Transcript from the live chat;
Welcome to a live blog hosted by pressconnects where those with an interest in the Binghamton Senators can discuss the upcoming season with Press & Sun-Bulletin B-Sen beat writer Mike Sharp.
Thursday October 29, 2009 5:57
5:57
You are welcome to comment on all aspects of the game. Please keep comments focused on the B-Sens and related topics. Be respectful to each other.
Thursday October 29, 2009 5:57
5:58
Welcome, everyone. Last time we held one of these, the big news was Ilya Zubov's departure. Today, it's Erik Karlsson's arrival.
Thursday October 29, 2009 5:58
6:01
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:01
6:02
[Comment From GuestGuest: ]
whats the story with yabo????
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:02 Guest
6:03
Jeremy Yablonski is listed as day-to-day with muscle spasms. I don't think he'll play Friday night.
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:03
6:03
[Comment From Guest Guest: ]
How's Brodeur doing?
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:03 Guest
6:05
Mike Brodeur seems to have rebounded fine from his bout with dizziness last Saturday night in Hershey. He's been on the ice for practice each day this week. He thinks it was a bug.
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:05
6:07
A few questions from the blog:
1. Is Jim O'Brien hurt as he did not skate today????
2. Also how did Erik Karlsson look to you today? Is he as skilled as people have said?
3. Last how long will Volchenkov be out I heard 3 weeks, can you update?
4. With Yablonski's injury obviously more serious then we all anticipated it was, will the Senators look from outside the organization to possibly bring another tough guy into the mix?
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:07
6:08
1. My understanding is that O'Brien is sick.
2. Nice start for Karlsson. He'll definitely bring some skill to that back end, and I'm curious to see if his arrival can help kick Binghamton's power play out of its slump. He was lined up across from Martin St. Pierre on the point for Binghamton's top power-play unit, behind Josh Hennessy, Zack Smith and Ryan Keller.
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:08
6:12
3. In this article on OttawaSenators.com, Cory Clouston says Volchenkov will miss at least a couple weeks. (
'A big loss' for Senators - Ottawa Senators - Features)
4. I'm not sure they're ready to say Yablonski's injury is a longer-term thing yet. My guess is he'll more than likely sit out Friday night's game, then be re-evaluated next week.
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:12
6:12
[Comment From Eric Eric: ]
Any chance we see Elliot return? I realize he's in backup role in Ottawa role now, but I thought Ottawa was grooming him. You can only groom so much by sitting a guy on the benchbench.
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:12 Eric
6:14
I doubt we see Elliott again.
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:14
6:14
[Comment From Guest Guest: ]
Do you see Karlsson committed to playing in Bingo if it means the entire season? Or will he go to Sweden after some time here
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:14 Guest
6:15
He seems to have come in with a good attitude, saying he had a nice talk with coach Nachbaur this morning, that he knew most of the guys down here, and that it was a good group. Again, we'll wait and see how things play out, but at least for Day 1, he was saying all the right things -- and seemed sincere.
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:15
6:16
[Comment From Zekea Zekea: ]
can we expect more scoring from lines 2-7????
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:16 Zekea
6:16
[Comment From Zekea Zekea: ]
opps 7 is 4
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:16 Zekea
6:17
[Comment From DeanVenture DeanVenture: ]
Do you think Craig Schira will be like Tomas Kudelka was 2 years ago and spend a good chunk of his rookie season playing in Elmira?
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:17 DeanVenture
6:18
Good question, Zekea. I think Winchester's arrival has helped give this offense a bit more depth, though he's only here for another week. Denis Hamel spent today's practice on the "second line" alongside Zack Smith and Eric Condra, so coach Nachbaur is clearly trying to spread things out a bit more.
Scoring depth is certainly a key issue right now.
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:18
6:19
[Comment From TyDomi TyDomi: ]
Will it be harder to keep foreigners in the AHL now that the foreign leagues are gaining more credibility, and playing in cities that are a little more cosmopolitan than AHL cities?
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:19 TyDomi
6:21
Regarding Schira: I think Brian Lee's call-up today delayed any decisions Binghamton might have had to make about potentially sending a D man to Elmira with Karlsson's arrival. When and if he's back, you'd figure someone likely goes. Coach Nachbaur has said from the start that he doesn't want the younger guys just sitting around.
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:21
6:24
TyDomi, this goes back to what we were talking about around the time Ilya Zubov decided to go back to Russia. ... I think the KHL is the key league to watch right now, and I think NHL clubs are still kind of waiting to see what the long-term impact of the league will be -- particularly on an organization's depth. But sure, there are plenty of temptations with going overseas, including some good money and the chance to see a different part of the world for a season. What the AHL still has going for it, though, is that it keeps prospects one step, one injury, one suspension, one prolonged slump away from the NHL.
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:24
6:24
[Comment From Guest Guest: ]
Do you think Richardson has a chance to come down to help our D-man again this season?
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:24 Guest
6:24
Yes, I got the impression Richardson would definitely be back again.
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:24
6:27
Regarding Erik Karlsson, here was his exact quote about getting sent down this week: "It's not fun to get (that) news, but I'm here now, and I'm going to do everything I can to play good. And I know almost all the guys here, and I know it's a good group. And I'm going to have a fun time down here, as long as I'm here, and work hard."
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:27
6:27
[Comment From TyDomi TyDomi: ]
You've been to a lot of AHL arenas. Not counting Binghamton, which team has the most rabid fans and which arena has the best atmosphere?
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:27 TyDomi
6:28
Another good one, TyDomi. ... The ones that come immediately to mind are Syracuse and Wilkes-Barre, and certainly, Hershey really packs them in as well.
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:28
6:29
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:29
6:31
[Comment From Guest Guest: ]
When are we going to see this kid Holt in Elmira and how has he been so far w/ the Jackels Mike?
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:31 Guest
6:32
[Comment From Guest Guest: ]
How much longer do you think it'll take Ottawa to make some trades if we don't start winning down here? If they guys can't play in the system and win down here, why not get rid of them for guys that can?
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:32 Guest
6:32
[Comment From Zekea Zekea: ]
On Erik Karlsson he is only 19 & I am sure he will make many mistakes down here. I just hope the local vocal posting fans cut him some slack till he improves as he is here to learn.
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:32 Zekea
6:34
Chris Holt's off to a strong start -- 2-0-0, 1.97 goals-against average, .922 save percentage with the Jackals. Not really sure when we see him here, but it's a long season, and I'm sure he's here at some point.
6:38
Regarding the trades: I asked coach Nachbaur about the potential for personnel changes last week, and he emphasized that he was being patient with this group, which in many cases is still very, very young.
The six-game winless skid wasn't good, obviously, but it's funny, had they won just one of those games, Binghamton would be tied for first right now. So yeah, the start has fallen short of expectations, but in my opinion, nine games in is way too early to make sweeping changes.
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:38
6:39
[Comment From Ski Ski: ]
Shannon was benched last night for Donovan, not sure if he was sick or not though, but do you see St. Pierre on his way up to Ottawa soon??
6:41
This is from The Ottawa Citizen (link here:
Panther makes the cut)
Coach Cory Clouston made it clear Wednesday’s decision wasn’t entirely based on Shannon’s play.
“Half it is probably because Shean Donovan needs to play,” Clouston said. “He played well before that, and it gets into a numbers game. Ryan does have to be better. He’s struggling right now.
“(I’m) just trying to find a little bit of rhythm for him. I don’t think it’s a bad thing for him to step back, take a look maybe from the stands and refocus, regroup.
“But I think Shean has deserved it. He has practised hard, he has played well. Sometimes those things happen.”
Clouston conceded he was in a delicate situation as he tried to fine lineup spots for everyone.
At least in this case, it doesn't sound like adding more bodies to the equation is the answer.
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:41
6:42
[Comment From piklesletticecheezBIGMAC piklesletticecheezBIGMAC: ]
yo sharp i don't want to have to get pushy, but i need some pre- and post-game twitter updates. can't you hook a brotha up?
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:42 piklesletticecheezBIGMAC
6:42
Big Mac, there you are... The blog isn't cutting it for you?
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:42
6:43
[Comment From piklesletticecheezBIGMAC piklesletticecheezBIGMAC: ]
I mean, it's aight, but I love the inter sportswriter banter .. can't you AHL folks start sending funny tweets to one another? It's like a window into your privileged world
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:43 piklesletticecheezBIGMAC
6:44
Haha, I don't know about privileged, but I can look into it.
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:44
6:45
[Comment From piklesletticecheezBIGMAC piklesletticecheezBIGMAC: ]
You think there's a chance Lee doesn't come back?
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:45 piklesletticecheezBIGMAC
6:46
Once a guy goes up, you just never know. I mean, if Volchenkov recovers in a timely fashion, and no one else gets hurt in the meantime, then yes, there's probably a decent chance Lee comes back, by virtue of his two-way deal. But then again, there's always the chance someone else gets hurt in the meantime, thus delaying his return.
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:46
6:47
[Comment From Jeff Platsky Jeff Platsky: ]
I can hook Sharp with a Twitter account for the B-sens. Give me a couple of days to work it out.
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:47 Jeff Platsky
6:49
[Comment From piklesletticecheezBIGMAC piklesletticecheezBIGMAC: ]
what's the biggest thing this season in the league, but not dealing with the sens, that's surprised you
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:49 piklesletticecheezBIGMAC
6:49
[Comment From TyDomi TyDomi: ]
Who's the best enforcer you've seen so far this season?
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:49 TyDomi
6:49
[Comment From piklesletticecheezBIGMAC piklesletticecheezBIGMAC: ]
Platsky who are you, you work for Twitter? Big brother's always watchin ...
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:49 piklesletticecheezBIGMAC
6:49
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:49
6:51
TyDomi, I've yet to see Brandon Sugden fight for Hershey this season. Yablonski and Mirasty are obviously always impressive, but I'm going to reserve comment until I see Sugden fight.
6:51
BigMac, Jeff Platsky is our Digital Desk editor.
6:52
Regarding the biggest surprise, I'm not sure this is it, but do you remember how badly Rochester and San Antonio struggled off the start last season? Both are in first place right now.
6:53
[Comment From TyDomi TyDomi: ]
You think Yabo or Mirasty can hold a candle to Domi in his prime?
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:53 TyDomi
6:54
[Comment From Zekea Zekea: ]
Roch 8-1-1 last ten
6:56
TyDomi, we'll have to get one of those computer programs like in the last Rocky. For all the Domi fans out there:
Thursday October 29, 2009 6:56
6:57
(Sorry was trying to find a good Domi montage on there somewhere.)
6:58
[Comment From Ski Ski: ]
Domi was a monster for his size, no comparison..
7:00
[Comment From Dave Dave: ]
Do you think the BSENS really have a shot at making the playoffs?
7:04
I do. They just went six games without a win (until Saturday), and their power play is 1-for-34 over the last seven games, and yet, they're still just two points out of first. The East Division is already tight-locked.
I don't know if this team is as talented as the one that began here last season, but at the same time, I think there's less of a chance this year's team gets blown up quite the same way last year's did.
Obviously, they're going to need to cut down on their goals-against, improve on the power play and find some more consistent secondary scoring.
7:05
[Comment From piklesletticecheezBIGMAC piklesletticecheezBIGMAC: ]
"Obviously, they're going to need to cut down on their goals-against, improve on the power play and find some more consistent secondary scoring. " Is this like the Mets saying they only need Carlos Beltran, Jose Ryees and Carlos Delgado healthy by July to win the division?
7:07
[Comment From Dave Dave: ]
I was at the meet the players dinner the other night, and they seem like a close team from the outside looking in. Do you agree about the chemistry of the team?
7:08
Well, it'll be interesting to see what kind of impact Erik Karlsson has on that power play. And the home fans get their first and only look at Jesse Winchester tomorrow night. So, Friday night's game should be an interesting one.
I'm getting the high sign to start wrapping this up, but tune into the blog for more coverage leading up to and after the Rochester game.
(Dave, several players -- like Winchester, for example -- have said the same thing so far.)
7:09
Thanks again to everyone who joined in. Another round of good questions. If you have any more, feel free to email me, or post them on the blog. Have a good one, and I'll see some of you tomorrow night.
Live Online Chat w/ Mike Sharp Thurs @6pm
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