Andre Burakovsky’s night ended early for the Ottawa Senators after he took a hard hit and headed down the tunnel in the game against the Kings, leaving the team to wait on an update with another forward banged up.
The injury comes at a frustrating time for Ottawa, which entered the game with some relief after captain Thomas Chabot returned to the lineup. Instead, the Senators now have another body to account for after Warren Foegele was injured against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night.
Right now, there is no timeline on Burakovsky. But if the injury turns into something week-to-week, Ottawa will have to make a roster move and likely reach into Belleville. The Senators are carrying 13 forwards, and with both Foegele and Burakovsky out, they would need to bring someone up.
That’s where names like Sammy Blais or Philip Tomasino come into play. Both could step in and help give the bottom six a lift. Other possible options include Kasper Halttunen, Tyler Boucher or Kurtis MacDermid, but the sense here is that this is exactly why Steve Staios brought in veterans such as Blais and Tomasino - so the team has dependable options ready to jump in.
In a stretch where injuries are piling up fast, Ottawa may be better off leaning on players with some NHL experience rather than rushing in a rookie or a less seasoned option.
There still isn’t any word on how long Burakovsky might be unavailable, but the Senators’ front office and coaching staff will need to be ready to act quickly. They’re on a West Coast road trip and facing a tough back-to-back this weekend, so waiting around may not be an option.
In Other News...
Senators Suddenly Face A Roster Decision They Didn't Want
Ottawas depth chart took an unwelcome hit Tuesday night in Vegas, where Warren Foegele exited after a knee injury on a board-side collision with Jeremy Lauzon. There was no immediate official word on the severity, which leaves the Senators waiting for a clearer picture while also trying to manage the rest of the lineup without one of their forwards.
For now, the most immediate option appears to be reaching into Belleville for help if the roster needs a boost. Longer term, the injury could force Ottawa to at least consider outside help, with the trade market looming as a possible source of a top-nine scorer if the situation becomes more pressing. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Scoring Problem Is Testing Steve Staios Early
The Senators early scoring issues have put Steve Staios in an awkward spot, with Ottawa sitting 21st in goals per game and few easy fixes available from within. Injuries have thinned the forward group, and the organization is already looking at ways to add more punch before the problem lingers too long into the season.
Staios has reportedly started checking the market for help, but the combination of cap pressure and how early it still is makes a meaningful deal harder to pull off right away. One name said to be in the mix is Chicago forward Teuvo Teravainen, though Ottawas options remain limited while it waits for injured players to work their way back. [Read more 🡒]
Senators' Injury Crunch Is Putting Andre Burakovsky On The Spot
Ottawas strong start has given the Senators a little breathing room, but the injury pileup around the lineup is starting to demand more from the players still available. Andre Burakovsky is right in the middle of that squeeze, with the veteran forward still searching for his first point and trying to re-establish himself in a role that has not been steady enough for him to settle in.
The bigger concern is what comes next if the offense does not follow. Ottawa is going to need useful minutes from every available body, and Burakovsky is the kind of player whose spot can become vulnerable when production lags behind the teams needs. If the Senators keep looking for ways to open room for others, the pressure on his place in the lineup is only going to grow. [Read more 🡒]