Regardless of how this series finishes (as a fan, you don't give up until they're done), the following, I think, ought to happen:
1. Redden: gone. It's no secret. His contract is up, he hasn't lived to the kind of expectations one of your "top" defencemen should live up to, and Murray tried to trade him twice last year. Plus, there's the other baggage. To put it succintly, if that had been him getting nailed in the head by the puck, I doubt we would have seen him back. In fact, I can't recall a time I've ever seen Redden block a shot, something I'd expect from a top blueliner. Lee should fill Redden's spot in the lineup well enough. And at about $6m cheaper.
2. Emery: gone. Murray's an old-school hockey guy like Muckler. Emery's shenanigans, which contributed to the firing of Murray's friend, can test him so long. Prediction: contract bought out before July 1.
3. Robitaille: gone. This guy was the biggest bust all year. Considering he was put on the top line for portions of it is unfathomable. If he's that good, why are the Sens his, like, 9th team. Ditch his unproductive ass for someone with a bit of heart and grit. Foligno can take his spot.
4. Stillman: resign. His work ethic and contributions to a dismal 2nd-half were a bright spot. Plus, he's got the Cup-winning experience which is what they need.
5. Commodore: possibly re-sign. Murray obviously wanted him for a reason. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get a contract with a plan to see if he can adapt to whatever Ottawa's style is out of training camp. If not, find someone else who's big and mobile.
7. Lapointe: keep. You need to fill your 4th line with some bodies, I would say he fits the bill. He can score, he can fight, he can hit, and he's got leadership qualities, not to mention he's got two rings.
8. Everyone else I would hang on to, with the exception of possibly Gerber, depending on what the open market offers. He's decent enough, but he's prone to making some brutal gaffes. Plus, it bugged me how he "called out" Volchenkov a couple of times this year when Anton accidentally deflected a puck into the net.
9. In terms of players they HAVE to resign, Kelly and Vermette are right up there. I think Kelly is a UFA, and probably the defensive heart and soul of the team. Vermette is one of the fastest guys in the League. Both are needed. Meszaros, perhaps with a different partner than Redden, could be useful, still. He is still pretty young. Schubert would also be nice.
10. Get a coach that knows how to win and can teach a little defense. I don't doubt the players liked Paddock a lot, but his record before taking on the Sens was atrocious.
