Free Agency Day 3 Wrap: More Depth Moves
On Day 3 of free agency, the Sens re-signed David Dziurzynski and signed Aaron Johnson both to two-way contracts.
The Ottawa Senators followed up their quiet Day 2 of free agency by having a quiet Day 3 as well. Both signings made were designed to strengthen the Binghamton Senators.
The Senators re-signed LW David Dziurzynski to a two-year, two-way contract. Dziurzynski has played four seasons with the Sens' AHL affiliate Binghamton Senators. In 269 career AHL games, "Dizzy" has 34 goals and 59 assists, along with 350 PIMs. He also played 12 games as a call-up with the big club in 2013, scoring 2 goals and getting 13 PIMs. Most fans' biggest memory is of him being knocked out in his tenth NHL game by Frazer McLaren, missing over two weeks with a concussion.
The Sens also signed 31-year-old defenseman Aaron Johnson to a one-year, two-way deal. Johnson was a third-round pick (85th overall) in 2001 by the Columbus Blue Jackets. He has been an AHL and NHL journeyman, having played 328 AHL games for the Syracuse Crunch, Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Rockford IceHogs, Milwaukee Admirals, Providence Bruins, and Hartford Wolf Pack; and 291 NHL games for the Blue Jackets, New York Islanders, Chicago Blackhawks, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, and Boston Bruins. He has 150 career AHL points and 62 career NHL points. Last year, he was the captain of the New York Rangers' AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, with 40-points in 75 games, good enough for fifth on the team.
Both moves are expected to be no more than depth moves to help the Binghamton Senators.
With Murray having said a trade is in the works to bring another NHL-level forward, Twitter was ablaze with suggestions of what this trade could be. Many are suggesting the trade could be with the Flyers, especially to acquire Vincent Lecavalier if the Flyers retain salary, though some doubt this could happen.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Dreger says he's not convinced Vincent Lecavalier is willing to go to Ottawa right now. Lecavalier has a no movement clause. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sens?src=hash">#Sens</a></p>— SensChirp (@SensChirp) <a href="https://twitter.com/SensChirp/statuses/484837088068902912">July 3, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Some have also suggested that for this trade to happen, the Sens would ask for a good player to cover the cost of taking Lecavalier off the Flyers' hands. As of yet, a trade does not appear imminent.