Senators Articles: Agreement would affect B-Sens
February 17, 2005

Posted by: Bob Howard
Credit: Press Connects.com

Agreement would affect B-Sens

BINGHAMTON -- If an agreement is reached today to salvage the NHL season, the Binghamton Senators will have to begin a scavenger hunt to replenish their ravaged roster.

Certain to rejoin the parent Ottawa Senators are forwards Jason Spezza, Antoine Vermette and Josh Langfeld and defensemen Brian Pothier and Anton Volchenkov. They represent five of the club's top eight scorers and 46 percent of its offense.

Others, like goalie Ray Emery, winger Denis Hamel and captain Chris Kelly, also may be considered for roster spots.

Ottawa has only three players -- forwards Gregg Johnson and Derek Campbell and goalie Kelly Guard -- under contract in the lower minors. Johnson and Campbell most likely would be promoted to Binghamton.

"We stay in touch with Johnson and Campbell, but if (an NHL agreement) happens, we'll need more players than that," B-Sens executive vice president Tom Mitchell said Tuesday night. "It'll be a bit of a scramble, but there are (free-agent) players out there."

If an agreement is reached by today's 11 a.m. deadline, Mitchell said he's confident the players would remain with the B-Sens through the weekend.