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Who knows? It was pointed out with another year on his deal, Hammond could be a valuable asset for somebody that needs to expose a goalie to Las Vegas in the expansion draft.

If the Senators aren’t able to trade him and Hammond doesn’t accept a conditioning stint with Binghamton, then they could waive him to send him to the minors and take the option of going down out of his hands. Coach Guy Boucher indicated the club doesn’t mind having three goalies around at the moment.

“Right now it’s a good luxury to have because it gives us more than one option,” Boucher said. “Now, every day Hammond is getting more and more ready and more prepared to be able to play. We’re obviously going to get into a situation with three good goalies that we’ll have to manage daily.

“Hammy is getting close to being sharp to play a game so we’ll see.”

So is having three goalies difficult to manage?

“Well I can’t say I’ve had to do that very often,” Boucher said. “All I can say is it’s a good luxury to have and it’s better than one than looking for good goalies. Looking ahead, we’ll have to have a plan to see where we’re going with that.

“Today it’s not difficult to manage but, as we move on, it’s a luxury we’ll have to manage a certain way.”

For the time being, Hammond is trying to get his work done and stay sharp in practice.

“I’m just going to keep on trying to get better and better in practice,” he said. “Ultimately, (playing) is out of my control. I’ve got to focus on the things I can control and that’s how I’m working and how I’m playing in practice right now.”

Does Hammond think he may have to go to Binghamton for conditioning at some point?

“I’m just taking it day by day,” Hammond said. “Today I think practice is best for me and I think that’s all you can really worry about. I’m not going to look too far in the future.”

Two is usually company where goaltenders are concerned but, at some point, three is going to be a crowd for the Senators.

bgarrioch@postmedia.com

Twitter: @SunGarrioch