Ottawa (CP) - Four NHL Forwards. That's all the Senators had signed entering the UFA season this year. Ilya Kovalchuk is the name everyone recognizes, but after him there is only Dustin Boyd, Ales Kotalik and Tanner Glass. With Kotalik weighing his options in Russia and with the Senators trade with Detroit involving Carcillo for prospects still pending (it was submitted well in advance of the trade freeze and is awaiting review), the Senators really did start free agency with a big job in front of them.

Surprisingly, despite the lack of offensive help, the Senators first move was to add a defenseman as the club added the best defenseman of this generation in 40 year old Nicklas Lidstrom. Senators GM Robert Parks on the move, "In Buffalo, we always wanted to have a top notch defensive corps and for the most part we did that. With Nick in the lineup we feel confident in continueing that tradition." The deal will see Lidstrom earn 5.5 million dollars next year on a one year deal with the Senators. "With me being 40 years old now, I didn't want to sign a three year deal, as I only want to take things year to year. I feel good for next year, and will decide what I want to do next summer. Hopefully I will feel good and Ottawa will want to keep me around." Lidstrom on only signing a one-year pact with the Senators.

With the defense squared away, the club then went about filling out some kind of forwards corps. The first move of day two saw the Senators re-sign veteran winger Bill Guerin to a 2.5 million dollar one-year deal. "It's kinda funny. I've been traded to this organization three times now and then signed elsewhere in the summer as a free agent. Finally, I just decided to try a full year out." Bill Guerin on signing with the Senators. This year is different for Guerin as he has been acquired by the club in each of the past two seasons at the trade deadline.

The other signing of the day brings another grizzled veteran to the organization as Kris Draper inked a one-year 1.1 million dollar pact. "The Sens have a bunch of youngsters that are coming up, and I'm really looking forward to being a mentor to them this year. I was surprised when the Sens came calling right away, but am very happy to have gotten the call." Draper on inking with the rebuilding Senators.

Through two days of free agency, the Senators definately got older as the three players they inked either are 40 right now, or will be 40 before the end of this season. "We are rebuilding here, but want to have leaders in the dressing room to show the way. I want this club to still be competitive while we see our youngsters grow into everyday VHAers." Parks on the Senators decision to ink some savvy veterans early in free agency.

Day three of free agency saw the chequebook get a workout in Ottawa as the club inked a veritable baby in 30 year old forward Sean Avery. Parks on Avery, "With us moving Carcillo to Detroit, we still wanted that player type of player who can bring it on the ice, but also make life miserable for our opponants. Sean will be that guy for us." The deal sees the 30 year old winger ink a two-year deal with Ottawa for 1.75 million per year. "I'm very happy to get a deal done with Ottawa. They like the kind of game I bring every night and I hope to be productive here." Avery on the signing. There are whispers that the shift disturber may get a chance to play alongside Ilya Kovalchuk to start the year, and that swayed his decision to sign in Ottawa.

The next move of the day sees the club address their dearth of centres with the signing of Glen Metropolit. The veteran centre will likely slot in on the third or fourth line with the club on a one year deal for 1 million bucks. Metropolit on signing in Ottawa, "Right now, I think I have the chance to be the #1 centre here. There is nowhere else that I would get this chance."

The last move of the day is a deal everyone knew would happen as the Senators re-signed their longtime captain Fernando Pisani. The deal was closely reviewed by the league, but the three year deal with the veteran defensive forward will see Pisani earn 900,000 per year in each of the next three years. "We told Fernando at the end of the season that a deal would be offered to him as soon as he hit the open market. We told him to shop his services around and come back to us with the best offer. We had spoken about 900,000 a year back in the spring and stood by that offer. We are very happy to have our Captain back for another year. Fernando will retire with us." Parks on re-signing Pisani.

Projected Lineup
Forwards:
1st Line - Kovalchuk - ??? - ???
2nd Line - MPS - ??? - Guerin
3rd Line - Kotalik - Metropolit - Avery
4th Line - Boyd- Draper - Pisani
Extras - Glass - ???

Defense:
1st Pair - Lidstrom - Burns
2nd Pair - Hannan - Gilbert
3rd Pair - Poti - Robidas
Extra - Demers

Goaltender:
Varlamov
???

Rumors persist that the club is inching closer to a deal that will see Ty Conklin as well as Marty Reasoner returning to the club. There has also been whispers that Tomas Kopecky has received an offer from the club that he is still mulling over. No word yet from Ottawa about who will play with Kovalchuk this year. There are whispers that if the club cannot secure a similar talent to play with Kovalchuk, that they have promised the talented sniper that he will get moved to a club that can provide him with the talent required for him to flourish.