Posted by Sean Allen
Daniel Alfredsson will miss at least two weeks after going under the knife to remove a bone chip from his knee. The loss of the best all-around hockey player on the Senators' club is obviously going to have a ripple effect on the whole team, but the most immediate question is: Who gets to play with Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley on the first line and first power-play unit?
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Jesse Winchester could go from the basement to the penthouse if he were promoted to the first line.
While coach Craig Hartsburg has suggested that it may be aggravator Jarkko Ruutu, that doesn't seem like a real answer. The Sens need to elevate someone with a scoring touch in order to stay competitive, and we will likely see a different player riding shotgun on the top line; even if Hartsburg sticks with the Ruutu experiment until it fails (after a game or two). The first name that likely jumps to mind is rookie Jesse Winchester. After finishing his collegiate career, Winchester was given time alongside Spezza and Heatley in camp as Hartsburg toyed with the idea of splitting up the Big Three. Winchester was relegated to fourth-line duties for the two games in Stockholm, but the fact he worked with the Sens' big guns in camp certainly validates the fact that we should know his name. Adding Winchester and Ruutu is a good idea in any medium-sized league or deeper. I know I am shrugging off the Ruutu concept, but if he sticks, you know he'll be valuable with penalty minutes and some osmosis points.
In extra-deep leagues, consider adding either Antoine Vermette or Nick Foligno, as they would also be options to add to the first line. They are likely less attractive to Ottawa than Winchester, though, as their promotion would have Heatley switching back to right wing instead of staying on the port side he's become accustomed to in Ottawa.
Martin Gerber becomes a less-attractive start in upcoming games against Detroit, Phoenix, Boston, Florida, Anaheim and Toronto. Alfredsson is a complete two-way player and the best defensive forward on the Senators. He was also primed to play more penalty-kill minutes this season to help in that regard. You can probably still use Gerber against the Coyotes, Bruins and Panthers, but you shouldn't be starting him against the Red Wings or Ducks (Alfie could return before the October 25 game against Toronto if he misses exactly two weeks).
As for Alfredsson owners, it's not fun starting the season minus your second-round draft pick, but it's also a pretty good time for it to happen, too. It's much easier to find a replacement right winger when there is so much value fluctuation to occur in the next few days as teams play their opening contests. Just watch for an unexpected output from a right winger over the next few days and scoop them up as a replacement.
Also, keep a close eye on the play of Spezza and Heatley with their new linemate. If the new trio really takes off, it could make it a little easier for Hartsburg to keep Alfie on the second line when he does return. Hartsburgh spoke about splitting up his top three in the preseason, only to reunite the troika the next day for the season opener. It's just so hard to resist putting together a line of three All-Stars that even if Alfie is still separated upon return, he should be back with Spezza and Heatley before November, and there's always the power play for the three to keep their chemistry working.
