A huge part of that offensive surge has been the play of the young Swedes in Jakob Silfverberg and Mika Zibanejad.
While there are a number of players that Sens fans have been watching closely during the lockout, these two primarily (and maybe Mark Stone) are the players that fans remain the most excited about.
If the NHL season ever does start up, these three guys are all expected to push for a spot on the big club, which makes this Bingo audition that much more important.
Through 16 games, Jakob Silfverberg is second on the team in points with nine. He takes a regular shift on the team’s power play and is a key piece to the team’s offence. Mika Zibanejad has seven points, including his first goal Nov. 16th against Adirondack. While the goals haven’t been there for Zibanejad, he sits fourth on the team in shots with 39 and he is generating chances.
Neither player has blown anyone away with their offensive output to date, but that is to be expected.
You really can’t understate the importance of the adjustment period for young European players when they come to North America. The smaller ice, combined with a more physical style of game, take some getting used to. Both Silfverberg and Zibanejad have talked about the adjustment required and recently, seem to be showing signs of being more comfortable.
The Senators organization knows just how tricky the process can be for young players trying to transition to life in Binghamton, both on and off the ice. Last year, Andre Petersson and Robin Lehner both had issues adjusting and it led to some off ice distraction that the club wasn’t happy with. In a chalk talk session I attended last season, Binghamton Assistant Coach Steve Stirling talked about just how delicate a process it is and how closely the team works with these guys to make sure they stay on track.
The recent improvement in the game of both these young guys is a great sign for the Binghamton Senators this year, and for the Ottawa Senators down the road.
The BSens are in Adirondack on Friday night and host the Syracuse Crunch on Sunday.
- I’ve decided my new approach to CBA coverage will be only sharing the good news or things seen as progress. Not only will that substantially cut down on the amount of CBA talk, it may give things a little more positive spin around here. John Buccigross, who covers the NHL for ESPN, said that according to people he has spoken to, the NHL is preparing for a shortened 48 game season that would begin in January. Still significant work to do to make that happen.
- Interesting article from Don Brennan, where he talks about Daniel Alfredsson’s plans for the lockout. Alfie says that if the season is cancelled, he’ll likely head to Europe, and not to Sweden or Russia. For Sens fans worried we may be missing Alfredsson’s last season, he also wasn’t ready to rule out playing next season, if a full year is lost.
I’m too old for this.
It's important that people are able to understand the requirement of this adjustment time. Is it just me or have Sens fans finally adapted (myself included) to the idea that we can't just throw these guys into the NHL and make a star out of them?
Very few young players can make the change so seamless, even North American players will have issues moving from the O or A to the NHL, it happens. Can you imagine what these guys from Sweden, Russia or other parts of Europe have to adjust too?
Getting some quality playing time in the A (especially with how competitive it is this year) is what helps. I personally think the lockout will really help our Sens prospects with the transition. And I think we'll be very happy Sens fans for many years to come. :)
It's like a free development year for them and they'll benefit from this when the time comes for them to step up a level.
This will only make our training camp, (whenever that may be) all that more competitive, and in turn a better overall team.
Very encouraging news from Alfie as well, the only reason i see him continuing in Europe, is to ensure that he stays in somewhat decent shape for his evetual return to the NHL.
Richardson has been doing a really good job for being a rookie head coach and the team is finally getting used to the 'new system'. For those that get called up or start with Ottawa -- whenever that may be... the playing style will be what they are used to.
I'm mad as hell at this lockout.. but boy I do miss seeing the Sens on the ice.
Let's hope that both sides come to their senses and get this done. They are losing more by not playing than they would if they accepted a deal... hear that NHLPA.
It seems so simple to fix... make it 50-50.. pay the players what they signed for in their contracts; change the maximum contract term... and get it done...
http://www.forbes.com/nhl-valuations/list/#page:1_sort:0_direction:asc_search:
FREEBIRD !
Yeah I just heard that on the radio. I'm sure this will get some heat from different sources, but PM was right with his statement today. He doesn't see any issues with it as Ottawa is simply saying he's ready for the bigger show. He's proved himself already and doesn't see a need for him to be there.
Now... that may NOT be how Sweden see's it, as I'm sure they'd like their gold medal winning scorer on the team if he's eligible. But I'm sure the Ottawa brass has spoke to the Swedish development teams (they must have a good relationship at this point) and have an understanding.
If there is any teams outside of Canada, US and Russia in the tournament that have a large crop of talented forwards who could replace him, it's Sweden.
Makes sense to me. I also understand the decision from a development standpoint. Could be they're hoping to be playing Sens games over the holidays too and they want him to be on the ice at the Bank.
It must be a bit personally disappointing for Zibby though.
I agree on the development side, but I don't believe it's because BM would want him moved up to the Sens roster if the season started late. What would it accomplish that he's not getting in the A right now?
He's currently getting top or near top line minutes and wouldn't get that on the Sens roster. He's better getting a full season in the A. It's not a knock against him at all, it's just that he's younger than both Silfverberg and Stone and if one of these 3 (who are the 3 everyone says would fight for a spot) were to land a spot, I think it would be Silf at this point.
He almost stuck last year.
The bird is the word.
He is defiantly on the verge! Man I'm happy with our prospects.
http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/8690079/nhl-ahl-goaltender-barry-brust-sets-shutout-record-hard-way
Driedger has played 19 games for Calgary with 14 W's and 3 L's. He's posted a stellar 2.34 GAA (3rd best in the league) and a respectable .923 SAV% with 1 shutout. Pretty good follow up to his 24 wins in 44 games last year.
Brassard has played in 21 games for the Remparts, he also has 14 W's with 5 L's. He's 2nd overall with a 2.59 GAA and a 0.904 SAV% and 2 shutouts.
I think it's safe to say Ottawa has selected two very capable young 18 year old's in the draft last year. While much of the focus was on Ceci, these were great pics.
Also Puempel is injured indeed, but it's an injury that he can recover from within 1 week, In time for Canada selection camp which starts on the 10th of December.
I heard on the Team 1200 this morning.. it is a shoulder strain.. a first degree I think they said...
Pretty sure Nuge has shown that he's graduated
I'm ok with him not playing but to suggest that he's already above it doesn't measure up when you look at other players expected to play.
On a side note, I can't see Puemple making this team or Ceci unless the NHL is back. There's just too many options.
Best quote I've read in a long time!
"They don't don't need a mediator, they need a basic economics teacher for the players."
Wow what a surprise there. (sarcasm intended).
It's all over...
If you look up the article on the NHl.com, Murray never mentioned or implied that Zibanejad is too good for WJC. He just made a somewhat logical decision in not letting Zibanejad play on a larger ice surface, when he is trying to get used to smaller ice surface in the AHL.
I can see Puempel making the team , Spott knows Puempel better than any of the forwards, also Puempel has 21 goals in 25 games(26th game does not count because he missed 2 periods of play). The next highest number of goals in the kitchner rangers is 9 goals in 26 games by Tobias Rieder.
Compared to other wingers that are candidates for the Canadian WJC team, Statistically, Puempel is the most consistent goal scorer spanning his entire Junior career. The other candidates are just having career years this year, example is Brett Ritchie, who is feeding off Strome.
Basically Ty Rattie, and Seth Griffith will be Puempels biggest competition I think. In the end the selection is mostly based on if you score goals during the selection camp or not lol. Tofolli and Rattie did not get picked last year because they could not create any offence during the training camp, despite having amazing numbers going into selection camp.
As for Ceci his chances have increased, since Ryan Murray is out with an injury. Offensively(sta tistically) he is better than all the defencemans except Hamilton, I think Harrington, Murphy, Reilly, and Hamilton are locks. The other 2 spots are free for Reinhart, Dumba, Ceci, and Koekkoek.
These guys deserve to lose as much money as possible.
Greedy and pathetic.
FREEBIRD !
TOOKIE and HAX have moved on.
They're now living in an abandoned missile silo in North Dakota.
This truly Sucks and I want hockey back on even if Denis Potvin is the broadcaster haha
Bring back my TEAM please ! I had Spezza and Karlsson in my pool hahaha
Tooks is my good friend, but there is absolutely nothing for him to H8te about hahaha So you will probably not hear from him until there is NHL hockey.
As if Fehr would let that happen!
I'd like to see how far that round of negotiations would go; employee vs business owner. Because you know, the players have sooo much business sense... That's why Fehr is there, to voice the concerns of all the players.
Stay tuned!
The thing with the "He's proven himself" is it's kind of a copout. What athlete doesn't want to win again? If that were true, then the Habs never would have went for another Cup, Gretzky would have retired after the first win. Winners and gutcheck players have that desire to win more and more, to be the BEST ever. I'm sure Zib is stewing internally...co uld be a big mess on B-Murr's hands. Let's hope he doesn't Filatov us...
Tooks is a man of the world and a personal hero of mine, as far as sports opinion goes. I'm sure he'll be back when hockey resumes and we'll be richer for it!
HAX >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >> TOOKIE
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Tookie's M.O.
He selectively ignores strong counter-argueme nts
and when he makes a mistake in a post or
paints himself into a corner he'll explain that you actually
misunderstood what he meant.
.
.
.
Tookie: It's not going to rain today.
(starts raining)
Tookie: I meant in Japan
(quick Internet search shows it's raining in Japan)
Tookie: Yeah but it's tomorrow already in Japan
(more Internet searching shows it's been raining in Japan for four days)
Tookie: I meant the other Japan
....
============================================================
F
... and every morning Tookie complains that Hax bought the wrong colour of toilet paper ?
You actually care ?
He's not even a hockey fan.
Just another big mouth with a small agenda and a tiny brain.
I was just starting sh!t and it seems to have worked! Lol
Denisvial do understand the 3 ball program? The only team I can see that will have 3 balls would be Toronto and Columbus on top of my head. Ottawa would have 2 cause we miss the playoff once in the last 3 years. Has for edmonton they had 3 first round picks so they would only get one 1 ball.
Every team starts with 3 balls And the past 3 years. How many times you were in the play off you take a ball away same thing goes for first overall pick. Exemple Edmonton had 3 first overall in the pat 3 years they only get 1 ball. And it's a snake draft. The tam that picks first overall there second pic is not the 31first pick its the 60th and 61th, 90 and 91th pick and so on.