The NHL Entry Draft has passed, but the work has just begun for Ottawa Senators general manager Steve Staios. There isn’t much cap room to work with right now, but with plenty of trade rumors circling the Senators, they may find room to make a splash in free agency. These are the top five players they should target in free agency this year.
Of course, landing Sam Reinhart or Steven Stamkos would be great, but that is unlikely, given the Senators’ current situation. These five players are more realistic targets given the salary, team fit, and the likelihood of them being available. These players are in no particular order, and the projected contract will be collected from AFP Analytics.
Matt Roy, RHD
The biggest hole on the Senators’ roster is on the right side of the defense. Matt Roy is coming off a strong season, posting 25 points in 81 games. While the offense is not why Roy should be a target, his defending is the most valuable part of his game. While he is a good puck mover, he is one of the best shut-down defensemen in the league.
He is strong on the penalty kill, is very mobile, and has good gap control and physicality. Looking at the Senators’ defense, the only player comparable to him is Artem Zub. Getting another player like that to play on the right side alongside either Thomas Chabot or Jake Sanderson will help this team immensely.
His projected contract is just north of $5.8 million for five seasons. That is a bit steep, but it would be worth it if the Senators could add him to get some consistency and strong defending. There is always a premium tax on right-shot defensemen, and Roy solves one of Ottawa’s biggest problems. Another name to add would be Brett Pesce for all of the same reasons, but it seems to be all but confirmed he will be a member of the New Jersey Devils, according to Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts.
Colin Miller, RHD
More of a depth option than a steady top-four spot, Colin Miller is a tough two-way player who would, again, be an upgrade on any possibilities. Zub is on the right side. He has a blistering shot, which the Senators don’t have enough of on their defense, but he also plays a strong two-way game in the right role.
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He is someone that can play in most situations when needed. He kills penalties, blocks shots, and battles hard. These things are great assets for a third-pair defenseman….
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