-The Sens re-signed RFA Pat Cannone to a two-year, two-way deal.  Tim Murray said “It’s great to get him done. He was a rookie last year in Binghamton. He had, what we thought for a first-year player, a really good year. He played probably third-line center, important minutes, both power play and penalty killing on the special teams. He was third in goals and third in points on our team. We thought he had a tremendous first year and certainly merited the opportunity to come back here and improve on that, and see if maybe he can become some type of an NHL player. Whether that’s a regular or a guy that can play games, that’s yet to be seen. But very happy to get him back in the fold.”  Randy Lee said “He was definitely in the mix to be considered (as a Black Ace), for sure. He deserves to be. For a first-year guy, he was one of those other guys that really impressed us. I knew he was a college guy coming in, that he was such a smart player, he’s like sort of a really top defensive player, but he can chip in offensively. He finished with 19 goals, which is pretty impressive for a first-year guy. But he’s a real pro. He really impressed his teammates and the coaching staff with his professionalism. He’s got a good future in Binghamton with us, and in the organization.”

–Capgeek has unconfirmed numbers for Fredrik Claesson (623k) and Pat Cannone (625k).

–Stefan G:Son writes about Claesson saying “While not the most physical guy (despite the very quotable Vaclav Burda’s words), he does not shy away from that aspect of the game when he needs to. Claesson always tries to make the simple play, especially when he’s paired with a superior puck-handler. He understands that the other guy is more apt to handle the breakout, which shouldn’t suggest he lacks of confidence as much as a knowledge of his own limitations. He’s everything you’d want out of this type of player in terms of being a team guy, a committed competitor and all that. He could stand to be a lot better in some areas or a little bit better in every area to become a legit NHL prospect.”

–The Silver Seven ran a long series about the top-25 Sens prospects (25 and younger).  I’m not sure why that age bracket was picked, but the number surely to match it.  They haven’t produced the series as a list, but here it is nonetheless:
1. Erik Karlsson
2. Kyle Turris
3. Jakob Silfverberg
4. Jared Cowen
5. Mika Zibanejad
6. Robin Lehner
7. Nick Foligno
8. Zack Smith
9. Stephane Da Costa
10. Mark Stone
11. Bobby Butler
12. Stefan Noesen
13. Matt Puempel
14. Shane Prince
15. Andre Petersson
16. Mark Borowiecki
17. [Brian Lee]
18. Kaspars Daugavins
19. Mike Hoffman
20. Patrick Wiercioch
21. Jean-Gabriel Pageau
22. Nikita Filatov
23. Fredrik Claesson
24. Derek Grant
25. Jim O’Brien
There are a lot of problems with the list (Cowen should be ahead of Silfverberg, Prince is too high, Petersson is too low, etc), but more problematic is the general comparison.  A 25-year old player is much further along in his development than an 18-year old, so why compare them?  Nick Foligno is what he is at this point, so he’s better off being compared to other established pros rather than prospects like Mika Zibanejad.  The best thing about the list for me was reminding us all about the genius that is Don Brennan, “Thing is, we really don’t know how good Karlsson can and will be. Karlsson won’t play in the NHL for a year or two or three, if he ever does. Real tough to get excited about him. He was one of the five players the Senators had on their list, but apparently not the top one still available when it was their turn to pick.”

-My playoff predictions for round two fell completely off the cliff (0-4!).  I had Washington in seven, Philadelphia, St. Louis, and Nashville in five.  Three of the four series went the right number of games, but for the wrong teams (I was one game off in the LA series, but again, for the wrong team).  The Kings are disproving the old adage that you can’t flip the switch in the post-season.  My guess is we’ll see a Ranger-Kings final, but I’d prefer Phoenix-New Jersey.  Regardless, like most people, I won’t be watching.

May 13, 2012
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: 1 Comment

–Chapin Landvogt interviewed Jakob Silfverberg, who among other things said, “No, I did not [expect to be a top goal-scorer]. Before the season, I said to myself that I was going to get bigger and be a better player than the season before that, but I could never imagine it having gone as well as it did.” And “I hope I’ll be there [make the NHL team], but it’s the toughest league in the world and it’s going to be a tough camp. I hope I’ll end up there, but we’ll just have to see what happens.”

-The Sens signed Fredrik Claesson yesterday to a three-year, entry level contract.  Tim Murray said, “He wasn’t on a very good team in Djurgarden … but I think it helped his game. It allowed him to play a lot of minutes in a lot of different situations. He played regular against the men and that’s a pretty good league. By him being on that team and not getting buried, it probably sped up his development and gave him the confidence to make this big move, come over here and start (next) year in Binghamton and get on with his pro life. He played a defensive role (at the world juniors). He moves the puck smartly. He has to work on his skating, quickness and mobility a bit, but he’s really taken great strides for us. He made the decision that he wanted to come over here and start his pro career, so we’re very happy about that.”

–Stefan Noesen talked about his future with the Sens, “Just watching (rookie) Colin Greening, seeing how he developed over the course of the year, that basically gives me chills. That could be me in a year or two. It’s really inspiring to watch. It gives me a lot of hope. I need to get stronger as a whole. My leg strength, my upper body strength, my core, everything. And also my speed. But speed comes as you play. It won’t come just like that. You’ve got to work at it and take it in and absorb it, at that level. No one can just make a jump like that and be as quick as they normally are. You’ve got to get used the speed, you have to get used to everything. Just practising with those (NHL) guys makes you faster, because you have to try and keep up with them. As you keep practising and practising with them, you start to play at a fast pace like that all the time. Every year you come in hoping and praying you can make the team. Yeah I hope I make the team; I really don’t want to go back to Plymouth. But at the same time, if I do, that just means they want me to develop more, work on becoming a whole player. I really do feel like I could make the step next year, but it all depends on the summer I have. If I dedicate myself this summer, work out five or six days a week and get stronger every day, then I really do think I have a good chance of making it. I kinda feel like I play sorta like Brendan Morrow does. But that’s just me. I felt my game as a whole got a lot more calm. I just settled down a lot more. I had more patience. I was able to create plays that last year, I really didn’t have a chance to do. It all just unveiled right in front of me. When they called up (Jakob) Silfverberg for the next couple of games, that’s really inspiring. It makes me believe that next year is going to be a good year for me. It’s basically pushing me to develop this summer and do the things that they’re wanting me to do, to be able to step in and play at that next level next year.”

-Sens prospect Jakub Culek and Rimouski lost the QMJHL final, ending his CHL career.

–Greg Wyshynski addresses fears that the result of this year’s playoffs is a sign that the league is returning to the Dead Puck Era.  He describes “old time hockey” as “battles for the puck, battling through checks, earning every inch of ice and every goal scored, the current incarnation of the NHL is for you.”  That description of “old time hockey” applies to every style and era (even the trap-happy teams battled), so it’s a meaningless definition.  Wyshynski ends with “Are there changes to be made? Sure. How’s this one: Blocking a shot that goes out of play is a delay of game. If we’re going to keep that other silly delay rule on the books, then expand it to help cut down on blocks.”  Whether that proposed rule would pass or help I don’t know, but points to the problem that this kind of hockey isn’t entertaining.

-As many bemoan the quality of this year’s playoffs, Stu Hackel comes to the defense of shot-blocking which he feels is being assailed.  He throws in the usual chestnuts, “The playoffs have always been about defense” (just ignore the high-flying Pittsburgh Penguins of the 90s, Edmonton Oilers of the 80s, Canadiens of the 70s, etc) and “anyone who equates today’s game with the boredom engendered by the neutral zone trap needs to have their pulse checked. True, there is a certain predictability and sameness to the way some teams play, damming the slot, keeping shooters to the outside and forcing the attacking team to pass the puck around, endlessly it seems at times, until they can find a shooting lane.”  I don’t think the game has to be identical to the trap-era to be boring, nor does Hackel really present what’s exciting about the current style of play.  Hockey already features a player (the goalie) whose job it is to stop pucks–having five other goalies in front of him diminishes his role and makes the game more about luck than skill.

–Adam Proteau talks about the possibility of a Phoenix-New Jersey final, “Or as forcefully sedated NBC executives are calling it, “as many as seven roundhouse kicks to the groin with a knife-tipped boot’” and “Two teams – partially or almost completely financially supported by the league – that can’t fill their own buildings playing a style of hockey no kid grows up emulating in front of almost nobody on TV. And there is no impetus to change it, leading to the prospect of games that have only three or four goals scored.”

May 11, 2012
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: 1 Comment

Ryan Dzingel (C-L, 6’0, DOB 1992, 7-204/11)
2009-10 USHL Lincoln 36-11-15-26 -18 38pim (ppg 0.72) 5th pts
2010-11 USHL Lincoln 54-23-44-67 +19 8pim (ppg 1.24) 1st all-star
2011-12 NCAA Ohio 33-7-17-24 +4 32pim (ppg 0.72) 2nd
2012-13 NCAA Ohio 40-16-22-38 -9 22pim (ppg 0.95) 1st

Passed over in his first year of draft eligibility, he was one of the USHL’s top scorers when the Sens selected him (he was not ranked in 2011).  Dzingel finished tied for the point-lead at Ohio State (playing with fellow Sens prospect Max McCormick) in his rookie season, but his production slowed down considerably as the season wore on (15 points in the first 17 games, 9 in the final 16).  This season he lead his team in points and goals while finishing third in overall scoring in the CCHA.  A long term prospect, he’ll likely finish his NCAA career before turning pro.  He was in the running for the hardest worker in the Sens development camp (losing to Fredrik Claesson) this summer and the organisation has to be happy with his progress (Randy Lee said “[he’s a] character kid…a real high end skill guy”).  Hockey’s Future said prior to the draft:

Dzingel is a play-making, skill forward who sees the ice well and creates opportunities for his teammates. He does not play a physical style but seemed to be much more consistent in his second year of junior hockey. He is an accurate, dangerous shooter and some would like to see him shoot more often. Dzingel is still developing physically and will benefit from the time in college hockey.

A year before he was drafted (so his first year of eligibility) Dzingel talked to McKeen’s where he described himself as:

“I’m a skilled forward, so I move the puck well, and I see the ice pretty well. So, those are probably my best attributes” and “I work hard and I have skill to back it up. I don’t just go out there and finesse all the time. Even though I can do that, I know I have to back it up with work ethic and try to be a leader out here.”

Sens scout Bob Janeyck talked about Dzingel (0:43-0:54), and his description reminds me of Erik Condra (presumably the kind of player they want Dzingel to be).  Highlights of Dzingel were hard to find, but a drunken/stoned “I miss you” from former high school friends was not, so enjoy.

This article is written by Peter Levi (@eyeonthesens)

May 8, 2012
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: 4 Comments

-Opinions are being offered about the Peter Regin re-signing, with Scott saying “I haven’t seen any compelling evidence the Senators are dabbling in #fancystats, however MacLean at least is teaching and emphasizing possession. Instead of pounding it up the boards on the break-out, he wants his forwards (often the center) swinging low through the slot to support the defenseman. With a roster largely the same as that under Clouston there was a huge improvement in possession metrics this season. For a corsi monster like Regin, he has the oppurtunity to become very appreciated by the Paulrus…as long as he can stay healthy. Reducing the number of shots against (29th worst) next season can’t fall only on the defense. Having another very capable two-way center will help in that department.”  Ken Warren says “The Senators now see him fitting in somewhere on their top three lines. At training camp last season, the Senators were pushing Regin to fill the second line vacancy left by the trades of Mike Fisher and Chris Kelly. Perhaps Regin, who has battled inconsistency as well as injuries, is more suitable on a third line. With Zack Smith and Jim O’Brien appearing destined to hold down the third- and fourth-line centre spots, maybe Regin ends up as a winger in the long run.”  I think Regin is more effective as a center, although other players may take draws for him.  While his point totals may never blow anyone away, Regin does a lot of the little things defensively and will be a welcome addition if he can stay healthy.

–Uffe Bodin talked about the Swedes in the Sens organisation and said he thought Jakob Silfverberg could score 30 goals in the NHL (but not next year) and that Mika Zibanejad probably needs time in Binghamton.  The latter is almost certainly true, while the former remains to be seen.

–Pierre Dorion made some interesting comments today: he suggested that in the hindsight of the David Rundblad trade they might not have taken Mika Zibanejad sixth overall last year (presumably selecting Dougie Hamilton instead); he thinks Mark Stone is very close to being an NHL player; he thought Peter Regin‘s injuries were more symptomatic of bad luck rather than something systemic; he said Jakub Culek hasn’t developed as quickly as they hoped, but still has NHL potential (by inference as a checker); they intend to sign Shane Prince and Jean-Gabriel Pageau; they are in discussion with a few others players if they come out of college early (probably referring to Michael Sdao) or leave Europe (presumably Fredrik Claesson); he said Stephane Da Costa is an NHL-talent who just needs to get stronger and be more consistent; he was cagey in talking about Nikita Filatov and did not confirm that they would qualify him as an RFA (his comments were vague and oblique, but I’d guess the scenario they would accept is him signing a contract that would see him sent back to the KHL if he didn’t make the team); he said they will get a very good NHL player with the 15th overall pick (but not an impact player).

-Here are my profiles of Sens prospects Max McCormick and Jordan Fransoo.

–Mark Spector tries to drum up his readership with a ludicrous article suggesting that Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn‘s late night hijinks might impact the draft status of Nail Yakubov.  He draws irrelevant parallels with Boris and Dmitri Mironov and then throws in the KHL option for good measure (which has nothing to do with late night antics).  There’s actually no point made in the article–Spector doesn’t make an argument linking Radulov et al with Yakupov (nor the entirely different point about the KHL option)–he simply plays on the assumptions and fears within the hockey community about Russians which doesn’t offer anything new about Yakubov specifically.  This kind of nonsense isn’t new, but it’s tired and Spector should know better.

May 7, 2012
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: 1 Comment

-The Sens have re-signed Peter Regin, who will get a chance to show if he’s truly recovered from his shoulder surgeries.  Ken Warren reports he’ll be paid 800k for the season, which is a 20% drop in salary.  Tim Murray said “We’re very happy to get Peter into the fold. He has had a tough two years with injuries, but when he was not injured, he was certainly a top nine forward (capable of playing on the top three lines), with good offensive skills.”

-Here’s my look at Ottawa’s roster decisions in the off-season.

–Don Brennan indulges in all kinds of speculation:
1. The Sens should re-sign Chris Kelly (to serve as an “example” for the other Senators–presumably Brennan thinks the current vets aren’t doing a good enough job in that respect)
2. Ollie Jokinen could help (I’m not sure how–isn’t Turris their second-line center?)
3. P. A. Parenteau or Brad Boyes could provide secondary scoring (the former has stated his intention to stay with the Islanders, while the latter is coming off an atrocious season)
4. Suggests Barret Jackman, Bryan Allen or Kent Huskins to replace Filip Kuba if he walks (for those wondering, they had 13, 14, and 7 points, which combines to just beat Kuba‘s total of 32 for the year)
5. Shane O’Brien to replace Matt Carkner if the latter is let go (the same O’Brien who has played for four different organisations over the last four seasons)
As dismissive as I am of his suggestions, the normally sober Lyle Richardson thinks they are sensible.  Brennan also thinks the team should trade Craig Anderson because his trade value is high–he thinks they could acquire the defensive defenseman the organisation says they need as well as the offensive forward Brennan thinks they need.  The idea is, of course, absurd and Brennan is just trying to be provocative.

–Tim Murray made some interesting comments about Binghamton, “I think what we’re trying to do here is sign our own players from within the organization, that have either been drafted or traded here, get them done first of all and see where they fit. I think that in Binghamton, obviously we have to improve our personnel down there, surround our prospects and kids down there with better players and better people, on the veteran side of things. So, at this point, that’s what we’re trying to do. Some of those signings certainly won’t be until after July 1 if they come from other teams.”  What interests me is the comment about “better people” on the veteran side of things, which makes me wonder about which veterans are being referred too (not, presumably, Corey Locke or Francis Lessard who were with the team last year, or Mike McKenna who received a lot of praise, but presumably Mark Parrish or Tim Conboy).

-Here’s my profile of Sens prospect Darren Kramer.

-The Calgary Flames signed KHL free agent Roman Cervenka and Ryan Kennedy throws a hissy-fit about it.  Kennedy, who says nothing specific about Cervenka, compares his signing with other failed European and NCAA experiments without making useful comparisons to those players or looking at the specifics of Cervenka‘s contract (his contract is based on games played, and other bonuses, plus has a European re-assignment clause so he can be sent back to Omsk).  Cervenka is a 26-year old, slightly undersized (5’11) left-handed center who played on the Czech 2005 WJC team, but went undrafted.  He didn’t generate NHL interest until he dominated the Czech league in 2009-10 and played for the 2010 Olympic team.  Last summer he was considered one of the best players in Europe (51-31-30-61 in the KHL playing with Jaromir Jagr), but his production slipped this year (54-23-16-39), although he still lead his team in scoring.  Here’s who Kennedy compared him too (I’m ignoring the NCAA flops since they are completely irrelevant):
1. Jaroslav Hlinka (2007) – the 5’10 30-year old was coming off a career year in the Czech league and was signed by Colorado; he put up decent numbers (63-8-20-28), but not the top-six numbers some were hoping for.  Hlinka never put up the gaudy numbers Cervenka has in Europe and was an older player, so the comparison isn’t apt
2. Fabrian Brunnstrom (2008) – the 6’1 23-year old was a prospect hyped after a strong rookie year with Farejstad in the SEL; he’s never quite progressed as hoped, but he was a prospect not a European pro so there’s no comparison to Cervenka
3. Ville Leino (2008) – the 6’1 24-year old was signed after a monster year in the SM-Liiga; after a year of paying his dues in the AHL for Detroit he didn’t make an impact until his playoff performance with Philadelphia in 2010.  He played reasonably well the following season (81-19-34-53), but because he struggled this year Kennedy thinks he’s finished as a player.  Putting the hyperbole aside, this is a closer comparison, although Leino‘s pre-North American resume isn’t Cervenka‘s either
I think the risk the Flames are taking is a worthwhile one.  Cervenka likely isn’t a top-six talent in the NHL (very few players outside the league are), but given the lack of prospects in the Flames organisation it’s worth giving him a shot and the money it costs the organisation isn’t unreasonable.

May 5, 2012
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: 8 Comments

With Ottawa’s 2011-12 season complete the team faces a number of roster decisions.  The organisation is starting year two of the rebuild (or re-tool) and other than wanting to sign a veteran defensive defenseman Bryan Murray has given few indications what changes they will make.  Their UFA’s and RFA’s are listed below (NHL to AHL, from oldest to youngest), with those likely to depart in red and those likely to stay in green (I’ve missed my chance to look smart in predicting Peter Regin would be re-signed as the Sens have done so before I posted this).  I’ll also look at players still under contract who may be moved.

Forward UFA
Zenon Konopka (31) – scratched for more than a quarter of the season, his playoff performance is not enough to save a player who didn’t show up for the regular season
Jesse Winchester (28) – concussion problems and a consistent lack of production means he won’t be back
Rob Klinkhammer (25) – a spare part on the roster, I think the influx of young talent will see him let go
Mark Parrish (35) – the veteran couldn’t stay healthy and his production was subpar, so he’ll be gone
Francis Lessard (32) – the pugilist was scratched for a third of the season and won’t be back
Corey Locke (27) – arguably the best player in the AHL and while I’m sure they’d love to retain him, if he wants NHL games he’ll have to go elsewhere

Defence UFA
Filip Kuba (35) – had a great year and contributed to Karlsson‘s development, but with Melynyk looking to save money he will likely move on
Matt Carkner (31) – has bad knees and was scratched for a quarter of the season; may be kept to fill the heavyweight role, but is otherwise gone
Matt Gilroy (27) – deadline acquisition was invisible and won’t be retained
Tim Conboy (30) – performed up to expectations and could be retained, although the priority for an AHL vet on the blueline is an offensive dynamo which he is not

Forward RFA
Nick Foligno (24) – consistently inconsistent, but will definitely be back
Kaspars Daugavins (23) – not many undersized players earn checking roles, so he’s iffy
Jim O’Brien (23) – was excellent this season and will be retained
Pat Cannone (25) – a solid season for the college grad will see him retained
Stephane Da Costa (22) – despite some struggles I don’t see the Sens giving up on him after one season
Nikita Filatov (21) – he’ll be qualified, but will play in the KHL

Defence RFA
Erik Karlsson (21) – no question he’ll be re-signed
Eric Gryba (24) – the organisation likes him so he’ll be retained
Craig Schira (24) – has never really progressed so he’ll be let go

Goaltender UFA
Alex Auld (31) – was awful and will walk
Mike McKenna (29) – was solid, but I don’t see him being retained as the organisation will want Lehner to be the undisputed starter

Players under contract (discussion below):
Forwards: Daniel Alfredsson (39), Chris Neil (32), Jason Spezza (28), Milan Michalek (27), Colin Greening (26), Peter Regin (26), Erik Condra (25), Bobby Butler (25), Zack Smith (24), Kyle Turris (22), Corey Cowick (23), David Dziurzynski (22), Mike Hoffman (22), Louie Caporusso (22), Derek Grant (22), Cole Schneider (21), Andre Petersson (21), Jakob Silfverberg (21), Wacey Hamilton (21), Mark Stone (19), Mika Zibanejad (19)
Defence: Sergei Gonchar (38), Chris Phillips (34), Jared Cowen (20), Ben Blood (23), Mark Borowiecki (22), Chris Wideman (22), Patrick Wiercioch (21)
Goaltenders: Craig Anderson (30), Ben Bishop (25), Robin Lehner (20)

There aren’t many question marks among the players under contract (I think Alfredsson will return, incidentally), but Bobby Butler is coming off an atrocious season while in the minors Corey Cowick has yet to become an AHL-regular.  I believe Butler will be moved (as early as the draft, as late as training camp) with a chance that Cowick will be sent to another organisation as well.

There are prospects who must be put under contract or the team will lose their rights: Jakub Culek, Marcus Sorensen, and Darren Kramer.  The latter is expected to be signed and help police Binghamton, but the two 2010 draft picks are bigger question marks.  Culek and Sorensen haven’t grown as expected and I suspect in the case of the undersized Swede he will be let go.  Culek‘s potential (and size) might earn him a contract.

A few other prospects are eligible be play in Binghamton due to age (Shane Prince and Jean-Gabriel Pageau) or being drafted from Europe (Fredrik Claesson).  I don’t see room for the former pair, particularly given how small Binghamton’s forward group already is.  Claesson is an interesting case however, given that Djurgarden has been relegated and Binghamton is short on the blueline.  There’s a decent chance he’ll be signed to play in the minors.

Finally, a couple of notes: there’s a possibility the Sens might sign Jack Downing to a contract.  Playing with an AHL-contract this season, he showed a great deal of improvement and Binghamton could use his size in their lineup.  As an older player however, it remains an “if”.  On a different note, former Binghamton blueliner Geoff Kinrade was qualified as an RFA last year, but chose to go to Europe.  He has a contract in the NLA with Bern, but it’s always possible he has an “out” clause and that the organisation could convince him to return.

Overall I believe only four regulars from the Sens lineup will change with the effect greatest on the blueline.  This would be the hypothetical roster based on my assumptions:
NHL forwards (13)
Alfredsson
Neil
Spezza
Michalek
Greening
Regin
Condra
Foligno
Smith
Daugavins
Turris
O’Brien
Silfverberg

NHL defensemen (6)
Gonchar
Phillips
*defensive defenseman*
Karlsson
Cowen
Borowiecki

NHL goaltenders (2)
Anderson
Bishop

AHL forwards (14)
Cannone
Downing
Da Costa
Dziurzynski
Hoffman
Caporusso
Grant
Schneider
Petersson
Hamilton
Kramer
Stone
Culek
Zibanejad

AHL defensemen (7)
Conboy
*offensive defenseman*
Gryba
Blood
Wideman
Wiercioch
Claesson

AHL goaltenders (2)
Lehner
*veteran*

May 4, 2012
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: 7 Comments