 The entire 2007-08 season was spent with the Senators' AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Senators, spending two seasons there while also playing one game with Ottawa in a 6–4 loss to the Boston Bruins on January 8, 2009.On September 29, 2009, Ottawa announced that Carkner had made the team's roster, as he spent the entire 2009-10 season in the NHL.In 81 games, he had two goals, 11 points, and 190 penalty minutes, helping Ottawa reach the playoffs.