The Oilers are kicking around a different look on the power play, and that opens the door - at least in theory - to a name that would raise eyebrows in Edmonton: Patrik Laine.
Mike Babcock’s idea is to spread the offence around instead of leaning so heavily on McDavid, Draisaitl, and Bouchard. That kind of adjustment could make the second unit matter more, and if Edmonton wants another weapon in that mix, Laine is the kind of player who naturally comes up.
It still feels like a long shot, especially given his history with Babcock, but Laine has reportedly spoken positively about Babcock since his removal. The investigation details were never fully public, and if both sides are looking for a fresh start, Laine could be a cheap second power-play option.
The catch is obvious: his 5-on-5 impact would be a question, and his role would have to stay very defined.
In Toronto, the coaching staff is getting a major shake-up, and the biggest headline is Daniel Alfredsson joining as an associate coach. The expectation is that he’ll move into the associate head coach role. The Maple Leafs also brought in John Gruden and Brad Werenka, while Mike Van Ryn and Derek Lalonde are out for next season.
It’s the kind of move that instantly grabs attention because Alfredsson’s name carries so much weight in the long Leafs-Sens storyline. Friedman called it strange to see the legendary Senators captain land with an arch-rival, and that’s putting it mildly. Toronto says his leadership and hockey background will be central to the staff, but there’s no mistaking how that move lands in Ottawa.
The Senators, meanwhile, made sure Claude Giroux isn’t going anywhere. Ottawa has signed him to a one-year deal with about $2 million in base salary and as much as $3 million more in performance bonuses. Negotiations reportedly gained momentum over the last day, and the result keeps Giroux in the fold.
For the Senators, it’s a tidy piece of business. Giroux gives them leadership, steady two-way play, and a veteran presence for a young core built around Stützle, Chabot, Sanderson, and others. The contract structure keeps things flexible while preserving that experience in the room, and Ottawa clearly sees value in keeping him around as it keeps pushing toward real playoff runs.
In Other News...
Steve Staios Just Faced A Huge Claude Giroux Test
When free agency opened, Steve Staios made it clear he did not want to treat Claude Giroux like just another name on the board. The Senators executive kept a roster spot available for the veteran, a sign Ottawa valued more than production from a player who has become one of the teams most trusted voices and a steadying presence in the room.
The push to keep Giroux around has been going on for months, with the Senators even putting a contract in front of him before the trade deadline. His role has only grown more important as leadership questions have sharpened around the roster, and Giroux has repeatedly sounded comfortable in Ottawas locker room, where he has said he enjoys being around the group. [Read more 🡒]
Wild Quietly Secured Important Right Side Blue Line Depth
Arthur Kaliyevs season in the Senators organization was productive enough to turn heads in the AHL, where he piled up goals and points for Belleville before Ottawa decided not to tender him a qualifying offer. He also barely saw NHL ice with the Senators, which made his situation one of the more notable roster decisions of the summer for a club trying to sort out its depth and decide which players fit into the long-term picture.
Now the next chapter is already drawing interest overseas, with multiple KHL clubs watching the wingers market as he moves into unrestricted free agency. For Ottawa, it is another reminder that a player can be useful at one level and still end up somewhere else entirely when contract decisions have to be made. [Read more 🡒]