Line Ups & Payroll

OK so the Sens are 46 days away from playing their first pre-season game against the New York Rangers, and 60 days away from opening up against the Pittsburgh Penguins. So what does an every day normal guy think of after the August long weekend is? Line Ups and Payroll of course!

So after the brilliant signing of Vermette (thank Bryan), our payroll stands at 50,202,329 leaving us with 6,497,671 in cap space. We still have to sign Meszaros, or at least trade him. For argument sake I am going to assume we sign him for about 3, 000, 000 but my sources are saying that Bryan is far from the 3, 000, 000 mark.

This is how I see the Line up 60 days from now if the are no further transactions:

Alfredsson, Spezza, Heatley
Foligno, Fisher, Vermette
Mcammond, Kelly, Neil
Ruutu, Bass, Donovon/Schubert

Press box: Jesse Winchester

As far as our forwards go I have mixed feelings. First of all I could see Alfredsson and Foligno switching spots, as to even out some talent, only if Foligno can step it up and play constantly every night. I am also very excited to see Spezza back on the ice. I think he learnt a lot watching is team mates play in the World Hockey Championships. I think he will be more motivated to play this year then any other year as he has lots to prove still and his huge contract kicks in this year.

As for our third and fourth lines I am absolutely nervous about this as I see defensive liabilities and a definite lack of scoring and speed. Look for Winchester fighting hard for one of those spots in camp this fall.

I see our defense looking like this:

Phillips, Volchenkov
Meszaros, Lee
Smith, Nycholat/Schubert

Expect to see a lot of the Schubert shuffle this weekend as I believe he will be more valuable this then any other year, especially as injury's add up. Also expect him to once again be under rated by Sens fans. I have also heard that Murray is not done adding defensemen and is looking to trade in the next 14 days. Or when Meszaros is signed.

Look for Murray to use Vermette, Neil, Meszaros, Gerber as trade bait. There names keep coming up in conversation I have. Also don't expect Murray to spend right to the cap as it is usually a smart move to leave some room in case of injury's. Expect sens to use that money at the trade deadline if the think they can compete in the post season.