Written by Graeme Nichols | 28 March 2009

This morning's Sun headline reads, Thrashed in Atlanta - Incensed Clouston 'at a loss' to explain baffling effort in must-win game. Here are the first two paragraphs of Garrioch's piece:

ATLANTA -- The Senators promised they wouldn't go down without a fight.

They didn't put up much of one last night.

Boo Boo's right to shit on this team though. It's not like they went 9-1 in must win games leading up the games against the 'Canes and Thrashers. If anything, fans can use this as an opportunity to shit on Ottawa's ability to win a game when the pressure is on them to win. It's a classic case of if you're 99.9% out of it and you can't win, question the team's grit, character and heart. And if shitting on these intangibles become tiresome, go ahead and shit on the pussification of one Jason Spezza.

But the players said they wouldn't go down without a fight.

Yeah, and someone once wrote that Malkin would be going to LA. Shit happens and losses in the NHL are inevitable. Get over it.

Since the loss against Carolina, I've spent the last few days trying to come to terms with the fact that this season has been nothing but an exercise in mediocrity. (Also, after seeing this new commercial on tv, I've spent a bit of time trying to figure out why women need a digital pregnancy test. Was decoding a pink or blue spot on a stick too difficult? I'm confused. I'd imagine the new digital model isn't very cost efficient either. Hopefully the next step in the pregnancy test lineage will involve Maury Povich expanding his brand to produce a model that comes with the phrase "Hope You Know Who the Father Is - If Not, Dial 1-866-Maury".)

I digress. With the Senators eliminated from the playoffs, it's that time of year when I really pity Steve Lloyd - He's about to be bombarded with an influx of calls into local talk radio to voice their take on whether the Senators roster is in need of upheaval.

Over the next few weeks, expect to hear the same points reiterated dozens of times. Whether it's the life-or-death issue of Jason Spezza's impending NTC, or the Brennan'esque notion that it's imperative to retain Brendan Bell, brace yourselves - You're about to be inundated with the opinions of the bleeding-heart fan. While it may be better than a Glenn Kulka 2009 CFL Season preview, it's just not something I'm looking forward to.

In fact, It's Just Not Something I'm Looking Forward To could very well be the mantra for the Senators summer. While Garrioch can use last night's loss as a reason to inexplicably shit on the professionalism of the team's character, I'll use this opportunity to say that I was impressed with the team's recent run because I think that they're a very average team. They're neither elite nor bad and I'm concerned that they're destined to nothing more than average for the next couple of seasons.

Why?

As is, Bryan Murray's going to be hard-pressed to maneouevre because of the team's cap situation. According to nhlnumbers.com, Ottawa's 09/10 cap at just under $51M. (And that's without retaining any of their RFAs or UFAs.) In other words, on July 1st, the only thing you'll be drinking to is Canada Day.

Yeah, I know I'm being cynical as fuck here but with no flexibility and a roster filled with underachieving, overpaid veterans who are protected by NTCs, you can't blame me. Besides, I'm writing about the Ottawa Senators - An organization that has attracted a marquee Free Agent NEVER. While others are signing talents like Hossa, Campbell or Chara, the Sens poor cap management has relegated them to bringing in the Winchesters, Donovans and Ruutus of the world.

If this team wasn't having a difficult time attracting free agents, imagine the problems Bryan Murray will encounter this summer. If insufficient funds, a cold climate, a fickle fanbase and an underachieving roster aren't enough to entice someone, maybe the fact that these factors are compounded by a negative media group that rips the players at every opportunity will.

The team's inability to land free agents wouldn't be a cause for concern if their farm system had more than one elite-level prospect. Unfortunately, Ottawa's system is generally regarded as one of the worst in the NHL - Hockey's Future currently lists as having the 4th worst farm system in the League.

Of course, the organization could try and sell their fans on the status quo. Given the team's recent stretch of success, an argument can be made that the same group of players should be afforded the opportunity to play a full season under Cory Clouston. This slight stretch of games has turned out to be a footnote in what has otherwise been a forgettable campaign.

While the Euge will inevitably hold another press conference to sell fans and season ticket holders on this span of games, it's difficult not to notice that even with a healthy Leclaire, this team is characterized by an average defense core and a forward group that's completely devoid of secondary scoring.

So what happens?

I think it's obvious that Bryan Murray's hand will be forced in regards to keeping together his Big 3. While Dany Heatley and Alfredsson are protected by their NTC, Jason Spezza's doesn't kick in until July 1st. While Kevin Lee has gone on record and said that not only has Spezza asked for a trade, he's guaranteed that Spezza will be dealt by July 1st.

While a Spezza trade would bring in some assets and cap flexibility, I think it's the wrong play. Instead, I'd rather see the team approach Dany Heatley about waiving his NTC. I know, on the surface, the notion of trading the team's best goal scorer might not be the smartest idea. Especially since I was criticizing the Senators lack of secondary scoring. However, unlike Spezza, you would net a better return because of Heatley's name value and past production. A perfect trading partner could be LA because with Frolov's impending FA status, they'll need a winger to compliment Kopitar. If Ottawa could use Heatley and a defenceman to net a package including Oscar Moller, a pick and a prospect, would you do it? What if I told you that the team could reallocate Heatley's $7.5M salary on one or two players? What if I told you that the last time a player scored 50 goals and won a Stanley Cup in the same season was in the pre-lockout 1996 Colorado Avalanche team?

Would you do it then?

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