After scoring just 1 goal (that counted) in the past two games, the Ottawa Senators have called up Stephane Da Costa from Binghamton and he will be likely given a shot to be an offensive contributor for the Senators.
Da Costa has 12 points in 14 games since January 1st for Binghamton, and he has 9 goals and 15 assists in 31 total games at the AHL level.
Nov 11, 2011; Buffalo, NY, USA; Ottawa Senators center Stephane Da Costa (24) carries the puck up ice during the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at the First Niagara Center. Buffalo defeats Ottawa 5 to 1. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
His call-up stems from the fact that Peter Regin wasn’t very effective playing second fiddle to Kyle Turris and couldn’t help generate much offensively. Apparently the Senators are hesitant to try 19 year old Mika Zibanejad in that role just yet, hence the summoning of Da Costa, who is the best option in Binghamton with Mark Stone and Mike Hoffman out with injuries.
Is Da Costa the answer to the Senators’ offensive struggles. Not likely. He could be part of an overall solution that needs to see more chances from Milan Michalek and Daniel Alfredsson, as well as the “third” line of Zack Smith, Chris Neil and Colin Greening. That third line has been decent in a checking role, but they are talented enough to chip in a goal or two every other game between them.
It will be interesting to see who lines up with Da Costa when they take to the ice Tuesday against Buffalo. Da Costa has 5 points in 26 NHL games, but that was before he had matured a bit. After almost a full season (parts of the last two seasons) of adjustment to the pro level in Binghamton, he has 60 points in 77 games, so the potential that had 30 NHL teams trying to sign him as a free agent out of college is still there.
Now he just needs to translate it to the NHL level. No time like the present, for him and the Senators.