–Zack Smith talks about teammates Jared Cowen, “He’s such a big guy, he skates so well and he’s good with the puck … he’s such a strong guy in our end. Lots of times he outmuscles guys. He’s one of the big guys that play hard. They’re going to make sure you don’t want to go in the corners when you go against them. He’s obviously not (Zdeno) Chara, but I’d put him up there with that kind of player. He’s hard to play against. He’s got kind of a mean streak to him.”

–Paul MacLean talked about Rob Klinkhammer‘s performance thus far, “He’s got real good speed, gets around the rink real well. I think he does a good job in the defensive zone, along the boards. He does a good job on the forecheck, shares the puck real well. I think he makes our team faster and a little more skilled.”  If Klinkhammer plays two more games the Sens give up their 2013 7th round draft pick to Chicago (the condition of the trade they made in December).  The assumption is that he’ll be returned to Binghamton when Jesse Winchester is healthy.

-Binghamton lost to Rochester last night despite out shooting them 36-29.  Robin Lehner took the loss and Craig Schira scored the only goal for Binghamton.  Mark Parrish and Wacey Hamilton both finished -2 and Andre Petersson lead the team with eight shots.  Here’s the box score and Joy Lindsay‘s game summary.

-Elmira won 7-3 with last night Louie Caporusso scoring twice in his return to the lineup (his first game since January).  Brian Stewart dressed as the backup.  Bobby Raymond and the Florida Everblades were shutout.

–Jakob Silfverberg was interviewed about his season with Brynas and repeated that he returned to Sweden because he didn’t feel mentally ready for the NHL–he believes the extra year has helped him.  He mentioned he has no interest in returning to the Brynas for another year.  Silfverberg won the SEL equivalent of the Lady Byng and was second in the voting for the Hart trophy.

-A few Sens college prospects have finished their seasons: Ryan Dzingel, Max McCormick, and Michael Sdao.  None are graduating, although it’s possible the Sens will try to sign Sdao (they did the same last year with Ben Blood, but he decided to stay for his senior year).

March 10, 2012
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment

–Ben Bishop will get the start tonight against the Rangers.  Jim O’Brien returns from injury and Zenon Konopka draws out of the lineup.

–Peter Chiarelli made an interesting comment about scouting, ‘when he was in Ottawa that the team did some research into drafting, and one of the conclusions was that “weight is much more important than height when scouting players.”‘  Unfortunately the comment isn’t qualified (presumably Erik Karlsson would fail by that standard), but it’s an interesting comment that trends against the conventional wisdom for height.

–Stu Hackel writes about his coach of the year candidates, beginning with this proviso, “the NHL Broadcasters Association, which is in charge of the award, generally selects a coach whose season is marked by a conspicuously measurable result. If a coach guides a team to a big improvement over the previous year, he’ll get very serious consideration. So will a coach who has been able to keep his team winning despite serious obstacles, such as many and/or key injuries to his players, such as Pittsburgh’s Dan Bylsma did last season and is doing again, or getting his team to play well despite the franchise’s off-ice problems, as Dave Tippett did two seasons ago in Phoenix. Those are really good standards, and it’s hard to fault them. They reflect excellent coaching. But they also tend to shortchange some guys who more consistently push the right buttons and get strong outcomes year after year.”  Here are his thoughts on Paul MacLean, “No one expected much from the young Senators this season, perhaps not even the organization itself. But they’ve been one of the NHL’s big surprises and MacLean has been a huge part of that. He’s managed the expectations very well, and his long NHL playing and coaching experience has informed this group, giving it direction. He’s provided a big change in culture from the tense atmosphere he inherited and put the Sens on an upward path. For a first-year head coach, that’s very impressive.”

–Robin Lehner made 22 saves to shutout the Toronto Marlies yesterday afternoon.  Mark Borowiecki had the winner and Corey Cowick added an empty-netter.  Here’s the box score and Joy Lindsay‘s game summary.

–Joy Lindsay Tweets today’s lines at practice: Cowick-Hamilton-Parrish, Grant-Cannone-Petersson, Dziurzynski-Da Costa-Downing, Bartlett-Lessard; Borowiecki-Gryba, Henningson-Conboy, Wiercioch-Schira, Godfrey.

March 8, 2012
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment

–Jim O’Brien was a late scratch last night due to an upper body injury.

–Colin Greening talked about his Gordie Howe hat-trick last night, “The guys were letting me know (about the Gordie Howe) between periods. It’s the first of my career. It’s just something that happened. The last five games or so, I haven’t been playing as many minutes. It shows a lot of confidence from the coaching staff to put me back with (Michalek) and (Jason Spezza). We had some good chemistry.”

–Paul MacLean talked about Robin Lehner‘s performance, “I thought he played real good, obviously in the games he won. In the Chicago game (a 2-1 loss) he allowed it to be respectable, and we can’t fault him, really, on the game in Florida (a 4-2 loss). So we gave him an opportunity to show us he could be a goalie here.”

–Sports Illustrated‘s power rankings are out with Ottawa 18th.

–Joy Lindsay Tweets that Stephane Da Costa is back in the lineup for this morning’s game against the Toronto Marlies

-The Sens have reached out to bloggers, offering them access similar to the traditional media.  The bigger blogs are being targeted and it’s about time the team made more of an effort to harness the power of online media.  How much this additional access would mean in terms of actual content is up in the air.

-Tim Murray was on Sportsnet last night and said the Sens hope to bring Mika Zibanejad over to play a few games in Binghamton and then skate with the black aces while Ottawa is in the playoffs.  With Djurgardens’ schedule, at best he could play the final two games in Binghamton.

March 7, 2012
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment

–Ben Bishop has been recalled from Binghamton while Robin Lehner has been sent down (link); Bishop is expected to start tonight against Tampa

–Daniel Alfredsson talks about the season so far, “We didn’t know what to expect with this team. There were a lot of questions and I was asked a lot if I would look to go somewhere else (at the deadline). I was like everybody else. I was just really happy we didn’t have to make that decision. We put ourselves in a position where we have a really good chance of making the playoffs. The major factor is: Do I feel I still have it in me and go through another summer of workouts, training camp and playing another year? Then, health-wise and then family. Those are the three components. When I thought about it last summer, I just wanted to come back and see what I could do (after the back surgery) to see if I was healthy and if I could get healthy. I’ve been able to do that so it’s been really encouraging throughout the year. It’s been a lot of fun and, hopefully, the best is yet to come.”

–Erik Karlsson was fined $2,500 for his slash on Sean Bergenheim.

–TSN and The Hockey News‘ power rankings are out with Ottawa 12th in both.

-Binghamton has signed Dan Henningson (17-1-4-5 +1) to a standard AHL contract.  Henningson was on a PTO from the ECHL’s Chicago Express.

–Joy Lindsay reports that Corey Cowick (18-4-4-8 -1) has been recalled from Elmira and is expected to play tomorrow.  The lines at practice: Corey Cowick-Corey Locke-Mark Parrish, David Dziurzynski-Stéphane Da Costa-Jack Downing, Derek Grant-Pat Cannone-André Petersson, Mike Hoffman-Wacey Hamilton-Mike Bartlett/Francis Lessard; Mark Borowiecki-Eric Gryba, Dan Henningson-Tim Conboy, Patrick Wiercioch-Craig Schira, Josh Godfrey.

-Binghamton has also announced their Clear Day rosters, which designates those eligible to compete in the remainder of the 2011-12 AHL regular season and in the 2012 Calder Cup playoffs. Binghamton can still add signed junior players or players on amateur tryout contracts after their  seasons are complete.  The roster: Ben Bishop, Robin Lehner; Mike Bartlett, Mark Borowiecki, Pat Cannone, Tim Conboy, Stephane Da Costa, Jack Downing, David Dziurzynski, Josh Godfrey, Derek Grant, Eric Gryba, Wacey Hamilton, Dan Henningson, Mike Hoffman, Rob Klinkhammer, Francis Lessard, Corey Locke, Mark Parrish, Andre Petersson, Craig Schira, and Patrick Wiercioch.

–Hockey Futures writes about prospects on the rise or declining, and Jakob Silfverberg is included on the upswing: “The primary cause for Silfvergberg‘s offensive explosion is at least partially due to simple physical maturity. The 21-year-old has added about five pounds of muscle over the last year and it shows, as he is very strong protecting the puck and battling for it in the corners. Expect the talented forward to come to join the Senators organization for the 2012-13 season, where he could make an immediate offensive impact in the top-nine.”  Colin Greening is on the downswing, “After a fairly strong start to the first half of the season, Greening has gradually seen his production decline over the past month. He picked up only one point in the month of February, an assist on the 26th, and prior to that he had been held off the scoresheet 10 games in a row. Some of his decline is likely due to wear and tear, as it is common for first-year NHL players to hit a wall around the mid-way point of the season. Much of it however is also due to a lack of confidence, and his decreased time on the ice is a reflection of that. Regardless of how he finishes his season however, Greening should be considered a solid top-nine forward in the NHL.”  Greening‘s declining production fits in with the rest of the Sens secondary scoring.

March 6, 2012
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment

-Paul MacLean was not a happy camper after last night’s poor performance, “Our competition after the first period stayed the same and theirs elevated. They took over the game. That led to us being frustrated instead of trying to raise our competition to (match theirs) as the game went on. We got frustrated and took selfish penalties that took us out of the game that led to even more frustration and lack of execution. As a result, we don’t get (the benefit) of what was a really good first period.”  Robin Lehner said, “It was frustrating. After the first, I thought we looked really good. I don’t know what happened in the second. Our whole team kind of collapsed a little bit and they came out very hungry. Their first goal was a fluke. It was very lucky. The second goal [Barch] I feel like I’ve got to have. That’s one of the best parts of my game. I was with him and for some reason I lost my balance. I’ve got to have that goal. Then, we had to face some adversity, we got some penalties and things didn’t go our way.”

-Paul MacLean talked about scratching Zack Smith, “He has to play harder, be more physical in the role that he has and be a better penalty-killer … So be more consistent.”

-Binghamton assistant coach Steve Sterling offered this evaluation of Rob Klinkhammer in 2008, “He’s got NHL size and his skating is a little above average for the NHL. I would say based on his tenacity and those attributes he would have an outside chance to be a fourth line player in the NHL. Go up and down his wing and bang and crash and muck it up. Kill some penalties. His hands are average and his offensive sense is average and he gets into trouble when he gets excited and his brain can’t keep up. He’s a classic 10th or 11th forward who you know is going to do the dirty stuff. That’s what’s going to keep him here or help him rise.”

–ESPN‘s power rankings are out with Ottawa 12th.

–Joy Lindsay Tweets that Binghamton’s game turned on Tim Conboy being tossed for arguing a penalty call, with Kurt Kleinendorst saying, “He [the official] took a great game and just flipped it upside-down … weak call, and then probably an even worse call.”

-Prospect updates (their position in team scoring is noted in brackets, defence compared to defence; I’ve also indicated if the player’s scoring position has change (with a + for up, – for down, and = for unchanged):
CHL
Mark Stone (RW, Brandon, WHL) 60-39-69-108 (1st=)
Shane Prince (C/LW, Ottawa 67s, OHL) 52-40-42-82 (2nd=)
Stefan Noesen (C/RW, Plymouth, OHL) 57-32-40-72 (1st=)
Jean-Gabriel Pageau (RW, Chicoutimi, QMJHL) 43-32-31-63 (2nd+)
Darren Kramer (C/LW, Spokane, WHL) 64-20-17-37 (t-6th-)
Jakub Culek (C/LW, Rimouski, QMJHL) 50-13-23-36 (5th=)
Matt Puempel (LW, Peterborough, OHL) 30-17-16-33 (injured)
Jordan Fransoo (D, Victoria, WHL) 64-3-16-19 (2nd=)
SEL
Jakob Silfverberg (C/RW, Brynas) 48-24-28-52 (1st=)
Mika Zibanejad (C/RW, Djurgarden) 25-5-7-12 (15th+)
Fredrik Claesson (D, Djurgarden) 46-1-6-7 (t-5th=)
Allsvenskan
Marcus Sorensen (RW, Boras) 29-8-9-17 (9th-)
NCAA
Ryan Dzingel (C, CCHA-Ohio State) 33-7-17-24 (t-1st=)
Max McCormick (LW, CCHA-Ohio State) 27-10-12-22 (t-3rd=)
Bryce Aneloski (D, WCHA-Nebraska-Omaha) 36-6-14-20 (1st=)
Michael Sdao (D, ECAC-Princeton) 29-9-10-19 (1st=)
Chris Wideman (D, CCHA-Miami) 36-1-16-17 (1st=)
Ben Blood (D, WCHA-North Dakota) 35-2-15-17 (2nd-)
Jeff Costello (LW, CCHA-Notre Dame) 26-5-6-11 (9th=)
Brad Peltz (LW, ECAC-Yale) 9-1-0-1 (20th=)

March 5, 2012
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment

The Sens played yet another game where they were disjointed and often on their heels.  The first line was completely ineffective until Bobby Butler was removed from it and overall the Sens did not do enough to generate chances.  Robin Lehner could not duplicate his prior superhuman efforts, although none of the goals he allowed were soft.  Here’s the box score.

First Period
The game got off to a slow start with neither team able to establish a forecheck.  After a lifeless Ottawa powerplay the momentum was swinging towards Florida when Ottawa scored on a simple play–fire the puck at the net with traffic in front.  Chris Neil added a second goal on a Jim O’Brien rebound to give the Sens a 2-0 lead.
Second Period
The Panthers quicky took the momentum scoring twice early, first an excellent tip by Goc and then Barch deeked Lehner on a clear breakaway off a bad Senators line change.  Neil was called for a double minor and the Panthers cash in to take the lead and control most of the period.  Through the first two periods the entire first line (Spezza–Michalek–Butler) and Karlsson had been completely invisible.
Third Period
The Sens came out stronger in the third period (beginning to line juggle) and began to generate scoring chances when Karlsson was called for a trip when Weiss simply fell down.  The Sens killed the powerplay, but then a frustrated Karlsson took a dumb penalty slashing Bergenheim.  The Sens could do nothing on an abbreviated powerplay and after Kyle Turris hit the crossbar Skille powered through Karlsson and beat Lehner to salt the game away.

Here’s a look at the goals:
1. Cowen (Turris)
Snap shot through a Klinkhammer screen
2. Neil (O’Brien, Foligno)
Fires home O’Brien’s rebound through a crowd
3. Florida, Goc
Fantastic tip just in front of Lehner popped the puck over him and in
4. Florida, Barch
Sent on a clear breakaway on a bad Sens line change and deeks Lehner
5. Florida, Samuelsson (pp)
Alfredsson can’t control Samuelsson’s stick and he fires the puck home right in front of Lehner
6. Florida, Skille
Karlsson is overpowered by Skille who drives to the net and beats Lehner

Top-performers:
Chris Phillips – was strong defensively tonight
Kyle Turris – he needs to score consistently, but he had an assist and his line was the best tonight
Jim O’Brien – continues being strong defensively and picked up an assist on the second goal

Players Who Struggled:
Erik Karlsson – lead the team in turnovers, was weak defensively, and added nothing offensively
Bobby Butler – another invisible game for him

-Binghamton was outshot 40-23 and could not keep up with St. John’s who put four past Ben Bishop.  Jack Downing and Corey Locke scored for Binghamton and Patrick Wiercioch broke his pointless streak.  Craig Schira and Wiercioch lead the way at +2.  Here’s the box score and Joy Lindsay‘s game summary.

-Elmira won 3-0 this afternoon, with Brian Stewart earning the win and Corey Cowick scoring a goal.

March 4, 2012
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment

–Rob Klinkhammer (35-12-23-35 -5) was recalled by the Sens yesterday and despite declining production this is a reward for his play.  This will be Klinkhammer‘s second NHL call-up as he played one game for Chicago last year and the plan is for him to play with Daniel Alfredsson and Kyle Turris in the hopes of generating secondary scoring.  Zack Smith will be healthy scratch for the first time this season (a decision I don’t like) and Kaspars Daugavins will remain out of the lineup.  Unsurprisingly, Robin Lehner will get the start.

–Robin Lehner is keeping a level head about the hype surrounding him, “I heard it from one of the guys, I haven’t really seen it. You’ve got to put a little perspective on it, too. I’ve played four games this season. I’m happy with my performance in the four games, but it’s not there yet, to be that hyped. I understand why it’s hyped. I’m a really young goaltender. I feel like I’ve been playing solid, okay … it’s just the way it is here in Ottawa. I don’t mind it, and I don’t mind it when it goes bad, either. One bad game here and we’ll see if Lehn-sanity sticks. It probably won’t. These guys (Senators) have been teaching me lots about it. I don’t try to get too high when I’m good and too low when I’m down. You can hate me, but never break me. I know how it is. I know my role here. I’ve been following Craig and this team for the whole season. He’s been great. He’s been carrying this team. He has 29 wins this year. He’s been rock solid. I’m just trying to be here for this team right now. If I get the chance, I’ll just try to play my best, so we might get some points out of it. When he comes back, I’m not expecting anything. We’ll see what happens. Whatever they think is best for me, I’ve got to trust them and do what they say.”

-Binghamton was completely dominated by Hershey last night, outshot 38-17 with Mike McKenna taking the loss.  Pat Cannone lead the team with five shots and Patrick Wiercioch extended his pointless streak to 10 games.  Here’s the box score and Joy Lindsay‘s game summary.  Ben Bishop will start today against St. John’s.

-Elmira won 4-1 last night, with Brian Stewart earning the win Corey Cowick held off the scoresheet (Louie Caporusso remains out of the lineup).  Bobby Raymond had an assist in Florida’s 5-4 win.

March 4, 2012
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment

The Senators can thank Robin Lehner for making a game that wasn’t close look respectively (he made 37 saves).  The Hawks dominated the game and the Sens were unable to generate momentum or even many chances.  Here is the box score.

First Period
Ottawa was atrocious to start the period with loose defensive play requiring Robin Lehner to repeatedly bail them out (especially saves on Patrick Kane and Andrew Brunette).  Matt Gilroy had the defensive play of the period, harassing Kane enough that he didn’t get a shot on a breakaway.  Despite their poor play, Ottawa scored first with Michalek surprising Emery on a one-timer.
Second Period
The Sens continued to struggle to start the second period.  Lehner stopped Patrick Sharp on a breakaway and then a penalty shot, but the Hawks finally scored on a 6-on-5 to tie the game and then went ahead on the powerplay.  MacLean threw the lines in the blender and the Sens played much better afterwards, but still had no answer to the Patrick Kane line.
Third Period
The Sens played their best in the third, but were still sloppy defensively (giving up a breakaway to Andrew Shaw) and had trouble getting pucks to the net.  Ultimately they had no answer offensively for the Hawks (including Gilroy missing an empty net).

Here’s a look at the goals:
1. Michalek (Spezza, Gilroy)
Spezza makes a perfect pass to Michalek above the circles and his one-timer catches the far post
2. Chicago, Bickell
Michalek leaves Bickell unattended in front and he beats Lehner high
3. Chicago, Hossa (pp)
Niether Kuba nor Konopka are able to collapse far side in time to prevent Hossa from scoring on the wrap around after Lehner makes the initial save

Top-performers:
Robin Lehner – made a number of huge saves and gave his teammates a chance to win
Milan Michalek – scored the team’s only goal and lead them in scoring chances
Colin Greening – was strong defensively and along the wall

Players Who Struggled:
Kyle Turris – was a big reason why the Patrick Kane line dominated and generated virtually nothing offensively
Bobby Butler – has gone back to being invisible, failing to generate offence

Binghamton jumped out to a 4-0 lead on Syracuse, chasing Antero Niittymaki and cruising to a 5-2 win.  Ben Bishop made 42 saves to earn the victory, while Mike Hoffman scored two goals and Andre Petersson, Corey Locke, and Pat Cannone had the others.  Locke and Hoffman each had three-point nights.  Here’s the box score and Joy Lindsay‘s game summary.

Elmira lost 3-1 tonight, with Brian Stewart dressing as the backup and Corey Cowick held off the scoresheet (Louie Caporusso is still injured).  Bobby Raymond had no points but was a +5 in Florida’s 9-3 victory.

March 2, 2012
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment

-No lineup changes are expected tonight.

–Robin Lehner isn’t interested in talking about his season in Binghamton, “I don’t really care what people say about me and my statistics in the AHL. I know what they are and I know me, myself, how it’s been, and why. I’ve gone through a lot since I came over here, and I’m learning from it. I have people who are helping me to go through it. Everything is a learning thing and I’m learning every day.”

–Craig Anderson won’t discuss how his injury happened, “I really don’t care to talk about the details of it all. (It was a) freak accident. Happened in the kitchen. Leave it at that. Something you learn from. Unfortunately, it was a costly mistake. I knew it was severe when it happened,” he said when asked if he thought his career was in jeopardy. “I knew it wasn’t the end of the world. I knew I had an issue, I knew I needed to take care of it. My main concern was just to get the help I needed right away, get the right people involved right away to make sure the road to recovery happened as soon as possible.”  I don’t understand his reticence, but the specifics are irrelevant.

-A lot of ink has been spilled talking about Erik Karlsson as a Norris Trophy candidate.  Laurie Boschman offers a pile of numbers supporting him, while Tyler Dellow presents numbers against him (Dellow makes the mistake in his presentation by not applying his analysis to any other player, making comparison via his method impossible).  Greg Wyshynski decries Karlsson‘s defensive acumen as compared to other candidates and ultimately I think that train of thought will win the day when it comes to voting (hockey traditionalists despise players they consider to be one-dimensional).  The prejudice clearly still bothers Paul Coffey, who said “No disrespect to defensive defencemen, but every team has one, How many teams have a defenceman that can do what Erik Karlsson is doing? (The award) should go to an exceptional defenceman. That’s Karlsson this year.”  Personally, whether Karlsson wins the trophy or not is irrelevant.  He’s having an excellent season and is a major reason why the Sens have played so well this year.

-Speaking of Karlsson, Chris Phillips credits him with the improvement on the Sens blueline this year, “I think having D-men jump up in the play and getting involved is something that helps the forwards. Being involved, being an option (for a pass), forces the other team to back off, not play them as hard, be aware of guys jumping up. That gives forwards more time with the puck and time to make plays.”

–Bob McKenzie reports that a group from Saskatoon is trying to land an NHL franchise.  It’s hard to imagine a city that small being granted a franchise, but McKenzie does indicate that it’s not completely implausible.

March 2, 2012
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment