Silver Nuggets: Bishop ordained to start

In the comments section, please offer your predictions for Ben Bishop-related puns published in the Ottawa Sun, NHL.com, or TSN.ca in the event of an Ottawa Senators win over the Tampa Bay Lightning this evening. I'm calling something like "Arch-Bishop."

Anyway, I'm getting ahead of myself: In a somewhat surprising move, the Senators assigned Robin Lehner back to Binghamton despite his lights-out play in the past week, and recalled Bishop in order to give the recently-acquired goaltender a bit of NHL action while Craig Anderson is out. Bishop's had some strong play in Bingo, putting up a 2-1 record with a 2.35 GAA and a .944 SP, and with rumours of a contract extension in the works, Ottawa brass likely wants to see what he can do at the NHL level.

No word on Lehner's thoughts on this, but if I had to use an anthropomorphized succession of keyboard characters to guess, I'd think it's something like >:[

We'll see what Big Ben can do tonight, though. The Tampa Bay Lightning might not be doing too hot this season, but they've still got plenty of firepower with Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis, among others, up front--not to mention sniper Brian Lee on the back-end.

Links after the jump.

Senators headlines:

• Prediction panel: Forthcoming...
• Apparently Paul MacLean hasn't been happy with Zack Smith's "compete level" in recent games, so that's why he was scratched last game. I hate the term "compete level." No word on whether Z. Smith will draw back in tonight. (Sun)
• Daniel Alfredsson is off-loading the decision on whether or not he'll return next season to the team and his family. I'm thinking he's just trying to get people to stop asking until he makes up his mind after the conclusion of this season. (Citizen)
• At least we've got some good news on the injury front, as Jesse Winchester looks like he's making strides to return from his concussion. Winch isn't a star, but he's a good option, and right now the Sens' bottom-six could use more options. (Sens)
• An interesting note about how Hobey Baker Award winners don't seem to be making the same impact as they once were. Also interesting: Bryan Murray thinks he can off-set trading away second-round picks by signing good free agents out of college. (Faceoff)
• There was ample representation from the Sens at the Inspiration Awards Gala last Friday, which brought in over $500,000 for the Royal Ottawa Foundation. The families of Daniel Alfredsson and Luke Richardson were front and centre at the event. (Citizen)
• The B-Sens signed defenceman Dan Henningson to an AHL contract. Henningson had been playing in Bingo on a tryout contract, and had put up a goal and four assists in 17 games with the team. (B-Sens)
• Might Mika Zibanejad return to Ottawa after his SEL season is done? Maybe. (The 6th Sens)
• In a rather interesting development, the Senators organization has reached out to Silver Seven as well as The 6th Sens offering the opportunity to "experience a day similar to what is available to the media who cover the Senators." It's a new direction for a team which has been reluctant to embrace new media in the past, and--although there are factors to consider--it's good to see the organization looking at the alternative voices that exist. (The 6th Sens)

Other headlines:

• First up, the terrific You Can Play Project is underway. Unfortunately only people with U.S. zip codes can "take a stand" by signing the pledge on the website, but this project needs to be more about action than words. It's more important to take a stand than to say you're taking a stand (although doing both is good, too). But check it out: YouCanPlayProject.org
• Unfortunately, a headline like "NHLers help gays feel safe" is not the road to increasing tolerance. Labelling homosexual athletes as "gays" means they're identified primarily by their sexual orientation; we shouldn't be labeling them at all. A better headline would have been "NHLers help gay athletes feel safe" or something like that. (Montreal Gazette)
• GREAT segment featuring Brian McGrattan discussing his problems with substance abuse and current sobriety--just short of three years. I'm a huge Grats fan, and it's great to see that he's turned things around for himself. (On The Forecheck)
• Steve Yzerman was named executive director of Team Canada for the Sochi Olympics. He's got twooooo jobs! (Raw Charge)
• I've got to say, the reformation of Matt Cooke has been pretty incredible. I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop, though; I'm not yet convinced he's completely transformed. (PensBurgh)
• The Phoenix Coyotes recalled David Rundblad from the AHL last weekend. He's got one assist in two games since his recall. (FS Arizona)