Turns out the recall of Erik Brannstrom was just the tip of the iceberg. And it’s about a lot more than a struggling blueline.
Today, the Ottawa Senators have announced that three additional players (and an Associate Coach) have all been placed in the NHL’s COVID protocol. Austin Watson was already in there and today, Nick Holden, Connor Brown and Dylan Gambrell have been added to the list. Although as the Coach pointed out this morning, Brown and Gambrell may be available on Thursday.
The Senators have also recalled Scott Sabourin and Egor Sokolov from Belleville to fill those spots. Tyler Ennis was sick on the weekend but it wasn’t COVID related to he’s likely to return tomorrow.
Ottawa cancelled their Monday morning practice as a precaution but will still fly to Boston later this afternoon.
What we’re seeing play out here over the last few days is a good reminder why the Senators have had to take a more cautious approach to managing their roster in the early going.
With the strict protocols the league has in place this year, teams are going to have their depth seriously tested at times during the season. So while it would be easy to send a guy on a one-way deal though waivers to make room for a player on a two-way contract, you have to be careful that you don’t lose the guy you’re sending down. Because as this current situation shows, there are times when you just need bodies.
Here’s hoping this is the extent of it for the Senators and the game goes ahead as scheduled tomorrow night in Boston.
