After being played sparingly on Ottawa’s fourth line alongside the likes of Jesse Winchester and Erik Condra, the Senators have finally returned the once ballyhooed Nikita Filatov back to Binghamton.
Bruce Garrioch actually just commented on Filatov via Twitter, Does anybody get the fact that Filatov hasn’t gotten more ice time because he hasn’t earned it? That’s the hammer the coach holds.
Here is a look at his recent four game sample size:
- October 30th vs Toronto: 5 minutes 16 seconds TOI; 2 hits; and 1 shot.
- November 1st vs Boston: 6 minutes and 34 seconds TOI; 22 seconds of PP TOI; nothing but zeroes on his game log.
- November 4th vs Montreal: 7 minutes and 18 seconds TOI; 1 hit; and 1 shot on goal.
- November 5th vs Buffalo: 8 minutes and 51 seconds TOI; 45 seconds of PP TOI; 1 hit; and 1 shot on goal.
Of course the most obvious and positive trend is that his ice-time and role gradually increased on a game-by-game basis.
Am I completely grasping at straws?
You bet.
Despite a modest increase in ice-time, Filatov obviously hasn’t been rewarded with better linemates who are tailored to Filatov’s style and skillset.
As I mentioned in an article on Saturday, if he was not going to put in a position to succeed or be given the minutes and quality of linemates to gain some confidence, there is no sense keeping him in Ottawa. He needs to play and his minutes could be easily replaced by some player who is of lesser importance to Binghamton.
Greening Leaves Practice Early
According to The Score‘s Daniel Slater’s Twitter account, here’s what head coach Paul MacLean had to say on why Colin Greening left midway through this morning’s practice: “He just got tired. The cyborg got tired.”
Alfie Closer to a Return?
For the first time since he sustained a concussion from the illegal but not illegal enough for Shanahan to do the right thing and suspend Wolski for his elbow, Daniel Alfredsson skated today and could possibly do his baseline concussion test tomorrow. This test is simply a prerequisite to him being physically cleared to play.
According to Sportsnet’s Ian Mendes, (Alfie) was on the ice for about 30 minutes at Scotibank Place, prior to his team’s scheduled practice. MacLean said Alfredsson is progressing in the right direction and has not been experiencing symptoms with the increased amount of physical activity.
Turris to Ottawa? Not So Fast
According to the Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch, Phoenix Coyotes GM Don Maloney is adamant that under no circumstances will restricted free agent Kyle Turris be traded by the Phoenix Coyotes.
“Under no circumstances whatsoever — and I’m not sure what language I have to (use). We will not trade Kyle Turris this season,” said Maloney. “We want him back and if he wants to play in the NHL, he’ll sign with us.”
In other words, this Turris vs Maloney feud has turned into an old fashioned cock-measuring contest.
As I wrote for Bloguin’s new all-encompassing hockey blog Puck Drunk Love, Maloney’s fighting an unwinnable battle here.
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