Carkner clears waivers, joins B-Sens, moving to forward?
October 25, 2007
The Binghamton Senators will soon have another veteran on their blue line.
Assigned Friday from Ottawa to Binghamton, Carkner cleared waivers Monday, and his arrival provides a 6-foot-4, 229-pound addition — plus 390 games of American Hockey League experience — to a Binghamton blue line that’s coming off its best showing in recent memory.
“I think it’s a pretty large addition to the defensive corps,” said B-Sens center Josh Hennessy, a teammate of Carkner’s during the 2005-06 season with the AHL’s old Cleveland Barons.
“He has experience. He’s a great leader. He’s a good guy. He’s tough as nails. He’s really solid defensively, and he’s gotten a lot better offensively too in the last couple years.”
An interesting side note…apparently Ottawa is considering switching Carkner to forward. Here’s the story:
Matt Carkner is being dealt a new hand while he waits for one of his own to heal. The Winchester, Ont. native is being sent to Binghamton after recovering from a broken hand suffered in a preseason scrap, and being asked to move up front, with hopes that might develop into a fourth-line NHL role player.
“He might have a chance to play forward at the NHL level if he’s willing to make the switch,” said Binghamton General Manager Tim Murray. Carkner has skated with Senators’ conditioning coach Randy Lee for the past month, and worked predominantly on forward drills.
Murray likes Carkner’s toughness and character. Carkner, 6-4, 230, was a notable fighter in his OHL days with Peterborough, and a second-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. He’s one tough cookie who has become a feared fighter in the AHL as well, something that endears him to Murray, who has an affinity for rugged players.
Will be interesting to see what moves are made in Binghamton once Carkner is healthy.
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