Roman Hamrlik

Lets say in the offseason, Muckler trades Redden to the Oilers, as he doesn't want to lose him for nothing in a year. The Oil could sign Wade long-term as he is local, and they will have the money, with no stars anymore. The Sens would get a Havlat like package, only better as top defensemen are harder to find.


Then, the Sens sign Hamrlik (UFA) to replace Redden as our #1. Hamrlik is good offensively, and decent defensively. He would be cheaper than Redden, perhaps $ 5 million. Also, the Sens had planned to make Roman their first draft pick in 1992, but Tampa took him first, leading to the Yashin selection.

How's this defense corps for next year ?

Phillips--Volchenkov
Hamrlik--Meszaros
Corvo--Schubert

This would leave more money to resign Emery, Phillips, Volchenkov, etc.


How would you feel with Hamrlik as our #1 defenseman ???

A Roman Centurion ?


Any other players you would consider signing instead ?

How would you feel with Hamrlik as our #1 defenseman ???

A Roman Centurion ?


Any other players you would consider signing instead ?

Hamrlik would not be the number one defenceman over Phillips, Volchenkov and hopefully an improved Meszaros.

He is a player that i wouldn't mind having in Ottawa, given how he was the guy we thought we were going to draft in our first year, with the "Roman" theme already planned for a marketing campaign.

The only reason I would consider Hamrlik the #1 is that he has quite a bit more offensive game than Chris or Anton, but isn't far behind them in the defensive game.

Isn't Hamrlik on Calgary's top pairing with Regehr ?

I'd rather see the sens sign a tough defensive defensmen like Hannan, O'Donnell, Rivet or someone with playoff experience like Sydor, Hill, Lukowich.

Hamerlik is just more of the same type of player Ottawa fan have been trying to get rid of. Actually, Mezs has more blocked shot and more hits than Hamerlik. They have pretty much the same amount of points but Hamerlik plays more. The only difference is that Hamerlik is plus21. But Mesz was leading the league in +/- most of the year last season.

Honestly, I'd rather see the team get some real toughness, experience and leadership back there than bringing a guy who is going to play the mins Schubert and Mesz should get. If Corvo is still here and we lose Preissing, we'd have to fill the void of a right handed defensman.

Hamrlik is a guy I've always liked and would really like to have here in Ottawa, even if Flames fans have complained about his defense at times. Maybe it's from all the draft-day talk about him in this team's early days, as other have mentioned.

He's definatly more physical than Redden and blocks more shots. He also puts up similar numbers. And the fact he logs the most even-strength minutes on a deep Calgary defese behind only Phaneuf is nice to see. He can also be a good PP option, likely getting more shots through than in-the-shinpads Redden, along with playing some PK.

The sticking point for me is that he's currently making 3.5M and I'm not sure what type of raise he's expecting. Although the Flames may be looking to cut a blueliner loose for more cap-room up front (or to re-sign Kipper next year) it's also quite likely they simply decide to keep him.

Even at 5M, though I'm not sure I'd sign him for that price, he's a good 1.5M cheaper than Redden. And it sets up intriguing pairings. I'd likely go with what the thread-starter suggested to start:

Phillips - Volcheknov
Hamrlik - Meszaros ----> I've got a feeling they gel better than what we currently have with Wade. Czech mates (even though Mez is Slovak)
Schubert - Corvo/Preissing ------> I don't think both will be around next year. Either Corvo will be moved for his contract or we will deem it too costly to re-sigin Preissing.

I doubt this happens though......

Any other players you would consider signing instead ?

I'd rather get Smith back for 1 year, then the following summer either sign Regehr or steal Phaneuf from Calgary on a 5-5.5M deal. Since they also have to sign Iginla and Kipper that summer they may not be able to match it. Heck maybe just keep Redden lose him for nothing and replace him with Phaneuf...

Phaneuf - Meszaros
Phillips - Volchenkov
Corvo - Preissing(Schubert)

That top 4 would be rediculous.

The only reason I would consider Hamrlik the #1 is that he has quite a bit more offensive game than Chris or Anton, but isn't far behind them in the defensive game.

Isn't Hamrlik on Calgary's top pairing with Regehr ?

Hamrlik is usually partnered with Phaneuf.

Hamrlik has been the Flames best defenseman this season. He will have another solid three years in him. I could see him commanding 4-4.5 million dollars on the open market. Plays 25 minutes a night, in all situations, on pace for 40 points. He is a number one defenseman.

If we were to trade Redden and sign Hamrlik I would be happy. Hamrlik is a good dman, but will cost a lot less. If he was 4 I would jump all over it. 5 might be a bit much.

I have come to the conlusion that in a cap world I would rather have a bunch of 3-4 million dollar dmen than one 7 million dollar guy. Give me 3 Chris Phillips and three Preissings any day.

Dmen who are UFA that would interest me if we traded Redden:

No particluar order, I have left off Souray and Markov because I think they will be $$$. Also, if we trade Redden I am assuming we keep Preissing.

Hamrlik
Timmonen
Vishnevski
Rafalski (prob too $$$ and will stay a devil)
Sean Hill
Scott Hannan
Craig Rivet
Sami Salo (prob $$$)
I might also take Aucoin if Chicago would agree.

Kimmo

Hannan's UFA ?


He just went to the top of my list, along with Hamrlik. I'd be happy with either one.

I have come to the conclusion that in a cap world I would rather have a bunch of 3-4 million dollar dmen than one 7 million dollar guy. Give me 3 Chris Phillips and three Preissings any day.

I've had the same opinion for a while too. Although I think cap management demands 2 Chris Phillips, 2 Preissings and 2 younger players on cheap deals.

Hannan's UFA ?

According to the unoffical UFA list on the main board.

Ralph, I also agree. The big thing I think you need from your defence is consistency. That can be provided better by a large group of good, but not great dmen compared to a group that has one great and various ranges. More specifcally, if that one great gets hurt or starts to suck, you're screwed.

The argument, I think, is reversed on forward. There I would pay for top dollar for elite players, as they can make a game breaking difference.

Just to be clear, I don't mean put all your money in forwards, I'd still spend on d, just spread out over a bunch of guys.

Hamrlik is usually partnered with Phaneuf.

Really? Last I heard (which admittedly was a while ago) Phaneuf was partnered with Robyn Regehr, the infamous "Splatman and Robyn" duo.

Timonen would be my #1 choice if we traded Redden..

Really? Last I heard (which admittedly was a while ago) Phaneuf was partnered with Robyn Regehr, the infamous "Splatman and Robyn" duo.

Hamrlik has been playing with Phaneuf for a good chunk of the season. Regehr has regressed a bit this year but that might be because he has been over shadowed by the top pair.

I have come to the conlusion that in a cap world I would rather have a bunch of 3-4 million dollar dmen than one 7 million dollar guy. Give me 3 Chris Phillips and three Preissings any day.

2006 eastern conference final comes to mind. Buffalo and Carolina both had noname defense. If we are going to have a expensive dman. It should be a dominant one.

I wanted Muckler to keep Redden instead of Chara cause I thought he would sign for less... I was right, but I didn't expect him to have that much money 6,5M$.

I don't like the idea of bringing another 4-5 M$ defensemen like Hamrlik. We lost a shut down man in Chara. Volchenkov has been great this year but someone has to take his 5th dman spot of last year.

I have come to the conlusion that in a cap world I would rather have a bunch of 3-4 million dollar dmen than one 7 million dollar guy. Give me 3 Chris Phillips and three Preissings any day.
I'm a big fan of this idea for forwards, too, but that's another thread ;)

As for this one, I'm OK with Hamrilik at around $4M. Depends on what happens with Redden, though. I think Chicago would be a good trading partner, with Aucoin and a younger player coming back.

Any chance of stealing Boucher from the Stars?

Any chance of stealing Boucher from the Stars?

I wish.

I wish.

I would happily depart with Redden for Boucher... but it will never happen. If Boucher goes anywhere, Dallas management needs to be shot.

Any chance of stealing Boucher from the Stars?

Sure isn't.

Craig Rivet
I might also take Aucoin if Chicago would agree.

Rivet's not on my list at all. Unless for some reason he takes about a million/season and plays bottom pairing minutes. At best, he provides a little bit of everything... at worst we'll be wondering if he can do anything competently at all.

Aucoin at $4M is a very bad deal. If he spends a lot of that time on the IR, it'll be even worse.

I think I'd prefer to sign Redden-lite (Preissing) to a Corvo like deal if he'll accept it, promoting Schubert and work on getting a new spare defenseman like Barinka. If we have problems, they can be settled at the deadline... but I'm not sure that we will.

Really? Last I heard (which admittedly was a while ago) Phaneuf was partnered with Robyn Regehr, the infamous "Splatman and Robyn" duo.

Phaneuf-Hamrlik
Stuart-Regehr

pretty set pairings now.

I'd rather see the sens sign a tough defensive defensmen like Hannan, O'Donnell, Rivet or someone with playoff experience like Sydor, Hill, Lukowich.

Or just get Jason Smith back in a Redden trade...

Or just get Jason Smith back in a Redden trade...

Good idea , because sens need character and gritty player . Jason Smith is the capitain of Oilers , and he also have been to the Stanley Cup final .

Timonen would easily be my #1 choice if we traded Redden, although I'd like to think the Sens would want a defenseman back in any trade with Redden. I think Timonen will re-sign with Nashville though.

If we were to trade Redden and sign Hamrlik I would be happy. Hamrlik is a good dman, but will cost a lot less. If he was 4 I would jump all over it. 5 might be a bit much.

I have come to the conlusion that in a cap world I would rather have a bunch of 3-4 million dollar dmen than one 7 million dollar guy. Give me 3 Chris Phillips and three Preissings any day.

I agree with all that. 5 mil seems a lot to me, but at 4 (to 4.5) I like it. And your second paragraph - so totally with that! ;)

I think Chicago would be a good trading partner, with Aucoin and a younger player coming back.

From what I know, we don't want any part of Aucoin...don't know what he costs but he's been pretty bad in Chicago.

although I'd like to think the Sens would want a defenseman back in any trade with Redden.

I would think so. Unless we had signed a D before trading Wade, otherwise you would think we would want something cheaper (but reliable) coming back.

No one wants to re-sign Preissing.... Amazing.

Anyways they should deal Redden and just put Schubert back where he belongs. Then Saprykin gets in the lineup.

With the Redden money this team can afford to give, Preissing, Phillips, Saprykin, Emery and Comrie raises/re-sign them.

Dont think there will be extra money left over to re-sign anyone significant.

Lets say in the offseason, Muckler trades Redden to the Oilers, as he doesn't want to lose him for nothing in a year. The Oil could sign Wade long-term as he is local, and they will have the money, with no stars anymore. The Sens would get a Havlat like package, only better as top defensemen are harder to find.


Then, the Sens sign Hamrlik (UFA) to replace Redden as our #1. Hamrlik is good offensively, and decent defensively. He would be cheaper than Redden, perhaps $ 5 million. Also, the Sens had planned to make Roman their first draft pick in 1992, but Tampa took him first, leading to the Yashin selection.

How's this defense corps for next year ?

Phillips--Volchenkov
Hamrlik--Meszaros
Corvo--Schubert

This would leave more money to resign Emery, Phillips, Volchenkov, etc.


How would you feel with Hamrlik as our #1 defenseman ???

A Roman Centurion ?


Any other players you would consider signing instead ?

So you are going to let Redden go only to pay Hamerlik 5 million per??

You are nuts.

Indeed. If that's the gulf between a 6.5 and 5 million dollar defenseman, I'd just bite the bullet and pay the extra money. You really want to be tied up with $5 million in Hamrlik when Spezza and Heatley's contracts come up?

If we want an affordable defenseman I think we're going to have to do it via a trade, because the free agent market inflates everything excessively. Otherwise we're better off with what we have now. We're only one summer into exorbitant rates for defensemen; in 3 or 4 years every decent defenseman will be making $5+...

Indeed. If that's the gulf between a 6.5 and 5 million dollar defenseman, I'd just bite the bullet and pay the extra money.

That's a really good point. I am in the "Trade Wade" camp, barring a phenomenal playoff run. He's a good defenseman, there is no way he's worth 6.5 million to the team. However, if a player like Hamrlik is going to cost us 5 million, we are better off keeping Redden.

I'd rather keep Redden than have Hamrlik.We've alrady seen how well signing 35+ players has worked out for the Devils.

Or just get Jason Smith back in a Redden trade...

Jason Smith and some ther gritty Oilers players like Torres, Moreau or Staios could be a great addition to Ottawa's young team. I liked the way Edmonton,s players battled, blocked shots and hit everything that moved during their cup run.

No one wants to re-sign Preissing.... Amazing.



I do. It will require moving Corvo or Redden though.

Hannan's UFA ?


He just went to the top of my list, along with Hamrlik. I'd be happy with either one.

He is.....I've wanted him on this team for years, let's cross our fingers.

Redden goes to Edmonton for package of prospects, we then sign Hannan to replace him and everyone lives happily ever after. Our defence, as in defence in our own end, would be unbeleivable with Phillips, the train and Hannan.

I'd rather keep Redden than have Hamrlik.We've alrady seen how well signing 35+ players has worked out for the Devils.

Its a good thing Hamrlik is 32 years old then.

meh, Hamrlik will probably take 5 million on a longer term deal. I'd rather swallow an extra 1.5 million for Redden and have the option of walking away after next season.

I do. It will require moving Corvo or Redden though.

This team cannot afford to lose both Redden and Pressing this summer. They are the two best outlet passes on the team.

I dont think Hamrlik brings that much more to what this team needs then Preissing. Not at that price tag atleast.

Think about all the raises this summer.

Emery, Volchenkov, Phillips, Comrie, Saprykin and Preissing all need to be re-signed. I dont even think the Redden money can cover them.

I'd say we need three shutdown specialists (instead of the two we have now) so Phillips, Train, and perhaps Hannan? That trio would mean we need the other three to include some good offensive Dmen, which means keeping Preissing and Corvo, possibly Mesz. If we have three shut downers anchoring the Defensive responsibilities, we can tell the other three to just go out and develop their offensive side as much as possible.

Mesz' struggles have been mostly in the defensive end, offensively he has 7 goals and over 30 points (half decent)...he'd probbaly do better if we were able to simply tell him: look buddy, we have a great Hannan to pair you with, just go out and score goals & generate points, and leave the defensive stuff to your partner.

This team cannot afford to lose both Redden and Pressing this summer. They are the two best outlet passes on the team.

I dont think Hamrlik brings that much more to what this team needs then Preissing. Not at that price tag atleast.

Think about all the raises this summer.

Emery, Volchenkov, Phillips, Comrie, Saprykin and Preissing all need to be re-signed. I dont even think the Redden money can cover them.

Why in hell do we need to sign Saprykin for..?? Muckler has handcuffed his coach two years in a row bringing a soft underacheaving forward (Saprykin-Arnason) instead of a playoff proven veteran or a tough Dman.

I'd rather see us sign our UFA like Phillips, McAmmond and maybe another UFA with playoff experience next summer and keep our core of young draftees players like Schubert, Kelly, Volchenkov and Emery. We don't really need Saprykin.....

BTW. I don,t mind if we sign Comrie, but nothing more than 2,0-2,5M$/year.

Why in hell do we need to sign Saprykin for..?? Muckler has handcuffed his coach two years in a row bringing a soft underacheaving forward (Saprykin-Arnason) instead of a playoff proven veteran or a tough Dman.

I'd rather see us sign our UFA like Phillips, McAmmond and maybe another UFA with playoff experience next summer and keep our core of young draftees players like Schubert, Kelly, Volchenkov and Emery. We don't really need Saprykin.....

BTW. I don,t mind if we sign Comrie, but nothing more than 2,0-2,5M$/year.

Are you talking about the same Oleg Saprykin?

Comrie is making 3 million, no chance he takes any less.

He is a player that i wouldn't mind having in Ottawa, given how he was the guy we thought we were going to draft in our first year, with the "Roman" theme already planned for a marketing campaign.

I can't let this go because you raise such a great example of the early Senators' management incompetence. Not only did they not get the chance to pick the Roman Senator (they were convinced Espo would take Todd Warrener with the first pick, leaving them with the Hamrlik, and had to scramble and pick Yashin) but they continued the draft plan that they had in place when they thought they would pick Hamrlik -- drafting fellow Czecks to make him feel at home -- Tomas Jelinek (the father figure) and Radek Hamr (the terribly undersized fellow Czech defenceman-brother figure).

Hamrlik would be an interesting pick up, But I want Redden.

Deal Corvo, sign Priessing. You get the better defensemen all around, and get some extra assests, perhaps a prospect defensmen to QB Bingo's PP. This is what I'd like to see.