Stocking the Coffers - The Wacey Hamilton Edition
It's not too often that you can say something positive about (a) Hamilton but in Wacey Hamilton's case, I'll make an exception. Today the Senators organization announced the signing of the overage center to a 3-year entry level contract. Although he's not the biggest of bodies -- 6'0", 177 lbs -- the Medicine Hat Tigers captain has enjoyed some productive junior seasons and judging by his PIM totals, he's not afraid to get his nose a litty dirty.
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-11 Regular Season | Medicine Hat Tigers | 65 | 20 | 52 | 72 | 15 | 113 |
| 2009-10 Regular Season | Medicine Hat Tigers | 67 | 24 | 47 | 71 | 28 | 100 |
| 2008-09 Regular Season | Medicine Hat Tigers | 37 | 4 | 13 | 17 | 9 | 64 |
| 2007-08 Regular Season | Medicine Hat Tigers | 63 | 13 | 19 | 32 | 12 | 95 |
| Total: | 232 | 61 | 131 | 192 | 64 | 372 | |
Or get his nose a little brown...
“There were other teams that offered sort of the same thing but we felt Ottawa was a really good fit. They are kind of rebuilding right now, so maybe there's a bit more of an opportunity to get called up and make an impact at a younger age. In the end my family and agent and I all felt it was the best fit."
Okay, so maybe I exaggerated how complimentary he was towards Senators organization. However, Hamilton's comment is important nonetheless. One of the benefits of being a bottom feeding club is that you can offer CHL or collegiate overagers a better opportunity to contribute in the professional ranks. It's a low risk gamble that Bryan Murray has used to his to his advantage in the past. Dating back to his days in Anaheim, he has been able to bring in players like Craig Schira, Bobby Butler, Dustin Penner, Chris Kunitz, Andy MacDonald and Ryan Shannon by pursuing this route. And considering the amount of pillaging that the big club has done to the Binghamton roster, it's only fitting that the team adds another young forward who will play next year on the farm or possibly join the Baby Sens for the playoffs this season.
Assuming that Murray can get Louie Caporusso to ink his name on a contract once his NCAA season is over, maybe Bingo's depth is something that can be restocked quite easily.
It's also a bit of a sub-note but it's interesting to see that Cory Clouston's brother is Hamilton's head coach. This would be the second transaction in less than a month -- the first being Marek Svatos -- that the Senators have made regarding players with ties to Clouston. I wonder if it's a sign that the coach is being given some more rope to work with. Or as Damian Cox would say, you at least have to ask the question, right?
To read up more on Hamilton, you can read this story that is featured on the Medicine Hat Tigers website or you can listen to Assistant GM Tim Murray comment on the signing below.
You mention an interesting point about Clouston getting more rope. I have been thinking about this for the last little while, about both Murray and Clouston. Obviously due to the, as I would say, night and day difference in how the team is playing after the trades and so forth.
I somewhat figure a likely plan for next year is to still have Murray and possibly Clouston still in their respective positions next year. Basically, giving them a mulligan on this year and signing them both to 1 year deals. It's a relatively risk free move for Melnyk, at worst he gets a top 3rd draft pick next year and benefits from whatever intangible Bryan Murray seems to bring to drafting and scouting over the next 12+ months. Though if Lindy Ruff was available, I'd make a play to get him. Not pay a kings ransom or anything, but make a serious offer.
@RyanH Re: Ruff
I think in between his cry sessions, new owner Terry Pegula said that Ruff and Darcy Regier wouldn't be going anywhere.
