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Projecting Ottawa Senators RFA Contracts: Fabian Zetterlund, Tyler Kleven, Leevi Meriläinen & More!



We continue looking at pending free agents for the Ottawa Senators, but today we focus on the Restricted Free Agents!
Brandon Piller and Ross Levitan put on their General Manager hats and try to project deals for the Sens RFA’s. How will negotiating go with Fabian Zetterlund, a newcomer with arbitration rights? Should the Sens try to go long term with Tyler Kleven? And how do you approach Leevi Merilainen as a young goalie who was spectacular in a small sample size in the NHL?

0:00 Projecting Senators’ RFA contracts
5:21 Ryan Bowness departure and potential replacement
9:28 Fabian Zetterland’s contract negotiation
15:09 Contract options for Zetterland
20:39 Tyler Kleven’s development and contract projection
26:58 Kleven’s playoff performance and future potential
32:31 Analyzing Kleven’s ideal contract length and value
38:24 Leevi Merilainen’s NHL/AHL stats
44:22 Belleville RFAs and young prospects

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35 Comments

  6. @johnhillier6606

    Zetterlund when he was traded to SJ also did not score that year, but the next year had 24. So I am not worried, 1 or 4 year deal… He only has 2 years of RFA left, he is UFA in 2027, so 2 year deal is a big no.

  8. @AliDez613

    Gotta try to give Zetts a 1-2 year “show me” contract. If he can gel in the top six and show 20 goals can be the norm, then he gets his pay day next contract.

    Personally, I think the sky is the limit for Fabian. I’m a BIG fan. He’s a high effort, high energy player. That means that even during periods where the offense dries up, he’ll be working hard and contributing in other ways.

  9. @edpottinger849

    I think I have an idea for a player to play with Timmy.Pavel Zacha from Boston.If you were to move Zetterlund you would be helping him moving him to Boston.Zacha is a center or left wing.
    Then I would try moving Zub and Gilbert for Weegar.There would need to be about 25 percent retention for it to work.

  10. @DGL-LDG

    I’ve actually listened deeper to what Staois meant by “internal growth”.

    What if, Ridley Grieg keeps getting better and he moves up to the 2nd line. That would leave Zetterlund much better slotted on the 3rd line.

  11. @patsgarage8593

    I love the addition of Zetterlund!! I think a full season including training camp will set him up nicely next season

  12. @chrisfortin984

    Zetterlund, like we all stated, is a complicated one. A 1 year deal sounds right. The big thing I did not like, is how he was bounced all over the lineups, getting chemistry with no one. Is it Zetterlund's fault? No. Travis Green better find the spot Zetterlund has the better chance to thrive, and keep him there. No beating the bushes, and no putting him on the 4th line. He finds his spot on that top 6, since Giroux is best on the 3rd line who need that playmaker and Giroux gives that, and he stays there. I do not want to see him on that 4th line. I don't care what reason Green would give us, to put him there. I can agree with the Zetterlund points you guys made, but if a JJ Peterka becomes a talking point to Staios and Zetterlund is the piece Buffalo wants, Im entertaining the offer of a possible trade, only because Peterka is a huge upgrade and a great piece you know for certain he will be in your top 6. He is the only guy Im really looking to if a trade is made for Zetterlund. Outside of that, you keep him. On the note that is more likely Donato is re-signing in Chicago, its important for Travis Green and Daniel Alfredsson to find the line that fits best for Zetterlund, whether it be the with the Stutzle line or the Cozens line. Give him that "prove it" contract of 1 year, 3M AAV.

    Kleven I won't go into it, as I completely agree with what you guys said, 100%.

    As far as Leevi Merileinen, ya that one we will continue to disagree with, but its all good. We can say to keep Leevi in Belleville, play 50-55 games, yada yada. However after hearing what you guys had to say, especially when it comes to Mads Sogaard's contract, it becomes less likely that I see Leevi go back to Belleville, for one big reason. The others I stated in the last video, so I won't bring up those same talking points here. The conflict to having Merileinen play 50-55 games in Belleville gives very few games for Mads Sogaard to play the games he needs, considering he barely played last season, for Staios to truly see if Sogaard is good enough to take that call-up that would keep Sogaard in the NHL as it becomes a one-way contract. Mads Sogaard is the one that needs to play those 50-55 games in Belleville in the upcoming season while it's still a 2-way contract, not Leevi Merileinen, and you certainly wont have Leevi played 17-22 starts in Belleville. That would just be a slap in the face to Leevi Merileinen. Leevi would get a lot more starts in Ottawa than he would in Belleville next season, as Mads needs those 50-55 starts. When I wrote that piece on your last podcast with the UFA's, I had no idea of that stipulation in Mads Sogaard's contract, but thanks to you guys, Im more convinced now than I was when I wrote the piece, that Leevi Merileinen will be the backup to Linus Ullmark next season. In saying that, the contract Leevi should get, I think it makes more sense of it being similar to Mads Sogaard's deal. A 2-year deal, 950K per..2-way contract the first year, and a 1-way contract the second year. This sets the stage for Steve Staios to really keep an eye on both Mads and Leevi throughout the season and see who , of the two goaltenders, is the one to get that call-up the season after and gets that permanent spot to be the backup to Linus Ullmark. Thats how I see this unfolding, but the certainty now is, Forsberg is out, 100%.

    Either way, I think in the draft, I dunno if its a dry draft for goaltenders, but Staios and his scouts should really try to zero in on a bluechip goaltender and get his development started should the situation happens that Mads Sogaard either has a bad season this upcoming season, or gets injured again that leads to the decision Leevi is the guy, and Sogaard stays in Belleville, or doesn't get re-signed at all.

  18. @scottmiller8617

    I'd gamble on Zetterlund for 5 years at 5 million. He's gonna be a perennial 20 goal guy and the cap is going up, but I admit it would be a gamble. He could be a bargain 2nd liner at that price, or an overpaid 3rd liner

  19. @carlchoiniere7310

    We don't really know what we have with Zetterlund, so I'd be in favour of a 1 year contract in the 3.5-4 range. Kleven probably gets 2 year at between 1 and 1.3. And I'd be fine with Leevi getting the same contract Mads got.

  20. @thedetoxguy

    Zetterlund is a good player and as Rossie says his behind the scenes numbers show good. While he dipped a bit in Ottawa, new team, new environment… But he is also rugged too. Goals will come as he had 24 in SJ and then 17 before he got traded here… Give him 3 years at 9 – 10 million… Something like Perron money, a bit less but since he is young, invest a bit more… You will always get 20 goals out of him, and he is sound play wise. Kleven… 2 or 3 years at 1.7 million per year. Leevi Merilainen… Dump the bum Sogard, that is right, dont even spel his name right. Trade him for a 7th round draft choice. Leevi the man… 3 years, 2 million per year, 1st year 2 ways between Belleville and Ottawa. Make sure you show Meriliainen some good love.

  21. @MauroToneatti

    1-2 years for Zetterlund to see if he’s a good fit. I wouldn’t just let him walk away. Kleven is a must signing as he is a diamond in the rough. Levi should be Ulmark’s backup and let Forsberg go.

  22. @angermanagementstudios

    I’m not sure I’d offer Z much of anything. Yeah he’s tried his nuts off but he’s offered little to nothing in production.

    Just my 2p’s worth while I sit on the beach in Spain, drinking my beer with my Timmy jersey on.

  24. @Zer0sand0nez14

    Zetterland was living it up in the beautiful Californian weather, ffs? Yeah, it's going to take him a bit to get going. He's a talented young player, and I want to see what he can do this coming season.

  25. @Owenator26

    I liked the discussion you guys had about Fabien Zetterlund. When he came over to Ottawa I was really excited to see what he could bring to the table and I guess you could say he's been getting the great chances but hasn't found the back of the net or had as much of an impact to say when Cozens came over when he was getting a points every game. I would for sure say sign Zetterlund for a 1 year contract and see how things play out for him next season. I think the biggest issue is trying to figure out where he fits into the lineup cause we've had alot of lines this season that have had solid depth from game to game and pretty much kept those lines together placing Zetterlund on the 4th line. I think if you want to start seeing better results from him you place him somewhere in the Top 6 which means they would have to move a player from our current Top 6 someone like Giroux or Batherson down to the 4th line cause your not breaking up the third line with Greig-Pinto-Amadio they have been one of our best lines. Whatever happens though I would like to see Zetterlund back for at least another year and see what he can bring I have faith in him!

  26. @RobMcRae-fv5qd

    I think with Zetterlund is what line does he fit and what amount. I don’t think he wants to be on the 4th line but loves it here. I’m thinking pinto, Zetterlund, z on the third line just until Perron leaves or goes to fourth line. This would give Pinto some more offensive players to play with. You also have to slot Grieg somewhere. I would play him on the 4th line and pk this year with filling in on injuries on other lines. I would play my fourth line a little more next yr. I would do a 3 yr deal at no more than 3m per. I would keep Levi for 1 more yr in minors to develop but call up on injury. We need a backup to Ullmark for 1-2 yrs. Would like Allen or Forsy. We need a first line scoring winger most of all. If G doesn’t want third line roll then use that money for first line winger and move Grieg to 3rd line.

  31. @pat6146

    1 year $4MM sounds ok but not great. For sure an arbitrated solution would not be good… reminds me of Stone and the damage that did to the relationship

  34. @JohnFuoco-j4t

    Putting Zetterlund on the 4th line was a Big mistake by Green. Putting him everywhere. He should have been on the second line from the start and put giroux on the 3rd. It's bad coaching. ZETTERLUND should walk and go to a better coached team. Why did they trade for him? You're not gonna use him.

  35. @JohnFuoco-j4t

    Ohhh, and let's not talk about sending a goalie down that was 8-3 and on a serious grove. Another veryyyyy bad decision. Destroying the confidence of the goalie. He should walk as well.

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