However, the Senators also have to make room for Swedish defenceman Erik Karlsson, their first-round draft pick in 2008 and a player who will be given every chance to make the team.

Montreal defenceman Mike Komisarek would be a long-shot for the Senators to land.

Photograph by : Jean Levac, The Ottawa Citizen

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Forwards

With Mike Comrie and Chris Neil headed to free agency and with Heatley eventually out the door, the Senators need for forwards.

Since he's obviously not going to replace Heatley's goal-scoring ability, Murray might have to look for a couple of players who can both get 20 or so goals. It might end up leading to a more balanced attack, something the Senators have needed for some time, but it's also likely to become a more blue-collar offence.

The prize of this free-agent season is former Senator Marian Hossa, but he's unaffordable and going elsewhere.

P.J. Axelsson, most recently with the Boston Bruins ($1.85 million last season), will be available, but he's 33 and not really a top-six forward.

Maxim Afinogenov, who made $3.5 million last season with the Buffalo Sabres, is also available, but too expensive.

New York Rangers centre Nik Antropov, who made $2.1 million last season, has let it be known that, unlike Heatley, he'd love to play in Ottawa, but his price is too high. Rangers general manager Glen Sather was interested in re-signing him, but said the price being asked by Mark Gandler, Antropov's agent, was deemed "ridiculous."

Certain to attract interest is Dominic Moore. He's only 28 and made just $900,000 last year, but the word is he's looking for a big raise. There's also speculation he wants to return to the Toronto Maple Leafs, who dealt him to the Sabres when they couldn't sign him before the February trade deadline.

Another possibility is left-winger Travis Moen of the San Jose Sharks.

Elliott gets an offer

The Senators on Monday extended a qualifying offer to Elliott, who is a restricted free agent, but that was simply a formality since the two sides are already talking contract. However, there was no such offer to defenceman Brendan Bell, who will now be an unrestricted free agent as of Wednesday.

No closer for Neil

Neil and the Senators were no closer on Monday to reaching a deal, so it appears the 30-year-old right-winger will be headed to unrestricted free agency.

The Senators had offered around $1.7 million per season, but Neil, who had three goals, seven assists and 146 penalty minutes this past season, is looking for between $2 million and $2.5 million.