Should the Sens resign Michalek?

[Stylizer]

I'm not sure if we have an answer to replace him on the first line. We probably could but it would be by default. I think the smartest thing to do, of course depending on what kind of season he has, is to resign him to a 4 -6 year deal. Only thing is I would want there to be no no movement clause attached. I would want to have the option of trading him down the road while his value is still high. If one of our young guns emerge as a potential replacement, getting quality value back would be ideal. Of course there is always the chance he retires a Senator or gets injured.

If Ryan, Spezza, and Michalek have an amazing season this year, and we can resign all of them, we ride this horse until it's time for the glue factory.

[Erik Karlsson]

Re: Should the Sens resign Michalek?

Michalek seems to be in best condition yet but who knows what that means. I think this year is either one of his best career years or down the toilet where Ottawa will eventually use roster spot on a guy like Stone who in 1 year should be more than ready for a top 6 role. Even a guy like Stone or possibly UFA signing.

[Josh]

Re: Should the Sens resign Michalek?

Yeah, I definitely think so. He seems to enjoy playing for us, and we don't have many other players with his breed of explosive speed. Ideally, in a couple of years he would be LW2 though.

[Stylizer]

Re: Should the Sens resign Michalek?

Yeah, I definitely think so. He seems to enjoy playing for us, and we don't have many other players with his breed of explosive speed. Ideally, in a couple of years he would be LW2 though.

But does he make 1st line money in those years?

[Josh]

Re: Should the Sens resign Michalek?

If he has a good year, would you be cool with giving him 6 more years at his current $6M? That would take him to 35 years old.

[Stylizer]

Re: Should the Sens resign Michalek?

If he has a good year, would you be cool with giving him 6 more years at his current $6M? That would take him to 35 years old.

I'm thinking if he scores 30 he will be looking for 7+. Ryan most definitely will be.

[Erik Karlsson]

Re: Should the Sens resign Michalek?

If he has a good year, would you be cool with giving him 6 more years at his current $6M? That would take him to 35 years old.

No way. Wayy to much commitment for a guy who's knees could permanently blow in a couple years. Id give him 3 years 18 mil tops; this is IF he has a great year.

[Choi]

Re: Should the Sens resign Michalek?

Well everything really depends on how well he plays with Spezza and Ryan this season.
But even then, I don't think he would be worth 6 million for 6 years.
Way too injury prone, and I feel he will decline sooner than that.

[Matt the Aussie]

Re: Should the Sens resign Michalek?

Yeah - this could be a great year for Michalek, but the better he goes, the higher his contract demands go.

[Josh]

Re: Should the Sens resign Michalek?

I keep hearing rumors of Michalek leaving Ottawa. Mostly tied to Moulson coming to the Sens, but maybe that's just a function of Tim Murray taking on the GM job in Buffalo...

[Matt the Aussie]

Re: Should the Sens resign Michalek?

I can't see any return for Michalek being astronomical.

[Alfie11]

Re: Should the Sens resign Michalek?

Remember, cap hits mean very little to the Senators. We operate on a budget. The actual salaries are what matter.

We're paying Michalek $6M this year for mediocre production. He'll definitely be gone, and we'll be able to use that $6M to bring in a solid forward to replace him. Can't wait to see who Murray has in mind.

[Josh]

Should the Sens resign Michalek?

What if 9MM starts producing? He hasn't really been a liability in the games I've watched, he just hasn't had the explosive speed or strength that he was scoring goals with...

[Matt the Aussie]

Re: Should the Sens resign Michalek?

Michalek had a really good game last night without being amazing. It just seems that he's now a third liner rather than a first liner.

[Josh]

Re: Should the Sens resign Michalek?

I think that if the Sens got them a better support winger, that Spezza and Michalek could find chemistry again.