I really hadn't realized the depth to which the Senators management was willing to go. Not until the Chris Kelly trade. That's when I knew the kid gloves were off and it was as if the management had hung "For Sale" signs on all the players.

Let's talk dollars and cents here. Taking Mike Fisher's $4.2 million salary off the books made sense. It was a pretty high salary for not great returns. But Chris Kelly? He's a rock for the Senators. He can always be counted on to give his all on every shift. He's a great two-way player, an excellent penalty killer, and can be counted on for goals when it matters. He was already up to 12 goals, 3 short of his best in the NHL, with plenty of season left to play. His salary is a measly $2.1 million. So why the trade?

It can only boil down to age. The Senators have been accused of being an old team, and the management has said: "Fine! Out with the old, then". Kelly can't be considered "old" at barely 30, but it seems the pendulum has swung far the other way and 30-anything is out of fashion.

What could be scarier is that the Senators have decided that be like your local used car salesman: any reasonable offer will be accepted. Although Kelly for a 2nd round pick is close to an unreasonable offer. Based on what we've seen, is any player safe? The following could definitely be targets:

• Chris Neil (31 years old, $2 million)
• Jarkko Ruutu (35, $1.3 million)
• Alex Kovalev (37, $5 million)
• Sergei Gonchar (36, $5.5 million, no-movement clause)
• Filip Kuba (34, $3.7 million, NMC)
• Chris Phillips (32, $3.5 million, NMC)

That's just based on age and salary. The Senators also have some players that can fit any request out there. Need a cheap, tough no-nonsense blueliner? We have Matt Carkner. Need a speedy forward with grit? We have Ryan Shannon. Need a fast forward who can make plays at the net? There's Milan Michalek. Need a savvy, puck-moving, attacking defenseman? There's Chris Campoli.Need a has-been goalie? ... Let's not go there.

 Even Jason Spezza could be moved for the right price. If this is where the management is going, then we can look forward to a very new team indeed.One that may spend a season or two in the league's basement as well.

GO SENS GO!!