-Ottawa faces New Jersey (15-11-6) tonight; the Devils are lead by Patrik Elias (29 points) and backstopped by Martin Brodeur (10-2-3 2.10 .914). Ben Bishop will get the start, but no other lineup changes are expected.
–Nichols provides an overview of the Danny DeKeyser sweepstakes and ends with this:
It’s worth reiterating that the Red Wings have widely been considered the favorites because DeKeyser’s a Michigan native who has been teammates with Red Wings Assistant GM Jim Nill’s son.
For those who missed it, here’s Red Line Report‘s scouting assessment:
He plays a simple, defence first, stay-at-home game. He’s not flashy at the offensive end, but moves the puck well and gets it to the right spots by making good decisions. Efficiently gets the puck out of the zone with crisp outlets. He’s physical and wins the battles down low, keeps the crease clear, and plays with a bit of a nasty edge. He’s an outstanding penalty killer who blocks a ton of shots.
–Andy Strickland Tweets that the Sens are the frontrunners to land NCAA free agent Buddy Robinson (38-8-8-16), who finished his second year at Lake Superior State. [An update: the signing is now official. The 6’5 rightwinger signed a three-year ELC and fits the mould of last year’s Cole Schneider signing where he’s a project for down the road (although presumably on the rugged side). I’d expect him to report to Binghamton shortly (he’s signed an ATO), assuming all his academic commitments have been dealt with. Robinson was tied for 5th in team scoring with Lake Superior. The Sens have signed a player from Lake Superior before (Derek Smith), but that was under Muckler’s management.]
–Mark Parisi goes through his weekly ups and downs and the only two players warranting a down are Jim O’Brien for being scratched (a reasonable choice) and Zack Smith because pucks have deflected off him into his own net (which seems a little unfair). For my part I’d put Mike Lundin as someone who struggled (he may have broken a record with giveaways in his first game back from injury), as well as poor Peter Regin whose offensive woes continue.
-Binghamton has released Nick Craven from his ATO. The NCAA free agent played four games for the B-Sens without producing a point.
-A couple of other B-Sens notes: Brad Peltz has still not suited up for an AHL game yet this season, nor has he been returned to the ECHL since he was called up from Trenton in January. Ben Blood awaits his first AHL point 24 games in (although given that he only has 1 in 29 ECHL games, it’s not a big surprise). I have to think after Marc Cheverie‘s performance on Sunday the situation would be ripe for NCAA free agent signee Andrew Hammond to get a start, but I’m not sure if he has finished his scholastic commitments yet and reported to the team.
This article is written by Peter Levi (@eyeonthesens)
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eyeonthesens 
And there it is. http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=419078
Buddy Robinson signed to a 3 year ELC. Really starting to think a trade of some consequence (though by no means a blockbuster) will occur in the offseason. Ottawa has 3 contracts to work with next season right now. (1 if Gonchar/Alfie resign).
They have more than that–my guess is roughly 9 contracts are about to come off the books (check an earlier post–last week I believe), so I think there’s room. That being said, Murray has an itchy trigger finger when it comes to the deadline (although I don’t think he’s done well in deadline deals when in contention), so something could happen.
Found it, but the list is considerably smaller only one week later.
Daniel Alfredsson (Toss up, if he wants)
Guillaume Latendresse (Gone…though outside chance of signing).
Peter Regin (Gone)
Sergei Gonchar (He may resign)
Mike Lundin (Gone)
Andre Benoit (Gone)
Hugh Jessiman (Gone)
Nathan Lawson (resigned or another journeyman for same job)
Kaspars Daugavins (RFA) (likely gone)
Erik Condra (RFA)
David Dziurzynski (RFA)
Patrick Wiercioch (RFA)
Ben Bishop (RFA) ( Assumed he is traded, contract spot replaced my newly signed Hammond)
Stephane Da Costa (RFA)
Mike Hoffman (RFA)
Corey Cowick (RFA)
Mark Borowiecki (RFA)
Louie Caporusso (RFA) (has been awful, will not be retained.)
So now that is three maybe’s and 6 open spots. Alright it does appear to be 9 contracts but to for arguments sake assume if Alfie resigns, so 8 contracts. However….
3 ELC’s will almost surely come into play next year for Noesen/Puempel/Ceci. So now we are down to 5. Sdao/Rutwoski/Robinson all kick in, now it is 2 contracts. Hell it is one contract if both Alfie/Gonchar resign.
.
The Sens are tight with contracts.
I think Alfie will be back, but not Gonchar. I agree with you that it will be tight, but there’s still a little wiggle room. I expect the Sens will try to move Lundin before the deadline (not sure if they will be able too). There’s a good chance that Ben Blood will be moved if they can find someone to take him, which frees up another contract. I just don’t think their hand is forced–it’s close, but not quite there.
Oddly there is no reply button on the fourth comment but oh well, I agree the hand is not forced, but next year we reach critical mass for prospects/players and have to at least pull one decent sized quantity for quality move.
Not sure why that is (the reply button I mean). Agreed that the team is approaching critical mass, but there are a lot of spare parts that could be moved should the need arise (the ceiling for a Jim O’Brien is not high, or if Garrioch’s rumours about Colin Greening are true there’s another contract, etc).