Senators' Prospect Roundup: January 17th, 2012

by bobbykelly on Jan 17, 2012 7:00 AM EST in Ottawa Senators prospects

Featured: Rob Klinkhammer with the Blackhawks, Dan Cleary, and a floating goalie stick they are both anxiously trying to avoid. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

When I write these updates, I get the opportunity to pass on some pretty outstanding numbers. Allow me to cut to the chase: Mark Stone has 73 points in 39 games. Jean-Gabriel Pageau has 46 in 26. Shane Prince? 50 in 33. Let's return to earth... a little. Stefan Noesen has 44 in 37, Matt Puempel has 33 in 30 and Jakob Silfverberg has 30 in 32. In total, that random helping of Senators prospects have combined for 276 in 187 games, which means absolutely nothing, but is still a pretty fun statistic to look at.

Still, after two years of reading absolutely eye-popping numbers from some of our prospects (Mark Stone is doing a fine job of leading that charge) one can't help but look ahead and wonder how these kinds of statistics will translate to production in the NHL. And I can't tell you. But, for those who have recovered from a year of watching YouTube highlights of David Rundblad (and that frustratingly catchy song that went with it) we can think about it some.

Binghamton Senators:

Binghamton came into this weekend having won 2 of their past 3 and looking like a better group than the beleaguered team they had been. This weekend fell hard. The B-Sens were 0-for-3, including some pretty disappointing losses. Shall we?

Syracuse Crunch 5, Binghamton Senators 2

Andre Petersson actually opened the scoring for the B-Sens in this one, but they were buried soon thereafter. Recently traded Luca Caputi chipped in for the Crunch, putting up a goal and an assist. The weekend didn't start off well for Mike McKenna, who surrendered all five of the goals scored against the B-Sens, before being pulled for the final twenty in favor of Robin Lehner. In a 5-2 loss, Jim O'Brien and Eric Gryba were both +1- they chipped in with assists on Borowiecki's third period tally, but the game was over.

Hershey Bears 6, Binghamton Senators 4

Two point nights for Da Costa, Petersson and Borowiecki were spoiled in spectacularly ugly fashion by a third period to forget for Binghamton. Leading by two going into the final frame, the B-Sens were overwhelmed by Hershey in the third, allowing a comeback... and then some. Binghamton was outshot 15-4 in the third period. Ick.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers 3, Binghamton Senators 2

Gillies and Lessard dropped the gloves twice. This is mostly notable because they both get into extremely low fighter stances. It's fairly curious to watch in a hockey game. The B-Sens showed some real fight in the second period, and were helped by back-to-back 5-on-3 penalties, cashing in on them both. They came to life with an absolute blast from Da Costa, followed by Klinkhammer adding in his requisite tally- Klinkhammer has been a point-per-game player since joining Binghamton. For some consolation, I would point out that the Islanders' affiliate has some fairly repulsive uniforms. I am no aficionado of jersey fashion, but I do not like these things.

More Stuff!

Robin Lehner has gotten some breaks for his feisty competitiveness, so Ben Blood deserves one for this pretty unsavory deed. Blood has been stripped of his assistant captaincy for the move, so I'm sure he knows this was not a good move.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau was traded to Chicoutimi, ending his reign as one of the two most accessible prospects for Senators fans. He had a pretty strong debut on Sportsnet last Friday, recording a goal and two assists.
There was a little bit of talk that Shane Prince was beneficiary of playing on a line with Tyler Toffoli (67 points in 39 games) heading into this season. Not so. At least, not entirely so. This article from the Ottawa Sun discusses Prince's production on the 67's' secondary scoring unit.
Andre Petersson may make his NHL debut during the upcoming Western swing. He has been outstanding of late, playing on Binghamton's top unit with a rejuvenated and healthy Corey Locke and Rob Klinkhammer. I spoke last week about his transition into a top role for Binghamton, a position he has completely embraced. No doubt that Binghamton will miss him this weekend.
The Senators drafted Michael Sdao for his dominant physical presence on the ice. Not for his 15 points in 20 games, which is a weighty amount of awesome.
If Binghamton is convincing you Ottawa is losing throughout the farm system, I'll point you in the direction of the Elmira Jackals. The Jackals are currently leading their division, and Sens' prospect Louie Caporusso has 23 points through 24 games with the club.

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Comments

Thanks for the roundup Bobby

I wouldn’t go as far to say that production in other leagues means nothing. It just doesn’t mean that it guarantees instant production in the NHL.

Watching these guys and hearing about their production is a good cause for some excitement, and pencilling them in as guaranteed starters like most of us did with Rundblad is dangerous oversite of what it takes to make it long term in the NHL.

Mostly everything that happens in these other leagues happens in slow motion relative to the speed that everything happens in the NHL. Most players aren’t equipped physically and mentally for that kind of intensity, and there is a learning curve before they can put up with it and shine in it.

For the most part the AHL teaches players how to survive the physical part, and it also teaches players how to play the North American syle of game. Any player who can survive the AHL game can survive the physical part in the NHL.

The OHL and WHL game teaches a bit of that. The Q teaches only run and gun offence, and so isn’t much of a preparation except for unique talents who already have all of the skills anyways.

As I look around at the prospects I am excited and guardedly so. There are no guarantees even with a player like Z’jad, as it may take him another year or two in the AHL.

The Red Wings have alot of success by keeping their prospects in the AHL until they are ready for sure. Training Camp is a vague indication as to whether they are ready or not.

But I don’t care about any of that. I still want to buy myself a Sens sweater with Stone’s name on it, and I love watching Pageau and Prince tearing it up.

My personal opinion is that Silfverberg is the most NHL-ready of the lot. We shall see.

by Marvellous on Jan 17, 2012 8:12 AM EST reply actions

Bad Blood

There can never be enough guys like Ben Blood in the Sens prospect pool.

by sensuries on Jan 17, 2012 9:11 AM EST reply actions

here's the vid of Ottawa's '07 4th rounder going apeshit

http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/bad-blood-handshake-line-fight-between-north-dakota-160440434.html

by AAZZ on Jan 17, 2012 10:29 AM EST up reply actions

In context Bloods behavior is more understandable

Earlier in the game he was driven head first into the boards much like Jessie Winchester who is still out with concussion symptoms. After the final horn blows he’s having a few words with the guy he held responsible when Jake Hansen #21 (Blue Jacket 68th pick 2007) comes of the bench behind him and takes him down with a two hander to the back of Ben’s right knee. Hansen then hides amongst his teammates. Surprise surprise Blood is furious but he doesn’t know who did it and the ref is able to settle him down. I don’t know if it is coincidence but Ben losses it right after he passes Hansen in the handshake line.

See for yourself

I don’t condone Ben’s actions but I do feel for him.

by anothersensfan on Jan 18, 2012 7:01 PM EST up reply actions

Opps link didnt post

See for yourself http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRiA8wdFkkM&feature=youtu.be

by anothersensfan on Jan 18, 2012 7:03 PM EST up reply actions

It’ll be fun giving him a nick-name. “Transfusion” or “Coagulation” is a little awkward (joke).

by Marvellous on Jan 17, 2012 9:53 AM EST reply actions

I say we throw everyone a curveball and call him "The Professor"

by RogerTheShrubber on Jan 17, 2012 10:12 AM EST up reply actions

That's great to hear about the Jackels.

With the strain that had been put on the B-Sens, it seemed like the farm system wasn’t as stacked as we’d hoped. There’s hope after all.

by Pmoron on Jan 17, 2012 1:24 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Hope? In the Jackals? Downing and Capourusso are the only “prospects” that are even playing in Elmira. I guess you could add Gratchev to the mix if you actually consider him a prospect. Trust me, your farm system is strained… Take a clue from the Red Wings and DEVELOP players!

by section15 on Jan 18, 2012 9:28 AM EST up reply actions

11 player debuts over the last season and a half

I’d say the Sens are doing a fine job developing players.

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by Peter Raaymakers on Jan 18, 2012 12:14 PM EST up reply actions

All I’m saying is that winning breeds winning, as I think you can see from this season… And while yes, 11 is significant, 8 were from last year, and with the trend towards youth, were kept in Ottawa for this year. The majority of them have done well, but with that being said, I’m sure there are a couple of guys who could stand to be getting some extra playing time in the minors…

It’s also nice to finally see some prospects in the system, the frustrating part is the mentality the organization has had for a number of years that development in the minors isn’t important…

by section15 on Jan 19, 2012 2:17 PM EST up reply actions

Also, the 11 player debuts is just about as many as the number of player debuts this organization had since the lock out up until last season… A quick count results in 13 player debuts in 5 years, resulting with Peter Regin, Zach Smith, Nick Foligno, Brian Elliott, and Brian Lee.

by section15 on Jan 19, 2012 2:23 PM EST up reply actions