Ottawa Announces its Opening Night Roster

[Derrick - Senators]

8/07/07 - Associated Press (7:41 PM)

Veteran leadership + skilled youth = Ottawa Senators. The Ottawa Senators released its tenative, starting roster for opening night in October. To the surprise of many Ottawa faithful, guys such as Beauchemin, Sanford, Chistov were left off the starting roster, and instead assigned to Binghamton. Sanford (below), was excellent for the Blues before he went down to injury last season.



When asked GM Derrick replied,

"The off-season is still young, and anything can happen between now and October. For now this is the roster we are prepared to start the season with. Bo [Beauchemin], Cusa [Sanford], and Chistov are great young players. They, just like everyone else will get their shot to crack the roster before the 5th. Keep in mind Beauchemin and Sanford are Minor Leaguers and not Prospects."

If Chistov finds his way to the top line in Anaheim, Derrick could be faced with a tough decision where as Ottawa has excellent depth at forward. Also, if team mate Francois Beauchemin earns significant PP time, along with playing side by side with Pronger or Niedermayer, he, once again will be forced to sit talent or possibly trade them before the deadline.

"Anything is possible you know? You can't predict the future. Injuries are always an issue and I like to have depth to fall back on. However, if things go smoothly, we aren't ruling out moving some guys for the greater good."

Chistov had 12 goals and 30 points in 2002, his rookie season.


The biggest surprise that sticks out on the initial roster is the listing of Power Forward Tomas Kopecky. An underrated prospect, thats for sure, Ottawa "took a chance on him" and selected him in the 4th round of the 2006 Farm Draft. Many think he isn't ready to make the jump to the big club yet, Derrick obviously thinks otherwise. When asked to comment, he declined and flashed a witty smirk.

Kopecky holds the Griffins record of

most points in a period with three.