Music: {allcanada} All hail Hale-veteran makes impression on Sens

David Hale (notes) might as well have been invisible when the Ottawa Senators opened training camp. He wasn't on anyone's radar. He was just another one of those names destined for Binghamton.

Surprise, surprise,

Along the way, the 29-year-old defenceman has played himself into the consciousness of the coaching staff and could now find himself a member of the Senators when the season opens.

That make things sticky for coach Cory Clouston since he has a surfeit of capable defencemen and still has to figure out what to do with top prospect Jared Cowen (notes). In the end, general manager Bryan Murray could find himself trying to peddle one of his extra defenceman.

But Clouston has liked the way Hale has played.

"Solid, very solid," said Clouston. "He kind of quietly goes about his business. He's reliable.

"I didn't know completely what to expect of him.

"I don't want to say (he's been) a pleasant surprise, because I don't want to undermine him. I think in his mind he came to make the team. But he's been good for us.

"David right now is trying to get into the group. He's done all he can do. We'll see how it all unfolds. But he's made a pretty good statement here to at least stay until the start of the season."

A former first-round pick of the New Jersey Devils (22nd overall in 2000), Hale has played 302 NHL games, most recently with the Tampa Bay. With Filip Kuba (notes) (broken leg) out until the end of October, there's an opening.

Hale said he wasn't exactly sure what his chances were when he arrived, but he was confident, his camp went well and he stands on the edge of a NHL job. Now he just has to make sure he doesn't blow it. He won't play tonight in New York, but will likely play in the return match on Saturday.

"There's always a little uncertainty, but I'm confident in my abilities and in my hard work," he said. "So whatever happens, happens

"I just need to keep playing like this and worry about myself and how I play and my consistency, and I think everything will fall into place, whether it's being in Binghamton or not.

"I'm not an overly flashy offensive guy, so I need to take care of my own end and play solid defence.

Fisher Out

Mike Fisher (notes) missed practice on Thursday to nurse a sore neck he received when he was checked from behind into the boards during Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Maple Leafs.

Clouston, who thought there should have been a penalty on the play, said Fisher will be "OK."

Weather Woes

Weather woes in New York City grounded the Senators on Thursday. They had been scheduled to fly into the city in the afternoon, but rain and bad weather forced them to cancel their flight until this morning.

For tonight's game against the Rangers, Brian Elliott (notes) will likely be in goal for the entire game, meaning Pascal Leclaire (notes) will play on Saturday at home against the Rangers.

Prospects in tonight's lineup include Cowen, Bobby Butler (notes), Patrick Wiercioch (notes), and Ryan Keller (notes).

Goalie Crunch

Clouston is still crossing his fingers that either Leclaire or Elliott will seize the No. 1 job in the next two games. When the team opens its season next Friday against the Sabres, Clouston said he'd ideally like to begin the season with his No. 1 goalie in net.

"We've got two more games and we'll see how they unfold," he said. "I'm not going to make any decisions or real comment on who's going to start the regular season until the regular season.

"I guess in a perfect world (I'd like to start the season with my No. 1 goalie), but that's not even for sure.

"There are injuries, there are slumps, there are a lot of different variables that go into that.

"But … whichever goaltender steps up, we'll go with.

"They both at times last year did it, but not consistently enough so we could start from camp saying, 'This guy is our go-to guy.'

"Both of them still have their best hockey ahead of them. We've seen a lot of positives.

"Have they been great? No. They've had their ups and downs.

"Those guys still have a lot of work to do, just like everybody else."

Volchenkov Dinged

New Jersey Devils defenceman and former Senator Anton Volchenkov (notes) was hurt Thursday doing what he does best at practice, blocking shots. The Devils don't think the injury to their biggest off-season acquisition is serious.