If the end of year press conference with Pierre Dorion is of any indication

Too close to the cap for Dorion's liking

Yeah, that's pretty much what I was going to say. I can't imagine you say "Naw, we're not spending to the cap until we sell out 41 home games a year", then turn around and be like "Butttttt, we'll get 'er close!".

I feel bad about how poorly Sens fans have been treated, and I hope I'm wrong, but I'd assume the OP is spot on, minus the Giroux signing.

I would hope Sens are smart enough to take Nazar or Yurov over Kemell.

If Nikita Zaitsev is on the opening night roster, Dorion has failed.

He doesn't have to be traded, at least bury him in the minors until we need the cap space.

The problem I see for the senators is the executor of melnick's estate until the team is either transferred to the family or sold is legally bound to do what's in the best financial interest of the estate not the team so the team might become more tightwad with the money.