Forsberg Watch ends

TSN.ca is now reporting that Peter Forsberg will not return to the NHL this season, according to his agent.

This is a lost opportunity for the 'berg and for the Sens. But with his foot still bothering him, it looks like he wouldn't have been much of an addition to any team anyway.

We'll be waiting for you in the fall Peter. The Forsberg Watch graphic can be edited yet again.

Emery Watch: Day 1

Also, the ever-reliable (sarcasm here) Hockey Buzz is reporting that Ray Emery will get the start in net tomorrow despite his loss to the NJ Devils on Saturday night. Is this the end to the 'win and you're in' policy? Our prayers may have been answered.

Forsberg probably a Flyer

According to the Ottawa Sun, the possibility of Ottawa signing Peter Forsberg is unlikely. He's reportedly close to announcing that he's returning to the Philadelphia Flyers.

I don't understand this affinity Forsberg has for the Flyers organization. They traded you before you even played a game in exchange for some other guy... why do you love them so much?

This is too bad. Signing Forsberg wouldn't have cost the Sens anything, so there would still have been the possibility of adding another player into the top six.

Forsberg narrows his options - Sens still in the chase

Peter Forsberg has told a few NHL clubs that he's not interested in their deals. Those teams include Nashville, Dallas, Detroit, and Calgary. With Detroit out of the picture, that whole Stanley-Cup-contender clause leaves Ottawa at the top of the heap with Forsberg's former team, the Philadelphia Flyers as another option.

Could Murray possibly pull off a deal? Here's hoping.

Answers to questions

While looking at the statistics surrounding the Sens Army Blog, I've come across a number of questions, entered into Google searches, that apparently brought up results from yours truly at the Sens Army Blog. In order to provide the fullest experience for readers, we answer some here:

• ottawa senators to practice on snowmobiles: While it is difficult for hockey players to practice while on snowmobiles, two Ottawa Senators have recently communted to practice on their snowmobiles: Ray Emery and Daniel Alfredsson.
• peter forsberg update: Not much to say, really. While Peter Forsberg has been quoted as being "cautiously optimistic" about a return to the NHL this season, it is becoming increasingly unlikely as time passes. Should he return, his preference is said to be to either Philadelphia (though I've no idea why), Colorado, or Nashville.
• what animals eat penguins: You mean aside from the Ottawa Senators, who eat Pittsburgh Penguins and their offspring? Well, it is mostly sharks, killer whales, and leopard seals in the water, and foxes and wild cats can eat wild penguins, as well.
• what does " put the cart before the horse" mean: When you put the cart before the horse, you're assuming a conclusion before proving it; instead of having the horse lead the cart, the cart is in the way of the horse, leading to often terrible consequences. Take, for instance, the Senators assuming that they would trample the Washington Capitals in consecutive games a few weeks ago; they puth the proverbial cart before the horse, and lost two games because of it.
• why florida panthers are getting extinct: The Ottawa Senators, and the rest of the league, keep smoking them. Plus there's loads of poaching and habitat loss that take away their hunting and breeding grounds.
• why does martin gerber have a black mask: The story is a boring and uneventful one. The black mask that has garnered Martin Gerber the nickname "Darth Gerber" is worn because The Gerber has become comfortable in it, and is afraid to switch to the newly-painted mask he has stowed away somewhere. Although some believe it's his silent protest for not being traded, The Gerber has denied that belief.
• eat my ass stories: The searcher of this must have been disappointed when (s)he found my memo to Nick Kypreos instead of stories or videos of an adult nature.
• ray emery fights mcammond: I think you're mistaken; a fight between Dean McAmmond and Emery would likely have ended quite differently than the one which did occur between Emery and Brian McGrattan. As for the fight between Grats and Rayzor, it seems to be water under the bridge as the two friends went out to dinner together the nigh after the brouhaha. Do I hear wedding bells? No word yet, but we will keep you posted.

That's all for this installment of "Answers to questions", hope it was helpful!

Forsberg update: Is it even realistic?

After Ben's post about how unreliable the reports of Peter Forsberg's increasing interest in the Ottawa Senators, I'm going to talk about how unlikely it is that he will sign in Ottawa, regardless of whether or not he wants to. Reports are that Forsberg is seeking a three-year deal worth $5M a year. Aside from the fact that it would be a huge gamble to sign a player with chronic injury problems to such a hefty contract, there's no way of knowing whether or not this is the dominant Peter Forsberg of old, or just and old Peter Forsberg.

In essence, it all boils down to the realities of the salary cap. While it's true that we don't know what exactly the cap number will be for 2008-09, this much we do know: That the Sens already have $35.789M spent in contracts on 13 players, leaving between $15-17M to spend on another 9 players, plus buffer room to account for injuries, callups, and possible trades.

And that nearly $36M doesn't include the following players: Jason Spezza (between $6.5-7.5M a year), Chris Kelly ($1.5-2.5M per year), Patrick Eaves ($1-1.5M per year), Shean Donovan ($1M per year), Wade Redden (who knows... $3.5, if we're lucky), and Andrej Meszaros ($1.5-2.5M per year). Even if you take the lowest of those numbers, it leaves a number of $50.789M on 19 players.

It's a fact that whether or not Forsberg is brought in we will lose players. We're lucky this team has stayed a consistent as it has in recent years. The problem with those six players above is that they've all got something important. Spezza might give away the puck a lot, but you can bet there are 29 teams hoping Ottawa waits so that they can issue an offer sheet. Kelly is a third-liner, and it's true that $1.5M is a lot for that role, but he's so damned good at killing penalties and he seems like a natural leader, so it'd be smart to keep him around. Donovan isn't irreplaceable, but he plays smart and isn't too expensive (and he might take a home-town discount). Redden is the city's whipping boy, but he's still a good defenceman who eats a lot of minutes; who can step up and fill that void? Finally, Meszaros has a pretty good market value because of his potential, but do we want to let that go?

It is inevitable that someone will have to be traded. Two first-string goalies is a luxury we will not be able to afford next year, so either Martin Gerber or Ray Emery will have to be traded. There's a possibility for some movement on the blue line, too. Were Redden to agree to a trade, I'm sure he could move, but if not Joe Corvo is making some good coin for a number-five defenceman, even if he is an offensive specialist.

If the Sens were to sign Forsberg, it would give two bona fide scoring lines and offer that depth that has been so important. But it would cost the depth that gives Ottawa the ability to roll four lines against even the league's best. I guess Bryan Murray will have to decide what is more important.

Forsberg speculation a symptom of boredom

As we're all aware, the Senators haven't played a game in a long time (like a week!). As a couple of sports journalists once told me (let's just say their names rhyme with Save Saylor and Ian Mendes), sometimes you just gotta make some shit up.

When they're nothing to report on, find or make something to report on.

This, I'm sorry to inform you, is the cause of the recent speculation regarding Peter Forsberg's possible signing with Ottawa.

The journalists are bored, so they call up Forsberg's agent and get him to say the words "Ottawa" or "Senators" in any sort of context, and then they print.

ie: Forsberg says he wants to be "in Ottawa".

This is the sad truth everyone. Sports journalists, stop playing with our emotions.

PS: I appreciate "Save Saylor's" and "Ian Mendes'" truthfulness when speaking with student media, and I hope they continue to do so - those guys rock.

Guess who's coming to town

What the hell are the Senators going to do this off-season? Sure, they made big changes upstairs, but the small ones on the ice have only kept the team roughly equal to the one from last year. The one that didn't win the Stanley Cup. And since so many teams, especially in the Eastern Conference (Philly, New York Rangers), have improved. And if Scott Niedermayer decides to return to Anaheim, the team that beat Ottawa last season has also improved. Here are a few of the remaining free agents that are rumoured to be considering Ottawa, or would be a good idea:

1. Peter Forsberg: I think he's on top of 30 'most wanted' lists across the NHL, and Ottawa's no exception. It would be great to see him playing alongside Daniel Alfredsson, but Forsberg will play where he wants--and that might mean a return to Colorado or Philadelphia.

2. Danny Markov: The Sens are stacked on defence, but if Markov wanted to play in Ottawa (and, according to http://www.hockeybuzz.com/, he might) I think John Paddock would make room for him by moving Christoph Schubert back to forward, or trading one of the six. People have been saying Joe Corvo's on the block for a while, but I'd rather keep him.

3. Mike Johnson: All off-season I've been pleading with Bryan Murray to bring in Johnson (pictured above, hitting Buffalo's Brian Campbell). Apparently he's not reading this blog enough. The bottom line is that MJ would be inexpensive, and he plays a solid style to fill out our third- or fourth-line. Albeit less effective than Mike Fisher, he plays a similar style. The more Fishers we have, the better.

4. Jeff Friesen: Maybe it's a risk, but as a fourth-line veteran who's won the Cup, it might be worth it. He wouldn't cost much. Plus there's the bonus that we're taking a Senator killer (see 2003 Eastern Conference Finals) off the market.

5. Anson Carter: An interesting option. He's pretty inconsistent, it seems, but he had a hell of a year with the Sedins. He could add a scoring dimension to Ottawa's second or third line, so that if the big line takes a night off we're not screwed.

6. Adam Hall: I don't know what to say about Haller... his effectiveness is limited, and we've got Chris Neil as a more responsible pest on our team. Still, he might be alright as a depth/fourth-line move.

7. Patrick Marleau: Marleau is still the property of San Jose, but apparently they've been shopping him around. One of the potential suitors is Ottawa, but I don't see what they'd want from Ottawa. There is cap room in San Jose, so it's possible they'd take Martin Gerber to back up Evgeni Nabokov, but then Ottawa would have no backup (aside from unproven youngsters). Other than that, there's still Corvo, and possibly Patrick Eaves (who's name has once again, for some unknown reason, been mentioned in trades). An interesting possibility, but unlikely.

The problem with this whole scenario, though, is that Murray could be waiting to give some prospects a shot to crack the lineup. Look for centre Josh Hennessy and wingers Nick Foligno and Danny Bois to push for roster spots. If they fail to impress, then count on Murray dipping into the free-agent pool to fill out the Senators' lineup.

Keep in mind: Alfredsson's Swedish

Ahhhhh!!! Peter Forsberg!!! ahhhhhh!!!

Wouldn't that be wicked? Canoe.ca is reporting that Sens' GM Bryan Murray has been in contact with Forsberg's agent simply to let the them know that Ottawa is interested in acquiring the free agent centre.

Forsberg has said that he would like to return to one of his previous NHL teams or play in Sweden this season.

Keep 3 things in mind;

1. Daniel Alfredsson is Swedish - maybe they're best friends, maybe they talk, maybe they share the same piece of dental floss every morning.
2. The Senators need a centre. Forsberg would look mighty good on the Sens' second or third line playing with Alfredsson and Vermette.
3. This would likely put the Senators over the cap limit. According to NHLscap.com, the sens have about $4.4 million free for this season, but a hellofva lot more for next year. Maybe signing Forsberg to a 2-year deal with a pay boost next season would sound attractive.

Seem likely? Argue it out in the comments.