Potential List Of Black Aces Available For Ottawa Senators
With Ottawa in the midst of a playoff run, an influx of players from Binghamton will be available once their season is completed on Saturday.
With the Binghamton Senators 2014-'15 season concluding with a pair of games on the docket this weekend, the focus will then shift to the potential players filling roles as Black Aces for the parent club's post season run. Nothing will be solidified until at least Sunday, as Binghamton will not be participating in the playoffs for the first time under head coach Luke Richardson's three years at the helm.
Most of these picks should be a no-brainer if you follow the B-Sens. If not, let's begin with the seven selections with some brief snippets to back them up.
Defense
Chris Wideman - Having a season to remember as Wideman has done it all with offensive production to back him up including a new club record for most points in a season (61) breaking Andre Benoit's old record of 55 in 2010-'11. Chris also earned the Eddie Shore Award for best defenseman in the AHL and was selected on the 1st Team All-Star squad.
Fredrik Claesson - Most consistent player on the blue line as a stay at home defenseman, although he did score the overtime game winner on a rare breakaway (!) against the Utica Comets this past Wednesday night. Steady play and likes to get physical around the net while clearing out the lanes.
Offense
Shane Prince - Career high in all three offensive categories as Shane has matured and has become more polished while posting up 27 goals, 36 assists in 71 games in his third season in Binghamton. Should have gotten a longer look up top other then two games but hey, at least he did get a peek at. However, this might be the final days between himself and the organization as Tim Murray might make a move in bringing him home to the Buffalo area during the off-season.
Derek Grant - The veteran of the picks with five years under his belt with the Senators Organization. Has career highs of 20 tallies and 17 helpers in 72 games and is tied with Prince with nine power play goals. Also continues to thrive on the PK being paired up often with Buddy Robinson.
Mr. Robinson - Was going to get the call-up right before the incredible run for the Sens to reach the playoffs. Great Awesome work on the PK using his full 6' 5" frame and extending his reach with the stick making life havoc for the opposing team's power play units while also creating shorthanded opportunities for the offense. Leads the club with a +11.
Cole Schneider - On the fence with this pick as on paper Schneider has had a remarkable season posting a team leading 28 goals and 28 assists in 68 games. Somewhat slow footed, but makes up for his puck awareness on the offensive side of play with pin point passes and crafty play around the net.
Goaltending
Chris Driedger - This kid has solid potential as he is undefeated for Binghamton going 6-0-0-0 in 8 games with a 2.55 GAA and 0.923 SV%. Quick reflexes and positionally sound but needs to work on his glove and controlling his rebounds. Although not sure on his status recently suffering a leg injury in a pile up in the crease forcing him to leave the game early on Wednesday.
After-mentions
There might be two long shot addition's to the selections with one being forward Carter Camper, as he is also having a career season in producing points and two, a really long shot in defenseman Alex Grant. (Did I really just mention him with his club leading -18 rating?!) Ok, perhaps not.
Who knows what may happen as Ottawa is down two games to zip to Montreal as head coach Dave Cameron might dig deep and use one of his options that are on the list of Black Aces.
- Up next we'll be taking a look on how things took shape in Binghamton's final fourth quarter in a two part series of the Grades Report.
