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.
Tim Murray profiles Bingo’s players
October 25, 2007
The Draft Guy has a great interview with Ottawa Assistant GM Tim Murray and gets his impression on all of Binghamton’s players this season. Here are some of my favorites.
Cody Bass
“An energy guy, good skater,” said Murray. “He will be a (NHL) player if he figures out he should be a prick some nights and not just an energy guy. He has a good understanding of the defensive game, good on faceoffs. A real responsible player.”Ilya Zubov
“Highly skilled, as most Russian forwards are, he’s a real good player with the puck right now and he’s not real good without the puck right now. He has a personality, competes, speaks English. His father wanted him to stay one more year, but he put his foot down and said he was coming over. He took a step to show us he wants to improve and become a (NHL) player. He has a great personality. He keeps his head up when he’s walking by you in the hall. He’ll say “Hello Mr. Murray, how are you?” He’s lapping up every minute of it. He’s getting stronger; he’s not afraid.”Jeremy Yablonski
“He’s beyond tough. He’s already had three fights, and two with bonafide heavyweights in (Dennis) Bonvie and (6-8 Chris) McAllister, and he won both. Then he fought that 6-10 Slovak (Valdimir Mihalik) and destroyed him. He changes hands so quickly, faster than anyone else. He has UFC training. He’ll have a hard time getting fights as his reputation spreads (in the AHL). Skating wise, in a straight line he’s okay, good on the forecheck. For a tough guy he’s a decent player. Plus he’s good on the bench. He’s been a pleasant surprise. He’s a better player than I thought, a good guy and a good teammate. He’ll help us win some games this year.”
Emphasis mine on that last one. Now that cracked me up. Glad to see Ottawa paying much closer attention to Binghamton and realizing the importance of playing tough.
Nikulin Blog: October 19th
October 19, 2007
Here is the latest blog entry from Nikulin translated by ThirtyFive on HFBoards.
October 19: Didn’t get it once in the hole.
Ilja and I went to the English teacher for the first time, and we have to confess, we did not like it. Spoke for an hour about nothing. We were taught simple words: “table”, “door”. Generally speaking, what we already knew.
What we want to understand is how to make phrases, sentences. Learn how to talk about everyday things. Now I don’t even know what to do. We’ll go once more, of course, but if it will continue like that, then we’ll look for another teacher. We were expecting something else entirely.
But now for something pleasant, because we played golf here! The team had a night out with the sponsors, went to a special place. It was my first encounter with this new sport. I liked it. Should there be another occasion, I’ll play again. Although I didn’t have any success yet. Didn’t get it once in the hole. And I couldn’t make the long-distance shots every time. Didn’t hit it with the first swing. Often I either missed, or gotten a piece of the green. Good thing experienced guys suggested which club to use. It’s all right, the first step is always the hardest.
Playing golf is a bit of diversity. Because my day goes by simply: practice, lunch, nap, dinner, sleep. We almost never go out into the town, and it’s a really small one. Very few places to take a walk. So mostly just stay in the hotel. Also, Ilja and I finally went the movies. It was the horror movie Halloween. Knowledge of English was not really required. It was still pretty scary without the words.
Looks like soon we’re going to be moving to a house or an apartment, haven’t decided. But Ilja Zubov decided to buy a car. Obviously, he’s right, it’s convenient with one. But I won’t be doing that yet. But there’s nothing else to spend money on. Although, as you know, salaries of NHL and AHL players differ substantially. But I don’t have any financial problems, everything is great. First paycheck was on October 15.
I want to get back to our golf party. After the game we went to a restaurant, had a team dinner. Some speeches were said, though, obviously, it was hard for me to understand what they were about exactly. So Ilja and I just sat there together through it all. But there was no team dinner in our understanding, when rookies are responsible for paying for the food.
I’d like to note another detail. In the CSKA, and also in Ottawa, we would warm up before games with a soccer ball, kicking it back and forth between guys. They don’t do that in Binghamton. Everyone gets ready for a game by themselves.
During games here our mascot walks the arena stands. But I have to admit I’m at a loss as to what kind of animal it is. Though he’s very good at getting the fans excited. And if they like it, then everything’s all right. Now, after three home games, we’re going on the road. Very interesting how it’s done here.
So, all in all, I’m doing great. Looks like my parents and girlfriend will visit me only in Canada. And that’s an additional incentive to make Ottawa as soon as possible.
Binghamton sends two to Elmira
October 18, 2007
Before the season started I was wondering where all these rookies were going to fit. I also was expecting an announcement of an affiliation with Elmira. Nothing is official, but the relationship is there as my first question was finally answered. Yesterday Binghamton sent Kudelka and McKenzie to Elmira in the ECHL.
Making the hour-long drive from Binghamton west to Elmira are defenseman Tomas Kudelka and right wing Jim McKenzie, both of whom had played in one of three games for the B-Sens this season.
“Tomas, he’s in a situation of a number’s game, and he needs to play to develop and it’s not doing him any good being in and out of the lineup,” B-Sens coach Cory Clouston said Wednesday.
“And same with McKenzie. We have a couple extra forwards.”
Wednesday’s moves, along with Saturday’s addition of defenseman Mattias Karlsson and Sunday’s return of goalie Brian Elliott, leave Binghamton with two goalies, seven defensemen and 12 forwards.
The defensive corps is looking at another possible addition in the next week or two, as Matt Carkner continues his comeback from a broken hand. In Binghamton over the weekend, Ottawa assistant general manager Tim Murray said Carkner has been cleared to resume shooting and that he’s likely two weeks “at the most” away from returning.
What a relief it is to see the players flowing FROM the AHL to the ECHL this season. The last two seasons has seen Binghamton filling out their roster with ECHL and UHL free agents. This season we have a few of our own prospects getting serious ice time in Elmira and only an hour away if we need a callup. This should also be a message to the rest of the B-Sens players that their spot on the Bingo roster is not set in stone.
Nikulin Blog: October 16th
October 15, 2007
ThirtyFive has the latest translation up on HFBoards.
October 16: Feels like I’ve played the whole season here.
Finally I scored my first goal in North America. It was during the game where my Binghamton played Syracuse, a game we lost, unfortunately. It was a hard-working goal. I shot from the hash marks, the puck hit the pipe and bounced back to me. I shot again, and got it in the net.
Naturally, they retrieved the puck and gave it to me as a gift. And overall that game turned out to be very interesting. I have to say we should have been winning. We had a lot more opportunities than the opponent, but didn’t capitalize of them. For example, I could’ve scored about five times. And then we failed to kill a penalty, and broke down, I guess.
Also interesting was the game against Hershey. The Bears are a very technically sound team. There are fine players in the lineup that can also play physically with the best of them. But here things were different. We scored a very timely goal and finished the game with a win.
I’m playing a lot, can’t complain. I’m out on the power play all the time, they trust me. Though I’m out rarely for the penalty kill. Was out just once and we were scored on right away. So if I’m better when we’re up a man, then that’s where I’ll play.
I’m getting used to the fact that each game is a new challenge. And you must give a hundred percent in any game. But talking strictly hockey, I’m feeling very confident, as if I’ve been played here all season long.
For two games Ray Emery tended our goal. He played quite well. But I didn’t see anything outstanding, although, of course, he’s an excellent goalie. We do not have poor goalies here, anyway. Ray brought our game up, no doubt. They say he fights, too.
Speaking of fighting, there were a couple of scraps in the game against Hershey. Our tough guy Jeremy Yablonski showed himself off in the best of lights. It all began when he selected as his opponent a guy four times as big as him. Since Jeremy doesn’t look that strong on first sight, his opponent looked huge. But Yablonski won, I thought. Landed a few exact punches. It was a rough fight, all in all. Even though the game turned out to be rather physical with lots of penalty minutes, I didn’t take part in any of these scrums.
I want to note that the last two games I spent with different partners. In the game against Syracuse I was with Tyler Donati and Cody Bass, and against Washington’s farm team I was with Josh Hennessy and Niko Dimitrakos. I don’t mind the constant switching, it doesn’t hinder me. You see, almost all the guys here are of the same level. And we quickly find common ground. So, in both games I picked up points.
Though whatever Cory Clouston, the head coach, is telling me I don’t understand yet. I know he’s trying to give me some tips. No, there’s not a problem during the post-game discussion. We watch video and I have an idea of what’s going on, but during actual conversation it’s still hard to understand words.
One thing I understood is that he was really upset after the loss to Syracuse. Not because of the loss itself so much, as with the unsuccessful performance on the power play. We didn’t shoot enough, though we worked on this during practice.
At least I’m happy that my favorite sticks have arrived, the ones I’m so used to. And I scored my first goal with one of them. I hope it won’t be the last in the AHL, and, in the future, in the NHL.
Yablonski vs McAllister
October 15, 2007
The papers are all talking about Emery’s good game, but for us Bingo fans its all about Yabo! Watch how he seamlessly switches between righty and lefty.
Emery sent to Binghamton
October 12, 2007
Ray Emery will be starting for the Binghamton Senators tonight and Saturday during a 2 game conditioning stint.
The Ottawa Senators announced on Thursday goaltender Ray Emery had been assigned to the AHL for a two-game conditioning stint.
Emery will make starts against the Syracuse Crunch on Friday and the Hershey Bears on Saturday.
The 25-year-old was limited to one start in the preseason, a win over the Flyers, due to a recovery from wrist surgery.
Nikulin: October 9: Dump-ins still aren’t my thing.
October 9, 2007
ThirtyFive has the latest translation from Nikulin’s blog. No mention of the fog.
I’m living in the USA now, where Ottawa’s farm team is located. The move went rather smoothly. Ilja Zubov and I were provided with a car and a driver and we were on our way to where the team was. Got there in four hours, crossing the border was quick. Just checked our passports.
Didn’t really need to get used to the new group much. The same guys that were at the prospects camp are here. I know them all so it was easy getting into it. Ilja Zubov and I were given a hotel room, but in about two weeks we’ll move to a rented room or house. Binghamton is a small town, it’s hard to say what the population here is. Probably not more than of Cherepovets. But overall good impressions: it’s a compact, quiet town. A five-storey building is the tallest.
But the arena here is beautiful, seats five thousand spectators. No qualms regarding locker rooms, either. Everything’s like it is in Ottawa. The training process is set up well with either team.
The only serious trouble is the lack of sticks I played with all my life. The last one I broke back during a preseason game with the Senators. I have to use others. At the farm you can play either with CCM or Reebok stick. Good sticks, but I’d rather play with my own. Should have them delivered this week.
The first game of the AHL season we played against Albany, Carolina’s farm team. We lost 3-1. Again I was struck by the speeds. They skate faster than in the NHL here. Perhaps in the major league the thought process is bigger. After all, the level of players there is higher. The first period and a half I was just getting into the game. And was not happy with myself, and the coach had cause for criticism, too.
He commented that everything was good, as usual, but then stated that some things need to change in my game. The main problem is that I skate too much. Which is true, and in the third period I made a mistake because of that which led to a goal being scored on us. We pulled the goalie, I went in as the sixth skater. And I skated past a player in our zone who then made a pass and we were scored on. My fault. But, on the other hand, CSKA’s Vyacheslav Bykov asked different things of me. I had to maintain the speed, always remain mobile. It’s tough to switch right away. I won’t totally change my style, but I must adapt. I must really get used to the relentless collisions. And these constant dump-ins from every position are also not my thing.
But in this game our line also scored the lone goal. It was Ilja Zubov, who was moved to the wing. We played out a good power play setup. By the way, we’re often out on the power play, but rarely for the penalty kill.
I’m gradually learning English. I’m attempting to speak for myself. The club’s manager approached Ilja and I and told us Tuesday they’ll assign a tutor to us and we’ll begin studying the language seriously. For now, though, I can only say several phrases. I can ask where my sticks are. How to perform a given exercise. Understand a lot.
We have a good team. I’m told the club played poorly last year. But this time we should finish in a better position. There are lots of fine hockey players here: forwards Tyler Donati and Jim McKenzie, goaltender Jeff Glass.
There’s also another player from Eastern Europe, a Czech defenseman Tomas Kudelka. He knows a Russian counting rhyme: Raz, dva, tri, chetyre, pyat’ — vyshel zaichik pogulyat’. And some other words. It’s all right, I’m sure with time he’ll have a large vocabulary.
Monday was Columbus Day in the US, a national holiday. There’s music everywhere, fairs. But most likely we’ll just stay in and relax. Because we don’t have days off, every day we either practice or play. Have to conserve the energy. I’m still not losing heart, despite being sent down to the farm team. I believe it will be easier to adapt to the North American style of play here, to understand what is being asked of me, to learn.
Ottawa has 1 more roster spot open
October 7, 2007
With McAmmond injured there is an opening on Ottawa’s roster and they’re looking for the right guy to fill. Unlike Muckler, Murray has made it clear that this spot is open to anyone will to work for it.
“There’s job openings,” Murray said following Binghamton’s pregame skate. “But it’s going to be based on merit. … It’s going to be based on attitude here — how you practice, how you play, obviously. Leadership. Being a good guy. All that comes into play.
“We’re not going to send somebody up there that’s just going through the motions here. … If he has a good game and scores two goals, and comes out to practices like he doesn’t want to be here, those guys aren’t going to get a chance. So it’s the whole package as far as attitude and production.”
B-Sens drop home opener 3-1
October 7, 2007
Not much to say about the home opener. Combine a high turnover, a team full of rookies, and not enough preseason games to form lines with record high temperatures and fog and you get a sloppy 3-1 loss filling with a lot of stoppages for the players to skate in circles to clear the air. I’m going to forget this game happened and look forward to next week when the team will have better chemistry and communication and hopefully a chance to play more than 60 seconds without a whistle.
On an opening night that will likely best be remembered for 20-plus fog delays and the sight, time and again, of two hockey teams skating round and round, trying to lift the haze, the B-Sens couldn’t find quite the fresh start they were looking for.
Albany center Dave Gove scored the go-ahead goal eight minutes into the third period, and goalie Michael Leighton stopped 34 of 35 shots as the River Rats grabbed a 3-1 win and spoiled Saturday night’s season opener for the B-Sens in front of 4,487 fans at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.
“I think they were able to adjust a little bit better to what was going on with the ice and everything,” B-Sens center Josh Hennessy said. “It’s pretty tough to play a skill game and make three or four passes in a row, and I think they might have simplified things just a tiny bit better than we did, or a little earlier than we did. And got a couple bounces.”
Newcomer Ilya Zubov scored the lone goal for Binghamton, evening the score at 1-1 on the power play with 19 seconds left in the second. Jeff Glass stopped 26 of 28 shots in the loss, which Albany punctuated with an empty-netter with 25.4 seconds left.
A hot, humid night in the Arena that began with a rousing, standing ovation for the return of veteran left wing Denis Hamel quickly lost much of its rhythm and flow as play was stopped 10 times in the first period for players to come out and try to skate the fog away.
