Senators News: November 6th

–The Ottawa Sun‘s Don Brennan writes about Jason Spezza‘s improvement in the faceoff circle (link), with Spezza saying, “I want to be out there taking big faceoffs. It’s something I’ve worked on quite a bit in the last three years and I feel it’s something that I’ve been able to get a lot better at. When I came here, I don’t think I was as good. It’s one of those things where if you work at them, you can get better at them. I’ve put a lot of time in trying to work on them. Jarret Stoll is a guy I’ve talked to a little bit. I’ve never spoken to (Buffalo’s) Paul Gaustad, but I’ve watched what he does. I try to do similar to what he does.”

–The Ottawa Sun‘s Bruce Garrioch writes about the trade speculation surrounding Kyle Turris (link), “Sources say Kyle Turris’ agent, Kurt Overhardt, is working overtime trying to drive a market for the looming RFA centre with the clock ticking toward a Dec. 1 deadline for the 22-year-old to sign a new deal. While Senators GM Bryan Murray has held talks with Phoenix GM Don Maloney about Turris, a couple of teams have bigger interest. Vancouver GM Mike Gillis and Calgary’s Jay Feaster are both in pursuit. Turris won’t be dealt until he signs a new deal with the Coyotes and reports to Phoenix. The name of Flames LW Rene Bourque keeps popping up as trade bait, but the scuttlebutt is the Coyotes also want a first-round pick as part of the deal.”  I doubt Ottawa is willing to pay a big enough price to get Turris.

–The Ottawa Cititzen‘s Ken Warren writes a rambling article worrying about the price of re-signing Erik Karlsson (link).  Warren is afraid the contracts Tyler Myers and Drew Doughty signed are going to drive up hi price.  Warren’s fears are baseless and difficult to understand even within his own parameters.  He worries that Ottawa will have to sign Karlsson for as much as 5.0-5.5 million a year, which I don’t see as a problem.  Paying him what Warren thinks is extra still beats a bad contract for a veteran (eg Wade Redden 6.5 to play in the AHL or Mike Komisarek 4.5 in Leaf land).

–Sports Illustrated‘s Stu Hackel writes about how he doesn’t believe the NBA lockout will be a boon for the NHL (link)

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November 6, 2011
Categories: Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment

Ottawa 2, Buffalo 3 (SO); Binghamton 1, Wilkes-Barre 2 (SO)

Ottawa lost it’s third game in a row tonight, but picked up a point nonetheless.  The Senators continued their winless streak when Brian Lee is in the lineup.  Despite taking the lead in the first period, Ottawa’s best period was the second.  They looked gassed in the third period and I think were fortunate to keep the point (they only managed three shots in the final frame).  For the box score go here link.  A look at the goals:
1. Michalek (Phillips, Anderson)
Walking straight through the defence Michalek puts the puck through Enroth in a great individual effort
2. Buffalo, Roy
Daugavins loses a puck battle along the boards and Roy makes a great tip in the slot
3. Buffalo, Leopold
Da Costa loses a puck battle behind the net and Lee can’t take away Leopold‘s stick for the tap-in
4. Condra (Smith)
Five-hole on a breakaway

Top performers:
Craig Anderson – despite giving up 3 goals on six shots in the shootout he let in no soft goals during the game and made some great saves
Erik Condra – scored a goal and was excellent defensively
Filip Kuba – had another strong all around game
Milan Michalek – scored a goal, lead the team in scoring chances, and played a 200-foot game

Players who struggled: I don’t think any player was particularly bad, although Brian Lee‘s primary contribution was (again) a defensive gaffe.  I thought Nikita Filatov‘s effort was good, but he looks tentative with the puck.  Perhaps barely playing night after night is affecting his confidence.

Binghamton  lost their fourth straight game, falling 2-1 in a shootout with Wilkes-Barre.  Robin Lehner took the loss, while Mike Hoffman scored the only goal.  I did not see the game so I’m reliant on reports about it.  For the box score go here link and for Joy Lindsay’s game summary go here link.

-Elmira beat Kalamazoo 4-2 in the ECHL (Gratchev was held pointless), while Florida defeated Greenville 5-2 (Raymond was also held pointless)

November 6, 2011
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment