Good News/Bad News For Senators Depleted Lineup

Losers of five of their last six games, the Ottawa Senators could use any bit of good news for their injury-depleted lineup. They did get some on Tuesday morning, but it also came with a dose of not-too-positive news on other fronts. 

We start with the good, where second-pairing defender Artem Zub was back in a regular jersey in a full-on practice again Tuesday morning. He's missed the last six games after getting struck in the ear by a puck nearly three weeks ago. 

“Today was a good day,” Zub said after Monday's practice. “I just hope that everything can get better and better" so that he's able to play in Wednesday's matchup with the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

But as of now, says head coach DJ Smith, there are no definitive guarantees. 

Smith says Zub looks good but he hasn't got the 100% from anyone. Smith says Chychrun is fine #Sens

— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) November 7, 2023

Some potential bad news was apparently avoided after top pairing D-man Jakob Chychrun had a little incident at the end of practice Tuesday morning, hitting his leg on the post. He left the ice looking pretty uncomfortable, but Smith says he'll be fine. 

As for two others of the walking wounded, bottom-six forwards Ridly Greig and Mark Kastelic, not an encouraging report today, as they're still a ways away from returning.  

Kastelic and Greig gone for "north of two weeks" #Sens

— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) November 7, 2023

Smith says it'll be more than two weeks for those two. 

And then, of course, there's top defenceman Thomas Chabot. No updates on his hand fracture, as he's still expected to be out for another 3-to-5 weeks. 

Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports