Silver Nuggets: Z. Smith sent down, Hale called up

Here are your stories for today:

• Zack Smith is headed back to Binghamton, while David Hale will be called up to help out the blueline. (Citizen)
• That article also goes on to state that Bryan Murray has been on the phones with other GMs, seeing if there's a way that he can improve his team if he feels the need. (Citizen)
• Sergei Gonchar left practice today while limping after taking a shot to the foot. Not good. (Twitter)
• Yes, the Senators are off to a dismal start to the season, but they aren't the only team in this situation. The New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres (who finished 2nd and 3rd in the East last season, respectively) both share a 1-4-1 start with Ottawa. Not only that, but the Devils actually have a worse goal differential, if you can imagine it. (NHL Standings)
• I think it's hilarious that Robin Lehner already an NHL mask painted for him, despite only playing a single AHL game in his career. The best part about it? The Three Crowns of Sweden at the top of the mask, which he had painted on there to "show his goal". Photos at the link. (Dave Art)
• Our friends at The 6th Sens analyze the current Senators situation, which is a must-read if only because they bring to light Don Brennan's hilarious two day flip-flop on Pascal Leclaire. (The 6th Sens)

• Jeremy Milks with his take on Monday night's (lack of) effort against the Pittsburgh Penguins. (Black Aces)
• Wayne Scanlan tells us to check the Senators standing on November 1st, as only three Eastern Conference teams in the past two years who have been out of a position on November 1st managed to ultimately make the playoffs. Worth noting that he says he got this bit of trivia from a "local blogger", but for some reason fails to credit or link the specific blog. Not cool. (Gazette)
• The always optimistic Mike Fisher says "Well, we can only go up." I WANT TO BELIEVE. (Sun)
• FanHouse has yet another "Alex Kovalev is struggling" piece. (FanHouse)
• Former Sens coach Craig Hartsburg is undergoing heart surgery today. Our best wishes to him at this time. (Citizen)
• Elmira Jackals forward Michael Dubuc was named ECHL player of the "week" for Oct. 15-17, thanks to 5G and 1A in two games. (Jackals)