With nearly 100 locked out NHLers now signed on to play overseas, and a significant number participating in AHL training camps, there will be hockey this fall, even if it doesn't take place in the 30 NHL rinks across North America.
And while a significant number of players have been able to make alternate arrangements, there are still a handful of Ottawa Senators that continue to skate here in the city, waiting for an opening overseas or perhaps some good news related to a new collective bargaining agreement.
Colin Greening is a prime example.
Coming off a season where he was able to solidify himself as an NHL regular, Greening is a guy that was penciled in with the big team this season. Greening appeared in all 82 games last season, spending significant time flanking number one centre Jason Spezza, and picking up 37 points along the way.
With guys like Zibanejad, Stone and Silfverberg all pushing for spots in the top six, and all participating in training camp with AHL team in Binghamton, Greening is here in Ottawa trying to keep his game sharp, so he's ready if and when the NHL season does start.
And while there are other guys on the Sens roster in the same position, including Alfredsson, Phillips, Michalek and Anderson- you have to think this is particularly difficult for guys like Greening, O'Brien, Regin and Condra who will have young guys pushing them for roster spots the next couple seasons.
It helps to have a place to skate but any player will tell you, it's impossible to replicate the game experience in a practice. Obviously the options in Europe are limited, but you have to assume that guys like Regin, Greening and Condra will be actively looking for places to play, should this lockout continue to drag on.
- Now we all know Bill Watters has a tendency to say some pretty strange things but he has really outdone himself this time. The former-Maple Leafs GM and NHL agent suggests that if the lockout continues on into November, Bettman may consider replacement players, as a technique to break the NHLPA. Really can't imagine a scenario where the NHL sees that as a viable option.
- Time for your daily update on CBA negotiations. The NHL and NHLPA met today and didn't accomplish a darn thing.
- Meanwhile, the AHL Senators continue their training camp in Binghamton, New York. Hope to have a full break down from Don Rieber in the next couple of days but in the meantime, keep an eye on AJ Jakubec on Twitter (@AJonSports) as he has been providing some good commentary along the way. Sounded like a feisty day yesterday, including a tilt between a couple guys pushing for Binghamton roster spots in Darren Kramer and Corey Cowick. According to comments by Head Coach Luke Richardson, David Dziurzynski has been one of the best players on the ice so far in camp.
