Future is Bright

Well there isn’t a whole lot to get excited about in Ottawa right now but there are a few bright spots in the organization that were highlighted in the World Junior tournament.  Last year’s first round pick Erik Karlsson from Sweden not only lead the tournament in defensemen scoring – but was named the top defenseman as well.  Watching Karlsson play in the gold medal game should grant Senators fans a breath of fresh air when it comes to defenseman that can skate the puck out of their own end and make a pass up to the forwards.   Karlsson needs to put on a few more pounds and get adjusted to the North American game, but I for one would not mind seeing him try to make the team next season.
 
Last year’s draft also landed Ottawa another player from the Swedish Junior team, forward Andre Petersson.  He isn’t very big but he has tons of offensive potential.  Ottawa also took defenseman Patrick Wiorcioch, who has having a great season in the NCAA.  Murray has done a pretty good restocking the cupboards after Muckler left them empty.
 
If you are wondering about Ottawa’s goaltending situation next season, take a look at the Binghamton Senators right now.  Brian Elliot was just named Goaltender of the Month for December and currently leads the AHL in wins.  He is absolutely tearing it up and really making a case for himself coming into training camp next September in Ottawa.   It could be a little much to suggest an Elliot/Auld combination next season in Ottawa, but why not?  Unless Murray is able to go out and find a true #1 goalie, which isn’t easy to do, why not give the 23-year old Elliot a shot?  Steve Mason has all but won the starting job in Columbus and apparently they have been talking trade with Ottawa – if I were Murray, I would be going hard for Pascal Leclaire.
 
Alex Auld unfortunately could be the odd man out next season.  Gerber will be gone and if Murray does bring in another goalie and Elliot gets a spot on the roster – where does that leave Auld?  After a great start to the year, Alex has struggled big time in the last month.  His goals against average is climbing higher and higher and is losing a lot of starts to Gerber.  I’ve come up with my own trade with Columbus that could solve some problems for both teams; I’m also using names that I have heard in rumours.
 
To Ottawa: D Kris Russell – G Pascal Leclaire

To Columbus: F Antoine Vermette – G Martin Gerber – D Christophe Shubert (or a prospect )

Ottawa gets a young puck moving defenseman who is still learning in the NHL and a goalie with a ton of potential that is currently the backup in Columbus.  Columbus gets a forward who has struggled but will help kill penalties and win faceoffs – and if he ever finds his scoring tough again, score 20 goals.  Gerber is a fill in for Leclaire for the rest of the season and Shubert is a utility player that can fill roles.  If the opt for a prospect, it would probably have to be a pretty highly touted one.
 
Have a great day!