Silver Nuggets: Filatov debuts for Binghamton tonight

As you likely have heard by now, Nikita Filatov was sent down to Binghamton yesterday afternoon. Peter wrote his reaction to a move that shocked almost everyone, and disappointed many including me. I feel it was a pretty bad move by the club after promising him he would get every chance at a top six spot. He may very well get it again, but sending him down this quickly is not the right way to go about things. While I would love Mika Zibanejad to score a goal before he is sent back, wouldn't it make more sense to send Zibanejad back and play the guy who is actually going to play here this year?

Not everyone feels bad for Filatov though. Don Brennan seems positively gleeful at Filatov's demotion and on a side note, admits that he started the call for the booing of Sergei Gonchar.

Anyway, Filatov for his part, seems to be taking the move well. According to Joy Lindsay, Filatov says he has 'accepted' the move and was smiling in practice. He will play tonight on the top line with Kaspars Daugavins and Corey Locke. The guy's character is incredible and I couldn't be more impressed. First, he cuts his vacation short to show up to skate with the rookies in the summer. Then in the pre-season, he's worked hard and did everything asked of him. Now, even after the club unjustly demotes him despite his play, he is still saying the right things. Hopefully they give him a chance back in Ottawa relatively soon, or I wouldn't blame him if he goes back to Russia.

The links are after the jump.

Last Game

• So the game was ugly last night, click here for the scary recaps. (Silver Seven, Ottawa Sun, Ottawa Citizen)
• Stats from last night via NHL.com. Colin Greening led all Senators with 22:06 of ice time. Stéphane Da Costa didn't win a single face-off. (Box score, Play by play, Game summary, Face-offs, Shift report)
• Other stats from last night via timeonice.com. It was kind of odd that David Rundblad got zero offensive zone starts while Jared Cowen got zero defensive zone starts. Bobby Butler led all Senators with a +11 Corsi rating, with Brian Lee (+9), Chris Phillips (+5), Colin Greening (+3), Jason Spezza (+3) and David Rundblad (+1) the other Senators with a positive rating. Keep in mind, these are even strength ratings and the Senators allowed only two goals 5 on 5. (Corsi, Zone starts)
• Post-game game video with Paul MacLean, Daniel Alfredsson, Craig Anderson and Chris Phillips. (Ottawa Senators)

General Sens News

• Last week, Paul MacLean mentioned that they are going to give Nikita Filatov an opportunity for the top six and that he hasn't played himself out of that opportunity. Sadly, it was a 27 minute opportunity. (The 6th Sens)
• After Don Brennan asked if Milan Michalek is better than Dany Heatley, here is The 6th Sens response. (The 6th Sens)
• Former Senator David Hale is retiring. (Grand Forks Herald)
• UPDATE: Alex Auld will start tomorrow. (Ian Mendes)
• UPDATE: Bobby Butler pulled his groin and is unlikely to play tomorrow in Washington. (Ian Mendes)