The Senators are running into trouble on the blue line at the worst possible moment, with Artem Zub expected to miss the start of the regular season and Jake Sanderson also unavailable as Ottawa continues through a shortened preseason.
Ottawa has already spent plenty of time dealing with defensive injuries. Last season, the team was forced to call up two rookies on the same night, when Carter Yakemchuk and Jorian Donovan got into a car and drove all night to reach Detroit for their NHL debuts in an important game back in March.
The postseason didn’t spare them, either. Both Zub and Sanderson were knocked out of the Senators’ first-round loss to Carolina.
As the team prepared for its second night of preseason action, neither defenseman was able to go again. Sanderson had missed the end of the playoff series against Carolina with a concussion, though head coach Travis Green said the issue keeping him out of Wednesday’s games was minor.
The lineup work at practice showed how Ottawa is sorting through the rest of the roster. In Ottawa, William Eklund, Dylan Cozens and Fabian Zetterlund stayed together on one line.
Stephen Halliday centered Claude Giroux and Nick Cousins, while Ridly Greig skated between Sammy Blais and Tyler Boucher. Blake Montgomery, Ryan Suzuki and Xavier Bourgault formed the fourth unit.
On defence, Thomas Chabot was matched with Hoyt Stanley, Ben Hutton skated with Cameron Crotty, and Tomas Hamara was paired with Djibril Touré.
The group in Toronto had a different look. Tim Stützle centered Andre Burakovsky and Drake Batherson, while Shane Pinto lined up between Philip Tomasino and Michael Amadio. The other forward combinations were Luke Ellinas with Eskild Bakke Olsen and Kasper Halttunen, and Oskar Petterson with Philippe Daoust and Hayden Hodgson.
The defensive pairings there were Tyler Kleven with Carter Yakemchuk, Samuel Bolduc with Nikolas Matinpalo, and Scott Harrington with Christian Kyrou. Leevi Meriläinen and Jackson Parsons handled the goaltending duties in that group.
Ottawa will split into two groups again on Saturday for simultaneous games against Montreal, finishing up its five-game preseason. Wednesday’s action should give Green a better read on how some of the lower-end players handle heavier minutes, and which defencemen seize the chance that’s suddenly in front of them.
In Other News...
Senators Roster Battles Start Taking Shape Against Toronto
Ottawas preseason schedule starts to feel a little more real with the Senators splitting into two groups for a pair of games against the Maple Leafs, a setup that gives the club a chance to sort through roster questions while both teams still search for their first exhibition win. The lineups have already been announced, and they include a mix of established names and players trying to carve out their place, with Tim Sttzle, Drake Batherson, Andre Burakovsky and Thomas Chabot all set to be part of the evenings look.
For a team still trying to separate the locks from the long shots, these first preseason matchups are where the picture begins to sharpen. Ottawa has two games at 7:00 p.m. EST on the board, and the split-squad approach should give the coaching staff a better read on how the group is shaping up, especially with some of the rosters most important pieces stepping into the spotlight for the first time. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Face An Early Blue-Line Problem Around Jake Sanderson
The early part of training camp is already carrying a familiar concern for Ottawa on the blue line, where Artem Zubs status has become a notable question. Head coach Travis Green said Zub is unlikely to be ready for the start of the upcoming season after a knee injury from the previous postseason, a setback that matters because of how steady he has been in the Senators defensive mix.
Zubs role has been especially important beside Jake Sanderson on the top pairing, and his absence would force Ottawa to adjust sooner than planned. The Senators do have alternatives on the right side, with Jordan Spence and prospect Carter Yakemchuk among the names in the mix, but sorting out that pairing could be one of the first real lineup decisions of the fall. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Roster Battle Took A Tough Turn Against Toronto's Split Squad
The Senators fight for spots in camp took a hit at Canadian Tire Centre, where Toronto arrived with a split squad and still left with a 4-2 preseason win. With the Maple Leafs resting their biggest names, the game still had plenty of value for both sides, especially for players trying to make an impression before opening night. Ottawa got goals in the mix from players pushing for jobs, while Torontos lineup was able to generate enough timely offense to keep the home side chasing.
Ottawa did manage to claw level briefly after Hoyt Stanley finished off a slick backhand in the third period, giving the building a short burst of hope. But the Senators could not turn that moment into a lasting push, and the late stages tilted Torontos way again as the roster battle got a little tighter and a little tougher. Ottawa now turns to its preseason finale against the Montreal Canadiens, with a final chance to sort out the last details before the real games begin. [Read more 🡒]