Tough Week Ahead for Struggling Senators

SensChirp December 1, 2014 584
Tough Week Ahead for Struggling Senators

After that ugly trip through Florida, the Ottawa Senators certainly needed something resembling good news and it looks like they got it on the injury front.

Bobby Ryan was on the ice for practice this morning just two days after reports circulated that he had fractured a finger against the Florida Panthers. A fracture could have meant as much as two months out of the line up so the fact that he’s on the ice this morning is incredibly good news.  And while Ryan was out there for practice, he wasn’t taking a regular turn on any of the lines so his status for tomorrow night is obviously up in the air.

At the same time, it sounds like Marc Methot is another step closer to a return as well.  Here’s how MacLean had them lined up this morning.

MacArthur-Turris-Chiasson
Hoffman-Lazar-Stone
Condra-Legwand-Neil
Greening-Zibanejad-Michalek

Phillips-Karlsson
Cowen-Ceci
Wiercioch-Gryba
Methot-Borowiecki

Apparently there’s a chance Marc Methot could play a game at some point this week. Obviously the Senators would need to make a roster move before that can happen. Ottawa is currently carrying 23 players on the active roster.  Bruce Garrioch suggested that there’s a chance that Methot-Borowiecki pairing could actually play tomorrow night against the Islanders. Again, some sort of roster move would be needed first before that could happen.

Could be an interesting 24 hours.

-Team Canada announced the names for this year’s World Junior Camp and it was good news for one Senators’ prospect. Nick Paul was one of 29 names announced while defenceman Ben Harpur was left off the list. Paul has a great shot at making this year’s team. Curtis Lazar is also in the mix for a spot although the Senators have not yet made a decision on his availability.

Great article in The Hockey News today from Mike Brophy. It talks about Sens GM Bryan Murray and his ongoing fight against cancer. Some great stories in there from Murray’s days as a Coach and an absolutely devastating quote to close out the article. Continue to be impressed by Murray’s strength in the face of such a sad reality. Truly inspirational.