Ottawa Senators make cuts, but injuries force roster juggling act

Article content

How does this affect the roster decisions?

Article content

Winger Ridly Greig will be on the roster, but he’s suspended for the first two games because of an incident in Game 4 of the series against the Canes. He will have to take up a roster spot.

Article content

The Senators can carry extra players on Monday by simply placing some of these players on the injured reserve list retroactive to when they were hurt. With the exception of Sanderson, they’d all be eligible to come off the list at any time.

Article content

Since Sanderson left Saturday’s game, the Senators likely wouldn’t place him on IR because if you’re designated for that list, you have to be there at least seven days. But these injuries also create an opportunity for some of the players on the bubble.

Article content

Let’s start with defenceman Carter Yakemchuk. Did he do enough in camp to earn a spot? That’s debatable, but he stepped into the playoffs last year and showed poise. He’ll start the year in Ottawa and then likely get sent to Belleville to work on his defensive game.

Article content

Defenceman Cameron Crotty wasn’t among those waived on Sunday, which means he’ll likely be here to start the year.

Article content

Article content

Veteran blueliner Ben Hutton, who came to Ottawa on a professional tryout, had a solid camp. He has 500 games of NHL experience and can help this blue line. The expectation is that the Senators will sign him.

Article content

He’s a pro and brings depth, especially if Yakemchuk needs more time in Belleville.

Article content

Defencemen Hoyt Stanley and Djibril Toure both had strong camps, but neither needs waivers to be sent down.

Article content

Here’s what the roster could look like:

Article content

Forwards

Article content

Michael Amadio, Drake Batherson, Andre Burakovsky, Nick Cousins, Dylan Cozens, William Eklund, Claude Giroux, Ridly Greig, Stephen Halliday, Shane Pinto, Tim Stutzle, Fabian Zetterlund, Hayden Hodgson.

Article content

Defence

Article content

Thomas Chabot, Tyler Kleven, Nikolas Matinpalo, Jake Sanderson, Jordan Spence, Carter Yakemchuk

Article content

Pushing for spots: Cameron Crotty, Ben Hutton

Article content

Goaltenders

Article content

Linus Ullmark, Samuel Ersson

Article content

Injured: Warren Foegele, Kurtis MacDermid, Artem Zub

Article content

Article content