The Ottawa Senators trimmed their roster by five players this afternoon by sending Robin Lehner, Mark Borowiecki, Patrick Wiercioch, Kaspars Daugavins and Mike Hoffman to the AHL Binghamton Senators.
The moves do not come as a surprise, and there is still 25 players in camp. However, due to nagging injuries to Jesse Winchester, Peter Regin, Chris Phillips and Matt Carkner, the remaining players might just be the opening night roster. If any 2 of the 4 injured players start the season on the DL, that means there are roster spots for David Rundblad, Jared Cowen, Stephane Da Costa and Mika Zibanejad on the Senators 23 man roster. This will allow the Senators to delay the decisions on a couple of roster spots, and perhaps convince Rundblad that he is better served developing in the AHL rather than Sweden if Sens management feels he is close but not quite ready for prime time, as the prevailing opinions seem to suggest.
There are 2 goalies, 8 defensemen and 15 forwards that compromise the 25 men still battling for positions.