Fansided

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

By Jeremy Lambert

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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TORONTO, ON – APRIL 23: Tomas Plekanec #19 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates with the puck against the Boston Bruins in Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Air Canada Centre on April 23, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 23: Tomas Plekanec #19 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates with the puck against the Boston Bruins in Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Air Canada Centre on April 23, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images) /

1. Tomas Plekanec

Multiple signs point to Plekanec returning to Montreal after they traded him to the Toronto Maple Leafs at the deadline. But what if the Senators swoop in?

Plekanec is going to get nowhere near the $6 million he made the past two seasons. He failed to crack the 30-point mark in both seasons as a $6 million man and was playing a third and fourth line role for Toronto. He did play better in the playoffs, but wasn’t around long enough to earn himself a big money contract.

At 35-years-old, Plekanec probably doesn’t have much left in the tank. But in Guy Boucher’s system, he could find success. Throughout his career, he’s always been a responsible defensive forward. His foot speed isn’t what it used to be, but he can still be part of a shutdown group. Anything he gives Ottawa offensively would be a plus.

If the Senators and Boucher are committed to this system, they need guys who fit. Matt Duchene and Mike Hoffman are two offensively creative forwards, but that’s not Boucher’s style. We can debate whether Boucher should change his system or the Senators should change coaches another day. What we know right now is that he’s their guy and he’s stubborn in his style.

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If Plekanec wants to remain in Canada and play for a team that isn’t concerned about his offensive numbers, Ottawa is a good fit for him. Money might be a problem, but he’s going to take a pay cut wherever he goes.

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