On the Ottawa Senators …
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Questions facing Senators this offseason.
What is the future of Erik Karlsson? – Sources are saying the Senators will make a fair-market contract extension offer to Erik Karlsson. He’ll likely be asking for an eight-year extension worth between $80 and $100 million. The Senators will need to have plans in place to let him know how much they plan on rebuilding.
Will head coach Guy Boucher be back? – Boucher will be under review along with everyone else. The Sens have already made six coaching changes in the past 10 years. If Boucher is back, there could be other coaching changes.
Who will be in net? – No team called the Senators about Craig Anderson or Mike Condon ahead of the trade deadline. Both have two years left on their deals. Goaltending was a big problem for the Sens this year.
What is on GM Pierre Dorion’s plate this offseason? – He needs to re-sign RFAs Mark Stone and Cody Ceci. He can work out a contract extension for Matt Duchene.
Will the Senators buy out anyone? – It would be a shock if they bought out the remaining four years of Bobby Ryan‘s contract. If he’s deemed healthy, Marian Gaborik could be a buyout option. Alex Burrows has another year left on his deal at $2.5 million. Maybe the Sens could get Burrows to take a development role with the organization.
On the Columbus Blue Jackets …
Aaron Portzline of The Athletic: (mailbag) It won’t be easy to bring them back, but wouldn’t rule out the Blue Jackets trying to re-sign trade deadline acquisitions Ian Cole, Mark Letestu and Thomas Vanek.
Think that Cole’s next deal will be for $4 million per season or more and that there is a very good chance that he re-signs with the Blue Jackets.
Expect Vladislav Gavrikov to remain in the KHL until the 2019-20 season.