Projecting The Binghamton Senators’ 2015-16 Roster
By Jack Leiper
With a number of UFA signings (3) and plenty of new prospects set to join the farm system, the Binghamton Senators are set to take new shape in 2015-16. This comes after a disappointing year which was understandable due to the number of recent high-end graduates from Binghamton. Of course, that group consists of players Mike Hoffman, Mark Stone, Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Mark Borowiecki.
The group heading in this year is highlighted by Tobias Lindberg and Nick Paul, while insulation players like Ben Harpur and UFA signings Zack Stortini, Eric O’Dell and Mike Kostka bring even more depth. Throw in the idea of Shane Prince and Matt Puempel being back as well as Curtis Lazar potentially playing in the AHL and Bingo is shaping up to be quite the team.
Here’s how I see it happening
Lazar or No Lazar?
For myself, the biggest question about this roster is whether or not Curtis Lazar will play in Binghamton. Jeff at Silver Seven had a great piece taking a look at just that and he thinks that Lazar should and will indeed play for Bingo.
From a Senators perspective of things, I just don’t see it happening. The way Lazar closed out the year and the chemistry he formed with Jean-Gabriel Pageau displays the kind of player he is. He should have a big summer but by no means is his spot a given in training camp. That said, with the departure of Erik Condra, the Senators now have just 15 forwards including Lazar.
The team has always carried more than the minimum and unless they decide Chris Neil is a full-time player in Ottawa, or Lazar is beaten out in training camp (a legitimate possibility), he’ll be playing in Ottawa.
Verdict: Lazar stays in Ottawa.
The Roster
Forwards:
Forwards: Dzingel, Paul, O’Dell, Ewanyk, Dunn, Prince, McCormick, Dziurzynski, Guptill, Puempel, Robinson, Lindberg, Stortini, Schneider
The forward situation is interesting. Nick Paul and Tobias Lindberg will have expectations from Senators fans as they are among the team’s best prospects. They both hold NHL potential following their OHL numbers and will be asked to be big pieces at the AHL level.
Paul is listed as a C/LW and Lindberg a RW. They could both slot into the team’s top 6 if need be, but given their first year status, here’s how I see the lineup working out:
Prince – O’Dell – Schneider
Puempel – Dzingel – Robinson
McCormick – Paul – Lindberg
Dziurzynski – Dunn – Stortini
Scratches: Guptill, Ewanyk
Prince is the team’s best offensive piece and could be in the NHL to start the year.
Centering the top line is Eric O’Dell; a player the Senators hold as a future NHL piece. 29 points in 37 games last year and a P/PG status in earlier years puts him as the team’s number one centre. Cole Schneider is on the right side and completes what is Bingo’s best offensive trio.
The Senators’ 2nd line features three guys who aren’t very far away from being NHL players.
Matt Puempel could easily be one this year, and given the 13 games he played last season, he might get a nod over Prince. Dzingel is ready to take a step up in his AHL production, and Robinson, although not a player with high offensive upside plays a responsible game that’s good for insulation to the top 6.
Playing Paul and Lindberg on the 3rd line is a good choice. It doesn’t rush them to produce and slotting them beside sophomore speedster Max McCormick is a good move for Paul’s development as he’ll have two speedy players on his wings.
Moving down the lineup and you see that if the Binghamton Senators weren’t a hard-nosed team last year, they are now. On the 4th line, perhaps a Dunn/Ewanyk subsitution makes more sense, but Dziurzynski and Stortini alongside Dunn creates a hard-working 4th line to complete what already looks like a very strong forward group.
Sept 25, 2013; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Fredrik Claesson (49) controls the puck in the first period against the Montreal Canadiens in the first period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Defence:
Defence: Claesson, Wideman, Kostka, Harpur, Rutkowski, Sdao, Mullen
Luke Richardson always seems to keep a steady group together with pairings and as a Sens fan, I always find it hard to understand the choices on defence in Binghamton. For this part, I’ve lined them up based on handedness as well as future projections, but it’s very clear the pairings could be very different from these.
Fredrik Claesson – Chris Wideman
Ben Harpur – Michael Kostka
Michael Sdao – Patrick Mullen
Scratch: Troy Rutkowski
Chris Wideman and Fredrik Claesson make up the team’s top two defenders. Wideman, who will have to clear waivers will carry a $400,000 salary in the AHL. While it’s very possible he makes the Ottawa Senators out of camp, there’s an equal chance the Senators could squeak him through waivers.
The additions of Mike Kostka and Ben Harpur through graduation and free agency are big for Binghamton’s back-end. They make up a good second pairing and even out the handedness of Ottawa’s defence group.
On the 3rd pairing. Sdao and Mullen are AHL vets who fit the bottom pairing well. Mullen wasn’t a fan favourite last season and along with the team, will look to turn his game around. Rutkowski being the scratch is a fit, he’ll fill-in the odd time and could become a full-time player if Wideman is in the NHL.
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A 34-34-7 record didn’t cut it for Binghamton last season. Improvements have been made and the team has been steadied. For Ottawa Senators fans, the two players to look out for remain Nick Paul and Tobias Lindberg. Each player just completed their CHL careers and hold NHL potential.
While the playoffs are in sight, the more important factor is watching those two, along with other prospects develop further as it could very well be the start of another wave of prospects making their way to Ottawa.
Next: The Senators' Farm System Gets A Boost This Year