Binghamton Senators Sign Cava to PTO
November 15, 2006
I’ve been avoid my B-Sens updates lately because there just hasn’t been anything positive to write about. Last Saturdays game against Philly was the worst game of the short season. Which is surprised since it began with the best period of the season. Bobby Robins was moved up to the #1 line and finally saw significant ice time. The move paid off quickly as his line scored the lone first period goal. But in the second period the wheels fell off and the Sens gave up 5 unanswered goals to a mostly unimpressive Philly team.
The big concern by many fans coming into this season was that our team had no real enforcers and would get pushed around. Well what we have seen so far this season is not a team getting pushed, but one that is unable to stand up. Teams are beating them physically, the problem is that the B-Sens aren’t playing much physical hockey at all, avoiding conflict and staying to the perimeter. They are registering a lot of shots, but they are all on the rush and very few rebounds. This weekend saw problems escalate as now the team is showing the effects of the losing streak and are playing ’safe’ hockey. I’ve seen faster passes from the STHA kids playing during intermissions. Their play is so telegraphed that the defense has no trouble re-adjusting and stopping any weak shot the Sens shoot their way.
The good news is that, unlike Ottawa, Binghamton seems willing to change. Yesterday they announced the signing of Chris Cava, a veteran ECHL defenseman who looked good in the preseason, but was cut due to lack of room. What is interesting about this move is that the B-Sens still have 7 healthy blue liners. The only reason Cava was signed was to address the lack of grit and to try and provide a spark plug for this team.
This is great news and I hate to rain on anyone’s parade, but this move also confirms the complaints of many other fans. This organization could have provided this type of player during the offseason by signing a legitimate AHL enforcer. Instead they are signing a ECHL player to a PTO, probably the cheapest contract in the AHL. My major concern is what relationship, if any, this cheapness has with the difficulty agreeing to a new lease agreement with the county. This is all speculation, but I’m afraid the duck is starting to quack.
I won’t dwell on things out of my control and instead I’ll be at the game rooting for our new stay at home defenseman. This is his AHL debut and I’m hoping this is a guy willing to do what it takes to stick with the team. Suspicions aside, this move can only help this team and I hope the energy provided by Cava is a catalyst to spark the hole team and turn this season around before its too late.
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