Yesterday the Senators announced a Mika Zibanejad recall from Binghamton.

At first glance, the news is surprising in the sense that when looking at his cumulative body of work this season; injuries and inconsistent production have plagued the young Swedish center. In fact, they contributed to why the Senators did not extend him an invitation to their abbreviated training camp.

So although he only has four goals and eleven points in 23 games, since returning to the Binghamton lineup on January 12^th, he has three goals, four points, 26 shots, and is a +6 in seven games.

Is this recent stretch of good play indicative of just how important the organization views points in this 48-game schedule?

It sure seems that way.

Zibanejad Practicing In Ottawa

Senators recall forward Mika Zibanejad from Binghamton.

— Renaud Lavoie (@RenLavoieRDS) January 28, 2013

The AHL All Star break is the official explanation for the timing of the recall, and the scuttlebutt seems to be he's still unlikely to play tomorrow, but with Alfie getting over/still suffering from the flu you never know. Judging from the plaudits MacLean sent Mika's way during his 9 game stint last year ("he's an NHL player, blah, blah, blah)...I wouldn't be totally shocked to see him thrown in the lineup. Exciting times.

A noice Z-BAD goal of late.

I Keep Forgetting Mike Lundin

The head coach had an update on the health of Lundin in an appearance on In The Box this morning:

"He's not close (to playing), I think he got the pins out of his fingers, I"m gonna say yesterday or the day before. But he's still not skating with the team yet until he gets the proper flexibility, and that could be...I"m gonna take a guess and say another ten days at least before he gets that, before he'd be able to skate with us. And it could be another ten days before he even gets in the lineup, but we'll see how it is. We're looking forward to getting him, first of all just getting him to see him in practice."

Original timeline from Murray had Lundin getting healthy right about now. I guess we'd all be talking about this guy a lot more if the D was struggling as much as many of us expected.

Good Lehner Quote

Since returning to Bingo, Robin has started two games, won both, and stopped 78/80 shots in the process. Prettay good. He was also saying all the right things in comments to the Press & Sun-Bulletin Saturday night:

"It's a little bit hard for me. People like to put me as immature or whatnot, but the guy that likes to get sent down probably won't get called up again. I really like this team and city and I've grown to love this arena. We've had our ups and downs through the years. It started with tough love and it's been going uphill from there. Last year, speaking for myself, I wasn't having any fun. It was not a great atmosphere and this year has been awesome. when you play happy, you play better."

Relative Improvement

Ottawa was ranked 29th last year in PIM/G, through 5 games they're being penalized more per game (14.8), but have still managed to leapfrog 16 teams into 13th place. I love small samples!

Just the other day, Scott touched upon a report by Andrey Osadchenko indicating Ottawa was in talks to sign undrafted defenceman Viktor Antipin.

Although Ottawa’s depth in general is enviable – just ask Eugene Melnyk – there’s a discernible difference between quantity versus quality.

On the blue line, a number of players have graduated from Binghamton to join Erik Karlsson and Jared Cowen on the Senators’ blueline. We’re only two games into the start of the 2013 NHL season, but Patrick Wiercioch has not looked out of place and Mark Borowiecki is still waiting to make his first appearance of the season.

There are other defencemen within the system too.

Eric Gryba is one player whose prospects the organization seem to be quite high on. Luke Richardson was on the Team 1200 yesterday afternoon singling Gryba out as being one of the key reasons why the B-Sens haven’t missed a beat despite the absence of the players who graduated to the NHL.

And I haven’t even mentioned 2012 first rounder Cody Ceci. Having participated in Ottawa’s improvised training camp, one can hope that an extended playoff run with the Owen Sound Attack will help expedite his development and put him on the fast track for success.

The problem for Ottawa is that Ceci may realistically be one to three years away from being a dependable NHL regular. While the ceilings of the Senators remaiing defensive propects are somewhat limited.

For an organization that seemingly has depth and skill at a number of positions, the hope for every Sens fan is that the team can create a balanced pool of prospects at every position so that when the team is poised to make its ascent to Stanley Cup contention, it has fewer internal weaknesses. Balanced depth allows the team to sustain its window of opportunity or at the very least, it allows the organization to peddle depth for better talent.

Having missed out on Justin Schultz earlier in the summer and with the team allegedly talking with the representatives for Antipin, the organization has obviously identified the backend as an area that needs addressing.

Besides pursuing Antipin, there are a number of other intriguing possibilities that are worth revisiting.

Appearing on NHL Tonight Wednesay evening, Bob McKenzie saved a minute to discuss the Senators goaltending...and its future. Beyond referencing Luongo's continued stay in Vancouver as an impediment to goalie movement around the league, the other interesting nugget had Calgary as a possible Bishop landing spot.

Swatting away any speculation that Anderson could be on the outs, Bob seemed certain that Bishop was "the odd man out", and "that at some point Ben Bishop will be traded" when the market improves.

Speaking of which, Mike Smith was injured last night...

Of course it'd also probably help Bishop's value to play a game in 2013, which we might see this weekend.

From Bob McKenzie via TSN990: 

"At some point the notion of trading PK Subban is something that I think the Montreal Canadiens may decide to deal with."

So why would I care that a rebuilding Northeast Division rival's rookie GM is possibly on the verge of trading it's most marketable, young first pairing defenceman? And did I neglect to mention the future consequences of potentially irking said player's best friend, who also happens to be the franchise goalie? 

Because silly, mediocrity is hilarious.

And this news will probably culminate with Bryan Murray and Eugene Melnyk having the following conversation: 

Eugene Melnyk: "Hey Bry, hold on a second..." *puts call on hold and The Troggs' 'With A Girl Like You' starts playing

Bryan Murray: *starts humming* 

One minute elapses... 

Bryan Murray: "Baby baby is there no chance. I can take you for the last dance. All night long yeah. I've been waiting. Now there'll be no hesitating. So before this dance has reached the end. Ba ba ba ba, ba ba ba. To you across the floor, my love I'll send... Ba ba ba ba, ba ba ba..." 

Eugene Melnyk: "Okay, I'm back. You will never believe what just happened during tonight's Leaflet broadcast."

Bryan Murray: "... A James Reimer save?" 

Eugene Melnyk: "Who? What? No, guess again."

Bryan Murray: "Well, it couldn't have been a Leafs prospect that has panned out. I give up. What'd you see?"

Eugene Melnyk: "Hold onto your chair and buckle your seatbelt, Bryan. PK Subban."

Bryan Murray: "... is doing TV for TSN now? I thought he was an analyst for Sportsnet?"

Eugene Melnyk: "Better. Bob McKenzie believes the Subban/Montreal situation may end in a trade."

Bryan Murray: "Well, that's great for us. It should certainly make the Habs worse."

Eugene Melnyk: "Get him."

Bryan Murray: "What?"

Eugene Melnyk: "Get. Him."

Bryan Murray: "What? Why? No."

Eugene Melnyk: "But I want him! You have to get him Bryan. Remember the last time a GM ignored my pleas to bring in a player?"

Bryan Murray: (silence)

Eugene Melnyk: *whispers* "Gary Roberts, Bryan. Gary Roberts." 

Bryan Murray: (more silence)

Eugene Melnyk: "GARY FUCKING  ROBERTS!!! You want to get Mucklered Bryan? I will Muckler you up. 

Bryan Murray: "Okay, okay. I'll call Marc."

Eugene Melnyk: "Good. Because I have an E-card to finish..." 

"Come home PK." ~ signed, The Euge

And you thought listening to Bob Cole and Harry Neale call a Senators game was tough... 

Thanks to @kerfluffer for passing along the link.