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The Ottawa Senators put an end to weeks of speculation Tuesday, placing fourth-year defenseman Brian Lee on waivers.

If Lee is not claimed by another NHL team before noon Wednesday, he will report to Binghamton to join the American Hockey League's Senators.

Lee has been a healthy scratch for 18 straight games after signing a one-way NHL contract during the offseason.

Ottawa opted to waive the 23-year-old former first-round pick and take his $875,000 salary off its cap rather than place veteran David Hale on waivers and risk losing his defensive presence.

During a post-practice media session Tuesday, Ottawa head coach Cory Clouston said several factors played into Lee's fall out of the lineup.

"I think it started a little bit last year, going down to the American League," Clouston said. "This year, I think with David Hale coming up and playing well in that six-seven spot, that didn't help him out. We'll see how it goes and how it shapes up, whether it continues to be here or someone else claims him. It hasn't been easy for him. I feel for him. He's been in a tough situation. He's worked hard, and he hasn't complained. He's a good guy, a character guy, a team guy, and it's been a very tough situation for him. I think he's handled it with a lot of class and dignity."

Lee spent parts of the 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons with the B-Sens. In 123 career AHL games, he is a -17 with eight goals, 44 assists and 144 penalty minutes.

For his NHL career, he is a -5 with four goals and 13 assists in 89 games.

The Wild were rumored last season before the deadline about aquiring Brian Lee, but the Senators wanted Brunette in return. Looking ahead now it appears to be a good move, but the Wild then went ahead and traded there own Mr. Hockey for Cam Barker...

OTTAWA — As expected, Ottawa Senators defenseman Brian Lee cleared waivers on Wednesday but he won't immediately be sent to Binghampton.

General manager Bryan Murray said he is still talking to a couple of NHL teams to see if he can trade Lee, 23, the team's first-round draft choice (ninth overall) in 2005.

he still cant get over the fact that wheeler dove by him to prevent a icing call and scored to win the final 5 for the gophs! ha!

[quote="Rocks"]he still cant get over the fact that wheeler dove by him to prevent a icing call and scored to win the final 5 for the gophs!
Greatest Gopher moment ever!!! l never get tired of watching that

Wow, I imagine he'll be downing suds down at the VFW boring everyone with stories of his glory days within a year or two.

Unfortunately, this is reality for 99% of "top tier" hockey players. Not sure how marketable these chaps after getting blown out of the NHL/minors... Have to make a living like the rest of us poor slumps...

Factsmatter1 wrote:Unfortunately, this is reality for 99% of "top tier" hockey players. Not sure how marketable these chaps after getting blown out of the NHL/minors... Have to make a living like the rest of us poor slumps...

They can thank their crazy parents for that, not giving them a sense of balance. I've seen it too many times and it makes me sick how much pressure parents put on these kids.

Look at Dave Spehar- perfect example. Nothing to fall back on when the hockey fantasy dries up.

Yea you better enjoy that moment (Wheeler) or even start savorying it because it might be awhile before they come around again for the gophs. A better moment will be watching North Dakota play for the national championship this year.

Ok they waive him two weeks ago......and CBC was trashing him.....tonight his in the lineup.

Factsmatter1 wrote:Unfortunately, this is reality for 99% of "top tier" hockey players. Not sure how marketable these chaps after getting blown out of the NHL/minors... Have to make a living like the rest of us poor slumps...

Funny - he looked decent & had good playing time tonite - while the Senators thumped the Wild 3-1 !