Team: 2019-20 Ottawa Senators

Initial Creation Date: Jul. 2, 2019

Published: Jul. 2, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

The lines I expect to start the season.

Here are my thoughts from July 1st:

1) CECI TRADE

- WAY overdue: Ottawa finally traded Ceci! I still believe he's an NHL player if slotted in the 4-5-6 spot. He's got good tools and is well-liked by his teammates, but has brutal defensive awareness. Will be interesting to see if he can find his game in Toronto - as Zibanejad did in NY (I doubt it). Prediction: He'll be a UFA next year.

- Carcone, Harpur and Luchuk are nothing more than a minor leaguer/depth players.

- Zaitsev contract doesn't look good for what he brings, but I do think he's a better player than Ceci. We'll see if he finds his game. Ottawa has extremely talented/mobile LHDs, so maybe that's what he needed.

- Brown is the one player that I am interested/excited to see him play - he'll get an excellent opportunity to become a top 6 / top 9 forward in the NHL.

- All in all: Not mad or happy with the trade. I wish the Sens would have gotten more from the TML for taking on the five remaining years of Zaitsev, but contrary to what I thought, there was probably a market for Zaitsev around the league (e.g. Vancouver)

2) Free agent signings

- Hainsey: I like it. He'll be nothing but a mentor next year to the young guys. The Sens will probably flip him out at the deadline.

- Ennis: I like it. Another skilled/good character guy who will help the bottom 6.

- Szwarz: Good minor league depth. Will help Bellville tremendously.

3) TO DO

- I think Ottawa is done in term of UFAs and Trades until next season.

- So now they need to focus on there internal assets!!! SIGN RFAS AND CHABOT. I will not be happy until white and Chabot are locked-in long term.



Previous Thoughts:

PRE DRAFT THOUGHTS: https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/edit/1146982
POST DEADLINE THOUGHTS 2019: https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/1058955