It wasn’t an especially busy week in Ottawa Senators news, but at least one tangible matter seems to have been solved: Kaspars Daugavins has been re-signed.  The contract is slightly higher than his qualifying offer (600k, www.capgeek.com/players/ display.php?id=1332), with the biggest difference his AHL salary (105k).  It’s not clear how this impacts the tryout contract he signed in the KHL, but the increase in salary in the minors might be enough for Daugavins to remain in North America (indeed, the tryout could have simply been leverage for negotiations).  Binghamton beat writer Joy Lindsay believes the contract confirms his return (www.pressconnects.com/apps/ pbcs.dll/section?category=PluckPersona&U=551340dd39644ae695cca9fe0180e879 &plckPersonaPage=BlogViewPost&plckUserId=551340dd39644ae695cca9fe0180 e879&plckPostId=Blog%3a551340dd39644ae695cca9fe0180e879Post%3afc7abbf0-c68d-43fa-b3c6-a097dfe8c606&plckController=PersonaBlog&plckScript=persona Script&plckElementId=personaDest).  Daugavins had a slow start to the 2010-11 season, but finished the year with 54 points and added 20 in the playoffs.  Injury prevented him from earning a call-up with Ottawa and should he return to Binghamton he would play a key role.

Former Sen Alex Kovalev complained in a Russian newspaper about both former coach Cory Clouston (“In two seasons I still couldn’t understand the ideas of our coach Cory Clouston…It seemed that he scoffed at some players. You have to treat players kindly. If you leave someone on the bench, you should explain why it happened. This is coach’s job. But when a player is benched and doesn’t understand what is happening, he becomes lost“, http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=373439) and the Ottawa sports writers (“Ottawa journalists don’t watch hockey at all. When they fly with the team and go through the (metal detector) at an airport, their bags are filled with beer. You realize right away what these people do when they write about the NHL. Let them make up nonsense about me“).  Whatever fans might think of the Ottawa writers, the comment can be taken with a grain of salt.  Kovalev‘s complaint about Clouston simply echoes everything else that has been said about him.  Despite the coach and despite the journalists, Kovalev would do better to take responsibility for his poor performance and move on.

Ottawa prospect Mark Stone made a strong impression at Hockey Canada’s WJC camp (http://senators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=585859&navid=DL|OTT|home).  Stone displayed good chemistry with Jonathan Huberdeau and Ryan Johansen and with a solid start in the WHL should have a good shot to make the team.  Matt Puempel, presumably, did not make much of an impression.  Both the American (Shane Prince and Stefan Noesen) and Swedish (Mika Zibanejad and Fredrik Claesson) camps are still ongoing.

Finally, here’s an article on Sens prospect Darren Kramer: www.prrecordgazette.com/ ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3240308

Stephane Da Costa will be my next rookie profile.

August 8, 2011
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: 1 Comment

This is my second profile of a Senator rookie.

Jared Cowen, D, Contract: 1.325/14 (RFA)
1-9 2009 (Murray), 6’5, Shoots L, YOB 1991, Allan, Sask
2008-09 WHL 48-7-14-21 45pim (3 fights)
2009-10 WHL 59-8-22-30 74pim (2 fights)
2010-11 WHL 58-18-30-48 91pim (5 fights)

Heading into the 2009 draft, the Ottawa Senators had fired their coach mid-season (Craig Hartsburg) again and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1995-96.  They had the 9th overall pick, their highest since selecting Brian Lee in 2005.  Going into the draft the team had 9 NHL blueliners (Chris Campoli, Filip Kuba, Brian Lee, Chris Phillips, Alexandre Picard, Luke Richardson, Christoph Schubert, Jason Smith, and Anton Volchenkov).  The system wasn’t very deep (Mattias Karlsson had already signed a deal to return to the SEL), but the previous draft had seen Erik Karlsson and Patrick Wiercioch selected, both high-end defencemen.  I make this long preamble to illustrate why Bryan Murray attempted to make a trade with Toronto’s Brian Burke (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kzgalcl3tD8) in order to land Nazem Kadri.  There are a lot of conspiracy theories that claim Murray Jedi-mind tricked Burke into taking Kadri, but I don’t think we can know that one way or another.  It’s reasonable enough to accept that the Sens preferred to draft a forward (11 of their last 14 picks have been forwards), although 6’5 blueliners don’t grow on trees.  Going into the draft, Cowen was ranked #7 by Bob McKenzie (other rankings #4-#9, www.tsn.ca/ draftcentre/feature/?id=11891), but his stock had dropped because of a serious knee injury.

There was no question that Cowen would be returned for at least one more year of junior given the depth in Ottawa.  He made Canada’s WJC roster, but did not play much in earning a silver medal.  Last season the blueline was still crowded with six one-way contracts plus Erik Karlsson, so Cowen was returned for his final year of junior.  He made the WJC roster again, this time enjoying a larger role (again winning a silver medal).  After Spokane was knocked out of the WHL playoffs, Cowen was sent to Binghamton where he became a key member of the blueline, logging big minutes alongside AHL veteran Andre Benoit on his way to winning a Calder Cup.

In the fall Cowen will play his first professional season.  Expectations are high, but once again he faces a crowded blueline.  Bryan Murray’s comments (senators.nhl.com/club/ news.htm?id=568466&cmpid=rss-brodie) are a good place to look, with Murray indicating he expects Cowen to be a “strong candidate” to make the team as compared to his comments about David Rundblad where “He should be able to play on our hockey team this year.”  I think the distinction is important.  Cowen has improved each year in the WHL, setting career highs in goals and assists this past season.  He isn’t expected to be a big point producer in the NHL, envisioned as a shutdown player who can make a good first pass.  While I don’t believe he’ll start in Ottawa, if he does and plays a full season he’ll put up 10-15 points with 2-4 goals.

Cowen‘s profile the year he was drafted: video.senators.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=45626
Cowen‘s Hockey Futures profile: http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/jared_cowen
Cowen fight: http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/102382
An interview at this year’s development camp: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53sRIr0QgCI
Cowen scoring a hat-trick: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-pqarEmp5Y

I’m on vacation this week, so the next profile will be posted after that.

August 1, 2011
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment

After looking at all the definitive roster players for the Ottawa Senators, it’s time to take a look at the rookies coming into camp.

David Rundblad, D, Contract: 1.5/14 (RFA)*
T 2010 (Murray), 6’2, Shoots R, YOB 1990, Lycksele, Swe
2008-09 SEL 45-0-10-10
2009-10 SEL 47-1-12-13
2010-11 SEL 55-11-39-50
*A note on the contract, currently Capgeek has his ELC expiring a year earlier (http://www.capgeek.com/players/display.php?id=1792), but in talking to them they confirmed that the contract should slide forward giving him the full three years

Blues GM John Davidson selected Rundblad 17th overall in the 2009 draft (Central Scouting had him listed as the 6th best European, while Bob McKenzie had him as the 21st overall prospect, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6eqHtdlURY).  Director of Amateur scouting (and former Sen) Jarmo Kekalainen called him the best offensive blueliner in the draft, later qualifying it to say he matched Ryan Ellis and Oliver-Ekman Larsson (audio clip at blues.nhl.com/ club/news.htm?id=432918), but emphasizing his vision and then adding that he needs to work on his skating.  The Blues signed him on June 10th, 2010 (www.nhl.com/ice/ news.htm?id=531464), but then shocked the blueliner by trading him to Ottawa (www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2010/06/ 25/sens_trade_pick/) on June 25th in exchange for the 16th overall pick (Vladimir Tarasenko).  In the season following the trade, Rundblad nearly broke the SEL record for points by a defencemen (set by David Petrasek the previous season) and won the prestigious Borje Salming trophy as the top blueliner in the league.

Expectations for Rundblad are high (hockeyindependent.com/blog/slasher98/37249 and http://www.edmontonsun.com/2011/06/28/going-green-with-rundblad), including my own that he will make the team out of training camp (senators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=568466&cmpid=rss-brodie is a good example of why–Murray says he should make the team while Jared Cowen has a chance if he has a good camp).  It might seem logical to compare him to Erik Karlsson–both are young Swedes known for their offence and both are right-handed shots–but Karlsson has tremendous speed which is not part of Rundblad‘s arsenal.   A better point of comparison is one Kekalainen makes above: Oliver Ekman-Larsson.  The consensus is that Ekman-Larsson is better defensively, but his numbers are something to work with.  Last year with Phoenix Ekman-Larsson played 48 games in the NHL, producing 11 points and averaging 15 minutes of ice time.  I think Rundblad will get more ice time and, as a more offensively-oriented player, should put up bigger numbers.  A full, healthy season should see him in the 20-27 point range (ie, a little better than Ekman-Larsson or up to 50% more points; the Hockey Independent link above has higher totals (30), but doesn’t explain the basis for its projections so I can’t assess them).

Pierre Dorion discussing Rundblad in 2010: video.senators.nhl.com/ videocenter/console?id=73041
Comments about Rundblad by the TSN crew when he was traded: www.youtube.com/ watch?v=t6eqHtdlURY
Pierre Dorion discussing Rundblad in 2011: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5SS1EDRJUU
A lenghty highlight package: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5gGQUcVItc
Rundblad is blogging: http://norran.se/bloggar/davidrundblad

The next rookie for review is Jared Cowen.

July 30, 2011
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: 1 Comment

The surprise 2011 Calder Cup winners have seen a lot of turnover this off-season, with 16 players departing from the lineup and 12 being added.  As a point of comparison, the turnover from the 2009-10 season was 13 players leaving and 15 players added.  They have lost 6 of their top-10 scoring forwards, all three of their top-3 scoring defencemen, as well as their starting goaltender.  A total of 172 of their 255 goals (67%) have departed.  I’ll take a look at the potential lineup after going over the changes.

Departed Forwards (10)
Kaspars Daugavins, LW (73-19-35-54) – an RFA who was qualified, it appears as though he will jump to the KHL if he does not make the Senators (eyeonthesens.wordpress.com/2011/07/19/kaspars-daugavins-update/) [Daugavins has re-signed, but it remains unclear if he will report to Binghamton.]
Ryan Keller (71-32-19-51) – the UFA signed with the Edmonton Oilers (www.tsn.ca/nhl/ story/?id=370939)
Ryan Potulny (71-21-28-49) – the Sens did not qualify him and he signed with Washington (http://capitals.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=568219)
Erik Condra (55-17-30-47) – he signed a two-year, one-way deal with Ottawa
Roman Wick (70-20-22-42) – although qualified as an RFA, he signed a deal with his old team Kloten of the NLA (http://www.hockeysverige.se/article/12039252/wick-ger-upp-nhl-drommen)
Colin Greening (59-15-25-40) – he signed a three-year, one-way deal with Ottawa
Bobby Butler (47-22-11-33) – he signed a two-year, one-way deal with Ottawa
Cody Bass (58-6-9-15) – the Sens did not qualify him and he signed with Columbus (www.falconsahl.com/index.php?id=1801)
Zack Smith (22-7-5-12) – he signed a two-year, one-way deal with Ottawa
Jason Bailey, RW (43-2-0-2) – the former Ottawa 67 was an RFA who was not qualified; he is currently without a team

Departed Blueliners (4)
Andre Benoit (73-11-44-55) – there’s a theoretical chance the UFA will re-sign with Ottawa, but rumours have him going to the Swiss league (www.hockeyfans.ch/news/ meldung/29594) or the Swedish Elite League (twitter.com/#!/BergerNeueLZ/status/ 89853654332481536) [Benoit ultimately signed with Spartak Moscow of the KHL, http://www.spartak.ru/press/news/item6968/]
Derek Smith (71-10-44-54) – the UFA signed with Calgary (flames.nhl.com/club/ news.htm?id=569161)
Geoff Kinrade (78-6-19-25) – although qualified as an RFA, signed with Plzen of the Czech Elite League (http://www.hcplzen.cz/clanek.asp?id=6075)
David Hale (36-2-4-6) – currently unsigned, the UFA is rumoured to be headed to Europe (http://twitter.com/#!/SunGarrioch for July 6th)

Departed Goaltenders (2)
Barry Brust (52-29-19-2, 2.53, 0.925) – Binghamton’s surprise starting goaltender signed with the Straubing Tigers of the DEL (www.tigershockey.de/page/news/ article.php?article_file=1310911270.txt)
Mike Brodeur (9-3-5-0, 2.93, 0.903) – the injury-plagued UFA is currently without a team

Forward Additions (7)
Mark Parrish (56-17-34-51) – he played for the Portland Pirates in Buffalo’s system
Stephane Da Costa (NCAA 33-14-31-45) – the college free agent was signed towards the end of last year
Pat Cannone (NCAA 39-14-23-37) – the college free agent was signed towards the end of last year
Derek Grant (NCAA 38-8-25-33) – the 2008 fourth round draft pick left Michigan State after two years to turn pro
Louie Caporusso (NCAA 41-11-20-31) – the 2007 third round draft pick completed his senior year at the University of Michigan
Andre Petersson (SEL 31-8-4-12) – the 2008 fourth round pick was signed after finishing his second full year in the SEL
Wacey Hamilton (WHL 67-20-53-73) – the captain of the Medicine Hat Tigers was signed as a free agent

Blueline Additions (4)
Tim Conboy (70-0-12-12) – he played for the Portland Pirates in Buffalo’s system
Lee Sweatt (41-5-9-14) – signed as a free agent from the Manitoba Moose in Vancouver’s system [Sweatt has unexpectedly retired, twitter.com/#!/NortonSports/ status/102063195795111936]
Jared Cowen (WHL 58-18-30-48) – the 2009 first round pick will play his first pro season
Mark Borowiecki (NCAA 31-3-8-11) – the 2008 fifth round pick left Clarkson a year early to turn pro

Goaltending Additions (1)
Mike McKenna (39-14-20-2, 3.61, 0.886) – the free agent goaltender was signed out of the Devil’s system in Albany

Returning Forwards (6)
Corey Locke (69-21-65-86) – the reigning AHL MVP returns for the final year of his deal
Jim O’Brien (74-24-32-56) – the 2007 first round pick had a great sophomore campaign and will look to improve on it in the final year of his ELC
Mike Hoffman (74-7-18-25) – the 2009 fifth round pick will look to take a step forward
David Dziurzynski (75-6-14-20) – the 2010 free agent out of the BCHL looks to take another step in his sophomore year
Corey Cowick (30-1-3-4) – it was a rookie year to forget for the 2009 sixth rounder
Francis Lessard (36-2-1-3) – the veteran heavyweight will return for another season

Returning Blueliners (3)
Patrick Wiercioch (67-4-14-18) – a rough rookie year for the 2008 second rounder
Craig Schira (67-3-10-13) – the 2009 WHL free agent’s numbers tumbled in his sophomore year
Eric Gryba (66-3-4-7) – Ottawa’s 2006 third round pick was Binghamton’s rookie of the year and is in the final year of his ELC

Returning Goaltenders (1)
Robin Lehner (22-10-8-2, 2.70, 0.912) – the 2009 second rounder will look to build off his incredible playoff run

Training camp will have a huge impact on all the prospects, so predicting a lineup is haphazard at best.  My guesses are based largely on comments from within the organisation as well as the performances of the players coming into camp.  Here’s what I think can be taken for granted:
1. Top-six forwards: Locke, O’Brien, Hoffman, Parrish, and Da Costa
2. Top-four blueliners: Wiercioch, Cowen, and Gryba
3. Bottom-six forwards: Dziurzynski, Cowick, Lessard, and Hamilton
4. The goaltending situation is obvious: Lehner starts, McKenna backs-up

Of the remaining forwards, any of Petersson, Grant, Cannone, or Caporusso could play in the top-six.  All were offensive players coming into the system, although I think Grant has the inside track to start because coach Kleinendorst is familiar with him and played him over Cannone in the playoffs this year.

On the blueline, I believe Schira, Borowiecki, and Sweatt will battle it out for the other top-four position.  Borowiecki has the inside track, given that he played ahead of both Wiercioch and Schira in the playoffs.

Assuming the roster remains the same (and I’m correct that Rundblad makes the Senators instead of Cowen), here’s my guess at the starting lineup:

Mike Hoffman-Corey Locke-Mark Parrish
While I think Hoffman is better at center, given the makeup of the roster I believe he’ll play on the wing.  Parrish seems like the most logical player to line up on the right side, although I don’t think he’s guaranteed to remain on the top line just because of his experience.
Derek Grant-Stephane Da Costa-Jim O’Brien
Binghamton is short on the right side and there’s no way Da Costa will play there, so I believe O’Brien will slide over.  My reason for Grant getting the nod at leftwing is above.
Dziurzynski-Caporusso-Petersson
This line could also have Dziurzynski in the middle.  I don’t think either Caporusso or Petersson are effective as fourth-liners, but having Dziurzynski adds some size and jam, creating room for their talents.
Cannone-Hamilton-Lessard
An interesting mix, as both Cannone and Hamilton bring skill to the table while Lessard adds physicality.  I think it will be tough for Cowick to get into the lineup with all the depth at leftwing, but it’s likely Lessard won’t always play so he’ll slot here then.

Cowen-Gryba
Not a fun combination to play against.  Not the most skilled or fleet of foot duo, but particularly in the AHL they should create some havoc.  Both are excellent defensively.
Wiercioch-Borowiecki
While Borowiecki would be playing on his offside here, I’ll give him credit to beat out the veteran Conboy in adding physicality and defensive attention for his partner.
Conboy-Sweatt
I’m not sure which is better at playing his weak side, but I believe they make a logical combination (size and toughness paired with skill).  This leaves Schira out, but I think he will work his way into the lineup eventually.

A few related links:
Bobby Butler comments on Robin Lehner‘s growing maturity (July 15): www.facebook.com/TEAM1200
Tim Murray calls Mark Borowiecki an NHL player (June 28): www.facebook.com/TEAM1200
Bryan Murray says Mike Hoffman looks like an NHL player: senators.nhl.com/club/ news.htm?id=569478

July 23, 2011
Categories: Binghamton Senators, Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: 2 Comments