing players such as Hossa, Havlat and Spezza in the future.

I think the Sens have to seriously make an attempt to sign Alfie. He's a good leader, an asset to the organization.

I heard the talking heads on the pre-game show talk about that 5 year, 35 million figure too. Ouch. I would give Alfie a 4 year, 24 million (6 per yr) contract maybe throw in 1 or 2 million as a signing bonus. If he wants more, well maybe they should wait until after the playoffs... if the Sens go deep, they'll have extra bucks to sweeten the pot. I'd prefer to have his contract front-end loaded. so the Sens don't choke on this later if a cap or luxury tax gets introduced.

Alrighty...it's prediction time.

Alfie is going no where. He'll sign here.

I'm thinking a 3 year/19 million dollar deal.

Why? It's a deal that'll probably end up paying him above average for UFA's after the CBA expires, but is reasonable enough for the sens pocket book.

My only concern in regards to Alfie signing a "reasonable contract" is his status with the NHLPA. In case you didn't know, he's on the board of governors (or something to that effect) and they are the one's that push players to hold out for more money.

I'm waiting with baited breath on this one for sure...

Here's to hoping that Hugo learns to talk soon and tells him he wants to grow up in Ottawa! ;)

I think $35/5 is about right, value wise. Alfie's been producing at the level of other point-a-game UFA captains (Modano, Sundin). Alfie deserves to be paid on par with those guys, and if Ottawa wants a shorter contract, they should pay him more money than that.

Of course, as a fan, I want Alfie in Ottawa at any price, but there are fiscal realities.

Other Dave

Alfredsson is still arguably Ottawa's best offensive player. Though Hossa had more goals last season, Alfie has outscored Hossa over the last 3 seasons and is pretty close in goals. I'm not trying to make an argument that Alfie is better offensively than Hossa, but rather that he is at the very least our #2 offensive weapon. If we lose our #2 offensive weapon for absolutely nothing, it would be a huge blow to the organization and would set us back at least a year (as losing Yash did). There is enough playing time in Ottawa for 3 top scoring lines, so I don't think that Alfie is holding back Havlat, especially since all 3 RW play on the sam PP unit. This team should be improving every year - not regressing by losing one of their 2 PPG players.

Deal that I want to see:

4 years 24-26 mil.

being an outside source meaning no homerism/bias. I would say sign him for three year 18 million dollar contract with performace incentives and a club option for a 4th year at a little more.

I think the Sens will let Alfredsson go.

They would be wise to save their money for younger guys like Havlat, Hossa, Redden, and Spezza whose salaries are only going in one direction from now on.

You still have two star RW in Havlat/Hossa.

being an outside source meaning no homerism/bias. I would say sign him for three year 18 million dollar contract with performace incentives and a club option for a 4th year at a little more.
I think thats exactly the kind of deal that Alfie should get.

being an outside source meaning no homerism/bias. I would say sign him for three year 18 million dollar contract with performace incentives and a club option for a 4th year at a little more.
agreed