Senators sign D Lee Sweatt to two-year, two-way deal
The Ottawa Senators have signed defenseman Lee Sweatt to a two-year, two-way deal. Sweatt spent last year in the Vancouver Canucks organization, playing 41 games with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL. The 25 year-old put up 14 points with the Moose, and saw action in three NHL games.
Unfortunately for Sweatt, he's joining an organization with so much depth on the blueline that his chance at a call up seems fairly slim. The Senators currently have five defensemen who are under one-way contracts this season (Phillips, Kuba, Gonchar, Lee, and Carkner) and another who is a lock to play (Karlsson). In addition, prospects Jared Cowen and David Rundblad are expected to be given every opportunity to make the team this season, leaving a very full NHL blueline. Finally, there are other prospects in the Ottawa system who are likely to be near the top of the list for call ups, such as Patrick Wiercioch, Mark Borowiecki, and Eric Gryba.
Even if Sweatt doesn't spend much time in the NHL, it's a solid signing, as he can help fill in the holes left in Binghamton's defense after the losses of Geoff Kinrade (who is going to the Czech Republic) and Andre Benoit (who may be going to Sweden).