Scouting The 2014-’15 Binghamton Senators: Goaltending
This is the third in a series of four with the Defense and Offense having been covered earlier this week in the Scouting The 2014-’15 Binghamton Senators as we now are focusing on the men between the pipe’s featuring the newly formed dynamic dual of Andrew Hammond and Chris Dreidger.
With a year under his belt and under the watchful eye of goaltending coach Rick Wamsley, Andrew is looking to learn from last season’s inconsistencies and carry the work load, while Chris serving as back up to start making his adjustment’s in the pro game.
However Hammond, might be should be looking over his shoulder at some point as the new rookie in town will be if not eager to share the work in earning his way up into the starting position. Dreidger will get his fair share of starts as he indeed comes in as a highly touted prospect for the organization and wanting him to get in as many games possible during 2014-’15. He’ll hopefully get some advice from Andrew during the transition and into sharing his tip’s just like the departed Nathan Lawson did in nurturing him in his rookie season, and pass on what experience’s Hammond has to offer to compete at the next level for the benefit of the team.
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Hammond is next in line if needed in Ottawa if Craig Anderson or Robin Lehner goes down in an injury, which would then put Dreidger into sole position of holding all the marbles in Binghamton. It’s important he gets as much playing experience early making an impact in the AHL in helping the B-Sens for another winning season, especially if it’s a long-term injury up top.
I do have faith in both netminder’s coming in, as competition in goal is usually a win-win scenario. I say usually, as the Anderson/Lehner tantum hasn’t exactly come together smoothly so far leaving that debate for another time.
This will be a challenge ahead for Luke Richardson and his coaching staff and how well he balance’s out the two player’s playing time. Set in stone is Hammy playing the most games out of the gate, but at some point realizing Dreidger will have to as well, regardless on how well Andrew’s performance may be at the time. Like I mentioned, it could be a win-win scenario.
– Senators training camp invitee but not signed: Scott Greenham.
(There are eight players selected that are ‘On the Radar‘ ready for the Ottawa Senators in any call-up situation. Future articles will give follow-ups for the leading player in keeping pace of their progress throughout the season.) – This one is a given as Hammond is contractually responsible as the goaltender to fill in and will be included in future report’s following his season long progress.
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*Graphic Art by Matt Trayling. Insert’s Courtesy of Alicia Strauch.
#30 Andrew Hammond
Age: 26 (Feb 11, 1988)
Birthplace: Surrey, BC
Hgt/Wgt: 6’1 216 lbs
Acquired: Signed as a free agent in March of 2013.
Contract: $105,000/$720,000 – 2nd yr of 2 yr entry-level
Last Season: Binghamton Senators//Ottawa: 48 games 25 wins 19 losses, 3 SOL, 2.81 GAA, 0.910 SV% // 1 game, 34:31 min, 11 saves, 0.00 GAA, 1.000 SV%
Notables:
- Made his NHL debut playing in a back up role in relief of Lehner. Saved all 11 shots he faced in just under 35 minutes of work.
- Has a tendency to go down early leaving room exposed up top one too many times. Lackadaisical relapse’s in letting in that lone soft one every other game.
- Claimed the club’s 7th Player of the Year Award last season.
- Improved as the season went on. Poor playoff performance in first round loss, but overall to be fair the club was flat in front of him.
Outlook: Hammond was forced into action quickly as Lawson was sidelined suffering from several ailment’s throughout the season. Depth goalie that has advanced learning the ropes along the way with guidance, only to have it collapse on him during the post season. Look for him to hunker down and play more consistently going forward despite Driedger’s presence. On the Radar that is a given for goaltender’s.
#31 Chris Driedger
Age: 20 (May 18, 1994)
Birthplace: Winnipeg, MAN
Hgt/Wgt: 6’3 202 lbs
Acquired: Ottawa Senators – 3rd round draft pick in 2012 (76th Overall)
Contract: $70,000/$730,000 – 1st yr of 3 yr entry-level
Last Season: Calgary Hitmen//Elmira Jackals//Binghamton; 50 games 28 wins 14 losses 3 OTL, 4 SOL, 2.64 GAA, 0.918 SV% // 4 games 1 win 2 losses 3.92 GAA 0.893 SV% // 1 game, 26:11 min, 20 saves, 2 GA, 4.58 GAA, 0.909 SV%
Notables:
- Recorded a 94-46-15 in 170 contests, including eight shutouts with both the Hitmen and Tri-City Americans (WHL) (2010-’14).
- Led the Hitmen to within a game of the WHL finals in 2013. Ranks highly in the goaltending prospects.
- Surpassed LA Kings Martin Jones to become the Hitmen’s all-time saves leader at 3,773 over three seasons (2011-’14).
- Played 26 minutes in the last regular season game against the Norfolk Admirals making 20 saves on 22 shots in mop up duty. Looked good in the last game in the recent rookie tournament for Ottawa going 46/50 against Chicago after a shaky start vs Pittsburgh in the opener.
Outlook: Will get a bunch of starts pushing his transitioning from juniors to pros. Look forward to his development as I have heard nothing but good things about his work ethic. Wamsley will again be busy in aiding the prized rookie while also assisting Hammond as the goaltending coach did in the previous season. A solid year in the AHL will pave his way for the future.
– Coming up Sunday: Scouting The 2014-’15 Binghamton Senators: Coaching Staff