Ottawa has signed free agent forward Alex Kovalev, to a two year contract, valued at $5 million a year. Kovalev, a somewhat enigmatic scorer, has some of the best hands in the National Hockey League. He will bring a differetn element to Ottawa with his puck possession play. I would figure that he will play on a line with Spezza, although I am unsure who will play on the Left Wing for them. IF heatley sticks around, it is quite possible he will play the left wing on that line, making for an offensively dominant line to play against. Were I coaching this team, I would most likely split up Kovalev and Spezza for a number of reasons. Both like to carry the puck and make moves. Both have a tendency to have a high number of turn-overs. Both also have a tedency to takes nights off, and not play a very physical game. My line combinations for the Senators’ first two lines next year would be as follows:

Heater-Spezza-Alfie

Foligno-Fisher-Kovalev

Fisheer demonstrated at the Worlds that he can be a skilled play-maker when given time with a sniping winger, so I believe that he and Kovalev could have some great chemistry, with Foligno thrown in to rush the net and make some more space for the two of them. It should be noted that Fisher needs no help making space, but would be able to focus more on play-making given such a solid scorer on his line. More updates to come as more free-agency moves happen for the Sens.