With NHL training camps opening in less than a month, organisational news and speculation is beginning to appear more and more.  Here’s a look at the most interesting items:

[August 26 update: the Downing signing is official (www.binghamtonsenators.com/ news/topnews/index.html?article_id=1114).  It’s an AHL contract, so if he fails to make the team he’ll play in Elmira of the ECHL.]

-Elite Prospects has posted a rumour that NCAA University of Vermont grad Jack Downing has signed with Binghamton (http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=19064).  Normally I wouldn’t comment on a rumour like this, but it has been picked up by Binghamton beat-writer Joy Lindsay (www.pressconnects.com/apps/ pbcs.dll/section?category=PluckPersona&U=551340dd39644ae695cca9fe0180e879 &plckPersonaPage=BlogViewPost&plckUserId=551340dd39644ae695cca9fe0180e879& plckPostId=Blog%3a551340dd39644ae695cca9fe0180e879Post%3ad609e6dd-1e48-4250-aa1e-ce9817d072a4&plckController=PersonaBlog&plckScript=personaScript& plckElementId=personaDest).  Personally, I don’t see Ottawa adding another forward to the AHL-roster (there are already 14 forwards signed for Binghamton’s lineup).  If the rumour does have validity, I could see Downing actually signed for Elmira’s roster (ECHL) or participating in Ottawa’s rookie tournament.

-Sens prospect Marcus Sorensen (4-106 2010), who signed with Skelleftea of the SEL this past spring, is being loaned to the Allsvenskan (the second-tier pro league in Sweden).   Sorensen said “I think it’s good to play [in the Allsvenskan] in the top two lines instead of a fourth line in Skellefteå.  Hopefully this is just a few weeks or a month and that I later I will be back in Skellefteå again.  Of course I’m disappointed but there’s nothing to do about it, but go full speed ahead and hope that I’m back again soon” (http://translate.google.se/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=sv&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=sv&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fnorran.se%2Fsport%2Farticle1192418.ece&act=url, I took some liberties with this to make the translation clearer).

-NHL.com includes Erik Condra as a player to watch (www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=587059) as they look at Ottawa heading into the 2011-12 season; the analysis of the team is pretty sparse

–Le Droit‘s Simon Cremer takes a look at how Ottawa fans react to skilled players (supportathletique.wordpress.com/2011/08/17/les-fans-dottawa-et-nikita-filatov), fearing fans will jump all over Nikita Filatov if he doesn’t have an immediate impact (and perhaps even if he does).  It’s an interesting argument, but the point I definitely agree with is that fans favour grinders and plumbers over danglers (Peter Regin is a great example of a guy who is good defensively, but only gets credit for points-scored).

–Senshot conducted an interview with Brad Schlossman (senshot.com/2011/08/04/ prospect-profile-ben-blood) who covers the UND Fighting Sioux (home of Ben Blood, 4-120 2007).  A few quotes: “Blood was a first-pair defenseman last season, playing alongside Los Angeles Kings first-rounder Derek Forbort. Blood should be UND’s top defenseman this season. … He will be their top penalty-killing defenseman this season. I’m also expecting him to see some power play time. … The Sioux lost their top two point guys on the power play in Chay Genoway (Wild) and Matt Frattin (Leafs).  I think the pro atmosphere [of UND] is probably an advantage rather than pressure. … He has been one of the guys setting the tone in the weight room the last couple of summers and I’m guessing he’s doing the same this year.  He’s got good size, good reach and is very good defensively. He’s capable of producing at least one big hit per game. Almost never lets guys [get] around him. He’s very good at doing the little things. He can win a battle along the boards and flip a backhand high off the glass to get it out of the zone. [He’s] just a reliable defenseman.  He has better than average puck skills and I think we really started to see some of those come out last year. You don’t expect him to ever take the puck to the net, but he did it on a couple of occasions last year. I think he can further develop his offensive skills this year.  He’s a legit prospect. He will play in the NHL. Most defensemen have a stint in the AHL to start their careers and Blood may as well. But I would be surprised if he doesn’t reach the NHL during his rookie season. … He’s a guy who is outstanding at the little things and isn’t a fun matchup for opponents.”

August 22, 2011
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment

This is the sixth profile on prospects expected to play for the Binghamton Senators.

Craig Schira, D, Contract: 0.545/12 (RFA)
FA 2009 (Murray), 6’0, Shoots R, YOB 1988, Spiritwood, SK
2008-09 WHL 71-16-43-59 46pim (2 fights)
2009-10 AHL 68-8-13-21 27pim (1 fight)
2010-11 AHL 67-3-10-13 18pim (2 fights)

The undersized blueliner was signed as a free agent out of the WHL in 2009 at a time when Binghamton had few blueline prospects on the roster (Brian Lee, Derek Smith, and Tomas Kudelka).  It was Schira‘s fifth full season in the WHL, having enjoyed a career year playing with the likes of Jonathan Blum (Nashville first-rounder) and Brent Regner (Columbus fifth-rounder).  Schira had begun his WHL career with the Regina Pats, but didn’t blossom until he joined Vancouver in 2007-08.

Like virtually every rookie, Schira found the initial transition to the AHL difficult–the speed and size of the players particularly (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFwjqaJ24N4).  He was the youngest blueliner in Binghamton (excluding Erik Karlsson‘s month in the minors), finishing third in defensive scoring (behind Derek Smith and Geoff Kinrade).

Coming into last season, Schira was optimistic after his rookie season, “I see myself as someone who is going to play in the NHL, I felt great. I had to get used to the speed, but after that I thought I played well” (http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/35256-Craig-Schira-joins-crew-of-young-defencemen-knocking-on-Senators-door.html).  He was returned to Binghamton under new coach Kurt Kleinendorst.  Unlike his rookie season, Schira found himself in more of a shutdown role and saw his production slip.  He was also an occasional scratch (3 times).  He played the entire opening round series against Manchester, but missed the next two rounds via injury and by the time he was healthy again there was no room for him in the lineup.

Going into this season the numbers seemed against Schira, but the retirement of Lee Sweatt (http://www.ottawasun.com/2011/08/12/no-sweatt-sens-free-agent-pickup-retires-before-camp) benefits him more than anyone else.  Should the lineup stay the way it is, Schira will be a regular and has a chance to play his way up in the lineup.  Any trade of a blueliner at the NHL level benefits him also.  However, I won’t make predictions passed on hypotheticals.  As it stands Schira‘s a bottom pairing player who is unlikely to play on the powerplay, so if he stays healthy a good season would see him produce 20 points.

Discusses his first pro season: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFwjqaJ24N4
Fights Stu Bickel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6c5oYKsVLc
Nice hit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzMEts0yjd8

Next up is Ottawa native Corey Cowick.

August 22, 2011
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment

This is the fifth profile on prospects expected to play for the Binghamton Senators.

David Dziurzynski, C/LW, Contract: 0.6/13 (RFA)
FA 2010 (Murray), 6’3, Shoots L, YOB 1989, Lloydminster, AB
2008-09 AJHL 54-12-25-37 185pim (5 fights)
2009-10 BCHL 57-21-53-74 79pim (5 fights)
2010-11 AHL 75-6-14-20 57pim (3 fights)

On April 4th, 2010, Bryan Murray signed BCHL free agent David Dziurzynski.  Originally intending to play in the NCAA, his agent advised him to turn pro and Dziurzynski choose the Sens’ bonus-laden contract over other offers (he receives a $50,000 signing bonus each year of the deal).  Prior to the 2009-10 season, Dziurzynski was a physical forward in the AJHL who wasn’t on anybody’s radar, but he enjoyed a breakout season that demonstrated his skill with Alberni Valley.

The Silver Seven posted comments about Dziurzynski: “He [an agent] says David Dziurzynski is huge, strong and very slick. He says he has very soft hands and can skate like the wind. He was on the top line (league wide) with 2 brothers (one of whom was a 4th round pick of Montreal…Mark Macmillan [the other was Mitch Macmillan, now playing in the NCAA]). Turns out David was the reason that line was so dominant. Lots of 2nd assists and even more ‘3rd‘ assists. My agent said in the playoffs, when the team was losing, the kid “decided” to stop making his linemates look so good and took over. Look up his playoff stats….pretty impressive.  The kid has a grade 9 education, and was heading up to Fort MacMurray to work the oil rigs (and disappear from the hockey scene) but after such a strong season, was hustled by Edmonton, Ottawa, NYR and another team (forgot the 4th…sorry).  My agent has seen plenty of talented kids move from the WHL/BCHL to the NHL and, to quote ‘this kid could very well stun some people'” (www.silversevensens.com/2010/7/14/1568683/some-info-on-david-dziurzynski).

Dziurzynski himself, commenting on the signing and his breakout season, said “It’s the best fit for me to develop. They have a great program and their focus on development was one of the main attractions.  It [Alberni] was a great experience.  The league is unbelievable. It changed my life. I had a couple good linemates that I played with — it was the best line in the BCHL.”  His coach, Nolan Graham, added “When we start talking about David, Mark and Mitch were great for him.  David’s a big guy and he’s strong on the puck, but I think what he brings is a great hockey sense and we all saw that in the playoffs.  In Game 5 against Nanaimo, he assisted on a big-time goal and I don’t know if anyone in the building saw Mark MacMillan open on the backdoor. He really made that line click and was huge for us offensively” (www.bchl.bc.ca/leagues/ newsletter.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID= 2393&page=43942&stype=2).

Despite the jump in level to the AHL, Dziurzynski had an easier transition than many of his fellow rookies (he essentially took Corey Cowick‘s spot on the roster).  After being scratched the first three games of the season, he remained in the lineup (when healthy) the rest of the season.  Primarily a depth player, he did show some skill (enjoying a hot streak in January where he posted 9 of his season’s 20 points).  Dziurzynski played the first 12 games of Binghamton’s Calder Cup run, but was then scratched with the return of Cody Bass (he returned to the lineup for two games in the final as an injury replacement for Roman Wick).  All in all it was a very successful rookie season for Dziurzynski, but not the kind to generate any hype.

There’s no question that Dziurzynski will return for another year in Binghamton.  He’ll play in the bottom six, although whether he’ll stay on the wing or move to center remains to be seen.  He’s unlikely to receive powerplay time, but he should see his production increase if he can stay healthy (25-30 points).  Depending on his development curve, he will be challenging for a spot in the next year or two.

Dziurzynski scores twice in the BCHL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrcTPWG4nHY
A fantastic BCHL goal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UDS8cNoowU
Fights Nick Buchanan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROZRY5cQsRI

Next up is Craig Schira.

August 21, 2011
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: 1 Comment

This is the fourth profile on prospects expected to play for the Binghamton Senators.

Jim O’Brien, C/RW, Contract: 0.816,666/12 (RFA)
1-29 2007 (Murray), 6’2, Shoots R, YOB 1989, Maplewood, MN
2008-09 WHL 63-27-35-62 55pim (1 fight)
2009-10 AHL 76-8-9-17 49pim (1 fight)
2010-11 AHL 74-24-32-56 67pim (2 fights)

Jim O’Brien was Bryan Murray’s first ever draft pick for the Ottawa Senators, although he became GM just prior to the draft and there’s no doubt that John Muckler’s draft philosophy guided the selection.  The 2007 draft was considered weak (mckeenshockey.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=604850,) without much depth and many have been critical of O’Brien‘s selection.  Ranked 25th by Central Scouting and 38th by ISS, O’Brien was a graduate of the U.S. National Development Program.  He had just completed his first year at the University of Minnesota, where as a rookie he’d put up decent numbers (43-7-8-15) on a team featuring Kyle Okposo and Erik Johnson.  Coach Don Lucia said “I think for Jimmy, it’s more of where he is going to get to when he fills out. He’s 6’2 and will be 200-210 when he really fills out. That’s when he’ll become the complete player and that’s two or three years down the line. You project players and where they are today, but it’s even more important where they can get to. I think Jimmy has got a pretty good top end. He’s going to get stronger in the weight room; it’s just a matter of time. He’s dedicated to that and puts in the time. He has to work on his lower body/leg strength, which will make him a better skater also. Jimmy is the consummate team player and he has high expectations for himself. He has good skills. He can score, make plays and pass the puck. I think his competitiveness is one of his strengths. He wants to get better and he’s willing to work to get better. He’s very committed and he’s going to get there with his dedication, commitment and work ethic” (www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/9451/2007_prospects_jim_obrien/).

After the draft O’Brien left the NCAA and joined Seattle in the WHL where he enjoyed a solid rookie season.  Improving on his production the following year, he was selected as a member of Team USA in the WJC and played well.  Although O’Brien was never a dominant player in the WHL, he was expected to do well when he joined Binghamton for the 2009-10 season (http://senators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=480916).

O’Brien quickly found himself in coach Don Nachbaur’s dog house.  Although he was rarely scratched, he received little ice time and the year was considered a complete failure.  When the season was over the organisation told O’Brien that he was in danger of no longer being considered a prospect.  To O’Brien‘s credit, he took the criticism to heart and worked hard over the summer (www.ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/2011/01/ 02/16735431.html).  About his rookie year he said “Last year was definitely a learning experience for me. Strength-wise, I  don’t think I was there. But I learned a lot during the year and I got  better as I went along. I went home this summer and off the ice, I worked  harder than I ever have before. I came into camp and came into the year  feeling great … It definitely went a lot better than last year. I felt good out there and it was definitely a good feeling coming out of camp.”

This past season in Binghamton O’Brien spent much of the year playing with Erik Condra and he enjoyed great success.  He was called up on four separate occasions to the Senators and acquitted himself well (http://senators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=547957) although he could not earn a permanent call-up like his linemate. Ultimately, O’Brien finished second in scoring behind Corey Locke.  While he struggled in the playoffs (finishing 11th in scoring), it did not diminish the fact that he’d pulled himself off the prospect scrapheap.  The Ottawa Sun (the article isn’t signed) speculated that O’Brien would have a shot in the upcoming season’s camp (www.ottawasun.com/ sports/hockey/2011/01/25/ 17024581.html), a sentiment I do not share.

Assuming O’Brien puts the same effort in training this summer as he did last year, he should have a good year in Binghamton.  He’ll receive top-six ice time and assuming he stays healthy his production will increase (60-65 points is a reasonable expectation).  His future as a NHL prospect is clearer now–that of a bottom-six, depth player–although it remains to be seen if that will be achieved as a Senator.

His Hockey Futures profile (the analysis is pre-draft): www.hockeysfuture.com/ prospects/jim_obrien
O’Brien fights Michael Vernace: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmvbnXEq-Cg
O’Brien interviewed in the fall: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNSqPOAohmY

David Dziurzynski is next.

August 20, 2011
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment

This is the third profile on prospects expected to play for the Binghamton Senators.

Eric Gryba, D, Contract: 0.6225/12 (RFA)
3-68 2006 (Muckler), 6’3, Shoots R, YOB 1988, Saskatoon, SK
2008-09 NCAA 45-0-6-6 106pim
2009-10 NCAA 38-4-6-10 118pim
2010-11 AHL 66-3-4-7 133pim (13 fights)

Selected in John Muckler’s last draft, Central Scouting described Gryba as “a strong skater with adequate backward speed… has a long stride and once underway he can be deceiving when rushing the puck… good agility for a big player – he is strong on his stick… has the ability to make sharp passes… has a very good wrist shot from the point… has good eye-to-hand coordination – sees the ice well… has had some time on the power play… is used a lot on penalty-killing situations… has an aggressive edge to his game… can be very abrasive and intimidating in the corners and in front of the net… uses his body to protect the puck well when being forechecked… blocks shots… has a very long reach and uses it effectively to poke check and deflect pucks out of opponents reach… was selected and played in the 2006 USHL All-Star Game and will attend Boston University in the fall of 2006.”  Frank Jay, then director of amateur scouting, adds “To get Eric with this pick was a pleasant surprise. We never dreamt he would be there at that point. We had him rated higher. He’s a big strong kid, and I like his chances of reaching the NHL eventually.”  For a look at Gryba and what brought him to the USHL, Hockey Futures has an excellent interview here: www.hockeysfuture.com/ articles/8451/2006_prospects_qa_with_eric_gryba.  Gryba describes his fighting style: “I actually usually come forward, I like to punch and then tie up and get in a couple in there. Usually, if I’m going to fight a bigger guy, I especially like to stay low, bob and weave and just try and avoid their punches and come up. But if I’m fighting a smaller guy, try and keep him out a little and use my reach as much as possible and come in at the right time.”

Gryba spent four full seasons at Boston University.  In his freshman year he was named to the Hockey East Honour Roll, while his game slipped a bit as a sophomore (32-1-1-2).  In his junior year he avoided being a healthy scratch for the first time and thought about turning pro, but ultimately returned for his senior year.  As a senior he set career highs in points and penalty minutes while serving as assistant captain.  He was signed at the end of the NCAA season and signed a ATO to play the final few games in Binghamton, where he impressed the organisation with his physical play.  Following the season he was named the hardest worker in what would be his last development camp.

Coming into Ottawa’s camp for the 2010-11 season, Don Brennan dubbed him the “E-train” (http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2010/09/26/15485111.html), but any hype about Gryba vanished after he was sent to Binghamton.  Much like fellow-rookie Patrick Wiercioch, initially Gryba found himself scratched regularly to start his pro career (8 times through January) before becoming an integral part of the blueline (25-5 +8 from February onward) and considered as an NHL call-up before getting injured towards the end of the season.  Gryba missed the first two playoff series before returning to the lineup to play in the final ten.  Murray had this to say about him mid-season, “One of the most improved players down there. He’s huge, and his skating and positioning defensively was a little bit of a question at the beginning of the year, but he’s really made great strides. We’re very happy with Eric. Again, all of them can’t play next year. We just can’t have that many rookies on our team. But he will be an NHL player” (http://www.ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/2011/01/25/17024581.html).

Before the end of the season Gryba‘s name was included among those who could challenge for a spot on the NHL roster, but after the draft and during the development camp (which Gryba did not participate in) those mentions fell away.  I don’t think that’s indicative, but like all defensive prospects not named Rundblad or Cowen, I believe Gryba is ticketed to Binghamton next season.  To me, Gryba is the perfect replacement for Matt Carkner.  Both play the right side, both are physical, both are willing combatants.  For this upcoming season, assuming Gryba stays healthy, he should improve on his AHL numbers and produce in the 10-15 point range.

A dated but good Hockey Futures profile: www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/eric_gryba
Interview after his junior year: http://video.senators.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=45111
Gryba‘s pre-game rituals (NCAA): http://www.nesn.com/2009/12/eric-gryba-shares-his-gameday-rituals.html
Interviewed towards the end of the AHL season: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or-B3T2_gCg
Fighting NHL tough-guy (and visor-wearer) Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond: http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/103049

Next up is Jim O’Brien.

August 19, 2011
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment

This is the second profile on prospects expected to play for the Binghamton Senators.

Patrick Wiercioch, D, Contract: 0.875/13 (RFA)
2-42 2008 (Murray), 6’4, Shoots L, YOB 1990, Maple Ridge, BC
2008-09 NCAA 36-12-23-35 26pim
2009-10 NCAA 39-6-21-27 34pim
2010-11 AHL 67-4-14-18 25pim (1 fight)

Patrick Wiercioch came into the 2008 draft ranked 77th in North American by Central Scouting (http://www.nhlentrydraft2008.com/featuredPlayersDetails.aspx?type=np&playerID=1077).  He had just finished winning the Anderson Cup in the USHL with Omaha.  A lanky player, prior to the draft he talked about bulking up (http://mckeenshockey.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=785840), a familiar theme that’s followed him throughout his career thus far.

Wiercioch attended the University of Denver and had a fantastic freshman year, being named to the All-WCHA Second Team and All-WCHA Rookie Team, ranking second in NCAA defenseman scoring and third in NCAA rookie scoring.  He was given the Red Baron WCHA Final Five All-Tournament Team honours, named to the All-College Hockey News Rookie Team and Inside College Hockey Freshman All-America Team and was co-recipient of the Barry Sharp Memorial Award for Denver’s top freshman.  It’s little wonder that after the season he thought about turning pro (Tim Murray comments about the season are here www.youtube.com/ watch?v=FyebvqvYjQo).

Wiercioch returned to Denver for one more season, this one disrupted by injury.  Despite reduced production he was named to the Reebok First-Team West All-American, the All-USCHO Second Team, the Inside College Hockey Third-Team All-American and All-WCHA First Team.  He led Denver defensemen in points and was third in overall WCHA defenseman scoring; he was also named to the All-WCHA Academic Team and earned WCHA Scholar-Athlete status.  Finally, he was considered for Canada’s WJC, but as he was still recovering from injury he had no real chance to make the roster.  All of this made signing him a no-brainer going into the 2010-11 season (here he is interviewed during the 2010 development camp, video.senators.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=73564).

Wiercioch was one of the last cuts at camp, but was sent down to Binghamton.  As the second youngest rookie on the team (behind Robin Lehner) his season was very up and down.  He was scratched six times between October and January, before hitting his stride at the end of the season (13 of his 18 points were scored from February onward) and being called up to Ottawa where he played well in 8 games.  He suited up for most of Binghamton’s Calder Cup run (producing 1 assist), missing 5 due to injury and then finding himself scratched for another 3 in favour of Mark Borowiecki in the Cup final.  Murray had this to say about him mid-season, “Patrick is playing, but is not a priority player in Binghamton right now. We wish he’d play a little more. He probably will be a better NHL player than AHL player, because of his style and body build right now. A year from now, however, I think if Patrick is 10 pounds heavier and a little stronger, which I believe he will get over the summer, he will be a real contender for a spot here next year” (http://www.ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/2011/01/25/17024581.html).

At season’s end one of the most obvious needs for Wiercioch was to bulk up (www.ottawasun.com/2011/07/02/sens-wiercioch-looking-to-beef-up), saying “The knock against me was that I was too light and I wasn’t able to handle myself. If I can’t handle myself at that weight, then I’m going to have to think about another profession.”  The Senators were happy with his progress (see the linked article) and consistently include him in discussions about the roster in the fall.  Wiercioch himself believes he has a shot at the roster (http://senators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=569949), although I think there’s no doubt he’ll be sent to Binghamton for another year of development.  Should he spend the full year in the AHL and stay healthy, I expect his production to increase significantly (in the 30-35 point range).

Interviewed prior to playing his second NHL game: video.senators.nhl.com/ videocenter/console?id=104527
An interview with Wierioch early last season: video.senators.nhl.com/ videocenter/console?id=84473)
His dated Hockey Futures profile: www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/patrick_wiercioch
Fights Mike Duco: http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/100126

Next up is Eric Gryba.

August 18, 2011
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment

This is the first in a series of profiles on prospects expected to play for the Binghamton Senators.

Mike Hoffman, C/LW, Contract: 0.676/13 (RFA)
5-130 2009 (Murray), 6’0, Shoots L, YOB 1989, Kitchener, Ont
2008-09 QMJHL 62-52-42-94 86pim
2009-10 QMJHL 56-46-39-85 38pim
2010-11 AHL 74-7-18-25 16pim

Mike Hoffman was passed over in the 2008 draft after an average season in the QMJHL (62-24-24-48) split between Gatineau and Drummondville.  Bryan Murray selected him the following year in the 5th round after a breakout season playing with undrafted linemates Yannick Riendeau and Dany Masse under future NHL coach Guy Boucher.

The season after he was drafted saw him named MVP of the league while leading Saint John in scoring.  A team player, when interviewed Hoffman deflected his achievements to focus on the team, “Getting named league MVP, I’m honoured by that accomplishment but we’re in playoffs right now. Individual goals or success, you put that aside and only worry about the team and winning right now. After the season I might go back and look at that but right now we just want to go as far as we can in the playoffs” (www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/12059/latestarting_hoffman_now_out_in_front/).  In discussing his junior career, “I know I was a late bloomer. I didn’t get the chance there in the OHL and Gatineau. If you work hard and get the opportunity you can make stuff happen.”  Saint John associate coach and director of hockey operations Mike Kelly sees him as a sure-fire NHLer someday. “He’s one of the most skilled players I’ve ever been with as far as pure skill. He’s got an NHL shot and outstanding speed. I can’t think of anybody in junior hockey that has had that type of polish to their game. He’s got high, high-end speed, high, high-end skills and he understands his ability, knows how to use it and when to use it. There’s no doubt he’s going to be a pro. How long it takes to get to the National Hockey League will be the question. When he’s playing against men it will be a little different for him because he’s got to learn to play the pro game and get inside against bigger, stronger guys. I would expect anywhere around three years. Right now he’s got enough skill and speed to play there. It’s whether he can figure out the rest of it.”  Despite his accomplishments, there was little fanfare when he was signed.

Hoffman was dominant in the rookie tournament in the fall of 2010 (3-3-3-6), but made little impression at Senators camp.  Like most of his fellow rookies in Binghamton, he struggled to find his game at the pro level.  Hoffman was a healthy scratch on a few occasions throughout the season and struggled defensively (finishing the season -22).  However, his production was better in the second half (18 of his 25 points are from January onward).  He was scratched for the first four games of Binghamton’s series against Manchester, but was in the lineup the rest of the way and had a solid playoff (19-1-8-9, tied with Roman Wick for the second most points by a rookie).  He followed that up with a strong development camp and was included by management in their comments about who stood out (with Bryan Murray saying “he looks like he’s an NHL player now“, http://senators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=568466).  In reaction to the positive feedback Hoffman said “I just want to be the best player I can. I need to put on weight and just keep getting better. As Coach [Kurt] Kleinendorst says, just try and get better every ice time” (http://senators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=569478).

The organisation and the player both expect a step forward from Hoffman, whom Kleinendorst called the most talented player on the team last year.  While I think Hoffman is better at center, I believe he’ll play leftwing so as to fit into the team’s top six.  As for projections, I expect him to at double his totals from last year (if he stays healthy), so 50 points.

Hoffman‘s interview after being drafted: http://video.senators.nhl.com/videocenter/ console?id=44411
Interviewed after being named MVP of the QMJHL: www.youtube.com/user/ LHJMQMEDIA?blend=3&ob=5#p/u/0/b5S9Q5aaf4U
Hoffman interviewed at the end of development camp: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcK3RcJMQ-4
Scores an OT winner: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fS4p4BxsZk
His only fight in junior: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dT9GdmGl9KI&playnext=1&list= PL5B2E73CEB595FA64

Next up is Patrick Wiercioch.

August 17, 2011
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: 1 Comment

This is my ninth profile of a Senator rookie.

Louie Caporusso, C/LW, Contract: 0.565/13 (RFA)
3-90 2007 (Murray), 5’9, Shoots L, YOB 1989, Toronto, Ont
2008-09 NCAA 41-24-25-49 30pim
2009-10 NCAA 45-21-22-43 26pim
2010-11 NCAA 41-11-20-31 22pim

Bryan Murray drafted Caporusso in the 2007 draft, taking over the scouting staff and strategies of the just-fired John Muckler (Caporusso was ranked the 121st North American skater by Central Scouting).  Caporusso had completed his career with the St. Michael’s Buzzers with 50 points in 37 games.  He also was named the East Player of the Game honours in the CJAHL’s Top Prospects Game (he’d earned a Silver Medal for Team Canada East in 2006, more about his performance there can be found here: www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php/ci_id/25116/la_id/1/si_id/multiyear/hdr_agm).

Caporusso enjoyed an outstanding career with the Michigan Wolverines.  A plus player his whole career, he was among the team’s top scorers every season.  After his freshman year (2008) he was invited to Canada’s WJC evaluation camp, although he did not make the team.  In his sophomore year he was a finalist for the Hobey Baker award.  His junior year saw him win the team’s Perani Cup champion (the most three-star points in games), while as a senior he was an Academic All-Big Ten and the Wolverine winner of the Athletic Academic Achievement.

Nathan Sandals,  Managing Sports Editor at The Michigan Daily newspaper, was interviewed about Caporusso a few years ago (2008), had this to say: “He has centered the third line for most of the season. His role is as a playmaker. Louie has impressed onlookers this season with his ability to score timely goals, as evidenced by his game winner against Notre Dame in January with 20 seconds left.  Coach Berenson has been very impressed with Louie as he has been with the entire freshman class. Louie is one of Michigan’s best faceoff men and he has caught up to the speed of the college game very quickly. Louie missed six weeks in November and December with a knee injury but he came back and managed to score a goal on his first shift back. Louie‘s future at Michigan is certainly bright. He is an intelligent and friendly kid who has quickly been embraced by the coaches, his teammates and Michigan fans. Louie‘s role is as a playmaker on Michigan’s third line, which he centers. Louie is an offensive stalwart with a knack for timely goals, none bigger than his game-winner against Notre Dame in January, which was scored with twenty seconds left in the game. Louie has seen sometime on the power play and the coaches consider him one of the team’s best faceoff men” (sensarmy.blogspot.com/2008/03/scouting-report-louie-caporusso.html).

Steven Nesbitt, the Co-Managing Editor of the Michigan Daily, had this to say about Caporusso: “He was a pure, unrelenting goal scorer. He scored 24 goals as a sophomore to finish the season as a Hobey Baker finalist. His junior season was nearly a carbon copy, with 21 goals. But since then his focus shifted a bit, from being a goal scorer to a more defensive-minded forward. Still, Caporusso finished with 144 points in 160 games at Michigan. His speed isn’t quite as good as teammate Carl Hagelin (now with the Connecticut Whale), but Louie was usually the second-quickest on Michigan’s squad. His speed is certainly no liability. He’s very reliable on defense, has a nice, heavy shot, and he has showed great signs of scoring finesse. Good hockey smarts. As an aside, he’s great with the media. Louie’s the first guy to chime in with a quote of the day, and he’s the first guy you look for when the team steps off the ice. He’ll give it straight, and adds some of his personality.

“Perhaps Caporusso’s biggest point of criticism is that he’s a perennial second-half perfomer. He knows this, the team knows this. After his torrid 2008-09 campaign, Caporusso began his junior season with just 21 points (7 G, 14 A) in his first 30 games, but led the Wolverines’ charge to the final of the NCAA Regional by pouring in 22 points (14 G, 8 A) in Michigan’s last 15 games. His senior season was a similar story, although the year-end numbers weren’t quite as gaudy (11 G, 20 A). For Louie to even get a sniff at cracking the NHL roster for Ottawa, he needs to put together a full, consistent season. He’s not the flashiest player — won’t light up the score sheet night in and night out, necessarily — but he’s a very solid defensive center, and it won’t take long for his defensive game to catch up to upper-level hockey, he just needs to show he can be productive on offense in a steady manner. One really positive thing for Louie last season was his goal-assist ratio; sure, the goals were down, but he admitted that he was working harder to focus on defense and setting his teammates up. And it worked. Carl Hagelin and Chris Brown both saw their production increase when paired with Louie.

“…we tabbed Louie as a Devin Setoguchi-type player. While he might not have the same scoring streak as Setoguchi, he’s a tremendous passer, much like his teammate Matt Rust (Florida Panthers draft pick). Both are good skaters who really show up in big games. Just as Setoguchi seems to show up around playoff time for some of the team’s biggest goals, Caporusso will be the best player on the ice when his team needs it most. He’ll find the right spot to be in.  I don’t see the increased [pro] schedule messing Caporusso up at all. Granted, the college schedule consisted of just Friday, Saturday and Sunday games, but it still is a similar length to the pro season. Michigan played eight months of hockey last season, so you still need longevity even if you’re only playing 40-50 games. And the way Red Berenson runs his squad, they’re not getting too many off-days during the year. And for Caporusso in particular, he admittedly isn’t a great practice player. He told me once he sometimes wonders if coach will let him stay dressed for the game that weekend. It’s all in jest, of course, but Louie is very much a big-game player. While we mentioned his inconsistency earlier, the plus side of that is when the red-letter games arrived, so did Louie. His playoff performances at Michigan were what earned him a special place in town, and when the best competition faced off with Michigan, Louie was the key center on the top line. And looking at the schedule, Louie carried the Wolverines to some pretty great places.

“I’ll run the risk of being cliché and simply say that Caporusso is a winner. In four years at Michigan, the team lost the Regional opener (2010), lost the Regional final (2009) and reached the Frozen Four twice (2008, 2011).  Caporusso did just about everything for Red Berenson. As an assistant captain during the 2010-11 season, he centered the top line, was on the first PP unit, the second PK unit and was Berenson’s go-to centerman — along with Rust — on the defensive end of the ice. The numbers aren’t so high in Louie’s stats, but Red is very keen on keeping his centers out high to be ready to transition to the back-check and be the first forward back on defense. On offense, Caporusso was mainly used to dish the puck to the wings, minimizing his scoring chances that he might have taken earlier in his career. He spent a little time on the wing, but was happy to get back to center, saying he liked to be able to touch the puck more as a playmaker.  It’s all a progression, of course, and he’s made strides in many ways. He turned from a pure scorer into more of a set-up man who shows his scoring flair when it’s needed. The way he said it in March, he transitioned from just a prolific goal scorer to a more “complete player.” From what we’ve seen, he works well with his teammates, taking advice and criticism alike, and he was very excited to be signed by the Senators this spring. He should be ready to go.  I do think Caporusso has the skill set to make it at the NHL level. I think he could be a regular on probably a third line, maybe even second, where he can find some room to get his legs moving and make some plays on the open ice. He’s a steady enough performer that along with his strong defensive skill, he can really make some quick improvements and be a big part of an NHL team down the road. I’d keep my eye on this kid” the complete interview can be found here: senshot.com/2011/07/28/ prospect-profile-louie-caporusso).

There’s no question that Caporusso will start the year in Binghamton.  There’s lot’s of competition for him both as a center and a winger in the AHL, but I believe he’s more likely to play center than wing due to his size.  Being solid defensively helps and I anticipate he’ll play in the bottom six.  There’s no guarantee he’ll get powerplay time, but if he stays healthy and remains consistently in the lineup he should produce 20-25 points.

An interview with Caporusso from 2009: video.senators.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=45461
Caporusso talking about his Michigan experience: senators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=555183
His profile on Hockey Futures (it’s dated, but has some analysis): www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/louie_caporusso
Scores the winner: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPcaPsAJdRM
Caporusso is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/caporusso89

The next (and last) rookie profile is Mika Zibanejad.

August 15, 2011
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: 2 Comments