The Ottawa Senators are doing their utmost to remain in the playoff race. Since January 25, the team has posted a record of 13-3-2, and without minute-munching defenseman Jake Sanderson in the lineup, the Senators are 5-2-0.
Sanderson is still recovering from an upper-body injury sustained March 7 in Seattle. Kraken Brandon Montour appeared to land on Sanderson after hitting him into the boards. The good news on the horizon, Senators head coach Travis Green provided an update with the expectation his prized player will return within seven to 10 days.
But with the US Gold medalist on the shelf, others have stepped up in his absence.
Thomas Chabot
Elevated to take Sanderson’s spot on the left side of the ‘D’ alongside Artem Zub, Chabot’s is averaging 28:04 of ice-time per game over the past seven minus Sanderson. Chabot logged 30:53 versus the New York Islanders Thursday, and has skated more than 28 minutes in five of his past seven outings. What makes the 29-year-old’s stamina more impressive is playing a combined 58:59 in back-to-back games Wednesday/Thursday.
This leads all NHL players during this period. Minnesota Wild Quinn Hughes is next at 27:43.
Tyler Kleven/Jordan Spence
Like Chabot, Sanderson’s injury forced the lift in the Senators’ lineup for d-men Tyler Kleven and Jordan Spence from third to second pair on the back end.
Both are passing the test offensively and defensively. Each registered two assists Saturday against Toronto, while Kleven and Spence contributed four points in Sanderson’s absence. Due to added second unit power play duty, Spence is averaging 20:26 TOI, almost a full three minutes above his seasonal time 17:35 since March 7.
Kleven is posting similar numbers, but seeing more time on the penalty kill; prior to Sanderson’s injury 16:56, post-injury 19:42.
Green has been impressed with the duo’s performance.
“It’s nice to see. They’re getting more minutes now, obviously, with our injuries, and you hope you have confidence in everyone on your team, that when that happens, they step up and they were as good as they were or even better.” said the Senators coach postgame Saturday.
The six-foot-five, 225 pound, Kleven noted he’s receiving extra shifts but continues to play a simple game, “I think I just go out there and play my style. I mean, it’s maybe an extra shift every period. But go out there, try to do my thing. If I try to be someone that I’m not, it’s probably not going to go the right way. But go out there, play physical, play hard. And good things happen when you play your game.”
Warren Foegele
The Senators made a pair of bold moves at last season’s trade deadline acquiring Dylan Cozens and Fabian Zetterlund. With 24 goals, 27 assists, Cozens is in the midst of second-best campaign of his six-year NHL career. While Zetterlund had a slow start to this season, he’s been more consistent of late, producing 13 goals, 14 assists in 69 games.
The 2026 trade deadline was a quiet one for Senators general manager Steve Staios. However, one day prior Staios made an under-the-radar swap for Los Angeles Kings forward Warren Foegele. The deal included an exchange of conditional third round picks with the club sending the Kings an additional 2026 second-round selection.
Fresh of his two career-best seasons, (20 goals, 41 points) and (24 goals, 46 points) respectively, the Toronto area resident’s offense disappeared under Kings head coach Jim Hillier’s system. Foegele garnered only seven goals, two assists in 47 games for LA prior to arriving in Ottawa.
In eight appearances as a Senator mainly performing on the team’s fourth line with Lars Eller/Zetterlund, Foegele has suddenly found his offense which had gone missing earlier. The 29-year-old is over halfway to his goal and point totals achieved with the Kings. Foegele has notched four goals, one assist, with two his markers being credited as game-winners.
While Green has repeatedly, he’d like to give Foegele more minutes, that time will likely come next season when he should be elevated in the lineup. But his addition of secondary scoring is something which benefits the Senators presently.
James Reimer
Seeking a veteran netminder, Steve Staios reached out to James Reimer who’s only competitive games this season were played for Canada at the Spengler Cup. Well, the move is paying off. In what is now his 16th NHL campaign, the 38-year-old holds a 5-3-1 record, 2.47 goals against average, .884 save percentage. But more importantly, down the stretch, Reimer has won three consecutive starts, including posting a shut out in Vancouver and has become the reliable goaltemder the Senators have craved all season.
Michael Amadio
Amadio earned a goal and an assist in Seattle in the game Sanderson was forced to leave. Since then the crafty right winger has registered two goals, two assists, surpassing his career high in assists (18) and points (30). Not only is “Ammo” providing offense in a third line role, it’s his tremendous hockey acumen on breaking up plays in the defensive zone and heady forechecking which are his assets.
“He’s one of those players, just quietly brings a good game a lot of nights. He’s very smart. He’s got a real good stick. He can intercept pass as well.
Got good hockey sense,” noted Green after Saturday’s 5-2 victory over the Maple Leafs.
Tim Stützle who’s having a great second half to the season himself, recognizes Amadio’s contributions.
“I mean, he was already here before, I think my second year,” recalled Stützle.
Amadio played five games previously for the Senators after being acquired in a trade with the Kings in March 2021.
“Nothing against the management, but he’s a pretty good player. We trade him away. But yeah, obviously, him coming back, I was super-excited, because I was able to play on this line when he came in, and we actually had a really good game, and then the next day was traded. So I was really excited for him coming back. And he’s really underrated, and my opinion, one of the best sticks in the league now”
With only 13 games remaining and the Senators trailing a Wildcard spot by four points, but holding games in hand, the team needs more contributions such as these to make a run for a playoff berth.
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