Colin White

[Alfie11]

Talk around Ottawa lately has been about top prospect Colin White. Probably best known for scoring in every WJC game for the US while helping them win Gold, there's been a lot of paranoia over college FA's since Vessey.

White's college season came to an end last week. He is eligible to sign a contract with the Senators now, which would finish his college career. Reports seem to indicate that he wants to turn pro and sign a contract, but the Sens are only offering him an amateur try-out for a stint in Binghamton, while he wants an entry level contract, which would give him time with the Sens and burn a year off this season.

What would you do if you were the Sens

[Matt the Aussie]

I understand why the Sens would want Colin White to do this - money of course, but who knows how well he translates to the NHL with a playoff race underway?

Having said that, why on earth would Colin White play for free on an amateur basis? He's just done that for Boston College. What's the motivation? I wouldn't play for free either.

The Sens already have a very "cheap" image around the NHL and this will do nothing to change it. Plus they risk alienating White about his long-term future with the team if they are not willing to sign a contract right away.

[Alfie11]

I understand why the Sens would want Colin White to do this - money of course, but who knows how well he translates to the NHL with a playoff race underway?

Having said that, why on earth would Colin White play for free on an amateur basis? He's just done that for Boston College. What's the motivation? I wouldn't play for free either.

The Sens already have a very "cheap" image around the NHL and this will do nothing to change it. Plus they risk alienating White about his long-term future with the team if they are not willing to sign a contract right away.

I agree. I do think at the end of the season, maybe final 3-4 games, White could get some playing time as the Sens will have likely clinched (or close enough to) by then.

I think Sens should bite the bullet and do it. Will that one less year on the ELC be a big issue?

[Josh]

I dunno, it makes sense to me. That extra year of ELC is very valuable, the team is rolling well right now, and the little amount of ice time White is going to get just isn't worth burning the year.

[Alfie11]

I dunno, it makes sense to me. That extra year of ELC is very valuable, the team is rolling well right now, and the little amount of ice time White is going to get just isn't worth burning the year.

But is it worth the risk of him potentially going back to NCAA?

[Josh]

But is it worth the risk of him potentially going back to NCAA?

Why wouldn't he play in Bingo if he doesn't make it onto Ottawa's roster out of camp?

If it's got to be Ottawa or NCAA and that's his ultimatum, then it's not worth the risk, no. And I don't think the Sens should cater to him and burn an ELC year because of his demand.

If he makes Ottawa out of camp, everyone wins. If he doesn't, and the Sens want him in Bingo but he refuses, then that's his right I suppose. If I understand it right and that's the situation, management should not back down.

[Matt the Aussie]

But Josh, why would Colin White agree to be paid nothing to play in Bingo right now? This is the option that Ottawa management is pushing from what I understand.

If there's no money, why wouldn't he then wait until next year, try to make the team through next year's camp?

[Josh]

But Josh, why would Colin White agree to be paid nothing to play in Bingo right now? This is the option that Ottawa management is pushing from what I understand.

If there's no money, why wouldn't he then wait until next year, try to make the team through next year's camp?

I mean, how many games does Bingo have left? He can look it at like selling his services for free, or he can take it as an opportunity to get a few games of experience in a pro league and increase his chances of making Ottawa out of camp.

[Matt the Aussie]

Ehh, I know what I'd be doing in that situation, and it's not finding hotels in Bingo :P

[Josh]

Ehh, I know what I'd be doing in that situation, and it's not finding hotels in Bingo :P

With potentially millions of dollars at stake in your future career, you really wouldn't do everything possible to make sure it happens?

If I told you that you had a really good shot of making a lot of money in the NHL one day, but that I couldn't fit you on to my team this year and gave you the following options:

Play with my developmental team for free for the rest of the season, gaining valuable pro experience and increasing your chances of making the big club out of the gate next season.

Take the next few weeks off and do as you please.

Which would you really take?

[Matt the Aussie]

Honestly, I would do the second one. I believe (and I'm sure he does too) that not playing does absolutely zero harm to his ability to make the main team next year.

He will either make or not make the team based on camp results in September, not how or if he played for Bingo back in March.

[Alfie11]

His agent said there's been progress in the talks. Dreger said his gut tells him the two sides work something out before the end of the season.

[Jasmine]

Senators first round draft pick Colin White has signed an amateur try out contract and will join the Binghamton Senators.- Dean Brown

[Alfie11]

Glad the two sides got the deal done

[Matt the Aussie]

Well I just hope we haven't soured him at all. Good result for the Sens now as a team for sure.