WHAT NEXT FOR THE OTTAWA SENATORS?

TORONTO STAR: Ken Campbell reports Ottawa Senators management and coaching staff are optimistic about their club's future, despite the heartbreaking seventh-game loss to the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference Finals. Head coach Jacques Martin noted several key players in the lineup are still young and developing, which bodes well for the team's future. Campbell believes the Sens roster will remain "largely intact" next season. It's believed trade deadline acquisitions Bryan Smolinski and Rob Ray will be allowed to walk via unrestricted free agency, as could winger Magnus Arvedson. Group II free agents like Wade Redden and Martin Havlat will be re-signed.

Spector's Note: GM John Muckler might make a tweak or two before next season, otherwise there's no reason for a massive overhaul of the Senators roster. This year's playoff run indicated how much they've improved over the past two years. The loss in the Conference Finals, while disappointing, is a stepping stone toward the Cup finals next season. With wealthier ownership in place, a deep, talented roster and a strong farm system, the Ottawa Senators are poised to take over as the "Beast of the East".

SENATORS TO CONSIDER SHOPPING BONK?

OTTAWA CITIZEN: Allen Panzeri reported on the possibility of Senators GM John Muckler making a trade or two. Panzeri suggested centre Radek Bonk might be shopped, given his salary ($3.5 million US next season) and the need to make room at centre for Jason Spezza and possibily prospect Antoine Vermette. Such a move would also bring in "a utility forward" to fill in for UFA forward Magnus Arvedson and Bryan Smolinski, who almost certainly will be gone via free agency this summer. Panzeri also reported that team captain Daniel Alfredsson has one year left at $4.85 million US after which he become eligible for UFA status. While re-signing him appears the obvious choice, Panzeri notes that could be expensive.

Spector's Note: Panzeri also noted that Bonk was the Sens best centre, most notably in the post-season when he was tied for second in team scoring. It's for that very reason Bonk won't be traded. Neither Todd White or Mike Fisher could fill the role of first-or-second line centre like Bonk can, and there's no guarantees Spezza is capable of stepping into the second line role next season. Given the new ownership situation, I believe the Sens will do as much as possible to retain key players like Bonk and Alfredsson.

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HNIDY RE-SIGNED, BUT EXPENDABLE.

OTTAWA CITIZEN: Allen Panzeri reported last week the Senators had re-signed defenceman Shane Hnidy to a one-year contract. However, Hnidy is currently the seventh defenceman on the Sens depth chart, and could find himself pushed out of that spot next season by Brian Pothier. Hnidy acknowledges that could see him shopped next season.

Spector's Note: Panzeri reports Hnidy got a "modest raise" from the $600K he was making last season. That'll make him very affordable for any teams seeking inexpensive blueline depth over the course of next season.

Nur wenig Tauschgeschäfte - Smolinski verlängert in Ottawa

Nashville, 23. Juni Der erste Tag des NHL-Drafts in Nashville verlief was die Tauschgeschäfte der Teams anbelangt schon verhältnismäßig ruhig, so verwunderte es nicht, dass auch am Sonntag nur zwei "Trades" über die Bühne gingen: Der Ex-Kölner Marty Murray wechselte von den Philadelphia Flyers für ein Draftrecht nach Carolina zu den Hurricanes. Außerdem erwarben die Florida Panthers die Rechte an dem Ukrainer Dmitri Tolkunov, einem 24-jährigen Minorleague-Verteidiger der Chicago Blackhawks, der noch ohne NHL-Einsätze ist.
Auch während des Draft-Wochenendes wurde die Vertragsverlängerung von Bryan Smolinski bei den Ottawa Senators bekannt. Der 31-jährige Stürmer verzichtete auf seinen "unrestricted free-agent"-Status ab dem 1. Juli und unterschrieb für vier Jahre bei den Senatoren. In den ersten drei Jahren wird er etwa 2,6 Millionen Dollar pro Saison verdienen. Im letzten Jahr dann 1,7 Millionen. "Ich habe mir die Pros und Contras genau angesehen. Das meiste sprach für Ottawa, deshalb habe ich unterschrieben", so Smolinski.

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Senators re-sign defenseman Redden

OTTAWA (AP) -- The Ottawa Senators re-signed defenseman Wade Redden to a multiyear contract Wednesday.

Terms were not disclosed.

Redden had 10 goals and 45 points last season as the Senators came within a victory of advancing to the Stanley Cup finals. Ottawa lost to eventual champion New Jersey in the Eastern finals.

In seven seasons and 548 career games, Redden has 61 goals, 182 assists and 338 penalty minutes in 548 career games.

Redden ranks third in career games played (548), 10th in goals (61), fourth in assists (181), sixth in points (243) and seventh in penalty minutes (338) for Ottawa.

Q:nhl.com

John LeClair breaks down the left wing all alone, moves into the circle and cranks a wicked slap shot with zero hesitation. The baffled goaltender is left with no answers, just questions as the First Union Center's horn blazes and the crowd booms.