There has been a lot of talk for a long time now about how Crosby has garbage wingers to work with, or how its such a waste having wingers who are not elite around him.

I have often remarked that elite players don't always mesh well together. You end up with clashing personalities in many cases which makes things function horribly as far as chemistry. Just look at this years New Jersey team with Kovalchuk, Zajac and Parise having no chemistry and where they are in the standings to see this happening.

Lots of people forget this, but Kunitz had 25 goals in 2007, which was the year of Anahiem's cup run. That's not "sub par" in my books. He's physical and has pretty good hands. In a weird way he sort of reminds me of Kevin Stevens and Rick Tocchet back in the early 90's, however with less fighting skill. These legends had a great physical presence on the ice and combined it with excellent hands and scoring prowess. Kunitz is certainly cut from this same cloth which gives him a reasonable excuse to be riding shotgun with Crosby at the very least until Eric Tangradi has developed enough to earn a spot there.

Pascal Dupuis is by no means an elite winger. What places him on Crosby's wing is that he's a 2 way forward with a defensive edge. his role is to be responsible defensively and to take the corners and rough play on Sid's line - all things he does very well. He also plays the role of a sub as well, where if the play gets more physical and rough, Dan Bylsma is able to switch Dupuis out with someone like Adams or Rupp to give a little protection to Sid. This happened recently on the Dec. 8th game against Toronto where Rupp skated part of the game with the top line when the Leafs tried intimidation. Ultimately Pascal opens the ice up for Crosby and that alone makes him a worthwhile winger for Crosby.

Could they bring in someone who would be a better fit? Yes of course, however due to salary cap restrictions it is not always just so easy to do so, despite what a lot of armchair GM's feel when they throw out names like Ales Hemsky from Edmonton or Alex Kovalev in Ottawa. But perhaps one day when the decision comes on who to keep and who to move between Staal, Crosby and Malkin will they finally be able to afford a top end winger to play with Crosby, As mentioned looking ahead, Eric Tengradi once he develops should be the riding shotgun with Crosby. He appears to be destined to be a power forward much like John LeClair was in his prime which bodes well for the Penguins moving forward if he can reach this potential. Outside of this they will most likely have to bring someone in from the outside in the next couple of years to complete the line-up once Dupuis and Kunitz start to decline in the next 3-5 years. But until then, they certainly getting the job done adequately on Crosby's wings.

Q - With the trade deadline approaching, some top teams will want to stock up on talent to make a serious run for the Stanley Cup. Which veterans can the Ottawa Senators trade and what potential prospects can they hope to get in return?


A - I have some thoughts on this. Some are shocking to Sens fans, but at the end of the day its time to face it up, this team isn't winning anything other than a draft lottery pick - it's time to rebuild.

First of all, they should either try to move or demote Kovalev. I'd waive him to wipe his $5 mill of the books (he's done in 6 months anyway). This could help you have money to bring in a trade (for example, a player for a prospect and Commodore in Columbus - they deal a high salary off, and you buy him out in the off season and it becomes a player for prospect deal).

Leclaire is a bust and since he's done this year, either dangle him for whatever you can get or run the clock this year and let him walk as a UFA.

Make a call on Phillips - If you keep him, you know what you'll get out of him, but run the risk he'll walk as a UFA in July. Ultimately I'd try moving him as he will have value and you can pick up a prospect or maybe a 2nd/3rd rounder and clear $3.5 mill at the same time (use that money to sign someone in the off season or re-up Karlsson). After all, he's not helping you to the finals this year.

Trade Alfie - This will probably get me killed if I leave my house but he's past his prime (even if there is a touch left in the tank) and he's not leading this team to another cup (unless its behind the bench or in the front office somewhere). Move him and his high salary while you can still get anything for him from a contender. Let's face it, this team needs to re-up and he's a trade-able asset.

Move Fisher if you have the right deal and he's willing to waive his NTC. He's a great player and an excellent number 2 C, but if you get the right deal (Ryan Ellis from Nashville for example), then I'd pull the trigger. It would be easy enough to patch that hole with a UFA signing or by bringing someone up like Zack Smith.

Keep Cowen as he is going to be apart of the future core with Karlsson (sort of like when Phillips and Redden came up together in the late 90s and provided the core after they added guys like Chara and Berard). Same with Campoli as I think he is better than what he is playing, however given where he is on the depth chart I think his low ranking has something to do with it.

Move Gonchar IF you can. With his salary, declining play, absent defense and the fact that he would be a liability if he retires (cap hit would stick regardless if he plays or not) it will be hard if at all possible to move him. Let's remember that in Pittsburgh, the talent around him hid the problems with his game and being in Ottawa has exposed them which will hurt his value. Maybe you get someone who is desperate and gambling on his shot at bumping them either into the play offs or just tipping the scales to make them a contender. Try the same with both Chris Kelly and Filip Kuba if you can as well.

If you can get something equal for Spezza, I say take it. His soft defensive play, high salary and declining point totals make him worthwhile to get shipped out. He'd be amazing if they actually brought in a coach who would hold him to his laziness and holes in his game, if that could ever happen. On the other hand he is talented enough to be a legit number 1 centre in the league and they don't grow on trees. If you can get a top prospect (Seguin or Hall for example) then sure, go for it, other wise sit on him and try to turn things around.

Keep Milan Michalek as his value right now is too low to make it worth while and I think he's having a rough go while still recovering from his last injury. He is a great plug in the top two lines even if paid a touch more than he should have been (probably $3.5-4 mill a year is right).

I would probably run a tandem of Ellior and Mike Brodeur next year since these guys are more 1a types (not quite a starter by better than a backup) and would hold the fort until Remier is ready to take the starters job. Plus they will come cheap.

To say what they should get back, that really could be anything and everything. They need a better and more mobile defense core. Bieksa would be the first guy that comes to mind and is respectably paid which would make an immediate impact. That said they will need to bring in a few guys - 1 or 2 established NHLers and maybe 1 or 2 through promotion from the farm.

They need better wingers to play with the centres. Spezza has taken a nosedive since Heatley left town since Alfredsson is too old and slow, Kovalev only shows up for 1 in 4 games to play and Michalek has only had mild chemistry with him as well has lost a gear in his speed since his knee injury. Someone they may want to target here is Devin Setoguchin in SJ. SJ needs a defensive D (maybe Philips) and Ottawa maybe where Devin can re-energize and find his game again.
They have average depth on the back two lines where I would probably hold onto Neil and Ruutu (both crowd favourites, decently priced and do a reasonable job). I look to a team like Pittsburgh who spent the last 3 years collecting grinders, fighters, role players and other 3rd and 4th line players. Many think that it is stupid, but this is the depth that makes them difficult to play against, as well as go the distance through 82 games and a full cup run. Vancouver has done the exact same thing this year when guys like Manny Malhotra where signed (his face off percentage is also a huge bonus). It's time to emulate the successes of other so either grab some depth at the deadline or on July 1st.

Lastly, fire Bryan Murray! This guy has been the biggest overall problem to the team as he's shown nothing but desperation and rolling the dice on a lot of the moves he has made in the last 2 years. I believe these moves have brought this team nothing and probably made them worse which is why they are in the situation today. With that consider firing Clouston as well. I think he's a good coach, but has lost the confidence of the players. Maybe you can turn it around next season with him if there is a turnover of the core guys in the next 8 months, but that would be the only situation.