Daugavins Returns and Re-Ups

Kaspars Daugavins at the Calder Cup Championship parade in fine form

In a bit of very weird news, Kaspars Daugavins has signed a 1 year, 2 way deal to return to the Ottawa Senators after appearing to have signed with a KHL team just a week or so ago. It appears that what he actually signed with the Latvian club was a tryout contract, which allowed him to come back to the NHL/AHL if he chose, which he no doubt used to put the pressure on BM the GM to sign him to a new deal.

What stood out to me about the contract was that it's a 2 way deal and not 1 way. You'd figure after going to this much trouble to sign him that Daugavins would only want to be in the NHL and that the Sens would show good faith and let him play in the show. Especially after handing out one way deals to Condra, Greening, Zack Smith and Bobby Butler. The word on the street right now is that there may be a clause that he gets a certain amount of games in the NHL to get a chance to prove himself in return for his John Hancock but only a rumor at this point.

On a personal note, I know I had said he was gone to play closer to home in my previous Daugavins post, but it now appears that was half true and half a leverage tactic. At the time the information was correct, but this is a very unusual move that has transpired and I could not have seen it coming. I was shocked when I saw he had re-signed with the Sens. It was a crazy move that has seemingly worked out well for the Latvian, who appears wants to give the NHL one more shot.

Thoughts on him re-upping?

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Butler Re-Ups

Bobby Butler at the Sens Skills competition

The Butler did it! Just kidding, sorry for the lame line everyone. The Senators continue to take care of business and lock up the guys they see with a future, today inking scorer Bobby Butler to a new 2 year deal worth an undisclosed amount at this time.

The Massachusetts native had 10 goals and 11 assists, good for 21 points last season in 36 games for the Sens, and of course was a major part of helping the B-Sens to the Calder Cup. The Sens originally signed the undrafted college free agent out of the Uninveristy of New Hampshire in 2010 to an entry level deal.


UPDATE @ 7:30pm : the two year deal is 950k and 1.2 million.
Thoughts on the signing?

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Condra Re-Ups

The Senators locked up another piece of their rebuilding puzzle today, inking Erik Condra to a 2 year deal worth $1.25 million, or a 625k cap hit. At the moment it's unclear if it's a one way or two way deal, but I am hearing it's a one way, which means he must have really impressed the Sens brass during the last third of the season + the AHL playoffs to get the deal. (update @4:55pm: it's a 1 way deal)

Given the reasonable dollar amount, another shrewd signing by BM the GM this offseason, as he continues to keep the assets for the rebuild. Interesting though that the Sens saw a big future in Condra, yet elected to let playoff hero Ryan Potulny and more importantly, Ryan Keller leave.

He now will turn his attention to trying to sign goal scorer Bobby Butler, as well as a few other RFA's from Binghamton.

We know at least one guy likes the signing, although I would have to imagine with each guy being signed, the likelyhood of Shannon himself coming back get slimmer and slimmer.

Thoughts?

Zack Smith Re-Ups For 2 More

Zack Smith in action for Binghamton in the 2011 AHL playoffs

It was a busy day for the Sens organization, who are still basking in their farm team making the AHL finals for the first time in franchise history, and the earlier signing of Colin Greening to a new deal. Well they made another signing, re-upping pesky forward Zack Smith for 2 more seasons.

Like Greening, Smith's 2 year deal is one way, which means he will likely be in the NHL next season, and if he isn't, he will at least be paid as an NHLer. I'm not quite sure why Smith's deal is only 2 years, compared to Greening's 3 year contract, but I imagine it has something to with age.

Once again, no financials were released as of yet, but I will update once the information is available. Like Greening I suspect this is also in the 800-900k range.

On a personal note, I've always been a big supporter of young Zackary. I like his potential and how hard he plays, but let's just hope he cuts down on the discipline problems that were a real issue this year.

Murray's take via Sens site:

"Zack has been in the organization here for a period of time and that has given him a chance, I believe, to improve greatly as a player," said Murray. "He certainly has matured in his overall game. It looks like he has some offensive ability to go along with it. So we’re very happy to get Zack in a situation where he can play on the big team next year."

and

"(In the NHL), Zack is going to be a third-line matchup type of player," said Murray. "He’s big and strong, he handles the puck fine, but he knows how to play defence and how to play against good players. With that, he has a little bit of flair for the offence. He has a chance, I believe, to score some goals. I don’t think that’s what we’ll call upon him to do, but very definitely, he's a solid two-way guy who is just coming of age."


Thoughts on the Smith signing?

Greening Signs 3 Year Deal



Colin Greening at the Sens Skills competition

The Senators announced today that they have signed rookie forward Coilin Greening to a fresh 3 year contract. The Newfoundland native split his time between Binghamton and Ottawa this season, but apparently is in the long term plans for the Sens, as this is a one way deal for all 3 seasons.

The fact that it's a 1 way deal is a bit surprising to me, but financials have not been released as of yet, so I would imagine it's somewhere in the 800k range, which makes it more resonable. Greening is currently playing in Binghamton, helping the farm team reach the AHL final with a measly 3 points in 17 games.

Bryan Murray's take from the Senators site:

"He’s a player that we thought would take a little more time (to develop)," Murray said of Greening. "But the opportunity after the trade deadline to play games in Ottawa helped him a great deal. His skating, his size and his strength are his biggest assets. He knows how to check, he’s a willing worker ... we think he can be a regular player in Ottawa next year."
Thoughts on the Greening signing?