Ottawa Senators Training Camp Preview

SPECIAL 16-PAGE SECTION

SENS TRAINING CAMP PREVIEW

READY TO GO!

ERROL McGIHON/OTTAWA SUN

SENATORS

Saturday Sun n Saturday, January 12, 2013

WELCOME BACK, SENS!

DANIEL ALFREDSSON RW

JASON SPEZZA C 2011-12 team: Senators 2011-12 stats: 80 GP, 34 G, 50 A, 84 PTS, plus-11, 36 PIMS

2013 SEASON

THE SKINNY: Played with Canada’s Spengler Cup-winning team during the

Christmas holidays ... At 29 years old, he is the second highest scoring player in franchise history, with 616 points in 606 games ... Also remains the team’s highest paid player with three years left on a contract that has a $7-million cap hit ... Best season was 2007-08, when he had 92 points (34 goals) despite missing six games ...

Has developed chemistry with Milan Michalek over the last three years ... Had 30 points (nine goals) in 30 games for Rapperswil-Jona of the Swiss-A league during the lockout.

2011-12 team: Senators 2011-12 stats: 75 GP, 27 G, 32 A, 59 PTS, plus-16, 18 PIMS

THE SKINNY:

2013 SEASON

Best player and top scorer in franchise history turned 40 in December yet still projects to be a solid, second-line contributor ... He’ll also be the team’s best bargain, as he makes $1 million in the final year of his contract that carries a $4.875-million cap hit ... The NHL’s longest-serving captain was third on the team in goals scored and tied for the second best plus-minus in 2011-12 ... He also led the team in short-handed goals, with three, and had seven power-play goals, which was third highest on the team ... Has not ruled out playing again in 2013-14 and even beyond ...

Could be slow out of the gate as he did not play competitively during the lockout.

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4 SENATORS

Saturday Sun n Saturday, January 12, 2013

WELCOME BACK, SENS!

Guillaume Latendresse LW

Milan Michalek LW 2011-12 team: Senators 2011-12 stats: 77 GP, 35 G, 25 A, 60 PTS, plus-4, 32 PIMS

THE SKINNY:

2013 SEASON

The team’s top goal scorer last season, he has the shot, speed, strength and puck skills to hit the 40-mark one year ... Had one goal and one assist in seven-game series versus the New York Rangers, leaving him with 11 goals and seven assists in 47 career playoff games ... At 28 years old, he has two seasons left on a contract that carries a $4.33-million cap hit ... During the lockout he played in his homeland with Ceske Budejovice HC, where he had 11 goals and 11 assists in 20 games as of Jan. 2. Had 16 of his 22 penalty minutes during a line brawl.

2011-12 team: Minnesota Wild 2011-12 stats: 16 GP, 5 G, 4 A, 9 PTS, plus-6, 20 PIMS

THE SKINNY:

2013 SEASON

Could prove to be a real coup for the one-year, $2-million deal he signed for as a free agent in the off-season ... Scored 25 goals in only 55 games for Minnesota in 2009-10 ... Injuries have restricted him to just 27 games in the last two seasons ... Former second-round pick (2005) of the Montreal Canadiens, he is only 25 years old ... As one of just two fluently bilingual players on the roster, should be under extra focus with his new team ... Conditioning could be a worry, as he played in only charity games during the lockout.

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SENATORS

Saturday Sun n Saturday, January 12, 2013

WELCOME BACK, SENS!

Colin Greening LW

Kyle Turris C 2011-12 team: Phoenix Coyotes/Senators 2011-12 stats: 55 GP, 12 G, 17 A, 29 PTS, plus-10, 31 PIMS

THE SKINNY:

2013 SEASON

Didn’t register a point and was minus-2 in six games with Phoenix last season before being traded to the Senators for D David Rundblad ... With a new lease on life, he found a home in Ottawa. Former third overall pick (2007) signed a five-year contract extension in August for $17.5 million ... His ability to fill the second-line middle man role could prolong Alfredsson’s career .... Had 19 points (seven goals) in 21 games for Karpat of the Finnish Elite League during the lockout ... Marrying his fiancee Julie next summer.

2011-12 team: Senators 2011-12 stats: 82 GP, 17 G, 20 A, 37 PTS, minus-4, 46 PIMS

THE SKINNY:

2013 SEASON

Former seventh-round pick (2004) has proved he can handle a firstline role alongside Spezza and Michalek. He could be back in the spot this season if other candidates don’t work out to coach Paul MacLean’s liking .. Might be the strongest player on the team, with a physique that has earned him the nickname “Cyborg” from fellow Senators ... Spent the majority of the lockout with Aalborg Pirates in Denmark’s top league ... He has a cap-friendly contract that has a $816,667 hit both for the remainder of this season and next.

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6 SENATORS

Saturday Sun n Saturday, January 12, 2013

WELCOME BACK, SENS!

Mika Zibanejad C

Chris Neil LW 2011-12 team: Senators 2011-12 stats: 72 GP, 13 G, 15 A, 28 PTS, minus-10, 178 PIMS

THE SKINNY:

2013 SEASON

The team’s all-time leading penalty minutes king with 1,861 in 731 games, he is coming off his second best offensive season ... Also had two goals and one assist in playoff series against the New York Rangers ... Should have an extra burden on his shoulder with the departure, via free agency, of fellow fighters Matt Carkner and Zenon Konopka ... Remains an ace in the hole when coach Paul MacLean wants a havoccreating winger to go to the net during the power play ... Has four years left on a contract that has a cap hit of $2 million this season and dips to $1.9 million over the next three ...

Did not play competitively during the lockout.

2011-12 team: Djurgardens (SEL)/Senators 2011-12 (NHL) stats: 9 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PT, minus-3, 2 PIMS

THE SKINNY:

2013 SEASON

After Senators decided not to keep him in the NHL last season following a nine-game trial, his development failed to meet expectations, as he scored just five goals and eight assists in 26 games in the Swedish Elite League ... Most memorable moment was scoring gold medal-winning goal for Sweden at the 2012 world junior championship ... Limited to just 16 games (one goal, six assists) in Binghamton this season by the removal of four wisdom teeth and a throat infection. Ultimately, the time off could hurt his chances of cracking the Ottawa roster right away.

SENATORS

Saturday Sun n Saturday, January 12, 2013

WELCOME BACK, SENS!

Jakob Silfverberg RW

Erik Condra RW 2011-12 team: Senators 2011-12 stats: 81 GP, 8 G, 17 A, 25 PTS, plus11, 30 PIMS

THE SKINNY:

2013 SEASON

Played third and second division hockey in Germany during the lockout, totalling 18 goals and 16 assists in 17 games ... Only two players selected lower in the 2007 NHL draft, when the Senators took him in the seventh round, 211th overall ...

Smart player who is slotted in as third- or fourth-line winger this season ... His cap hit of $625,000 is the lowest on the team ... Becomes an RFA next season unless he signs an extension first.

2011-12 team: Brynas IF Gavle (SEL) 2011-12 stats: 49 GP, 24 G, 30 A, 54 PTS, minus-2, 10 PIMS

THE SKINNY:

2013 SEASON

Best player in his homeland last season ... Jetted in from Swedish Elite League championship to play two games for the Senators in their playoff series against the New York Rangers. He was held pointless, but showed flashes ... In his first full season of pro hockey in North America, leads B-Sens in scoring with 13 goals and 26 points in 29 games ... Almost certainly will stick with Ottawa and will be given every chance to earn a spot on the first line with Jason Spezza ... Will have a cap hit of $900,000 the next two seasons.

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8 SENATORS

Saturday Sun n Saturday, January 12, 2013

WELCOME BACK, SENS!

Zack Smith C

Peter Regin C 2011-12 team: Senators 2011-12 stats: 10 GP, 2 G, 2 A, 4 PTS, plus-3, 2 PIMS

THE SKINNY:

2013 SEASON

Coming off a second consecutive season-ending surgery, he has the feeling he has something to prove ... Had three goals in six games during the 2010 playoffs, where he was arguably the team’s best player. The Senators brought him back this season on a one-year, $800,000 contract with the feeling he could be a “Top 9” player on their forward lines. If he stays healthy, the potential is there for him to challenge for a spot on the first two lines ... Tested his surgically repaired shoulders during the lockout on a two-week stint in the Swiss second-tier league and pronounced himself ready for NHL play ... Eligible to become UFA next season.

2011-12 team: Senators 2011-12 stats: 81 GP, 14 G, 12 A, 26 PTS, plus-4, 98 PIMS

THE SKINNY:

2013 SEASON

Signed a four-year extension in the summer with an annual salary of $1.89 million ... Expected to serve as the team’s third-line centre and as a penalty killer ... Missed just one game last season ... A physical player who broke through for a personal best 14 goals last season, he will be looked upon to take on a larger share of enforcement with the departures of Matt Carkner and Zenon Konopka ... Played with Frederikshavn White Hawks in Denmark’s top league during the lockout.

SENATORS

Saturday Sun n Saturday, January 12, 2013

WELCOME BACK, SENS!

Kaspars Daugavins LW

Jim O’Brien C 2011-12 team: Binghamton (AHL)/Senators 2011-12 (NHL) stats: 28 GP, 3 G, 3 A, 6 PTS, plus-6, 4 PIMS

THE SKINNY:

2013 SEASON

Former first-round pick (29th overall, 2007) changed the opinion of those who had given up on him as an NHLer last season ... Before his recall, had 14 points in 27 games for B-Sens ... Joined Ottawa as a fourth liner and worked hard to keep his spot ... Assisted on Kyle Turris’ game winning goal in overtime of Game 4 against the New York Rangers ... Signed a two-year, one-way contract in July that sees him make $625,000 this season and $650,000 in 2013-14 ... Will need to play to his capabilities to stay in the lineup going forward ... Didn’t play competitively during the lockout.

2011-12 team: Senators 2011-12 (NHL) stats: 65 GP, 5 G, 6 A, 11 PTS

THE SKINNY:

2013 SEASON

Promoted early last season after scoring four goals and six points in seven games for B-Sens ... Turned a opportunity as an injury fill-in to full-time employment in Ottawa ... Signed a one-year deal for $625,000 in the summer ... Most important role could be as a penalty killer ... Like O’Brien, could see some time as a healthy scratch this season ... Played for Riga Dynamo in the KHL during the lockout, scoring five goals and eight assists, with a minus-8 rating and 26 penalty minutes in 33 games.

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10 SENATORS

Saturday Sun n Saturday, January 12, 2013

WELCOME BACK, SENS!

SERGEI GONCHAR D

ERIK KARLSSON D 2011-12 team: Senators 2011-12 stats: 81 GP, 19 G, 59 A, 78 PTS, plus-16, 42 PIMS

THE SKINNY:

2011-12 team: Senators 2011-12 stats: 74 GP, 5 G, 32 A, 37 PTS, minus-4, 55 PIMS

2013 SEASON

In just his second NHL season, racked up 25 more points than the league’s next highest scoring defenceman en route to the Norris Trophy ... He was the second highest scoring player on the team, and only one Senator had a better plusminus ... Rewarded with seven-year, $45.5-million contract extension ... Played with Jokerit in Finnish Elite League during lockout, scoring nine goals and 25 assists in 30 games ... Was suspended for one game after sliding his stick toward the referees after a loss ... Married longtime girlfriend Therese on July 6.

THE SKINNY:

2013 SEASON

Expected to start the season as the left D-man on the second pairing ... At 38 and entering the final year of a contract that carries a $5.5-million salary, the smooth Russian would have certainly been trade bait had Jared Cowen not suffered a season-ending hip injury in Binghamton. He’s still likely to be moved, however, with the Penguins being a likely destination ... Has played 35 games for Magnitogorsk Metallurg of the KHL during the lockout, scoring three goals and 25 assists with a plus-17 rating ... Has 12 goals in 141 games and plenty of power-play time as a Senator.

SENATORS

Saturday Sun n Saturday, January 12, 2013

WELCOME BACK, SENS!

MARC METHOT D

Chris Phillips D 2011-12 team: Senators 2011-12 stats: 80 GP, 5 G, 14 A, 19 PTS, plus12, 16 PIMS

THE SKINNY:

2013 SEASON

Former first overall pick (1996) enters his 15th season with the Senators ... Plus-minus rating improved by 47 last season from a disastrous minus-35 two years ago ... Is now a plus-85 in 1,025 career games ... At an even-rating while playing about 21 minutes a game in the playoffs ... Cowen injury almost certainly elevates him to top 4 status on the Ottawa blue line ... As Senators player rep, had numerous off-ice responsibilities during the lockout ... Two years left on a deal that pays him $3.25 million per year ... Did not play competitively during the lockout.

2011-12 team: Columbus Blue Jackets 2011-12 stats: 46 GP, 1 G, 6 A, 7 PTS, minus-11, 24 PIMS

THE SKINNY:

2013 SEASON

Acquired during the summer in a trade for Nick Foligno, has anxiously awaited his first game for his hometown team ... Should get the chance to fill the spot vacated with the free agent departure of Filip Kuba, who was tied for the ninth best plus-minus in the league last season while paired with Karlsson ... His season was cut short last year by a broken jaw suffered while blocking a shot ... Three years left on a contract that has a $3 million per annum cap hit ... Did not play competitively during the lockout.

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12 SENATORS

Saturday Sun n Saturday, January 12, 2013

WELCOME BACK, SENS!

ANDRE BENOIT D

MIKE LUNDIN D 2011-12 team: Minnesota Wild 2011-12 stats: 17 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 2 PTS, minus-1, 4 PIMS

THE SKINNY:

2013 SEASON

Signed during the off-season to a one year, $1.15-million contract ... Expected to miss a month after breaking a thumb overseas ... Missed time last season with an assortment of injuries, including a sports hernia and back strain, and as a healthy scratch ... Signed with Almtuna IS in Sweden’s second division during the lockout ... Chosen by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the fourth round (102nd overall) of the 2004 draft ... Has 35 points and a minus-9 rating in 241 NHL games ... He’ll likely have to fend off young prospects to maintain a Top 6 spot.

2011-12 team: Binghamton (AHL)/Senators 2011-12 (NHL) stats: 8 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PT, minus-1, 6 PIMS

THE SKINNY:

2013 SEASON

The B-Sens captain and best all-round player has experience and poise on his side as Ottawa looks to fill out its blue line ... Currently second in Binghamton scoring with 24 points, including nine goals ... Spent last year in Russia with Moscow Spartak of the KHL ... Had 11 goals and 55 points in 73 games for B-Sens two seasons ago ... A native of St. Albert who was never drafted despite a stellar junior career in Kitchener, he has played just eight NHL games, with one assist and six penalty minutes.

SENATORS

Saturday Sun n Saturday, January 12, 2013

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WELCOME BACK, SENS!

Mark Borowiecki D

Patrick Wiercioch D 2011-12 team: Binghamton (AHL) 2011-12 (NHL) stats: None

THE SKINNY:

2013 SEASON

Overcame a serious neck injury last season that threatened to end his career ... Former second-round pick (2008) thickened up with a rigorous training program over the summer ... Paired mostly with Benoit, he sits as the B-Sens fourth leading scorer with 18 points, including nine goals ... In 57 games for B-Sens last season, had four goals, 20 points and a minus-14 rating ... Played eight games with Ottawa in 2010-11, picking up two assists and four PIMS ... Close friend of Senators centre Kyle Turris.

2011-12 team: Binghamton (AHL)/Senators 2011-12 (NHL) stats: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS, minus-1, 2 PIMS

THE SKINNY:

2013 SEASON

A native of Kanata who is deemed one of the organization’s hardest workers, the former fifth-round pick (2008) is expected to soon be a regular for his hometown team ... “BoroCop” is a good skater who enjoys a physical game. Despite missing time with an injury, he leads the B-Sens with 96 penalty minutes this season ...

Also has one goal, four assists and a share of the team plus-minus lead (with Wiercioch and Eric Gryba) at plus-12 ... Had 22 points, an even plus-minus and 127 PIMS for B-Sens last season.

14 SENATORS

Saturday Sun n Saturday, January 12, 2013

WELCOME BACK, SENS!

ROBIN LEHNER G

MARK STONE RW 2011-12 team: Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) 2011-12 stats: 66 GP, 41 G, 82 A, 123 PTS, plus-45, 22 PIMS

2013 SEASON

THE SKINNY: A steal as a sixth-round pick in 2010 when he was coming off injury,

was a prolific scorer in junior hockey ... Has size, great hockey sense and soft hands, ...

Continues to work on his skating, the one drawback in his game ... Set up winning goal in his one NHL game to date, in playoffs versus New York Rangers ... Hampered by injury this season, he has six goals and seven assists in 23 games with the B-Sens ... Will have a shot at playing some games in Ottawa this year even if he doesn’t crack the lineup at camp.

2011-12 team: Binghamton (AHL)/Senators 2011-12 (NHL) stats: 5 GP, 3-2-0 W-L-OT, 1 SO, .935 save %, 2.01 G.A.A.

THE SKINNY:

2013 SEASON

Spent most of last season behind a B-Sens team depleted by NHL callups and performed inconsistently (13-22-1, .907 save %, 3.26 G.A.A.) ... At lockout’s end, was best goalie in the AHL with league leading .945 save percentage in 21 games ...

Despite two-way contract, will be at Ottawa training camp to compete for a job against two goalies who are guaranteed NHL pay ... Former second-round pick (46th overall) in 2009 dropped about 30 pounds last summer and now carries between 210-215 on 6-foot-3 frame ... In 13 career NHL games, is 4-6-0 with one shutout, .910 save % and 2.81 G.A.A.

SENATORS

Saturday Sun n Saturday, January 12, 2013

WELCOME BACK, SENS!

BEN BISHOP G

CRAIG ANDERSON G 2011-12 team: Senators 2011-12 stats: 63 GP, 33-22-6 W-L-OT, 3 SO, .914 save %, .284 G.A.A.

THE SKINNY:

2013 SEASON

Missed most of March after claiming to slice hand with a knife while separating frozen chicken at home, but otherwise had a good first full season as a Senator ... The 31-year old was the team’s best player in the playoffs versus Rangers, giving up an average of two goals per game while compiling a .933 save percentage ... Hasn’t played a competitive game since April 16, Game 7 loss at MSG. Spent the lockout between his Florida home and travelling to play in charity games ... Entering the second of a four-year deal that pays him a salary of $3.188 million.

2011-12 team: Peoria (AHL)/Binghamton (AHL)/Senators 2011-12 (NHL) stats: 10 GP, 3-3-2 W-L-OT, 0 SO, .909 save %, 2.48 G.A.A.

THE SKINNY:

2013 SEASON

Established himself as one of the top goaltending prospects in 38 games for St. Louis farm team last season with 24 wins, six shutouts, a .928 save percentage and 2.26 GAA ... Acquired for a second-round pick when Anderson disappeared with the hand injury ... Expected to be named Anderson’s backup over Robin Lehner as he is on a one-way contract ... Has a record of 8-3-1 with a 2.66 G.A.A and .928 save percentage with the B-Sens this season.

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