What Should Ottawa Do?

From my initial impressions, Ottawa's team and core group is fucked and it needs to be blown up (for the most part).

One strength is that they've got an elite set of forwards...even if they didn't perform in the playoffs. They will eventually but Spezza and Heatley can't be blamed for their troubles in general.

Over the course of the season the problem was first and foremost defense. It sucked and the goalies got the blame. I think the problem with the media is that perceive Emery as a top 5-10 goalie but from the start his stats just show a league average goaltender.

First here's what I'll do with the free agents:

Bye bye bye:
Wade Redden 6.5 M - you're overrated and they need your cap space. Face it, you need a guy like Chara since you're not tough enough. Sure you drop the gloves to show your "man" enough but your play isn't there.
Martin Lapointe
Cory Stillman - doesn't fit onto this team. Too much talent upfront. Giving up Eaves was such a bad trade. They may sign him just to look good to be honest.

Keep:
Chris Kelly - I love this guy. Hopefully they can get him for around 1.5 M otherwise he may end up being pricey for a 3rd line guy. I see him winning a cup somewhere down the road.
Mike Commodore - was iffy but toughness is needed by the back end.
Sean Donovan/Randy Robitaille - you need a 4th line and these guys make up one of the best 4th lines in the league.

Who do they need to sign?
A #1 and #2 defensemen. I would not be surprised if San Jose got Redden and Ottawa got Brian Campbell. If Ottawa does not go after Campbell they are not trying.

John-Michael Liles would be a great addition to Ottawa if the price was right but I don't see him leaving Colorado. Brad Stuart might not be a bad choice but he's a little on the overrated side to me.

Two potential goalies if they release Emery:
Jose Theodore and Christobal Huet. Theodore would be dumb as it would be signing a guy like Emery. Huet WILL have more then one suitor but will be probably end up like Gerber. I'd choose Huet but to be honest I wouldn't do it. I'd rather save the money and the much needed cap space. You could always send Emery to the minors or on assignment to Europe (lol). The problem here is that he had a ton of value before people started pointing fingers. GMs are just saying "no one" will take him but in reality he will be picked up easily once he's released.

I wouldn't release Emery. The fact is this team isn't suited to the win the cup. It may never be but it's not like most teams are. Unless you are trading away Heatley or Spezza...Ottawa is probably going to be a good team but not win the cup.