5 free agents the Senators can sign to get back to the playoffs

DALLAS, TX - MARCH 5: Mark Stone #61 of the Ottawa Senators skates against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center on March 5, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - MARCH 5: Mark Stone #61 of the Ottawa Senators skates against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center on March 5, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – APRIL 20: Blake Comeau #14 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the Nashville Predators in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 20, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Blake Comeau
NASHVILLE, TN – APRIL 20: Blake Comeau #14 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the Nashville Predators in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 20, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Blake Comeau /

2. Blake Comeau

If the Senators retain Mark Stone and Cody Ceci while making no other cap saving moves, they’re not going to have much money leftover. With giant depth holes to fill upfront, they’ll have to hope a guy takes a discount or can be sold on last season being a fluke.

Blake Comeau is no stranger to bad teams who have turned things around. After posting 20 points with the league-worst Colorado Avalanche. And doing this….

Comeau bounced back with 34 points this past season while providing leadership off the ice. Comeau can fill multiple roles for the Senators. He’s best used as a checking forward on the third line, but given the lack of depth in Ottawa, a second line role would not be out of the question. Furthermore, he’s a very good penalty killer and would certainly help the 27th ranked penalty kill in the league.

At 32-years-old, Comeau’s best days are probably behind him, but that shouldn’t deter the Senators from taking a run at him. Tom Pyatt and Bobby Ryan are not the answer at right wing for Ottawa.

Money could be an issue. Comeau had a cap hit of $2.4 million this past season. He’ll likely get around that same number, if not slightly more, from another team. But if the Senators are serious about returning to the playoffs, they’ll pony up that kind of money for a guy who would be a perfect fit in Guy Boucher’s checking system.