Thunderstruck said:
Bryden's ownership, not the previous CBA was the real problem in failing to exploit the old CBA. Melnyk bought a team that came within one goal of advancing to (and likely winning) the Stanley Cup. He had little incentive to spend extra because the team appeared poised, even without upgrades. So he decided to spend some money to keep the team together by re-signing Smolinski and then added salary by picking up Bondra.
Respectfully, I disagree.
Granted, Bryden didn't do any great favours to Sens fans in his last few years as owner but he was not necessarily the problem in this specific regard.
For arguments sake (because I am just trying to make a point here) let's say the Senators were Hasek and Holik away from winning the cup- two players that were available at the right time and could be considered the right fit for the team. Two of the biggest critisisms (atleats that I have heard) have been lack of grit/leadership and suspect goaltending.
Would the Senators - even under Melnyk - have been able to go out and spend 16 mil on two players without Melnyk donating money to the team out of pocket?
I would say no. Everyone who argues against cost certainty points to the Rangers and says "what do you care, let them spend the money, their no good anyways and they're just hurting themselves...."
I say that when the Rangers (for example) spend 8 mil on a 4 mil player the trickle down effect includes things such as taking Ottawa out of the running through lack of affordability despite Ottawa's likely more appropriate fit for the player, greater, more urgent need and so on...
Thunderstruck said:
The Sens window is no where near closed. They "underperformed" their way to a 102 point season and got knocked out by their nemesis in 7 games. If this season ever does get underway, the Sens will have a very good chance to prove you wrong.
I can honestly say that I hope your right. I have no problems with the Sens and the expectations have been quite high for a while now.
However I still think, even if this team wins a cup next year, history will remember them as a bit of a disapointment based on the failed expectations and I also feel that cap or no cap - players like Alfredsson and certainly Hasek won't factor into the mix. The players that will factor in long term are still reasonably priced of quite inexpensive and again if the cap is a reaosnable number there shouldn't be any problem in the Sens keeping them for quite a long time.