Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Kelly Re-Ups

Avoiding arbitration is the new fad in the NHL this summer. Players would like to get fair-market value, but it seems to be a kisses and hugs relationship that teams and players are having... no one wanting to present a case to an arbitrator... unless you're the Rangers or Sean Avery. Chris Kelly signed a 1-year deal with the Sens on Tuesday, worth $1.265 million. Kelly proved to be very handy for the Sens down the middle and will have another kick at the can to improve his numbers and his contract situation.

Kelly played in all 82 games, scoring 15 times and adding 23 assists. That put him 219th in pool rankings, which would be a sixth or seventh forward in a deep draft. It was a career year for the 26 year old forward and with a touch more confidence, he might find himself in the midst of more scoring plays.

On Monday, Oleg Saprykin signed a deal in Russia for next season. It seems unlikely he'll come back to the Ottawa fold right away, but you never know how much the Sens may need another winger down the stretch.

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