Zach Smith has been a standout for the Binghamton Senators in these playoffs. He has played in all situations and been a phyisical force. He gets the security of a one year deal moving forward which is a nice reward for his hard work this season.
The Colin Greening signing is a little more surprising. He did a great job in his call up with the Sens but I wasn't sure he was going to get a one way deal. He is a player that has all the tools to be successful at the NHL level and he will get a chance to prove that beginning next season.
Nice to see Bryan Murray crossing a couple items off his To Do list early in the off season though.
Colin Greening- Cap Hit$816,667
| 2011-12 | $700,000 | ||||
| 2012-13 | $800,000 | ||||
| 2013-14 | $950,000 |
Zack Smith- Cap Hit $700,000
| 2011-12 | $625,000 | ||||
| 2012-13 | $775,000 |
It seems like Daugavins is quite a lively guy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5Ty-RhuxPk
good thing Ottawa ain't a contending team next year eh?
Michalek-Spezza-Butler
Foligno-Da Costa-Alfredsson
Greening-Regin-Condra
Smith-Winchester-Neil
Condra is no lock but I guess anyone from Bingo can fill that slot. I think we draft a player with a higher ceiling who is not NHL ready next year.
We have some potential, but no sure-fire prospects...
Wonder if Butler is hoping to increase his value in the finals before signing...
WTF is BM smoking?
Smitty needed to get done so thats good BUT I don't understand 3 years for Greening. Just a little early if you ask me, he has had success at both the AHL and NHL level though. 13 points in his first 24 NHL games isn't too bad.
Oh well time will tell.
Foligno - Draft pick/one of the guys in Bingo - Alfie
Greening - Regin - Michalek
Smith - Winchester - Neil
Michalek needs to go back to right wing. This is what I figure/hope the lineup will look like next year...
You're right but an offence by committee seems to be working for many teams still in the playoffs so rather than numbering the lines, maybe putting skill on each of the top 3 and letting them sort out who gets the most minutes is the way to go. Its also good to put players that complement each other well together, like a fast Regin, Greening and Greening.
Also after watching no one take Lee off our hands and then having him grow the way he has this year, I'm sure it reduces any worries BM has about what would happen if Greening ended up in a similar situation.
I really don't get all the hate for these 2 signings. Zack Smith took a lot of penalties in Ottawa yes, but god guys, he's a freakin' rookie. He's having a great playoff in Bingo. Great faceoff win on that OT goal last night. Greening played on the top line in Ottawa. He played pretty well. Did not hurt the team with any mistakes. Yes the games down the stretch meant nothing to Ottawa -- but it did to most of the competition didn't it. These young guys held their own during those games.
It's called a re-build for a reason. YOUTH. So you go with youth. Screw the UFA's. I prefer the young players and let them play.
You want UFA's wait until 2012 when better ones are there and Kuba is gone.
timing of the announcement is poor...rocks the boat mid playoffs
@Captain Alfie I think Butler's going to want a 1-2 year deal. He gets to prove himself next year and is set for a big raise if all goes well.
Good deal. But, then we won't know until things play out. We need some bodies, and there is nothing better than building within to get a great team/club spirit going. Colin and Zach are already invested in Ottawa. THey will give everything they have next year.
KJ
Now that Murray has signed these two (Greening & Smith) I wonder if the plan is to make them centers in Ottawa. Both have been centers & left wingers for most of there careers & Ottawa needs centers. Spezza, Greening, Zack Smith & Winchester down the middle looks strong but I'm not sure they will score enough or set up enough scoring chances to stay there.
Awesome link. Gotta love the hockey talk.
Also, great signings. Next will be Butler...love that we're grooming winners.
Go BSens Go!
WHY?
The PK was great down the stretch at about 96% due mostly to Spezza, Michalek, Winchester, Z Smith.
Let them play.
He's got so much to prove.
Better hockey player then Zach Smith. That being said I'd like to see Smith on the fourth line. He's good at that.
Greening's an ideal third liner at this point in time.
BB16 is a must sign now.
+1
I would have given Potulny the opportunity before Smith. He seems like a guy who can score some goals. Ideal type of third line centreman. I don't care if Smith has been around for while in the system and "deserves" it. That's BS to me. This is professional sport. If you ain't good enough, you don't deserve to play. Deserving an opportunity shouldn't be based on how long a guy's been in the system for, it should be based on production and what he can contribute. We don't need another bottom 6 grinder/checker fighter. We need offense. A solid top 9 where even the third line can pitch in some goals.
Blast me if you want. It's my opinion. Smith is Chris Neil 2.0. Let him play ten minutes of the fourth line.
We don't know that.. do we.
nhockey renaud lavoie
by 6thSens
Senators: Zack Smith 2/1.4 total. Colin Greening 3/2.45 total
So both for under 1M each... not bad deals actually. Condra will probably get near the same as Greening.
Butler probably more.
As long as Murray keeps room for Butler and possibly Silferberg, then I'm a happy camper!
On another note, I found a clip of KK on CBC Radio: http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Sports/1221284063/ID=1938573751
Even though KK will probably be a favourite to take over for CC, I think it'll be beneficial for our prospects if KK stays down in Bingo.
Greening is a very intelligent player and does the intangibles incredibly well. He is a better player for the NHL than the AHL and makes the players around him better. He really should be on the first line with Spezza, as Greening does exactly all the grunt work necessary to make a difference.
Two thumbs up.
It's exciting to have a load of new players and obvious improvements over kovalev, Leclaire etc, but we're definitely asking for a lot of young guys to play above expectations.
I still think Murray's going to make a big deal before next season.
Greening is a bit more interesting. Here's a guy that could end up anywhere from the top line to the fourth depending on how he does at camp. He's shown he can produce so I'd sag high end for him is likely a 2nd line left winger. He'll be in tough to get in the top six with both Foligno and Michalek there, though I wouldn't be surprised if he beats out both moving Michalek down the second and Foligno down the third with Smith and a right winger most like one of Condra, Neil, or Regin.
Signed 1-Way Forwards
Michalek, Spezza, Alfredsson, Foligno, Da Costa, Winchester, Smith, Neil, Greening, Regin
Signed 1-Way Defense
Phillips, Gonchar, Kuba, Karlsson*, Carkner, Lee
Signed 1-Way Goalies
Anderson
Signed 2-Way Forwards
O'Brien, Condra, Wick, Petersson, Hamilton, Hoffman, Cowick, Dziurzynski, Locke
Signed 2-Way Defense
Rundblad, Cowen, Gryba, Wiercioch, Borowiecki, Grant
Signed 2-Way Goalies
Lehner, Burst
Butler (RFA), Shannon (UFA), Cannone (RFA), Bass (RFA), Potulny (RFA), Bailey (RFA), Keller (UFA), Daugavins (RFA), Silfverberg, Culek, Caprasso, Soresson
UnSigned Defense
Hale (UFA), Benoit (UFA), Smith (UFA), Kinrade (RFA), Schira (RFA)
UnSigned Goalies
Brodeur (UFA)
Landskog Butler Alfie
Greening Condra Silverburg
ZSmith Winchester Foligno
Rundblad Karlsson
Phillips Cowen
Lee Gonchar
Andersson Lehner
Great signings by Murray today. Some dont`t like Smith but hes an NHL caliber player and you can`t just give these guys away so if they are in your organization youve got to sign them. Greening was a surprise but what i find most surprising about it is that this is a sure sign that we will not be very active at all adding players for our current roster from free agency. We needed players for our roster an this tells me that they will be coming from the AHL or possibly junior hockey.
C-Mac
Looks like BM is not done cleaning house yet.
Cannone is signed to a 1 yr deal. He played in Bingo under a PTO for a short time this season - not under his contract.
Bailey will not be back. Culek will be back in QMJHL. Sorensson will be in Sweden.
I can't see Keller or Daugavins not signed.. unless they want to go elsewhere.
BB16 should be next! The kid's a star! I wonder if that Zibenejad kid is considered NHL ready. Don't know too much about him..
Am I the only one who sees these deals as the preliminary move towards a big trade?
Smith and Greening are both 3rd liners. Last year, the 3rd line center and one of the wingers were Foligno and Regin.
So I figure that Murray knows that Foligno and Regin will have to be included in a package to go out and get a serious LW for the 1st line.
They are one way deals for this reason, and these two guys along with Chris Neil make up Ottawa's 3rd line next year.
Meanwhile, Foligno and Regin (along with the 21st pick and Wiercioch) are off to NJ for someone...
Butler will be resigned, no worries.
That's what this looks like it's setting up to be, at least to me.
Your theory is plausible. It sounds to me though like too much to give up. My guess is that BM is expecting Foligno and Greening to step up into 2nd line roles leaving the holes to be filled in the botom 6 rather than in the top.
(Whether these players can deliver to expectation is another topic.)
Only another 5 pain filled weeks of waiting to see what shakes out of the draft & free agency...
http://senators.nhl.com/v2/ext/Audio/Murray_on_signings_BSens_Cowen.mp3
Murray just doesn't learn does he?
We have 10 forwards on 1-way contracts now. If BM plans on sigining a top-6, that means theres only 1 forward slot available next season.
isnt this what got us in trouble last year? Pre-determining the lineup with too many 1-way contracts before training camp even starts?
Softest top line in the history hockey!
Why do people bash Zach Smith so much? He just turned 23. He still has a lot of maturing to do as a hockey player. Everyone on here praises Detroit for their ability to find players and stay consistent, however no one pays attention to the fact that the key to their success is no player sees time in Detroit until they are at least 22 years old. That`s 4 years after they were drafted. It takes time for most players to mature. Another good example of this is everyone bashing Hoffman because he had a shitty year in the AHL...as a 20 year old! Give the kid a chance to hit puberty before writing him off! Not everyone is Sidney Crosby. I also suspect that alot of people here will be writing off this years draft class by next winter because they haven`t put up 50 goals in the NHL yet. Realistically, we shouldn`s see much of an impact from this years draft class at the NHL level for another 3 years.
Like I mentioned to Sandy, not alot of players in Detroit's top 6 has spent time in the AHL bro. They hit gold with Zberg and Dats, been riding them and allowing their kids more time to mature.
I think that is the plan Conor, no UFA signings, suck and get Yakupov witth the 2012 1st overall! YEAH!!
Totally agree, these signings reek of a trade coming up at the draft, or at least gives BM some wiggle room to make a trade for either, Foligno, Regin, Weircoch/NSH 1st.
Look at Mitchell's #36 Comment, has a great breakdown of our signed forwards...we have 10 on one way's, with Butler and I'm assuming Shannon to still be resigned.
I have a feeling BM is gonna make a big splash, or at least land us a legit top 6 guy.
Draft is gonna be exciting, Go Sens Go!
Regin
Foligno
Kuba
Dont get too comfortable...
You need 12 forwards... Butler & Condra will probably fill out the other 2. IF he goes after a player via trade, it had better be a really good one UNDER 30.... or then I say NONE at all.
If there is too many -- then a trade at the draft is on the way.
Semin? NO
Priority to me should have been Butler, that is precisely what we are lacking, and signing them first does not make him feel respected.
after BB Condra should be next.
As for Smith, he has played his role very well, whatever has been asked of him... and lay off him on the penalties, he is one of the leaders in Bingo and is shining... Kelly replacement.
Can any one explain to me Greenings numbers in the playoffs
17 games - 3 points, and we are talking about him in our top 6... a little confusing.
I always get confused and want to confirm. Just because they are 1 - way contracts has no bearing on whether they can be sent down to the AHL, correct? So even though they are 1 - way, as long as Eugene is fine with paying them NHL money to play in the AHL, I expect both of these guys can still be sent down without going through waivers?
Thanks,
Usual Suspect
And Smith is no Chris Kelly. I'd like to see Regin or Foligno fill the third line center position before Smith does. Hopefully the coach can put together a third line that can still score.
With these two signings however, I'm assuming that's it for Ryan Shannon? There's already a logjam in the bottom 6... Too bad. He's a good player.
Camp this year will be extremely competitive and interesting, with these signings, and with the likes of Butler, DeCosta, Potulny and others all fighting for spots Foligno, Regin, Shannon or Winchester, should be looking over their shoulders. They had better prepare for the most important camp of their lives, all four will not be in a Sens uniform starting next year, one or more will be gone.
Both of these guys, if I remember correctly, are no longer waiver exempt. So the only value in a 2-way deal is that they would be cheaper if they cleared waivers and were sent to the minors.
One of the pluses to a 1-way deal is that, should either of these guys be put on waivers, any teams interested in a waiver claim may think twice at committing to the money obligation if they percieve these guys to be border-line players.
If Eug is willing to pay the money (rumoured to be
Anyone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the deal with 1 way contracts that is if you have one AND your sent down to the AHL, you have to clear Re-Entry waivers...
So doubtful Smith or Greening will be sent down, cause tons of teams would snag them at that price.
But again, could be wrong...
1 way deals only guarentee the player salary whether he is in the NHL or AHL, therefore teams are reluctant to send them down when there are others on 2 way deals ie Brian Lee stayed up all year, when Hale would be sent down.
Either way 1 or 2 way, they will still have to clear waivers. If they are recalled, they the do go through Re Entry Waiver, but a team can now claim the and be on the hook for only half the salary while the Sens are on the hook for the other half
Neil could be traded too I think
we have almost a first line, and 3-3rd lines right now. with no room for anyone to step up.
ALSO, I don't think Eugene is going to approve of any 1-way contracts in the minors except maybe Carkner.
Murray has screwed eugene out of so much money the past 3 years, I think he's on a pretty tight leash financial.
I agree with Blackterror, and would love to see a regin wiercioch nsh 1st and something, to somewhere, for someobody
Shannon-Spezza-Michalek
Foligno-Da Costa-Butler
Greening-Regin-Alfredsson
Winchester-Smith-Neil
Phillps-Gonchar
Kuba-Karlsson
Carkner-Lee
Anderson
Brodeur
Durning the season or early as next season
Shannon-Spezza-Michalek
Foligno-Da Costa-Butler
Greening-Silfverberg-Alfredsson
Winchester-Smith-Neil
Phillps-Cowen
Rundblad-Karlsson
Wiercioch-Gonchar
Lehner
Anderson
Smith was to be expected and great cap hit for a possible 3rd line center.
Greening one-way is suprising but a great low risk/high reward kind of situation.
I can see murray trading nashville's pick + young prospect for a proven nhl player, with good contract.
Spezza played poorly until the last bitmof the season when he tore it up.ichalek was injured a lot. Thy showed little to no chemistry, but at the end of the season they actually played well together. Also, it's hard to put our second best forward on any other line, given how few top 6 players (especially our one first liner) we have.
@ Tyrant - take it easy. If you read the comments, very, very few are 'freaking out' over the deal. It almost unanimous that fans wanted these guys signed - there was surprise as to Hreening's contract being one way and three years. It's not a huge difference, but I think people expected 2way, 2 years. It's not a huge complaint, just a bit of a surprise.
Thanks for that last tidbit Jabs - clears things up.
3rd line RW - between Condra, Silfverberg & O'Brien.
2nd/3rd/4th line center - between Regin, Da Costa, Winchester, Z. Smith & Couturier if they draft him.
Here is my guess as to who wins out:
Michalek - Spezza - Alfredson
Greening - Da Costa - Butler
Z. Smith - Regin - Silfverberg
Foligno - Couturier - Neil/Winchester
Kuba - Gonchar
Cowen - Karlsson
Phillips - Carkner/Lee
Anderson - McElhinney
Here is what Cox had to say...
--The death of the NHL's top heavyweight, 28-year-old Derek Boogaard, was a stunning tragedy for his family and reverberated throughout the sport on the weekend. Answers to how he died could make his passing yet more meaningful to those outside the family.
He was rocked by a Matt Carkner right cross to the button on Dec. 9th and never played again, although it sounds like his training was going well. Sadly, he was challenged by Carkner after landing a good, perfectly legal bodycheck in the open ice on Jesse Winchester of the Senators. That the sick nonsense the NHL needs to crack down on but doesn't seem to want to. Boogaard knew his job and accepted it, but surely the guy had a right to be able to play the game within the rules without having to scrap every single time.
In the aftermath of the tragic death of Derek Boogaard, and only a day later for that matter, Cox had the nerve to draw conclusions between a Carkner/Boogaar d fight from earlier in the year and the sudden passing of Boogaard.
Boogaard was one of the NHL's top heavyweights and on the play in question, in no way did Matt Carkner jump him or force him into an altercation. He challenged the guy and the two dropped the gloves. To imply that Carkner did something wrong on the play is absolutely ludicrous and to have the nerve to tie it to Boogaard's tragic passing was completely uncalled for.
I don't know much about Damien Cox but I sure hope he addresses this is the very near future. The NHL lost a fan favourite in Derek Boogaard and at the all too young age of 28. That's the story here.
OHHHHHHHHHHHHH YEEEEEEEEEEEEEA H
RIP
well said, we all trust that Damian Cox is a paid professional, and when you consider that what he states especially in Leaf Nation land will go down as the gospel, this type of reporting, that implicates Carkner, is grossly unfair, and by implication accuses Carkner of having a part in his unfortunate result. I hope that Carkner has not been directly affected by this. At the very least Cox should be reprimanded, and should state a written appololgy to Carkner.
Dispicalble journalism, Cox should be ashamed of himself
What you smoking bro?? How high were you when you wrote this??
His linemates for most of the stretch Butler & Greening.
I remember how impressed we all were with Butler, Greening & Condra. How well they played. Yes not under a pressure situation but the Sens were competitive.
The Sens were trying these young guys out to see what the had in way of prospects... to determine if they can play in the NHL.
Now Greening gets signed to 3 yrs and everyone is complaining.
What did you expect? Sens trade some of there veterans last season to replace with youth (aka re-build) NOT to replace them with UFA's.
Phillps-Cowen
Rundblad-Karlsson
Wiercioch-Gonchar
Lehner
Anderson
I cannot see Wiercioch there next year or even the year after. He offers NO toughness and with the rest of your defensive lineup the team would be much too soft, would be destroyed. Was only there this year because he was a second round pick by Murray. You look at his PP numbers in Bingo and they were brutal. His even strength performance wasn't much better than Gryba and Gryba at least can play a very solid defensive game. I say trade him for a prospect forward.