Silver Nuggets: Should the Senators get a new AHL affiliate?

As mentioned yesterday, Andre Petersson isn't too pleased about his time in Binghamton. However, he isn't the only Senators prospects to have been unhappy down there. Robin Lehner wasn't too pleased about his time in Binghamton last year and Nikita Filatov left for Russia this year. David Rundblad was never sent to Binghamton, but he did hint at the start of the season that he might return to Sweden instead.

On the other hand, with Binghamton full of rookies and in last place, the Binghamton fans aren't too pleased with Ottawa management either. The agreement between Ottawa and Binghamton is up at the end of the season, so should the two sides part ways with more Swedes coming over next year? If they do, here are my top four choices for Ottawa's AHL team.

1) Ottawa
Practically speaking, this is by far the best choice. The fans can see their prospects on a regular basis and call-ups are convenient for home games. With fans of the AHL team also having the parent club as their favourite NHL team, there will be no bitterness if the AHL club is gutted with callups. Can Ottawa support three hockey teams? I don't know, but if it means the 67s have to go, I am fine with that but maybe the locals won't be.

2) Gatineau
It's just as convenient geographically and they only have a junior team. The local fans might support the Canadiens more than the Senators, but it should be almost as good. I don't know enough about the city to say if the players would be any happier in Gatineau than Binghamton though.

3) Kingston
Kingston is a bit further, but still only a couple hours away. The number of Senators fans is obviously lower, but if this website is any indication, there are at least some of them present. If a quarter of the city are fans, that might be enough to support an AHL team.

4) Kitchener-Waterloo
Having lived in Waterloo, most of the city are Maple Leafs fans. But in a university town, there might be enough general interest. Plus, it is only an hour away from the country's largest city, so the players will certaily be happier there.

Links to follow.

Here are today's links:

• The forwards in practise were: 1) Michalek-Spezza-Butler, 2) Greening-Turris-Alfredsson, 3) Daugavins-Smith-Condra, 4) Foligno-O'Brien-Neil. (Sylvain St-Laurent)
• The defence was: 1) Kuba-Karlsson, 2) Phillips-Gonchar, 3) Cowen-Lee. (Sylvain St-Laurent)
• The panel is optimistic with everyone predicting a win except James Gordon. Peter says 4-1 Ottawa. (Senators Extra)
• Brian Cowen and Dean Smith share memories about growing up in Saskatchewan with Jared and Zack. (Senators Extra)
• Paul MacLean feels the Senators defencemen have a problem playing in their own end. (Senators Extra)
• With the Senators having a negative goal differential, Wayne Scanlan looks back to the last Stanley Cup champion team with a negative goal difference in the regular season, the 1967 Toronto Maple Leafs. Helps to have a six team league eh? (Senators Extra)
• If the Senators go 12-9-3 down the stretch, they have a 73.2% chance of a playoff spot. (Sports Club Stats)
• Ottawa didn't have a good homestand, but look on the bright side. Despite a 1-6-2 run, they still have a three point lead with two extra games played, which places them in the top eight in points per game. The players and coaches talk about the stretch run. (Ottawa Senators)