Re-Stocking Bingo

When news broke that Roman Wick was likely coming into training camp next season to try and earn a spot on the roster, it was apparently just the tip of the iceberg. (Ed. note: Here’s our link with a Jay Grossman’s explanation of why Wick would still be classified as Senators property.)

Now that the Senators have officially confirmed the signing of Bobby Butler, there’s been an influx of prospect news with the organization:

• As per TSN’s Brent Wallace, Butler has signed a two year deal with the Senators and is expected to get into a game or two to get his feet wet. TSN has some quotes from Bryan Murray about his evaluation of Butler.
• With his Soo Greyhounds having been eliminated from the OHL playoffs, Robin Lehner has joined the Binghamton Senators. In other words, any confidence that Cheechoo has developed by practicing against the likes of Mike Brodeur, Andy Chiodo and Chris Holt is now gone.
• Boston University defenceman Eric Gryba has officially signed on with the Senators thereby ending his NCAA career. Like Lehner, Gryba will join the Baby Senators in Binghamton.
• And some guy named Brian Lee was called up from Binghamton because Anton Volchenkov doesn’t look like he can go against the Washington Capitals tomorrow night.
• The Ottawa Citizen is reporting that Patrick Wiercioch has signed with the team and will report to the Senators. There’s apparently no urgency to get Wiercioch or any of the other rookies into the lineup since their contracts will be triggered and the Senators will lose a year of eligibility. Instead, Wiercioch may get into some games in Binghamton. It’s too bad really. I was already beginning to look forward to Brian Lee’s first egregious turnover against the Capitals that will causally increase the amount of clamouring for Wiercioch to assume Lee’s spot.
• The Spokane Chiefs, who are down 3-2 in their playoff series against the Seattle Thunderbirds Portland Winter Hawks, are playing their Game 6 tonight. Barring a loss, Jared Cowen will likely be the next Senators prospect to make the jump to the professional ranks.

First Star

As expected, Brian Elliott was named the NHL’s first star of the week for posting a 4-0-0 record, two shutouts, a .967 save percentage and a GAA of 1.00. It was the third time this season that Elliott was awarded with this distinction.

Kaleta Out, Karma’s a Bitch

The Winnipeg Free Press is reporting that Patrick Kaleta had thumb surgery and will likely miss the next two weeks recuperating from the procedure. Kaleta suffered the injury while diving into the end boards and embarrassing himself in the process. Since it was only a thumb injury and he now has all of this free time on his hands, Kaleta can now take up Mike Fisher’s suggestion that he play soccer.