The on-ice portion of training camp opened yesterday, but was primarily dedicated to on-ice testing so there were no scrimmages or line combinations to speak of going on. That will begin today as we get a peek at what the club might look like and what is going through Dave Cameron's mind.
The Senators camp has been kind of flying under the radar in the national spotlight, as they have had no captain to name, no new coach running the show, now prodigal son first round pick or no players under police investigation (to the best of my knowledge), and that is a good thing because it shows stability. Things seem pretty much set, with just a couple of spots up for grabs (more on that later).
The big question is what the Senators will do with Colin Greening. That is the first domino that will have to fall before determining who else will be around on opening night. If it were me, I would waive him, swallow the salary and stick him in Binghamton if he weren't to get claimed by another team willing to give him a shot.
That is if it were me, but I am not sure the Senators will do the same, although he will be making the money regardless of where he is, and at least in Bingo he would be playing for it and not sitting in the press box "earning" it in Ottawa.
Also, Chris Neil showed up looking ripped and in better shape than I have seen him, showing that he isn't going to just give his roster spot to someone else and that he will have something to say about who is in the lineup on any given night.
And you can take it for what it is worth and interpret it in your own way, but Bobby Ryan beat Erik Karlsson two out of three in head to head races during the testing.
So, before a skate has hit the ice for a scrimmage or exhibition game, the net is set with Craig Anderson and Andrew Hammond, at least for the time being. With Chris Phillips' injury, there are 6 defense spots spoken for, with Chris Wideman and Freddie Claesson most likely battling for the seventh spot. Wideman will require waivers while Claesson will not, probably giving Wideman the inside track and Claesson would have to outplay his teammate by a fair margin to usurp the spot from him.
Up front is where the shuffling will occur, and where the real battles for roster spots should ensue. Turris, Stone, MacArthur, Ryan, Zibanejad, Hoffman, Lazar, (EDIT) Pageau and Michalek will be everyday players and a decent top 9. Zack Smith has the inside track on the 4th line centre spot, while the battle for his wingers will come from Neil, Chiasson, Greening, Shane Prince, Matt Puempel and darkhorse Max McCormick, the latter of whom shone in rookie camp with his ability to play all facets of the game. Prince might get the inside track because like Wideman, he is no longer waiver exempt and could be at risk of getting plucked if they try to slip him to Binghamton. Admittedly, these conversations take place every year and a vast majority of players are never claimed but the risk is still there.
The Sens will be able to carry 14 forwards meaning two of Greening, Prince, Puempel and McCormick will be sent down, while the other two will battle to be in the lineup on any given night, with the veterans Neil and Chiasson.
Those battles will begin in earnest today and will continue over the next couple of weeks and all eyes will be on these inner competitions as each fan will have their own hope for who fills the last couple of roster spots. Just remember it isn't fantasy hockey and teams need all sorts of different roles to be filled to be successful.