Game 1 @ Winnipeg?

Jets scheduled to play Sens at MTS on Jan. 19th at 1 p.m. if new 48-game season starts on the 19th, that date likely holds #nhljets #bn

— gary lawless (@garylawless) January 3, 2013

Would be a big break to face Byfuglien before he's into game shape.

Wikstrand To Play For Gold On Saturday

While the Swedes won their group, I'm not sure many would have pegged them as a favourite in their semi-final with Russia today. The first period was a possession masterclass from the guys in blue and yellow, jumping out to a quick 2-0 lead. Eventually the home team found their legs and began to take over; drawing even at 2-2 eight minutes into the third. It was a tremendous game with some brilliant end-to-end stretches, eventually going the full distance to a shootout - with Sweden winning on a vicious Collberg backhander.

Wikstrand's game was generally solid considering the quality of opponents he was getting matched against. There were a few instances where he struggled with the Russian forecheck, but he wasn't alone in that by any means. He also did get walked bad by Yakupov with about four minutes left in the third, a play that was very close to being the game. Oh, and his shootout attempt was kind of wanting.

So, other than that stuff he played decent. He didn't make any tremendous offensive plays, but pretty consistently moved the puck smartly out of the zone and calmed things down when needed. 

Puempel "Re-aggravates" Shoulder

#OHLRangers F Matt Puempel not making the trip to Owen Sound today. Re-aggravated shoulder injury last Friday. Back to rehab.

— Mike Farwell (@farwell590) January 2, 2013

His initial shoulder injury occurred back on Nov. 27th, costing him an invite to Team Canada's WJC selection camp. A day before his Dec. 28 return to the Kitchener lineup, he spoke to the Waterloo Record:

Puempel was hoping to return before the six-day holiday break but didn’t want to push his luck. The nagging shoulder injury affected the most important aspect of his game — his shot release.

"It feels good when I'm shooting now," he said. "That's what we were waiting for."

Hopefully this is an issue that can be solved with physio, hate to see him come down with Regin-itis and have to go under the knife.

Spezza, Greening, Smith Depart Europe

Fresh off a Spengler Cup win (the first team championsip of his pro/junior/international career), Spezza is leaving his club team in Rapperswil and returning to Ottawa. Garrioch goes on to mention that Greening and Zack Smith have similarily decided to leave the Danish league.

Gonchar on the other hand, is staying put in Magnitogorsk for the moment. 

Malkin, Gonchar will wait until camp date is announced by #nhl to return from Russia. @penguins #lockout #NHLPA

— Rob Rossi (@RobRossi_Trib) January 2, 2013

Does being named KHL defenseman of the month boost a man's NHL trade value?

Earlier this week ESPN's Pierre Lebrun revealed the latest details from the 300-page CBA proposal that the NHL tabled for the NHLPA on December 27th. 

The NHL posed a variety of changes to its offer in an attempt to move the two sides closer to an agreement. I've highlighted a few of said changes below along with their potential impact on the Senators. 

• Term limit on player contracts moves to six years from the five years NHL asked in previous offers (seven years if you're re-signing your own player).

The longest contracts that the Bryan Murray regime has awarded since taking over for John Muckler belong to Jason Spezza (seven years, $49 million) and Erik Karlsson (seven years, $42.5 million). Including Murray’s signings of some past-their-prime stars like Alexei Kovalev and to a much lesser extent, Sergei Gonchar, the Murray regime has been pretty fiscally responsible with the payroll. We can attribute the organization’s ‘rebuild’ as one of the principle explanations for how the Senators went from a cap ceiling team to icing one of the least inexpensive rosters in the NHL, but despite some mainstream radio postulation that this could be the result of Eugene Melnyk’s personal finances and potential interest in selling the club, last summer’s chase of Rick Nash helps suppress whatever fears there may be that this team is unwilling to spend money on payroll once the team is ready to contend. More on this later…

• Year-to-year salary variance moves from 5 percent (NHL's previous offers) to 10 percent.

In an effort to crackdown on General Managers that circumvent the cap in the short-term by inking star players to exorbitant frontloaded long-term deals with inexpensive final years tacked onto the deal, the league is looking to crack down on contracts that have been handed out in recent years to the likes of Roberto Luongo, Marian Hossa, and Ilya Kovalchuk.  

Although Ottawa has never really structured a long-term deal like this, given the parameters, no future contracts could be structured like Daniel Alfredsson’s current four-year pact which featured two front loaded seasons at $7 million, one at $4.5 million and a fourth season at $1 million.

If GM's are limited in term and variance, I wouldn't be surprised if cap-hits for premier players rise.

Finally back on the ice again! #goodtobeback #missedit

— Mika Zibanejad (@MikaZibanejad) December 31, 2012

In light of all the postulating and uncertainty surrounding Mika Zibanejad's health, this is great news for the Binghamton Senators and the organization's most heralded of prospects.

There's no update on whether Zibanejad skated informally or at a team practice, but if you're looking for a timeline on his return, know that Luke Richardson has appeared to afford his players as much time as needed to recoup from an injury.

Using Stephane Da Costa's as a recent example, the player was in the gym regaining his strength and conditioning well before joining his teammates on the ice for a week's worth of practices.

It may take some time before Zibanejad is back in the lineup, but today was an encouraging first step. 

Jokerit topped HIFK 8-1 in today's Helsinki derby, with Karlsson supplying a meager one goal and four primary assists in his SM-Liga farewell:

He leaves behind a statline of 30GP 9G 25A 34PTS, a pace that had he stayed, would smash the league's all-time d-man points record.

There are plenty of great accounts of the game on HF in this thread, basically Jokerit fans love Karlsson long time. 

Video of Erik leading the crowd in a cheer post-game is below, as well as an appearance over the speakers of "Varldens Basta Karlsson" aka the Karlsson song!

Brandishing a record of 17-7-1-2, the Binghamton Senators currently reside in second place in the AHL’s East Division. Given the abundance of youth on the roster, a collective group that the organization likes to refer to as one of the youngest teams in the league, their place in the standings through the first third of the season may be somewhat surprising.

Not that it has anything to do with the fact that the B-Sens owned the league’s worst record in the previous season. The reason for the disbelief stems from the fact that the organization has been killed in the possession game.

Despite being outshot in 17 of their 27 games by a shot differential of -118 and owning the league’s worst shots allowed per game (36.4) mark in the league, somehow the Senators have managed to outscore the opposition 90-70. They are three shots per game worse than 29th ranked Norfolk (33.4). The team they are in spitting distance of for the division and conference lead, Syracause, is giving up only 24.8...or 11.6 shots per game fewer than the B-Sens!

Do yourself a favour and just watch the video entitled  'Världens bästa Karlsson (Jokerit)' -- it loosely translates to 'the world's best Karlsson' -- below and thank @mothballsuitor for the find.

I trust this will quickly become the people's choice for EK's goal song, alongside this little number for Cowen.

Update:

According to SteffeG, this song's character comes from a famous Swedish children's book written by Astrid Lindgren. The lyrics loosely translated by Google are: 

Good to see Alfie vicariously staying in shape by lending his likeness to this life-sized tabletop hockey game on display in Ufa at the WJC's. Although, I'm not sure this strict north-south style compliments his game. (stick-tap to Benny FTW)

@spez45 have the game on and just did the double look...titties out there on the p.k hahahah

— brian mcgrattan (@bigern10) December 27, 2012

"@bigern10: @spez45 have the game on and just did the double look...titties out there on the p.k hahahah" ahha I saw that too!

— matt spezza (@spez45) December 28, 2012

Umm, so yeah, apparently this nickname is a thing and we have the Spengler Cup and the NHL lockout to thank. Under any other set of circumstances, this never would have became public knowledge.

Poor Jason. With friends and family bringing this to light, who needs enemies?

Least the guy has nothing else to be embarrassed about...

Update:

Scott here.

It should be said Emery was the first to reveal "tits" to the public in an appearance on OTR in January of '07. Unfortunately the video has long since disappeared.

The Pizza Line era gave us some great hockey and at least one great nickname.

Update Update:

Now with mini origin story:

@adampmullins @6thsens Upon further research, he hurt his back shopping but missed games in 05/06 due to pectorial injuries. Hence ‘tits’

— Vinnie (@VinnieSens) December 28, 2012

In a move that is sure to upset the legions of Jokerit fans (they who contribute to the league's highest home gate), Erik Karlsson is leaving their organization. Of course, it is possible that something may have been lost in translation here. While trying to communicate with a Finnish media contingency that could not understand him, Karlsson simply could have been trying to wish the masses a happy New Year by gesturing wildly with his hands.

As one Twitter follower (@TheHodor) tweeted, we’re really going to have to wait for a Globe and Mail article to be posted, taken down and then re-posted before we can truly measure how accurate these reports are.

Having totalled 7 goals and 27 points in 28 games played, he is the SM-Liiga’s highest scoring defencemen and he has inevitably helped the league leading Jokerit create a 6-point cushion in the standings over second place SaiPa. He'll be missed if this glowing HF account of his play is representative.

It is yet to be determined whether or not Finnish truck stop food factored into Karlsson’s decision to leave, but Jokerit did provide the following: 

Erik Karlsson decides to return to Sweden and wait for the NHL lockout to end. Won't play for Jokerit in January. #Sens #NHLlockout

— Helsingin Jokerit (@jokerithc) December 27, 2012

Karlsson’s not alone in this regard.

Per Sylvain St-Laurent, Jason Spezza could do the same once his Spengler Cup experience ends.

Lately there has been a mass exodus of NHLPA members leaving their European league teams to brace themselves for the NHL’s announcement that a season will or won’t be lost.

Surrounded by shelves stocked with canned goods and bottled water, I can just imagine these players (well, with the exception of money-phone Evander Kane), hunkering down with their families inside their backyard fallout shelters awaiting the announcement of their fate from a Gary Bettman emergency broadcast.

Mika Zibanejad Still Suffering From Concussion Symptoms? 

Mika Zibanejad has concussion symptoms lingering from his last confirmed concussion in April. #Sens #BSens #AHL

— SensProspects (@SensProspects) December 24, 2012

Apparently he played with these symptoms through the summer camps and 16 #AHL games to start the season.

— SensProspects (@SensProspects) December 24, 2012

He hasn't been diagnosed with another concussion. I was told "his head doesn't feel right yet"

— SensProspects (@SensProspects) December 24, 2012

With Zibanejad now out of the lineup four plus weeks, we’ve seen the organization blame his absence on the removal of wisdom teeth, strep throat and the flu.

Of course, this could be the truth, but the longer Zibanejad remains out of the lineup (and off his skates altogether), the more fans will look to alternative explanations or speculation as to what ails Mika. Obviously there should be some level of skepticism reserved; however, as Scott (@Wham_City) has pointed out, the above account in question (@SensProspects); broke the Jared Cowen surgery news (a Bob Mckenzie report followed 3 hours later). 

SteffeG has heard similar things with regards to Mika still suffering from "concussion symptoms".

Professional teams are wary of the "c" word, and will go to great lengths not to use it in public, as anyone who's followed the Toronto Marlies of late will have noticed.

Mark Borowiecki is another case where it doesn't seem unreasonable to think a concussion may be why he's missed 8 games and counting, having not played since this series of repeated blows to the head:

Don Brennan reported Dec. 6 he was dealing with a "neck strain" and was slated to miss the following day's game. But like Mika, the longer he's out of the lineup, the more eyebrows will be raised. It will be interesting to watch how Boro plays when he gets back in the lineup, specifically if he contineus to drop the mitts at the rate he was posting through December, what constituted a 38 fight pace over the full season. Just in comparison, in 73GP last year, he fought only 11 times.

A CBA is needed first to consummate a trade, so assuming that happens and the season starts in the near future, this Garrioch story titled - "Pittsburgh Penguins Look To Bring Back Ottawa Senators Defenseman Sergei Gonchar", may be relevant:

"If the NHL does start a shortened season next month, don't expect Sergei Gonchar to finish it with the Ottawa Senators. The veteran defenceman, going into the final year of a contract paying him $5.5 million per season, will be targeted for a trade by the Pittsburgh Pengions once a collective bargaining agreement is reached. Whether Gonchar's former team waits until whatever date is set for the trade deadline or makes a pitch before the season begins isn't known, but league sources say Pittsburgh GM Ray Shero has interest in bringing back the 38-year-old."

I missed you "league sources".

Now this isn't the first time Garrioch's written a Gonchar trade story, there have been a few:

This latest one is considerably more specific than any of the previous, so let's unpack it a little.

Would Pittsburgh want Gonchar back?

I could see it. The guy won a Stanley Cup and played in another final in his time with the Penguins. Plus after unloading Zbynek Michalek, and striking out out on Suter/Parise, they have the cap space necessary to bring in a big salary if they choose. Malkin's bro-mance with Gonch shouldn't be discounted either; if you're Shero trying to re-sign #71 after 2013/14 you want the guy as placated as possible. Not to mention, Gonchar can still play decent minutes if he's protected enough, and remains an efficient power-play performer.

Would Ottawa want to trade Gonchar?

I have my doubts. With Cowen sidelined, minus Gonchar, the defensive depth chart projects as; Karlsson, Methot, Phillips, Lundin, Benoit, Wiercioch, Boro. Can't say that group inspires much confidence (said as a person who's loving what Wiercioch is doing in the A). With a thin defence corps I'd expect the Senators to handle a Gonchar trade like they handled the possibility of moving Kuba last year, ie. they'll entertain offers but have no problem watching the asset walk. Sergei played 22 minutes a game last year, and while clearly in decline, is still an important and useful body on a depleted Senators blueline. Trading away what little depth they have for a meager return seems a big gamble if the goal is the postseason.

Would Pittsburgh be offering much?

Pittsburgh has a wealth of defence prospects, arguably the best collection in the league in; Depres, Morrow, Harrington, Dumoulin, Pouliot and Maata. As an organization they could afford to lose one, but would they want to? Especially when the player in question could be acquired for nothing more than money in a matter of months. And while not a fair comparison, look at the return Ottawa got for another aging veteran going back for a second stint with the Penguins -- a 7th round pick for Kovalev. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think Shero's desperate to overpay here.

It's interesting fodder though, seems like the last good trade rumour round these parts was THE SUMMER OF RICK NASH.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette blogger Seth Rorabaugh has a great blow-by-blow of Gonchar's time in Pittsburgh here, mind you he seems a tad skeptical "Sarge" will be returning...

Are the Penguins going to bring Gonchar back before or after they trade Malkin to the Kings for Dustin Brown?

— Seth Rorabaugh (@emptynetters) December 23, 2012