Morning Hits II: Offseason look at the Senators and Rangers
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  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Senators will have their exit meetings today. There won’t be big changes for the team next year, but they do have about $20 in cap space and some assets to improve the team. They currently have $43 million committed for 19 players. Defenseman Mike Lundin and winger Guillaume Latendresseare likely gone. Garrioch lists the Senators priorities for the offseason.

    1. Sign Daniel Alfredsson – should take around $4.5 million if he wants to return.

    2.Thank Sergei Gonchar for his service – will likely sign a one-year deal with someone like the Lightning, Predators, Stars or Hurricanes.

    3. Wish UFA forards Peter Regin and Jim O’Brien all the best.

    4. Trade for Bobby Ryan – the Senators need scoring and have the assets to acquire him.

    5. Sign Valterri Filppula – he’s a UFA and will get interest from several teams.

    6. Go with the same goaltenders – teams will call this summer about Craig Anderson as he’s making $3.875 million for the next two seasons.

    7. Re-sign RfA’s Erik Condra and Patrick Wiercioch – won’t be big contracts, but they both contribute.

  • Katie Strang of ESPN: Strang offers her top five questions for the Rangers offseason.

    1. John Tortorella’s future with the Rangers?  He’ll be back as the teams head coach next season.

    2. A Brad Richards buyout? Has gone from a number one center to a healthy scratch in a couple months. It may have been consider even without his decline due to the cap recapture if a player retires early. If Richards retires after the 2017 season when his salary decreases, the Rangers could be on the hook for $5.66 million penalty, $8.5 million in 2018 and $17 million in 2019.

    3. What to do with the power play? They were awful in the playoffs, 4-for-44 99.1%. They need a right-handed power play quarterback.

    4. Offseason needs? A top four defenseman and depth down the middle. Matt Hendricks could be an option. They could look at moving Michael Del Zotto for a centerman.

    5. Will Marc Staal be healthy next year? He’s expected to return to form, but his development progress may not be a true anchor on the blueline which they had hoped for. They need to have Staal back on form.