Team: 2018-19 Ottawa Senators

Initial Creation Date: May 28, 2018

Published: May 28, 2018

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Got the idea from Claesson4Norris - Just my opinion on how I would shape a ARI trade with the same concept. Concept being: the 5th overall + Strome a blue chip prospect who just had a great 1st professional season.

They receive Karlsson to run the ice every night with fellow countryman OEL who resigns there to play his career with him. I would imagine ARI would still like to have a selection in the 1st round of the 2018 draft and I feel like the Sens would also need to get a RHD back to fill some of the gap; hence Demers. He is on a cheaper contract and Sens have control for 3 seasons.
1st line = Team Canada
2nd line = Team USA (although, I'd probably swap Stone and Dzingle given how well Dzingle slid in with Duchene and Hoffmanov)
Trades: Smith is a vet, shows up and plays all 82 games. Not sure if it's CAL or someone else but his contract needs to go to keep Euge happy (#MelnykOUT)
WSH saves ~2million and gets a younger player. 2Million could be used to keep Carlson.
BUF - Armchair fans seem to be throwing his rights away for as little as a 4th rounder here and I'd be happy to see him play for the sens again...Maybe Andy makes chicken and goes LTIR again. Who knows.
ANA - in the trend of missing past players, I bring back Silf. A solid top 9 guy in exchange for Pageau who I think will be nicely replaced by Strome.

Bury Pyatt as Paajarvi is more effective on the left side and bury Burrows because, well, Burrows.

I believe either Strome or White can slide into that 2C spot next season. White did very well in the Worlds there. It's not the most terrifying top 12 you'll see but we were promised youth and this could be some fun next year.

On the Defence side of things Chabot will have every opportunity to shine and should top 40pts. He'll have a competent partner and they should be able to hold their own. Wolanin impressed me with his short stay at the end of 17/18 and gets dibs on the 2nd line LHD spot and Demers is probably pretty comfortable in the 2nd RHD spot. The bottom pair is still a disaster but I'll take a chance that Jaros or Wideman can fill it and both Harpur and Boro would have to be moved before Claesson would get his chance again; sadly. A smart team would make a mid round pitch for him and likely get him.

Who would I draft at 4&5? Assuming Svech and Zadina are selected 2/3. I would probably put Walhstrom/Hughes/Boquist in a hat and draw two names. Boquist is supposed to be the most talented (aka Karlsson 2.0) defenceman of the draft but will be a few years before playing. Hughes is impressive and will make the jump the quickest of the three most likely and Walhstrom looks like a lock to be a consistent 30 goal RW. I think I'd go Walhstrom and Boquist. Chabot Boquist as a 1-2 would be really exciting.

Formenton gets a 9 game look and Luchuk, Jaros, Batherson, Perron and Gagne should all also get looks on the big club this year.

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