-As expected the Sens bought out Bobby Butler; he joins a long list of college free agent signings who have crashed and burned in the NHL. He produced enough as a pro that he’ll sign somewhere else, but it seems likely it will be a two-way deal.
-Capgeek confirms Stephane Da Costa‘s contract numbers (800k)
–Marc Methot talks about becoming a Senator:
I’m still really excited. The whole overwhelming feeling, because I had never been traded, has kind of faded. Now, I’ve got the Sens’ gear, I’m wearing it in practice and I’m getting used to it. It really feels like I’m becoming part of the team now. I’m around (some of the guys) and I’m getting comfortable. I believe it has sunk in, but until I don’t think it really will until I start skating with the team and have to go to Scotiabank Place to practise with the team. You can absolutely call it a fresh start. I’m going to get a chance to play in front of my family and friends. I don’t think the situation could be any better. I’ve been taking the situation pretty serious this summer with regards with my training and preparing so I don’t let people down. I better play good hockey, right? When I’m focused I’m not concerned with that stuff. When you’re playing in a market like this, you’re going to get criticized. It’s part of the game. Do I ignore it? Yes. I try not to listen to it. Does it bother me? I’d be lying if I said I just shrugged it off. Sometimes it will piss you off. You’ve got to deal with it. My parents, family and friends, understand it’s not always going to be peaches and cream. I’m not going to sugarcoat it: I have the utmost respect for the fans there. It’s just sometimes during the week we wouldn’t get a packed house and we’d be playing a team like Chicago or Detroit and it sounded like half the building were from those markets or were fans of the other team. We were losing a lot of games, people weren’t happy and it wasn’t a great atmosphere. I do know I’m playing in a bigger hockey market here and that’s something I’m really looking forward to being a part of. I’m starting to come into my prime as a player. I’m at the age where I feel like I can actually be a factor on a team and play some big minutes. It was just icing on the cake that it was my hometown that I got traded to. I’m ready to be a factor here. My only focus is playing in the playoffs. I’d watch all the games on CBC and all I’d say to myself is how badly I want to be a part of that. All the attention guys get for playing in the playoffs and the buzz around the city. I saw it for myself when I was around the city. That’s something I’m really looking forward to being a part of.
-Here’s my assessment of Bryan Murray‘s tenure as the Senators GM
This article is written by Peter Levi (@eyeonthesens)
eyeonthesens 