Ottawa Senators sign Francis Lessard: CONFIRMED

by Alexander Calloway on Aug 4, 2010 4:10 PM EDT in Senators news

UPDATE: The signing was made official with an announcement from the Ottawa Senators today. Lessard, along with D David Hale, have both been signed to one-year, two-way contracts with the Senators organization.

According to Sylvain St-Laurent (for those who speak French), Ottawa has signed tough guy Francis Lessard. Francis looks to replace Jeremy Yablonski, who signed with the New York Islanders. Lessard has spent the last two years with the San Antonio Rampage (Phoenix Coyotes AHL affiliate), where he spent 613 minutes in the sin bin (Yabo spent 571 in all three years he spent in Binghamton).

Francis won't be the only tough guy in Binghamton, as Tim Spencer (who was re-signed last month) spent 141 minutes in the box in just 35 games. Don't expect opponents to take any cheap hits on any Binghamton Senators this year and get away with it.

In other news, the Binghamton Senators have signed forward Yannick Tifu to a one year, AHL contract. Tifu played in the ECHL for the Victoria Salmon Kings and the Elmira Jackals, as well as in the AHL with the Albany River Rats and the Binghamton Senators. He scored 60 points overall with all four teams.

Want to win an autographed and framed Yablonski, Hennessy or Holt poster? The Binghamton Senators are having contest on Facebook to see if they can reach 1,000 fans by opening night in October. The winner will be picked randomly of the 1,000 fans, here's the page.

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Huh?

Can anyone confirm this signing besides pointing back to the original source from the 31st of July?? Where did the ‘2-way’ deal come from??

by Patrick931 on Aug 3, 2010 5:41 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks for that

Made an unconfirmed assumption. Really all I’ve heard is the St. Laurent tweet, which was used as a source for an RDS report.

www.silversevensens.com

by Peter Raaymakers on Aug 3, 2010 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions

You're welcome

We here in Binghamton have been waiting for a confirmation link to this and so far it looks like a bad source reporting from St. Laurent..

by Patrick931 on Aug 3, 2010 5:53 PM EDT reply actions

I'd wager it's a two-way

The guy hasn’t played in the NHL since 2005-06, so a one-way would is a little unrealistic—especially given all the one-way contracts Ottawa has as it is.

How excited are you guys for this upcoming season? Lost some legends, but plenty of exciting new players likely to join.

www.silversevensens.com

by Peter Raaymakers on Aug 3, 2010 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Young team

But adding Locke is good signing..especially a 2 yr deal, but overall we will have a youth movement which I think will be decent as these kids will be hungry vs grizzled old vet’s that is just cashing in..however, our defense needs help, we desperately need a veteran d-man and hopefully will help solidify the blue line..oh ya, a solid coach would help as well if Ottawa ever signs one, lol..

by Patrick931 on Aug 3, 2010 6:31 PM EDT reply actions

Autographed Picture

What a great prize…none of those guys are with the organization any more!

by Barnsley Pal on Aug 4, 2010 4:53 AM EDT reply actions

I’m more interested in the Hale signing. Obviously he’s been signed to play in Bingo, but the fact he’s a guy with some serious NHL experience. He’s probably been the 7th d-man on a lot of the teams he’s played on the last few years, but he’s still been playing the NHL. Is this a simple depth move or is Murray figuring he’s going to need a 7th with NHL experience after moving someone out?

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by modsuperstar on Aug 4, 2010 6:09 PM EDT reply actions

I think Hale will be the eighth D

Binghamton needed some defensive support and leadership, and Hale certainly brings that. If he really steps up in training camp he might force some moves from Murray, but I have to think he’ll spend most of the season in Binghamton, with injury replacement time in Ottawa.

www.silversevensens.com

by Peter Raaymakers on Aug 5, 2010 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions