The Ottawa Senators have announced the signing of sixth-overall pick Mika Zibanejad (senators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=569213). The Sens had until July 15th to get him signed or else have to pay 100k to his club team. This means Zibanejad can compete for a roster spot in training camp (if he fails to make the team he will be returned to Djurgarden to fulfill his contract with them for the 2011-12 season). According to Capgeek (http://www.capgeek.com/players/display.php?id=2090) Zibanejad has a cap hit of 1.775/yr.
Senators Player Profile: Brian Lee
This is the seventh in a series of profiles on each player for the Ottawa Senators.
Brian Lee, D, Contract: 0.875/12 (RFA)
Drafted 1-9/05 (Muckler), 6’3, Shoots R, YOB 1987, Fargo, ND
2007-08 AHL 55-3-22-25 -4 51pim, NHL 6-0-1-1
2008-09 53-2-11-13 -2 33pim (1 fight) TOI 18:53 BkS 67 Hits 58, AHL 27-2-10-12
2009-10 23-2-1-3 -5 12pim TOI 15:33 BkS 27 Hits 33, AHL 41-3-12-15 -11
2010-11 50-0-3-3 -10 24pim (2 fights) TOI 17:07 BkS 77 Hits 88
When Ottawa selected Brian Lee with the 9th overall pick of the 2005 draft, it was the highest selection they’d had since trading for the Islanders 2nd overall pick in 2001 (Jason Spezza). It remains the highest draft selection by GM John Muckler and has been controversial ever since. Why did the Senators take Lee? Reading the early parts of his old prospect page (http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospect/brian-lee) helps explain it. A partial quotation: “Minnesota’s 2005 Mr. Hockey and Associated Press Player of the Year was the first high school player selected in the 2005 NHL draft. Lee had an accomplished senior season at Moorhead. Although his point total dipped from 48 to 37 in five fewer games, Lee lead Moorhead to the championship game of the state AA high school tournament. Upon completion of the high school season, Lee joined Lincoln in the USHL and finished the season strong with 5 points in 4 playoff games. Lee also became only the 13th high school player to make the USA roster at the World Junior Hockey Championships.” Muckler was certainly enthused with the selection (http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Draft/2005/07/31/1154736-sun.html).
Lee would spend two years playing in the NCAA before turning pro (82-6-47-53). He then joined the 2007-08 Binghamton Senators for coach Cory Clouston’s innaugural AHL season. Lee wound up tied for second in points by a blueliner (behind Lawrence Nycholat) and earned a late season call-up where he played well enough for Bryan Murray to declare him to be an “NHL player” (http://communities.canada.com/ ottawacitizen/blogs/hockeycapital/archive/2008/03/27/ottawa-senators-notes-from-the-morning-skate-march-27-2008.aspx).
The following season Lee was expected to be a full-time NHL player and progress, and while he did set what are career highs in games played (53) and points (13), he could not avoid assignments to Binghamton (this was the year that Brendan Bell seemed to have a breakout season).
Entering 2009-10 Lee failed to make the team and spent most of the year in Binghamton (he’s not even listed in ESPN’s season preview, http://sports.espn.go.com/ %20nhl/preview2009/team?page=nhlpre09/ott). His play was mediocre at best (Erik Karlsson almost out produced him with 11 points in 12 games versus 15 points in 41). Despite an inability to either dominate in the AHL or establish himself in the NHL, Lee was given a two-year, one-way contract.
With a one-way contract there was no doubt that Lee would be on the roster for the 2010-11 season, but even so he still didn’t warrant comment in season previews (this is Pierre LeBrun’s http://espn.go.com/nhl/preview2010/team/_/name/ott). He played seven games in October, but Clouston was not happy with his performance (he played a grand total of 1:28 on October 22nd) and thereafter he was scratched for what might be an NHL record 25 straight games. In the midst of the stretch, unable to trade him, Bryan Murray waived him around the league (http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/33526475/ sports/player_news), but there were no takers for the former first round pick. Lee, to his credit, said virtually nothing pubically (http://www.ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/2010/ 12/15/16567646.html). When he finally returned to the lineup in December his play had improved (http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Ottawa/2011/02/23/17386476.html).
One of the biggest problems with Brian Lee is figuring out what he is. Over his first four professional seasons it’s clear he’s not a dynamic offensive player, but despite his size he’s not overly physical either. He did increase the number of hits and blocked shots last year (although if you read the Don Brennan article carefully you’ll see his pace for the former fell off at the end of the season). If Lee does have a role to play in the NHL it has to be as a shutdown defenceman with a good stick. The odds are very slim he will find that role with the Ottawa however, and I believe that if he remains with the team throughout next season it will be his last. There are just too many good blueliners knocking on the door. As for projections, should he play the full year 10 points seems reasonable.
Profile of Lee at the end of 2008: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xp0YQDGTks
A good hit and lousy fight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InzY0baLE8M
Next up is Erik Karlsson.
Senators Player Profile: Colin Greening
This is the sixth in a series of profiles on each player for the Ottawa Senators.
Colin Greening, C/LW, Contract: 0.816,667/14 (UFA)
Drafted 7-204/05 (Murray), 6’2, Shoots L, YOB 1986, St. John’s, NL
2009-10 NCAA 34-15-20-35 31pim
2010-11 AHL 59-15-25-40 +12 41pim (6 fights), NHL 24-6-7-13 +2 10pim TOI 15:05 Hits 56
An off-the-board draft pick out of Upper Canada College, Colin Greening was a long term project who spent a year in the BCHL before moving on to Cornell in the NCAA. Finishing his senior year both as captain and the student-athlete of the year, he signed his one-year ELC and joined the organisation.
Sent to Binghamton, it took Greening about a month to settle into the lineup (in October he was -3, scratched once, and had two points in eight games). From that point on his game really picked up and in February he was recalled to the Senators. Greening quickly won the confidence of coach Cory Clouston and was used extensively. He also enjoyed some notoriety after beating Antoine Vermette‘s fastest skater record and narrowly losing to Matt Carkner for the hardest shot (http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/ Hockey/NHL/Ottawa/2011/02/21/pf-17359446.html; you can listen to former Player Operations director Brent Flahr talk about how Greening needs to improve his skating back in 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLjL4DrdtMI). When the Senators’ season came to an end Greening was sent back to Binghamton to help them in their Calder Cup run. There wasn’t much left in the tank and Greening could not keep up his production (22-1-4-5). Nevertheless, he earned a three-year, one-way contract (which he discusses on May 19th here http://www.facebook.com/TEAM1200).
Greening is built like a tank. Randy Lee says he’s the closest to Zdeno Chara’s physique he’s seen (June 28th, http://www.team1200.com/default.asp). While he’s a physical player, he doesn’t throw many big hits like Chris Neil. Greening’s speed and work ethic make it easy to slot him anywhere in the lineup. It’s difficult to say where his offensive numbers will settle, but given how difficult he is to handle in front of the net I could see him putting up 25-30 points with 10 goals.
Greening’s Hockey Futures profile: www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/colin_greening
Greening’s NHL goals: http://video.senators.nhl.com/videocenter/console?hlp=8471862&fr=false
Greening puts the body on Dainius Zubrus http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsKBzBnT9QQ and in the next game they played each other Zubrus tries to decapitate him video.senators.nhl.com/videocenter/console?hlg=20102011,2,1058& event=OTT549
Next up is Brian Lee.
Ottawa adds Lee Sweatt and Tim Conboy, lose Geoff Kinrade and Cody Bass
Today the Ottawa Senators announced the signing of free agent Lee Sweatt to a two-year, two-way contract (http://senators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=569033&cmpid=rss-News). An undersized blueliner, the undrafted NCAA grad spent three years putting up big numbers in Europe before spending last season with the Manitoba Moose in the AHL (41-5-9-14). There’s little chance that Sweatt puts on an Ottawa Senator uniform unless there are roster moves, but he helps fill the veteran hole on the blueline. There’s a brief description of him here: www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/12360/ manitoba_moose201011_preview. [Contract numbers are out: 650k/80k then 175k in the AHL.]
Ottawa added another AHL blueliner in Tim Conboy (http://senators.nhl.com/club/ news.htm?id=569034). The 29-year old Conboy was originally a San Jose draft pick (7-217/02) who offers toughness (233pim’s last year), but not much else (scoring once in his last 139 games; 70-0-12-12 last year). His signing makes the prospect of bringing back Derek Smith very slim. [Contract numbers are out: 600k/150k.]
Speaking of veterans, 25-year old RFA Geoff Kinrade has apparently signed with HC Plzen of the Czech Elite League (http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=PluckPersona&U=551340dd39644ae695cca9fe0180e879&plckPersonaPage=BlogViewPost&plckUserId=551340dd39644ae695cca9fe0180e879&plckPostId=Blog%3a551340dd39644ae695cca9fe0180e879Post%3aef987103-a8a1-4b2a-83fa-b4d52251d39c&plckController=PersonaBlog&plckScript=personaScript&plckElementId=personaDest). Kinrade was a free agent college signing who spent the last two years in Binghamton as a defensive stalwart (+39 over his two seasons; 78-6-19-25 last year). Undoubtedly Kinrade has looked at the organisational depth chart and realised there was no room for him to move up.
Columbus has signed UFA Cody Bass (http://bluejackets.nhl.com/club/blog.htm?id=106) who spent four years with the Ottawa organisation. Bass was a fourth round draft pick in 2005 who plays a gritty, two-way game. Over the years he played 34 games in the NHL, but given his limited offensive talents (39 points in 171 AHL games) there’s little doubt he’ll spend the bulk of the year in the AHL for the Blue Jackets.
The only remaining RFA’s requiring a contract are Bobby Butler and Kaspars Daugavins.
Senators Player Profile: Zack Smith
This is the fifth in a series of profiles on each player for the Ottawa Senators.
Zack Smith, C/LW, Contract: 0.7/13 (RFA)
Drafted 3-79/08 (Murray), 6’2, Shoots L, YOB 1988, Maple Creek, Sask
2008-09 AHL 79-24-24-48 +2 132pim (10 fights)
2009-10 15-2-1-3 +1 14pim (2 fights) TOI 9:02 Hits 31 FO% 47.5, AHL 68-14-27-41
2010-11 55-4-5-9 -11 120pim (6 fights) TOI 12:36 Hits 129 FO% 53.9, AHL 22-7-5-12
Zack Smith was an overage player when he was selected in the 2008 NHL draft. Captain of the Swift Current Broncos, Smith’s WHL production leapt from 31 to 70 points, adding to the grit and toughness he was already known for. Smith had a great training camp and was the last player cut (http://www.silversevensens.com/2009/9/8/ 1020694/kitchener-rookie-tournament). He joined a Binghamton team lead by Ilya Zubov and Mattias Karlsson, finishing fifth in team scoring.
Heading into the 2009-10 season, hopes were high for Smith (www.ottawasun.com/ sports/hockey/2009/09/20/11020901.html and video.senators.nhl.com/videocenter/ console?id=38284), but he was beat out by Peter Regin for a roster spot and returned to Binghamton. Smith put up identifical point-per-game results in the AHL, also seeing action in 15 NHL games (the second most for call-ups behind Brian Lee).
Last season, Smith made the Senators out of camp, but was returned to Binghamton in October and bounced back and forth until being permanently retained in late December. While his Binghamton numbers were essentially the same as the previous two years, his season in Ottawa was much like the rest of the team’s–mixed. When the regular season ended he was returned to Binghamton to help them in their run to the Calder Cup. Smith struggled in the team’s first series against Manchester, but was strong thereafter and finished fourth in playoff scoring (23-8-12-20). He was rewarded with a two-year, one-way deal.
There was speculation that Zack Smith would replace departed veteran Chris Kelly as the Senators third line center going into 2011-12. To me, although Smith is considered solid defensively (despite being a minus most of his career), he’s not at all like Kelly in style of play. A north-south forward, Smith’s offensive output in the NHL is likely to remain modest. I see him as a physical fourth line player who can step up when required. Reasonable expectations for next season would be 15 points with 7 goals.
Smith’s old Hockey Futures profile: www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/zack_smith
Smith’s fight with Nathan Horton: http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/104590
Smith scoring his first goal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKTr48O1UCY&playnext=1&list=PLA0A2D7E65222E517
Smith talking about his new contract (June 2nd): http://www.team1200.com/default.asp
Next up is Colin Greening.
Senators Player Profile: Nikita Filatov
This is the fourth in a series of profiles on each player for the Ottawa Senators.
Nikita Filatov, C/LW, Contract: 2.195,833/12 (RFA)
Drafted 1-6/08 (Howson), 6’0, Shoots R, YOB 1990, Moscow, Russia
2008-09 8-4-0-4 +3 0pim TOI 8:07, AHL 39-16-16-32
2009-10 13-2-0-2 Even 8pim TOI 8:06, KHL 26-9-13-22
2010-11 23-0-7-7 +3 8pim TOI 12:19, AHL 36-9-11-20
Prior to being drafted by Columbus, Filatov was the captain of the Russian team that won the silver medal at the 2008 Under-18 World Championships (leading the team with nine points, the same feat he’d performed in previous year at the tournament, http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftprospectdetail.htm?dpid=211). Filatov was GM Scott Howson’s first true draft pick (much like Bryan Murray, Howson became GM just before the 2007 draft and so was reliant on Doug MacLean’s scouting staff), but like so many talented forwards who entered the Columbus system (Jakub Voracek, Derek Brassard, Gilbert Brule, Alexandre Picard, Nikolai Zherdev, etc), things did not work out as planned.
Filatov’s first year was under the combustible Ken Hitchcock. He performed well both at the AHL and NHL level, but his relationship with Hitchcock seemed sour from the start (a week after scoring a hat-trick against Minnesota his coach was talking about demoting him to the AHL, www.bluejacketsxtra.com/live/content/sports/stories/2009/ 01/18/jackets_notes_1-18.ART_ART_01-18-09_C6_F0CIKFU.html?sid=101).
The following season was Hitchcock’s last (not just with Columbus, but as a head coach), being replaced towards the end of the season by the short-lived Claude Noel. Expectations were high for Filatov (http://www.dailyfaceoff.com/180/columbus-blue-jackets-20092010-season-preview), but Hitchcock remained unhappy with his defensive play and so Filatov requested a loan to the KHL in November (playing for CSKA Moscow and scoring at nearly a point-per-game pace with Denis Parshin and Konstantin Korneyev as linemates). Externally, much of the blame for Filatov’s struggles was heaped on Ken Hitchcock (sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ allan_muir/11/13/filatov.brunnstrom. howard/index.html and sportsillustrated.cnn.com/ 2010/writers/ jim_kelley/02/04/hitchcock.firing/index.html).
Optimism (http://www.aolnews.com/2010/09/15/2010-11-columbus-blue-jackets-preview-waiting-on-youth/) was high going into Filatov’s third year in the organisation (only his second in terms of his entry-level contract because of his games played his first season) under new coach Scott Arniel. His ice time crept up, but there were still issues (again related to his defensive play–this link blog.dispatch.com/cbj/2010/11/ looking_for_a_split.shtml will remind you of Jason Spezza‘s early days) and he was sent down to the AHL in December. His play was indifferent in the minors and his season was ended by a concussion a few months later.
By the 2011 Entry Draft, Filatov had asked for a trade. Given the now deleted tweet by R. J. Umberger (http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Columbus-gives-up-on-Nikita-Filatov-deals-him-t?urn=nhl-wp8009), it seems like Filatov’s problems were as much with some of his teammates as with his coaches (although it’s hard to be definitive, since it was Umberger’s spot on the second line that Filatov took when he was playing well). Howson was able to trade him to Ottawa (receiving a 3rd round pick used to draft T. J. Tynan), allowing both Filatov and Columbus to move on.
So what kind of player is Filatov? He’s talented enough to dominate at the AHL and KHL level and there’s no doubt he can produce as an NHL player, but will he? Filatov leaves a Columbus team that has never scored more than 226 goals in a season or had more than 41 wins–a team that emphasizes defence over offence. There is, however, no doubt that Filatov himself was part of the problem by not showing enough dedication to team play. As Tim Murray said in an interview on The Team back on June 28th (http://www.facebook.com/TEAM1200), there’s plenty of blame that can go either way, but in Ottawa he’s going to have a fresh start and be given the opportunity to make mistakes.
It’s difficult to guess how Filatov will do in Ottawa–it’s extremely hard to find a comparable player (Alexander Semin is the closest I could think of). I think he will make the team (he made Columbus the last two years), but how he’ll perform is hard to guess given how small his NHL sample size is. If everything goes well he could put up 50 points and 20 goals–of course, he could also wind up in the KHL. It will be interesting to see how his season unfolds.
Here’s his Hockey Futures profile: www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/nikita_filatov
Filatov’s hat-trick: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arXAjBUbJtM
Filatov’s pre-game routine:: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHvjdX36lUA
Next up is Zack Smith.
Senators Player Profile: Nick Foligno
This is the third in a series of profiles on each player for the Ottawa Senators.
Nick Foligno, C/LW, Contract: 1.2/12 (RFA)
Drafted 1-28/06 (Muckler), 6’0, Shoots L, YOB 1987, Buffalo, NY
2007-08 45-6-3-9 Even 20pim TOI 9:09 Hits 51
2008-09 81-17-15-32 -10 59pim (1 fight) TOI 13:40 Hits 97
2009-10 61-9-17-26 +6 53pim (1 fight) TOI 14:18 Hits 78
2010-11 82-14-20-34 -19 43pim (1 fight) TOI 15:34 Hits 119
Arguably the best forward drafted under Muckler’s regime (2003-07), Foligno was returned to the OHL for one more year before turning pro. He joined the Senators in the turbulent year following their trip to the Cup final, quickly becoming the best forward asset in the organisation (ahead of fellow rookies Alexander Nikulin, Ilya Zubov, and Cody Bass) and spending most of the year on the NHL roster.
The next season Foligno looked like he took a step forward (video.senators.nhl.com/ videocenter/console?id=36957), particularly after the dismissal of coach Craig Hartsburg. He finished strongly (a career high in goals and finishing tied for fifth with Mike Fisher in points) and many thought he was ready for regular duty as part of the top-six.
High expectations for 2009-10 (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/preview2009/team?page=nhlpre09/ott) were wrecked in part by Foligno missing 27 games due to injury, although it remains his only season as a plus player and he maintained his usual points-per-game average (0.41). Unlike Peter Regin, Foligno struggled in the playoff series against Pittsburgh, where despite averaging over 17 minutes of ice time he produced just one point.
Both Foligno and Regin were considered primed for breakout seasons heading into last season (http://nhlhotstove.com/2010-11-ottawa-senators-season-preview/), but Foligno simply continued his usual output despite increased ice time and he (like the team) struggled defensively (finishing tied with the injured Alfredsson and the departed Fisher for the worst plus/minus among forwards).
Although he only turns 24 in the fall and I disagree with a lot of the content in this article (www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=566695), the comments about Foligno seem apt. He seems to have peaked offensively, leaving him locked in as a third line winger who can play on the second-unit powerplay. Foligno has good hands and is strong on the puck, but he doesn’t distribute the puck well or make his teammates better. His defensive work also needs improvement. Reasonable expectations for next year would be 34 points with upwards of 15 goals.
Here’s Hockey Futures‘ old Foligno profile: www.hockeysfuture.com/ prospects/nick_foligno
His fight with Claude Giroux: http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/101177
A nice goal against Detroit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTBGfYFfKtc
Next up is new Senator Nikita Filatov.
Senators add Mark Parrish and Mike McKenna, lose Roman Wick
There were a couple of minor organisational moves today. 34-year old veteran Mark Parris was signed to a one-year, two-way deal today (senators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=568875). Parrish hasn’t suited up for more that 40 NHL games since a disappointing stint with the Dallas Stars in 2008-09. He’ll help fill the hole left by departing captain Ryan Keller (who signed with Edmonton) and late season acquisition Ryan Potulny (Washington). I don’t think there’s any intention of Parrish playing with the big club (barring injury). Last year with the Portland Pirates his numbers were 56-17-34-51. It’s worthwhile checking out Ian Mendes’ amusing comment about the signing (http://twitter.com/#!/ian_mendes/). [July 10: Parrish’s numbers have been posted by www.capgeek.com/players/display.php?id=700: he’ll make 650k/175k.]
The Senators have also announced the signing of 28-year old goalie Mike McKenna (http://senators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=568883) to a one-year, two-way deal. McKenna is expected to back-up Robin Lehner. Last year he played with New Jersey affiliate the Albany Devils, posting mediocre numbers (14-20-2, 3.61, 0.866). He will not push Lehner for minutes in Binghamton. [July 10: www.capgeek.com/players/ display.php?id=915 numbers: 550k/90k.]
Ottawa also lost an asset today when RFA and 2010 Olympic star Roman Wick (5-156/04) decided to return to play for Kloten in Switzerland (signing a 3-year deal, www.kloten-flyers.ch/contento/TabId/66/Default.aspx?articleId=d756367f-3ee5-49e2-ba06-9f1a00b4974c). Wick enjoyed a successful rookie year in Binghamton (70-20-22-42), winning a Calder Cup, but either organisational depth or a need to maximize his financial future as a hockey player has taken him home.
Of the remaining RFA’s, Bobby Butler will either sign a new deal or accept his qualifying offer (bottom of http://www.ottawasun.com/2011/07/06/sens-condra-reach-new-deal), while there’s been no word regarding Geoff Kinrade or Kaspars Daugavins.
Senators Player Profile: Jesse Winchester
This is the second of a series of profiles on each player for the Ottawa Senators.
Jesse Winchester, C/RW, Contract: 0.75/12 (UFA)
Acquired: FA 2008 (Murray), 6’1, Shoots R, YOB 1983, Long Sault, Ont
2008-09 76-3-15-18 Even 33pim (3 fights) TOI 10:35 Hits 116 FO% 56.8
2009-10 52-2-11-13 -1 22 pim (2 fights) TOI 10:01 Hits 90 FO% 55.4
2010-11 72-4-9-13 -9 42pim (2 fights) TOI 10:50 Hits 101 FO% 55.6
Signed as a free agent by Bryan Murray in the spring of 2008, Winchester was coming off a strong senior season as captain of the Colgate Red Raiders in the NCAA (40-8-29-37). A highly sought after free agent prospect (video.senators.nhl.com/videocenter/ console?id=36965), at the time of the signing the Senators were struggling badly (John Paddock had already been fired) and Binghamton was struggling in Cory Clouston’s first year. It was Nick Foligno’s rookie year, but beyond Nick the top prospect was arguably Josh Hennessy. Ottawa’s cupboard was bare and talent needed to be added.
Entering his rookie year (2008-09) there was a clear expectation that Winchester was going to provide much needed secondary scoring for the Senators (www.canada.com/ ottawacitizen/news/sports/story.html?id=62439beb-e6fd-4ae5-a701-e956aa66442a). While he would post what stand as career numbers (18 points), it quickly became apparent that Winchester’s talents were not translating well at the next level.
Missing the start of the 2009-10 season due to injury, he returned to find himself behind rookie Peter Regin on the depth chart. He posted disappointing numbers and continued to receive fourth line minutes. By the end of the season Winchester was fully defined as a grinding, depth player. The organisation still saw enough in him to re-sign him to a two-year deal.
There was little doubt about his contributions heading into the 2010-11, and Winchester put up career worst numbers on a points-per-game basis. While he’s a competitor, there’s no doubt that the Senators never envisioned him being this kind of player when they signed him. His future with the team must be in doubt with the influx of youth and talent and I believe the 2011-12 season (assuming he plays it) will be his last as a Senator. As for projections, there’s no reason to think he won’t follow his career curve, which works out to 18 points over 82 games.
Hockey Futures never developed a profile for him, but here’s an assessment from 2009: www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/10982/senators_top20_prospects_spring2009/
There aren’t a lot of Winchester highlights, but this shows some hits from his rookie season: http://video.senators.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=53933
The best fight of his career: http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/88827
Next up is Nick Foligno.
Senators Player Profile: Peter Regin
This is the first in a series of profiles on each player for the Ottawa Senators.
Peter Regin, C/W, Contract: 1.0/12 (RFA)
Drafted 3-89/04 (Muckler), 6’2, Shoots L, YOB 1986, Herning, Denmark
2009-10 75-13-16-29 +10 20pim TOI 12:53 TkA 50 FO% 44.6
2010-11 55-3-14-17 -4 12 pim TOI 13:23 TkA 40 FO% 41.8
Regin spent four years playing in Europe before he was signed by Bryan Murray in 2008. In his three years playing for Timra, Regin demonstrated an all-around game that included slick hands and a great shot (150-25-33-58). The season before he was signed he finished third on the team in scoring (55-12-19-31) behind future Flyer Mika Pyorala and former NHLer Riku Hahl.
There was little fanfare for Regin in the 2008-09 training camp, as the focus was on recent draft pick Zack Smith who nearly made the team. Assigned to Binghamton, Regin suffered a shoulder injury in pre-season that initially kept him of the lineup. When he finally did suit up, he was one of Binghamton’s best rookies (56-18-29-47), finishing third in rookie scoring (first on a point-per-game basis) behind Zack Smith and Mattias Karlsson, and he was first on the team in plus/minus (+15).
The following season (the last of his ELC) he beat Zack Smith for a roster spot and enjoyed a strong rookie campaign. Fans truly embraced him after a strong playoff performance (6-3-1-4) in the team’s six-game loss to Pittsburgh. Afterwards he was re-signed to a two-year deal and expectations were high (www.ottawasun.com/sports/ hockey/2010/09/11/15320376.html).
Regin was expected to supply secondary scoring for the Senators, but suffered the worst goal scoring drought of his career and lost Cory Clouston’s confidence. Working hard defensively was not enough and he was derided by many (www.ottawasun.com/ sports/hockey/2011/01/08/16814836.html). Just as his production was starting to come back he suffered another shoulder injury (the same he hurt in Binghamton two years earlier) and missed the rest of the season.
The Senators were pleased with his exit interview, where Regin blamed himself for his play rather than anyone or anything else. Physically he’ll be fully recovered for camp and the organisation expects a return to form in the upcoming season. Regin has never really been a high-end point producer, but if he returns to form I think 40 points is a fair expectation. I like Regin, but I’m not sure if he can be a regular second line player. He’s a little like Chris Kelly, but with more finish and less physicality.
-This is Regin’s outdated Hockey Futures profile (for those of you looking for his early projections as a prospect): http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/peter_regin
-Here’s an interview about Regin with Tim Murray from a couple of years ago: http://video.senators.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=38288
-There are a lot of Youtube highlights of Regin–this is just one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlTmiBSrI5A
Next up is Jesse Winchester.
eyeonthesens 