Silver Nuggets: Ripping the media edition; Development camp starts today
The Ottawa Senators started their development camp today, in which every draft pick from this past weekend will participate among others. We are also three days away from the start of NHL free agency season, and in my particular case, the Wimbledon semifinals and final on the long weekend!
Here are today's links:
General Sens News
- This is an absolutely brilliant response to Tim Baines' article yesterday in the Sun suggesting we sign Zenon Kenopka, and just sums up my feelings. Because Baines feels Alex Kovalev and Sergei Gonchar were bad free agent signings, his solution is to sign a 30 year free agent with 8 goals in 195 career games on a team already overflowing with bottom six players and those that can fight. (The 6th Sens)
- Then this morning, I read the following gem from the National Post. The Sens draft grade was a C- because when Winnipeg went off the board, the Senators had to select a franchise defenceman in Dougie Hamilton, instead of opting for Mika Zibanejad who apparently wasn't worth a first round pick at all for most of the season. First problem: we picked before Winnipeg, their selection had no impact. Second problem: a franchise defenceman isn't our biggest need. Third problem: Let's forget how they ended the season, it's all about the rankings early in the season. (National Post)
- And here is a hilarious insight into how the National Post likely decided on the Senators grade. Highly recommended! (The 6th Sens)
- The Ottawa Senators did not extend qualifying offers to Ryan Potulny, Cody Bass and Jason Bailey. Bryan Murray said in the case of Potulny and Bass, they were not qualified as a favour to the players, so that they may try and get a one-way contract with another club. (Ottawa Citizen)
- With the development camp starting today, both David Rundblad and Jared Cowen are hoping to make the team. Barring a trade, it is unlikely they both make it, but Pierre Dorion thinks they are both close to the NHL. Also, Nikita Filatov may join the camp tomorrow. (Ottawa Citizen)
- Here is the full roster for the development camp. Mika Zibanejad will wear #12, David Rundblad will be #7, Matt Puempel will be #3, Jakob Silfverberg will be #33 and Jared Cowen will be #2. (Ottawa Senators)
More after the jump.
General Hockey News
- Brooks Laich has signed a 6-year $27 million extension with the Washington Capitals. (TSN)
- The Hockey Hall of Fame inductees will be announced today. While Ed Belfour is a lock, I would love to see Pavel Bure get in. He didn't have a long career, but I hadn't seen such an incredible goal scorer until I saw Alexander Ovechkin. Bure managed to score 58 and 59 goals in consecutive seasons with the Florida Panthers, the Panthers! He also had two other seasons of 60 goals, and another of 51. (TSN)