-The hockey world is buzzing about the CBA because the NHL made a proposal today which is a little closer to the land of reason. What really interests me about this offer is that it includes the proviso of a full NHL season that would begin November 2nd. The timeline suggests there may be a nugget of truth to Bruce Dowbiggin‘s theory that the league wants to come to terms with the NHLPA before late November in order to meet its commitments to HBO and NBC.
-Binghamton plays Rochester tonight, so here’s a look at the Americans (no word on any changes to Bingo’s lineup as yet). Rochester plays in the AHL’s Western Division and finished seventh in that conference last season (36-26-10). Top players: Cody Hodgson (NHL 41), Luke Adam (NHL 52-20), Kevin Porter (NHL 35-7), Mark Mancari (58), Phil Varone (52), Marcus Foligno (60-39), Brayden McNabb (D) (45-30), T. J. Brennan (D) (52-30), Evan Rankin (35-29), Corey Tropp (27-22; injured), Mark Pysyk (D)(WHL 57-38). Goaltending: David Leggio (2.63) and Connor Knapp (NCAA 1.69). Key players departed: Paul Szczechura (57-46), Derek Whitmore (44), Mark Voakes (34), Colin Stuart (51-32), and backup goaltender Drew MacIntyre (3.19). Four of the team’s top-six scorers are gone from last year’s roster, but with the influx of NHL talent they have a better lineup. Here’s a blog that covers the team. Tropp has suffered a season-ending knee injury, incidentally.
-Binghamton’s lineup tonight: Silfverberg-Pageau-Zibanejad, Hoffman-Cannone-Petersson, Dziurzynski-Grant-Stone, Cowick-DaCosta-Jessiman; Cowen-Benoit, Gryba-Borowiecki, Ekford-Wiercioch. As expected Claesson comes out of the lineup as does Downing. Also scratched/injured are the recalled Blood along with Caporusso, Prince, Hamilton, Schneider, and Kramer.
-Here’s a profile of Mike Hoffman (a gritty left winger?) who said the following:
Every time you come back in the league you want to be bigger and better than last season, and help the first-year guys accomplish their goals as well. I always want to get better as a hockey player. I have a lot of confidence from last season going into this season and I want to keep that going. We want to stand up for each other. If one guy goes down, we got to help him out.
–Jeff Simmons offers a belated preview of the Binghamton Senators, but other than naming a few players on the team offers no analysis.
–Marc Cheverie was named ECHL goalie of the week after a 2-0 start for Elmira.
This article is written by Peter Levi (@eyeonthesens)
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eyeonthesens 
This is the first sign that the league is under pressure from the owners. Betman may have to get off his high horse.