Ottawa GM takes heat for Getzlaf trade

(AP) In 1977 the New York Mets did what most thought was impossible: the beleaguered team traded the franchise, Hall-of-Fame pitcher Tom Seaver, to Cincinnati for four prospects, none of whom ever panned out in their Major League career. The Mets floundered for the next eight seasons until Daryl Strawberry, Gary Carter, Keith Hernandez, and Doc Gooden arrived in town. Now the Ottawa Senators are taking heat rounds for their decision to trade the team's star center, Ryan Getzlaf, along with last season's top goalie Pascal Leclaire, to Pittsburgh for right wing Devin Setoguchi, prospect Jimmy Hayes, and two first round picks.

Angry fans have picketed the front of team headquarters, carrying posters that read (among numerous expletives), "Fire Brown Now!" General Manager and managing partner Gary Brown addressed the fans with a bullhorn: "We needed scoring on the wing. Setoguchi will score 40 goals this season. Trust me! Getzlaf was taking playing time away from Nicklas Backstrom. Of the two, we got more value in return for Getz." Brown believes that the Senators were deep enough at center to make the trade. Behind Backstrom will be Steven Weiss and Matt Stajan, with the fourth line up for bids between Robbie Nilsson and newcomer Michael Frolik. "We plan to shift (Dan) Cleary over to left wing from the right side, and place Setoguchi on Backstrom's first line and on the power play.

Behind Setoguchi will be Michael Ryder, David Moss, and possibly Frolik. Then we'll have Alexei Ponikarovsky, Cleary, speedy Mason Raymond and most likely Sean Bergenheim all getting playing time at left wing," Brown told reporters. In goal, Leclaire became expendable with the emergence of Brian Elliott and the free agent signing of Scott Clemmensen late in the season. Leclaire's ankle injury will likely affect his DU rating, so including him in the Getzlaf trade helped cinch the deal for Pittsburgh. "But our future goalie no doubt has to be Cory Schneider, and we want to give him another season in the minors to be ready to be number one in 2010," Brown said. On defense, stalwart prospect Drew Doughty is just about set to ink an entry level contract to play with the Sens in 2009. He'll be joining a steady corps of blueliners led by Johnny Oduya, veteran Ron Hainsey, shot blocker supreme Rob Scuderi, Jeff Woywitka, Marc Methot, and others. Brown indicated that one more defender could be added to the mix. All things considered, the irate fans will likely forget the Ryan Getzlaf trade when the Senators advance into the later rounds of the playoffs next spring.