The Ottawa Senators Should Have Sent Cody Ceci To Binghamton

Relax, I don’t mean permanently, but the Ottawa Senators should have returned Cody Ceci to Binghamton prior to the NHL roster freeze Friday afternoon.

Yes, the Senators told Ceci last month that he wouldn’t be going back to Bingo, and to find a place in Ottawa. However the B Sens play 6 games between now and the end of the Olympic break, and those 6 games could really have propelled Ceci to another level when he was called back up.

Feb 3, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Cody Ceci (5) carries the puck up ice against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Senators could have sent him down without exposing him to waivers, and the Senators have enough bodies to get through the lone game remaining after the roster freeze went into effect – Saturday’s tilt against the Bruins.  Putting Joe Corvo in the lineup in Ceci’s place wouldn’t be the end of the world, and he needs a game sometime soon anyhow.

Ceci could have went down with the confidence that he was on his way back up, yet further establishing himself at the AHL level where he was a dominant force before his earlier than expected recall.

Its not the end of the world, but that is 6 more professional games that he could have played.  At this point in his development, every one counts.