Jason Smith would be the perfect fit in Ottawa
 

Sorry if this has been posted before, I don't look at this forum very often. Anyways, it doesn't look like Edmonton will make the playoffs and in that case they'll probably be a seller. I think that Jason Smith would be a perfect fit in Ottawa. He's a quality rough, crease clearing defenceman who brings great leadership and a good personality too. What do you think it would take for Ottawa to get him and do you think this could be the deal that Muckler is working on?

They've started selling by dumping off Steve Valiquette, Dwight Helminen and a 2nd for Petr Nedved and Jussi Markkanen

I doubt Lowe would move him now (even though I might be inclined to), and very unlikely without OTT paying thru the teeth.

yup buying Nedved sure is selling the team away

Lowe just signalled he is a buyer... for now. Could he become a seller in the next five days? Perhaps, but right now he has indicated that he wants to make a last dash at a playoff spot.

I didn't say that they were selling now, but by the trade deadline if things go downhill they will be selling. Obviously this trade won't happen now, but in a weeks time it very well could.

What I mean to say is that the next 2 or 3 games will probably determine Edmontons status.

That is probably accurate. He doesn't have a lot of time to go from buyer to seller mode, though.

I don't know enough about Rachunek but, if he can QB a powerplay, than I am all over this deal. Ulanov, Staios, and Smith play pretty much the same with smith being the best of the three. We have a surplus of physical dmen and need a puckhandling dman.

Ottawa's not into paying thru the teeth. They have picks and prospects to trade in an effort to get better, and won't move effective roster players at the deadline.

Other Dave

When you consider that Ottawa's top 4 defenseman are on average OVER 20 lbs heavier than the Leafs top 4, you wonder if Smith is really what we need....

Ya, Chara doesn't skew the average or anything...

Take him out of the equation, and they're still at least 10 pounds bigger.

That's just the top 4. Add in Volchenkov, Simpson and Hnidy, and I think the original point still remains.

Ottawa Defencmen = BIG

Big yes, physical ? Outside of Chara I think no. They could definitely use a guy like Smith. I just don't think he is available

why turn this thread into leafs vs. sens???

Smith is certainly available. It won't be a salary dump, so it will cost teams something to get him, but I would say he is definatly available.

The Oilers need a puck moving D-man in return.

I don't think he would be available.After that trade with Nedved,he's sending a message he wants to make the playoffs.
Although i would look into Brenden Witt and Keith Karney.
Pothier +3rd/2d for Witt

I agree. The Senators could use the snarl that Smith brings. I suspect, however, that Lowe would want Smith to bring back roster player(s) as part of a package in return, something Muckler does not want to do at this time.

Yep.. methinks the only deal Smith will go in is one that nabs the Oilers a puckmoving d-man for the powerplay (Rachunek?).

I feel like starting up a 'Chara would be a perfect fit in the Edmonton Mall' thread.

The Oil have two games (Blues tonight, Hawks Sunday) before the deadline. They can hardly determine whether they will make the playoffs just as a result of those two games.

Lowe is going to do what he can to make the playoffs, and his job may be on the line. He might have even promised to quit if the Nedved deal doesn't work out - there is no surrender in him. Even a Sens fan like me can clearly see that.

The following reasons:
a) I live in the Leafs region so get to see them play alot
b) They are on of the BEST teams in the East who just acquired a defensemen (which would have in part prompted this thread)
c) I had just run the numbers to shut up a silly Leaf fan on another board, so was very familiar with them
d) The Leafs are the ONE team that can POSSIBLY "out-grit" us to win, so they are on the top of the heap when it comes to a "grit" acquisition.

It certainly sounds like you are trying to convince yourself.

Physical Ottawa defencemen: Chara, Phillips, Volchenkov, Simpson, Hnidy

I wouldn't turn down an opportunity to land a Smith at a reasonable price, but it's definitely incorrect to say that Ottawa has only 1 physical defenceman.

Do you even watch the Sens play? Phillips is not a very physical guy at all. He throwsa the odd light check, but nothing close to what Smith would bring. Last time I checked, Volchenkov is out with a serious injury and when he gets back we cant expect him to be in full form. Last of all Hnidy is such a bad player he won't see any playoff time. We have 1 very physical, steady dman in Chara, that's it.

Man, are you ever underestimating the allready present physical aspect that is found on the sens blueline. It seems as if you interpret physical play as constantly throwing open ice hits. Most of the Sens blueliners play with a physical edge, Heck I would say that they all play with one(yes even Rachunek). Saying that Chara is the Sens only physical defenseman is a joke. However I would not stop Muckler from acquiring another gritty defenseman in the style of Smith, Witt or Hill.