–Ben Bishop has been recalled from Binghamton while Robin Lehner has been sent down (link); Bishop is expected to start tonight against Tampa
–Daniel Alfredsson talks about the season so far:
We didn’t know what to expect with this team. There were a lot of questions and I was asked a lot if I would look to go somewhere else (at the deadline). I was like everybody else. I was just really happy we didn’t have to make that decision. We put ourselves in a position where we have a really good chance of making the playoffs. The major factor is: Do I feel I still have it in me and go through another summer of workouts, training camp and playing another year? Then, health-wise and then family. Those are the three components. When I thought about it last summer, I just wanted to come back and see what I could do (after the back surgery) to see if I was healthy and if I could get healthy. I’ve been able to do that so it’s been really encouraging throughout the year. It’s been a lot of fun and, hopefully, the best is yet to come.
–Erik Karlsson was fined $2,500 for his slash on Sean Bergenheim.
–TSN and The Hockey News‘ power rankings are out with Ottawa 12th in both.
-Binghamton has signed Dan Henningson (17-1-4-5 +1) to a standard AHL contract. Henningson was on a PTO from the ECHL’s Chicago Express.
–Joy Lindsay reports that Corey Cowick (18-4-4-8 -1) has been recalled from Elmira and is expected to play tomorrow. The lines at practice: Corey Cowick-Corey Locke-Mark Parrish, David Dziurzynski-Stéphane Da Costa-Jack Downing, Derek Grant-Pat Cannone-André Petersson, Mike Hoffman-Wacey Hamilton-Mike Bartlett/Francis Lessard; Mark Borowiecki-Eric Gryba, Dan Henningson-Tim Conboy, Patrick Wiercioch-Craig Schira, Josh Godfrey.
-Binghamton has also announced their Clear Day rosters, which designates those eligible to compete in the remainder of the 2011-12 AHL regular season and in the 2012 Calder Cup playoffs. Binghamton can still add signed junior players or players on amateur tryout contracts after their seasons are complete. The roster: Ben Bishop, Robin Lehner; Mike Bartlett, Mark Borowiecki, Pat Cannone, Tim Conboy, Stephane Da Costa, Jack Downing, David Dziurzynski, Josh Godfrey, Derek Grant, Eric Gryba, Wacey Hamilton, Dan Henningson, Mike Hoffman, Rob Klinkhammer, Francis Lessard, Corey Locke, Mark Parrish, Andre Petersson, Craig Schira, and Patrick Wiercioch.
–Hockey Futures writes about prospects on the rise or declining, and Jakob Silfverberg is included on the upswing:
The primary cause for Silfvergberg‘s offensive explosion is at least partially due to simple physical maturity. The 21-year-old has added about five pounds of muscle over the last year and it shows, as he is very strong protecting the puck and battling for it in the corners. Expect the talented forward to come to join the Senators organization for the 2012-13 season, where he could make an immediate offensive impact in the top-nine.
Colin Greening is on the downswing,
After a fairly strong start to the first half of the season, Greening has gradually seen his production decline over the past month. He picked up only one point in the month of February, an assist on the 26th, and prior to that he had been held off the scoresheet 10 games in a row. Some of his decline is likely due to wear and tear, as it is common for first-year NHL players to hit a wall around the mid-way point of the season. Much of it however is also due to a lack of confidence, and his decreased time on the ice is a reflection of that. Regardless of how he finishes his season however, Greening should be considered a solid top-nine forward in the NHL.
Greening‘s declining production fits in with the rest of the Sens secondary scoring.
This article is written by Peter Levi, be sure to follow @eyeonthesens
