This is the ninth and final profile on prospects expected to play for the Binghamton Senators.

Robin Lehner, G, Contract: 0.9/13 (RFA)
2-46 2009 (Murray), 6’4, Shoots L, YOB 1991, Goteborg, Swe
2009-10 OHL 27-13-3 2.80 GAA 0.918 SV%
2010-11 AHL 10-8-2 2.70 GAA 0.912 SV%
2010-11 NHL 1-4-0 3.52 GAA 0.888 SV%

Selected by Murray with the pick acquired in the Leclaire–Vermette trade (the only goalie selected by Murray and the first by Ottawa since Ryan Daniels in 2006), Lehner was regarded as the best goaltending prospect in Europe, but was the second picked behind Islander overager Mikko Koskinen (bleacherreport.com/articles/216548-nhl-entry-draft-revealing-the-top-drafted-goaltenders).  He played in the Frolunda system in Sweden, but Senators brass were happy that he was planning to play in the OHL before he was drafted.  He was selected by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and spent a year with them.  Here’s Hockey Futures talent analysis the year he was drafted: “A butterfly goalie with excellent size and good overall skills. Uses his big frame to his advantage and challenges the shooters, although perhaps not with the desired consistency. Rebound control is poor, but overall mobility quite impressive for a big guy. Moves pretty well side to side and is tough to beat down low” (www.hockeysfuture.com/ prospects/robin_lehner).

Lehner took over the starting job at the Sault from the undrafted Bryce O’Hagan and was named both an OHL all-star and the Sault’s MVP.  This past season the intention was for Lehner to be the starter in Binghamton with Mike Brodeur providing support, but the health issues of both Pascal Leclaire and Brodeur played havoc with that plan.  Lehner started the year backing up Brian Elliott and only played one game in the AHL in October.  The following two months were largely spent with Binghamton (12-3-7-1), but Lehner himself was injured for a time.  The Senators loaned him to Sweden to participate in the WJC, but he split time with Fredrik Pettersson-Wentzel (Winnipeg fifth-rounder) and lost the semi-final game against Russia in part because of a blown call (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1kmZWCo5CI&feature=related).

When he returned he again needed to backup Elliott and bounced between the NHL and AHL for the next two months.  With the acquisition of Craig Anderson and Curtis McElhinney in February there was no need for Lehner to remain in Ottawa, but he was injured in early March and missed even more time.  When he was finally healthy Barry Brust (signed to an AHL contract and intended to be the team’s ECHL goalie) was well-established as the starter.  Brust was in net for Binghamton in their opening series against Manchester, but Lehner regained the job with the team down 3-1.  He proceeded to go on a ridiculous run (14 wins in 19 starts, 2.10 GAA, .939 SV%), becoming only the fourth teenage goaltender to win a Calder Cup (along with Carey Price, Patrick Roy, and Gordie Bell) and was named the playoff MVP (www.jacketscannon.com/2011/6/8/ 2213043/today-in-the-a-senators-win-calder-cup).

The organisation let Lehner skip this year’s development camp and he returns to training camp as the undisputed starter in Binghamton (backed up by Mike McKenna, www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/Robin+Lehner+learning+curve+over/4917926/story.html).  I believe Lehner will outplay Alex Auld in training camp, but the team wants him to start 50-60 games and that won’t happen at the NHL level.  If Lehner can stay healthy he should improve on last year’s regular season totals and get 30-35 wins.

Lehner interviewed prior to the draft: www.hockeysfuture.com/ articles/11141/2009_prospects_robin_lehner/
Sens scouts interviewed about Lehner: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMkg7LSKccY
Lehner interviewed at the 2009 development camp: video.senators.nhl.com/ videocenter/console?id=44936
Highlights from the Leafs/Sens rookie tournament game in 2009: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4Mj3KfkdNU
Fights Ramis Sadikov in the OHL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX0dYRNxDlE
Interviewed during the Calder Cup run: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okrgPw-X-mU
Bobby Butler comments on Lehner‘s growing maturity (July 15th): www.facebook.com/TEAM1200

With all the prospect profiles completed, in my next article I’ll take a look at the other pieces within the organisation (the AHL veterans like Corey Locke).

August 25, 2011
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: 1 Comment

This is the eighth profile on prospects expected to play for the Binghamton Senators.

Kaspars Daugavins, LW, Contract: 0.600/12 (RFA)
3-91 2006 (Muckler), 6’0, Shoots L, YOB 1988, Riga, LAT
2008-09 AHL 23-2-1-3 9pim (1 fight)
2008-09 OHL 30-11-17-28 35pim (1 fight)
2009-10 AHL 72-21-25-46 16pim
2010-11 AHL 73-19-35-54 34pim

Picked in John Muckler’s last draft, Daugavins was playing for HK Riga in Latvia and was overlooked by Central Scouting (although he was ranked #118 by ISS); he came to the attention of scouts at the WJC.  After he was drafted Daugavins joined the St. Michael’s Majors of the OHL.  He played two full seasons in the OHL before turning pro.

Daugavins joined Cory Clouston’s squad in Binghamton for the 2008-09 season, but struggled and was loaned to the Majors in late December (www.mississauga.com/ article/25937).  He put up his usual numbers back in junior.  The following season, under coach Don Nachbaur, Daugavins finally found his stride as a pro.  He finished sixth in scoring on the team and earned his only NHL call-up.

Coming into this past season, Daugavins was expected to be a key figure in Binghamton and one of the primary candidates to be called up in case of injury.  He had a slow start and was a healthy scratch five times in November.  After that experience, Daugavins hit his stride and caught fire (56-46), finishing fourth in scoring.  The Senators tried calling him up late in the season, but on that occasion he was injured.  Daugavins was a force in the playoffs, finishing third in scoring and first among prospects.  He described the playoff experience as “The run to the Calder Cup was hard, but it paid off and was such a great feeling.  I finally felt like a champion and was happy for all the work we put in during the season” (http://www.puckagency.com/ 2011/07/13/the-legend-of-kaspars-daugavins-continues-to-grow/).

Entering the off-season the Senators qualified Daugavins, but he didn’t immediately accept and he signed a tryout contract in the KHL (www.dinamoriga.eu/lv/news/view/ parbaudes-laika-ligumi-ar-vairakiem-hokejistiem).  The tryout wouldn’t affect his future in North America, but left many wondering if Daugavins would report to the Sens.  In August he signed a new deal (not his qualifying offer) that included a slight raise in his NHL salary (600k) and a significant increase in his AHL salary (105k).  It’s assumed that he will report not just to training camp but to the AHL as well.

The issue that Daugavins struggled with this past season was conditioning, which may explain his desire to join a KHL training camp (European camps open earlier than their North American counterparts).  I don’t believe he has a chance to make the Senators out of training camp, although he’s an obvious choice to be called up.  His production in Binghamton should take another step forward, so assuming he stays healthy 60-65 points can be expected.

His Hockey Futures profile: www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/kaspars_daugavins
A great shootout goal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkIXY_5m7Dg
Interviewed in the Calder Cup playoffs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vce9x1ivC7o
OT winner against Manchester: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlsK-YCz1ok

Next up is Robin Lehner.

August 24, 2011
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment

This is the seventh profile on prospects expected to play for the Binghamton Senators.

Corey Cowick, LW, Contract: 0.611/13 (RFA)
6-160 2009 (Murray), 6’2, Shoots L, YOB 1989, Gloucester, Ont
2008-09 OHL 68-34-26-60 48pim (2 fights)
2009-10 OHL 27-15-6-21 33pim (1 fight)
2010-11 ECHL 31-5-9-14 76pim
2010-11 AHL 30-1-3-4 20pim (2 fights)

Only the second Ottawa 67 ever drafted by the Senators (the others are Will Colbert in 2003 and Shane Prince this year), Cowick was coming off his best year in the OHL.  A power forward whose career kicked off when he was brought to Ottawa from Oshawa, the hope was for continued improvement in his final season in the OHL.  Unfortunately for Cowick, he was injured in the pre-season and played only 27 games.

Coming into his first training camp, Cowick was optimistic, “I just want to turn more heads.  At development camp I think I did a good job of establishing myself as a player in the organization. I just want to continue that and take it day-by-day.  I want to get in an exhibition game, so I want to prove myself enough at this rookie tournament so that I don’t give them a choice. I want to make them have to put me in an exhibition game and then go from there.  For me, everything stays the same. It doesn’t matter where I am. I’m going to go out and hit as many people as I can. I don’t want to try to do too much and hinder my game.”  Pierre Dorion said of Cowick, “Down the road, he’s got a big spot in our organization.  We see him as a shutdown kind of guy who is going to play some important minutes against the other teams’ top lines in the future or even near future. What he’s got to work on is just executing quicker and moving the puck quicker. If he’s able to do things at a quicker pace, I think he’ll have a realistic chance of making our team” (http://www.ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/2010/09/10/15314321.html).

His rookie season did not go according to plan.  Cowick began the year in Binghamton as a healthy scratch, with his primary competition for ice time being David Dziurzynski.  When he did make it into the lineup, he got suckered into a fight with John Kurtz who concussed him.  When Cowick was healthy again in mid-November there was no room on the roster for him, so he was sent to Elmira in the ECHL.  Cowick remained in Elmira until mid-February, his numbers insignificant, with rumours of him clashing with coach Malcolm Cameron (who was fired in February).  When NHL call-ups made room for him, Cowick enjoyed a good couple of weeks (scoring all his AHL points of the season) before becoming an unproductive fourth line player.  With the return of all the NHL call-ups, he had no hope of getting into Binghamton’s lineup for the playoffs.

When he was interviewed this summer, Cowick talked about his lost development opportunity (www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/Sens+prospect+Corey+Cowick/5013381/ story.html?cid=megadrop_story), but said he wasn’t looking for a change of scenery and wanted to move up on the depth chart.  Going into this year’s training camp, Cowick will be trying to make Binghamton’s roster, not Ottawa’s.  I believe he’ll have a difficult time getting into the lineup; he will need to either start producing or else increase his physical play.  Assuming he stays healthy and plays a full season, Cowick could put up 10-15 points.

Interviewed after being drafted: http://video.senators.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=45112
Concussed by John Kurtz: http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/97722
Fights Jake Carrick: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqq_E83COQ8
Cowick and Borowiecki‘s day with the Calder Cup: video.senators.nhl.com/ videocenter/console?id=121141

Next up is Kaspars Daugavins.

August 23, 2011
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: 1 Comment

With NHL training camps opening in less than a month, organisational news and speculation is beginning to appear more and more.  Here’s a look at the most interesting items:

[August 26 update: the Downing signing is official (www.binghamtonsenators.com/ news/topnews/index.html?article_id=1114).  It’s an AHL contract, so if he fails to make the team he’ll play in Elmira of the ECHL.]

-Elite Prospects has posted a rumour that NCAA University of Vermont grad Jack Downing has signed with Binghamton (http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=19064).  Normally I wouldn’t comment on a rumour like this, but it has been picked up by Binghamton beat-writer Joy Lindsay (www.pressconnects.com/apps/ pbcs.dll/section?category=PluckPersona&U=551340dd39644ae695cca9fe0180e879 &plckPersonaPage=BlogViewPost&plckUserId=551340dd39644ae695cca9fe0180e879& plckPostId=Blog%3a551340dd39644ae695cca9fe0180e879Post%3ad609e6dd-1e48-4250-aa1e-ce9817d072a4&plckController=PersonaBlog&plckScript=personaScript& plckElementId=personaDest).  Personally, I don’t see Ottawa adding another forward to the AHL-roster (there are already 14 forwards signed for Binghamton’s lineup).  If the rumour does have validity, I could see Downing actually signed for Elmira’s roster (ECHL) or participating in Ottawa’s rookie tournament.

-Sens prospect Marcus Sorensen (4-106 2010), who signed with Skelleftea of the SEL this past spring, is being loaned to the Allsvenskan (the second-tier pro league in Sweden).   Sorensen said “I think it’s good to play [in the Allsvenskan] in the top two lines instead of a fourth line in Skellefteå.  Hopefully this is just a few weeks or a month and that I later I will be back in Skellefteå again.  Of course I’m disappointed but there’s nothing to do about it, but go full speed ahead and hope that I’m back again soon” (http://translate.google.se/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=sv&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=sv&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fnorran.se%2Fsport%2Farticle1192418.ece&act=url, I took some liberties with this to make the translation clearer).

-NHL.com includes Erik Condra as a player to watch (www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=587059) as they look at Ottawa heading into the 2011-12 season; the analysis of the team is pretty sparse

–Le Droit‘s Simon Cremer takes a look at how Ottawa fans react to skilled players (supportathletique.wordpress.com/2011/08/17/les-fans-dottawa-et-nikita-filatov), fearing fans will jump all over Nikita Filatov if he doesn’t have an immediate impact (and perhaps even if he does).  It’s an interesting argument, but the point I definitely agree with is that fans favour grinders and plumbers over danglers (Peter Regin is a great example of a guy who is good defensively, but only gets credit for points-scored).

–Senshot conducted an interview with Brad Schlossman (senshot.com/2011/08/04/ prospect-profile-ben-blood) who covers the UND Fighting Sioux (home of Ben Blood, 4-120 2007).  A few quotes: “Blood was a first-pair defenseman last season, playing alongside Los Angeles Kings first-rounder Derek Forbort. Blood should be UND’s top defenseman this season. … He will be their top penalty-killing defenseman this season. I’m also expecting him to see some power play time. … The Sioux lost their top two point guys on the power play in Chay Genoway (Wild) and Matt Frattin (Leafs).  I think the pro atmosphere [of UND] is probably an advantage rather than pressure. … He has been one of the guys setting the tone in the weight room the last couple of summers and I’m guessing he’s doing the same this year.  He’s got good size, good reach and is very good defensively. He’s capable of producing at least one big hit per game. Almost never lets guys [get] around him. He’s very good at doing the little things. He can win a battle along the boards and flip a backhand high off the glass to get it out of the zone. [He’s] just a reliable defenseman.  He has better than average puck skills and I think we really started to see some of those come out last year. You don’t expect him to ever take the puck to the net, but he did it on a couple of occasions last year. I think he can further develop his offensive skills this year.  He’s a legit prospect. He will play in the NHL. Most defensemen have a stint in the AHL to start their careers and Blood may as well. But I would be surprised if he doesn’t reach the NHL during his rookie season. … He’s a guy who is outstanding at the little things and isn’t a fun matchup for opponents.”

August 22, 2011
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment

This is the sixth profile on prospects expected to play for the Binghamton Senators.

Craig Schira, D, Contract: 0.545/12 (RFA)
FA 2009 (Murray), 6’0, Shoots R, YOB 1988, Spiritwood, SK
2008-09 WHL 71-16-43-59 46pim (2 fights)
2009-10 AHL 68-8-13-21 27pim (1 fight)
2010-11 AHL 67-3-10-13 18pim (2 fights)

The undersized blueliner was signed as a free agent out of the WHL in 2009 at a time when Binghamton had few blueline prospects on the roster (Brian Lee, Derek Smith, and Tomas Kudelka).  It was Schira‘s fifth full season in the WHL, having enjoyed a career year playing with the likes of Jonathan Blum (Nashville first-rounder) and Brent Regner (Columbus fifth-rounder).  Schira had begun his WHL career with the Regina Pats, but didn’t blossom until he joined Vancouver in 2007-08.

Like virtually every rookie, Schira found the initial transition to the AHL difficult–the speed and size of the players particularly (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFwjqaJ24N4).  He was the youngest blueliner in Binghamton (excluding Erik Karlsson‘s month in the minors), finishing third in defensive scoring (behind Derek Smith and Geoff Kinrade).

Coming into last season, Schira was optimistic after his rookie season, “I see myself as someone who is going to play in the NHL, I felt great. I had to get used to the speed, but after that I thought I played well” (http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/35256-Craig-Schira-joins-crew-of-young-defencemen-knocking-on-Senators-door.html).  He was returned to Binghamton under new coach Kurt Kleinendorst.  Unlike his rookie season, Schira found himself in more of a shutdown role and saw his production slip.  He was also an occasional scratch (3 times).  He played the entire opening round series against Manchester, but missed the next two rounds via injury and by the time he was healthy again there was no room for him in the lineup.

Going into this season the numbers seemed against Schira, but the retirement of Lee Sweatt (http://www.ottawasun.com/2011/08/12/no-sweatt-sens-free-agent-pickup-retires-before-camp) benefits him more than anyone else.  Should the lineup stay the way it is, Schira will be a regular and has a chance to play his way up in the lineup.  Any trade of a blueliner at the NHL level benefits him also.  However, I won’t make predictions passed on hypotheticals.  As it stands Schira‘s a bottom pairing player who is unlikely to play on the powerplay, so if he stays healthy a good season would see him produce 20 points.

Discusses his first pro season: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFwjqaJ24N4
Fights Stu Bickel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6c5oYKsVLc
Nice hit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzMEts0yjd8

Next up is Ottawa native Corey Cowick.

August 22, 2011
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment

This is the fifth profile on prospects expected to play for the Binghamton Senators.

David Dziurzynski, C/LW, Contract: 0.6/13 (RFA)
FA 2010 (Murray), 6’3, Shoots L, YOB 1989, Lloydminster, AB
2008-09 AJHL 54-12-25-37 185pim (5 fights)
2009-10 BCHL 57-21-53-74 79pim (5 fights)
2010-11 AHL 75-6-14-20 57pim (3 fights)

On April 4th, 2010, Bryan Murray signed BCHL free agent David Dziurzynski.  Originally intending to play in the NCAA, his agent advised him to turn pro and Dziurzynski choose the Sens’ bonus-laden contract over other offers (he receives a $50,000 signing bonus each year of the deal).  Prior to the 2009-10 season, Dziurzynski was a physical forward in the AJHL who wasn’t on anybody’s radar, but he enjoyed a breakout season that demonstrated his skill with Alberni Valley.

The Silver Seven posted comments about Dziurzynski: “He [an agent] says David Dziurzynski is huge, strong and very slick. He says he has very soft hands and can skate like the wind. He was on the top line (league wide) with 2 brothers (one of whom was a 4th round pick of Montreal…Mark Macmillan [the other was Mitch Macmillan, now playing in the NCAA]). Turns out David was the reason that line was so dominant. Lots of 2nd assists and even more ‘3rd‘ assists. My agent said in the playoffs, when the team was losing, the kid “decided” to stop making his linemates look so good and took over. Look up his playoff stats….pretty impressive.  The kid has a grade 9 education, and was heading up to Fort MacMurray to work the oil rigs (and disappear from the hockey scene) but after such a strong season, was hustled by Edmonton, Ottawa, NYR and another team (forgot the 4th…sorry).  My agent has seen plenty of talented kids move from the WHL/BCHL to the NHL and, to quote ‘this kid could very well stun some people'” (www.silversevensens.com/2010/7/14/1568683/some-info-on-david-dziurzynski).

Dziurzynski himself, commenting on the signing and his breakout season, said “It’s the best fit for me to develop. They have a great program and their focus on development was one of the main attractions.  It [Alberni] was a great experience.  The league is unbelievable. It changed my life. I had a couple good linemates that I played with — it was the best line in the BCHL.”  His coach, Nolan Graham, added “When we start talking about David, Mark and Mitch were great for him.  David’s a big guy and he’s strong on the puck, but I think what he brings is a great hockey sense and we all saw that in the playoffs.  In Game 5 against Nanaimo, he assisted on a big-time goal and I don’t know if anyone in the building saw Mark MacMillan open on the backdoor. He really made that line click and was huge for us offensively” (www.bchl.bc.ca/leagues/ newsletter.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID= 2393&page=43942&stype=2).

Despite the jump in level to the AHL, Dziurzynski had an easier transition than many of his fellow rookies (he essentially took Corey Cowick‘s spot on the roster).  After being scratched the first three games of the season, he remained in the lineup (when healthy) the rest of the season.  Primarily a depth player, he did show some skill (enjoying a hot streak in January where he posted 9 of his season’s 20 points).  Dziurzynski played the first 12 games of Binghamton’s Calder Cup run, but was then scratched with the return of Cody Bass (he returned to the lineup for two games in the final as an injury replacement for Roman Wick).  All in all it was a very successful rookie season for Dziurzynski, but not the kind to generate any hype.

There’s no question that Dziurzynski will return for another year in Binghamton.  He’ll play in the bottom six, although whether he’ll stay on the wing or move to center remains to be seen.  He’s unlikely to receive powerplay time, but he should see his production increase if he can stay healthy (25-30 points).  Depending on his development curve, he will be challenging for a spot in the next year or two.

Dziurzynski scores twice in the BCHL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrcTPWG4nHY
A fantastic BCHL goal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UDS8cNoowU
Fights Nick Buchanan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROZRY5cQsRI

Next up is Craig Schira.

August 21, 2011
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: 1 Comment

This is the fourth profile on prospects expected to play for the Binghamton Senators.

Jim O’Brien, C/RW, Contract: 0.816,666/12 (RFA)
1-29 2007 (Murray), 6’2, Shoots R, YOB 1989, Maplewood, MN
2008-09 WHL 63-27-35-62 55pim (1 fight)
2009-10 AHL 76-8-9-17 49pim (1 fight)
2010-11 AHL 74-24-32-56 67pim (2 fights)

Jim O’Brien was Bryan Murray’s first ever draft pick for the Ottawa Senators, although he became GM just prior to the draft and there’s no doubt that John Muckler’s draft philosophy guided the selection.  The 2007 draft was considered weak (mckeenshockey.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=604850,) without much depth and many have been critical of O’Brien‘s selection.  Ranked 25th by Central Scouting and 38th by ISS, O’Brien was a graduate of the U.S. National Development Program.  He had just completed his first year at the University of Minnesota, where as a rookie he’d put up decent numbers (43-7-8-15) on a team featuring Kyle Okposo and Erik Johnson.  Coach Don Lucia said “I think for Jimmy, it’s more of where he is going to get to when he fills out. He’s 6’2 and will be 200-210 when he really fills out. That’s when he’ll become the complete player and that’s two or three years down the line. You project players and where they are today, but it’s even more important where they can get to. I think Jimmy has got a pretty good top end. He’s going to get stronger in the weight room; it’s just a matter of time. He’s dedicated to that and puts in the time. He has to work on his lower body/leg strength, which will make him a better skater also. Jimmy is the consummate team player and he has high expectations for himself. He has good skills. He can score, make plays and pass the puck. I think his competitiveness is one of his strengths. He wants to get better and he’s willing to work to get better. He’s very committed and he’s going to get there with his dedication, commitment and work ethic” (www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/9451/2007_prospects_jim_obrien/).

After the draft O’Brien left the NCAA and joined Seattle in the WHL where he enjoyed a solid rookie season.  Improving on his production the following year, he was selected as a member of Team USA in the WJC and played well.  Although O’Brien was never a dominant player in the WHL, he was expected to do well when he joined Binghamton for the 2009-10 season (http://senators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=480916).

O’Brien quickly found himself in coach Don Nachbaur’s dog house.  Although he was rarely scratched, he received little ice time and the year was considered a complete failure.  When the season was over the organisation told O’Brien that he was in danger of no longer being considered a prospect.  To O’Brien‘s credit, he took the criticism to heart and worked hard over the summer (www.ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/2011/01/ 02/16735431.html).  About his rookie year he said “Last year was definitely a learning experience for me. Strength-wise, I  don’t think I was there. But I learned a lot during the year and I got  better as I went along. I went home this summer and off the ice, I worked  harder than I ever have before. I came into camp and came into the year  feeling great … It definitely went a lot better than last year. I felt good out there and it was definitely a good feeling coming out of camp.”

This past season in Binghamton O’Brien spent much of the year playing with Erik Condra and he enjoyed great success.  He was called up on four separate occasions to the Senators and acquitted himself well (http://senators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=547957) although he could not earn a permanent call-up like his linemate. Ultimately, O’Brien finished second in scoring behind Corey Locke.  While he struggled in the playoffs (finishing 11th in scoring), it did not diminish the fact that he’d pulled himself off the prospect scrapheap.  The Ottawa Sun (the article isn’t signed) speculated that O’Brien would have a shot in the upcoming season’s camp (www.ottawasun.com/ sports/hockey/2011/01/25/ 17024581.html), a sentiment I do not share.

Assuming O’Brien puts the same effort in training this summer as he did last year, he should have a good year in Binghamton.  He’ll receive top-six ice time and assuming he stays healthy his production will increase (60-65 points is a reasonable expectation).  His future as a NHL prospect is clearer now–that of a bottom-six, depth player–although it remains to be seen if that will be achieved as a Senator.

His Hockey Futures profile (the analysis is pre-draft): www.hockeysfuture.com/ prospects/jim_obrien
O’Brien fights Michael Vernace: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmvbnXEq-Cg
O’Brien interviewed in the fall: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNSqPOAohmY

David Dziurzynski is next.

August 20, 2011
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment

This is the third profile on prospects expected to play for the Binghamton Senators.

Eric Gryba, D, Contract: 0.6225/12 (RFA)
3-68 2006 (Muckler), 6’3, Shoots R, YOB 1988, Saskatoon, SK
2008-09 NCAA 45-0-6-6 106pim
2009-10 NCAA 38-4-6-10 118pim
2010-11 AHL 66-3-4-7 133pim (13 fights)

Selected in John Muckler’s last draft, Central Scouting described Gryba as “a strong skater with adequate backward speed… has a long stride and once underway he can be deceiving when rushing the puck… good agility for a big player – he is strong on his stick… has the ability to make sharp passes… has a very good wrist shot from the point… has good eye-to-hand coordination – sees the ice well… has had some time on the power play… is used a lot on penalty-killing situations… has an aggressive edge to his game… can be very abrasive and intimidating in the corners and in front of the net… uses his body to protect the puck well when being forechecked… blocks shots… has a very long reach and uses it effectively to poke check and deflect pucks out of opponents reach… was selected and played in the 2006 USHL All-Star Game and will attend Boston University in the fall of 2006.”  Frank Jay, then director of amateur scouting, adds “To get Eric with this pick was a pleasant surprise. We never dreamt he would be there at that point. We had him rated higher. He’s a big strong kid, and I like his chances of reaching the NHL eventually.”  For a look at Gryba and what brought him to the USHL, Hockey Futures has an excellent interview here: www.hockeysfuture.com/ articles/8451/2006_prospects_qa_with_eric_gryba.  Gryba describes his fighting style: “I actually usually come forward, I like to punch and then tie up and get in a couple in there. Usually, if I’m going to fight a bigger guy, I especially like to stay low, bob and weave and just try and avoid their punches and come up. But if I’m fighting a smaller guy, try and keep him out a little and use my reach as much as possible and come in at the right time.”

Gryba spent four full seasons at Boston University.  In his freshman year he was named to the Hockey East Honour Roll, while his game slipped a bit as a sophomore (32-1-1-2).  In his junior year he avoided being a healthy scratch for the first time and thought about turning pro, but ultimately returned for his senior year.  As a senior he set career highs in points and penalty minutes while serving as assistant captain.  He was signed at the end of the NCAA season and signed a ATO to play the final few games in Binghamton, where he impressed the organisation with his physical play.  Following the season he was named the hardest worker in what would be his last development camp.

Coming into Ottawa’s camp for the 2010-11 season, Don Brennan dubbed him the “E-train” (http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2010/09/26/15485111.html), but any hype about Gryba vanished after he was sent to Binghamton.  Much like fellow-rookie Patrick Wiercioch, initially Gryba found himself scratched regularly to start his pro career (8 times through January) before becoming an integral part of the blueline (25-5 +8 from February onward) and considered as an NHL call-up before getting injured towards the end of the season.  Gryba missed the first two playoff series before returning to the lineup to play in the final ten.  Murray had this to say about him mid-season, “One of the most improved players down there. He’s huge, and his skating and positioning defensively was a little bit of a question at the beginning of the year, but he’s really made great strides. We’re very happy with Eric. Again, all of them can’t play next year. We just can’t have that many rookies on our team. But he will be an NHL player” (http://www.ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/2011/01/25/17024581.html).

Before the end of the season Gryba‘s name was included among those who could challenge for a spot on the NHL roster, but after the draft and during the development camp (which Gryba did not participate in) those mentions fell away.  I don’t think that’s indicative, but like all defensive prospects not named Rundblad or Cowen, I believe Gryba is ticketed to Binghamton next season.  To me, Gryba is the perfect replacement for Matt Carkner.  Both play the right side, both are physical, both are willing combatants.  For this upcoming season, assuming Gryba stays healthy, he should improve on his AHL numbers and produce in the 10-15 point range.

A dated but good Hockey Futures profile: www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/eric_gryba
Interview after his junior year: http://video.senators.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=45111
Gryba‘s pre-game rituals (NCAA): http://www.nesn.com/2009/12/eric-gryba-shares-his-gameday-rituals.html
Interviewed towards the end of the AHL season: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or-B3T2_gCg
Fighting NHL tough-guy (and visor-wearer) Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond: http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/103049

Next up is Jim O’Brien.

August 19, 2011
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment

This is the second profile on prospects expected to play for the Binghamton Senators.

Patrick Wiercioch, D, Contract: 0.875/13 (RFA)
2-42 2008 (Murray), 6’4, Shoots L, YOB 1990, Maple Ridge, BC
2008-09 NCAA 36-12-23-35 26pim
2009-10 NCAA 39-6-21-27 34pim
2010-11 AHL 67-4-14-18 25pim (1 fight)

Patrick Wiercioch came into the 2008 draft ranked 77th in North American by Central Scouting (http://www.nhlentrydraft2008.com/featuredPlayersDetails.aspx?type=np&playerID=1077).  He had just finished winning the Anderson Cup in the USHL with Omaha.  A lanky player, prior to the draft he talked about bulking up (http://mckeenshockey.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=785840), a familiar theme that’s followed him throughout his career thus far.

Wiercioch attended the University of Denver and had a fantastic freshman year, being named to the All-WCHA Second Team and All-WCHA Rookie Team, ranking second in NCAA defenseman scoring and third in NCAA rookie scoring.  He was given the Red Baron WCHA Final Five All-Tournament Team honours, named to the All-College Hockey News Rookie Team and Inside College Hockey Freshman All-America Team and was co-recipient of the Barry Sharp Memorial Award for Denver’s top freshman.  It’s little wonder that after the season he thought about turning pro (Tim Murray comments about the season are here www.youtube.com/ watch?v=FyebvqvYjQo).

Wiercioch returned to Denver for one more season, this one disrupted by injury.  Despite reduced production he was named to the Reebok First-Team West All-American, the All-USCHO Second Team, the Inside College Hockey Third-Team All-American and All-WCHA First Team.  He led Denver defensemen in points and was third in overall WCHA defenseman scoring; he was also named to the All-WCHA Academic Team and earned WCHA Scholar-Athlete status.  Finally, he was considered for Canada’s WJC, but as he was still recovering from injury he had no real chance to make the roster.  All of this made signing him a no-brainer going into the 2010-11 season (here he is interviewed during the 2010 development camp, video.senators.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=73564).

Wiercioch was one of the last cuts at camp, but was sent down to Binghamton.  As the second youngest rookie on the team (behind Robin Lehner) his season was very up and down.  He was scratched six times between October and January, before hitting his stride at the end of the season (13 of his 18 points were scored from February onward) and being called up to Ottawa where he played well in 8 games.  He suited up for most of Binghamton’s Calder Cup run (producing 1 assist), missing 5 due to injury and then finding himself scratched for another 3 in favour of Mark Borowiecki in the Cup final.  Murray had this to say about him mid-season, “Patrick is playing, but is not a priority player in Binghamton right now. We wish he’d play a little more. He probably will be a better NHL player than AHL player, because of his style and body build right now. A year from now, however, I think if Patrick is 10 pounds heavier and a little stronger, which I believe he will get over the summer, he will be a real contender for a spot here next year” (http://www.ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/2011/01/25/17024581.html).

At season’s end one of the most obvious needs for Wiercioch was to bulk up (www.ottawasun.com/2011/07/02/sens-wiercioch-looking-to-beef-up), saying “The knock against me was that I was too light and I wasn’t able to handle myself. If I can’t handle myself at that weight, then I’m going to have to think about another profession.”  The Senators were happy with his progress (see the linked article) and consistently include him in discussions about the roster in the fall.  Wiercioch himself believes he has a shot at the roster (http://senators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=569949), although I think there’s no doubt he’ll be sent to Binghamton for another year of development.  Should he spend the full year in the AHL and stay healthy, I expect his production to increase significantly (in the 30-35 point range).

Interviewed prior to playing his second NHL game: video.senators.nhl.com/ videocenter/console?id=104527
An interview with Wierioch early last season: video.senators.nhl.com/ videocenter/console?id=84473)
His dated Hockey Futures profile: www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/patrick_wiercioch
Fights Mike Duco: http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/100126

Next up is Eric Gryba.

August 18, 2011
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment