Senators' Josh Norris: Will be ready for training camp
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General manager Steve Staios said Friday that Norris (shoulder) will be ready for the start of training camp in September, Claire Hanna of TSN reports.
Norris underwent his third shoulder operation in his career in March and he is well on his way to recovery. The talented center had 16 goals and 30 points in 50 games this season, but he struggled at times, due to his lingering shoulder woes. Norris has missed 106 games over the last two seasons, really dampening his fantasy value heading into the 2024-25 campaign.
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Senators' Tim Stutzle: Dealing with shoulder issue
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Stutzle said Thursday that he dealt with a shoulder injury during the 2023-24 campaign, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports.
Stutzle will need another opinion in terms of whether or not he'll require surgery. The talented center missed the last seven games of the season. Stutzle ended up with 18 goals, 70 points, 192 shots on goal and 100 hits in 75 appearances this season. He regressed from 2022-23, when he managed 39 goals and 90 points in 78 appearances.
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Senators' Thomas Chabot: Surgery not necessary?
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Chabot (upper body) most likely won't need surgery in the offseason, per Wayne Scanlan of Sportsnet.
Chabot battled injuries most of the year, ultimately playing in only 51 games. The 27-year-old recorded nine goals and 21 assists to go along with 118 shots on goal over that stretch. Another update on Chabot's status should surface if it's decided surgery will be necessary.
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Senators' Bokondji Imama: Demoted to AHL
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Imama (upper body) was reassigned to AHL Belleville on Thursday.
Imama left Monday's tilt versus the Rangers late in the second period with the injury and missed Tuesday's game in Boston, but his demotion to the minors suggests he's now healthy. The 27-year-old winger had 22 hits but failed to pick up a point in six NHL games this season.
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Senators' Jiri Smejkal: Heads to minors
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Smejkal was reassigned to AHL Belleville on Wednesday.
Smejkal had a goal and an assist in 20 NHL games with the Senators in 2023-24. He's also contributed nine goals and 22 points in 45 outings with Belleville. Ottawa's campaign is over, which is why the 27-year-old is returning to the minors.
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Senators' Zack Ostapchuk: Headed back to minors
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Ostapchuk was returned to AHL Belleville on Wednesday.
Ostapchuk will bolster the forward depth for Belleville as the minor-league club tries to hold on to a playoff spot with three games remaining. On the year, the 20-year-old Alberta native has generated 17 goals and 11 helpers in 66 minor-league contests but failed to record a point in his seven appearances with Ottawa. Still, Ostapchuk should be in the mix for a spot on the Opening Night roster for the 2024-25 campaign.
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Senators' Jiri Smejkal: Pots first NHL goal
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Smejkal scored his first career NHL goal in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Bruins.
The 27-year-old rookie opened the scoring midway through the second period -- his quick shot handcuffed Linus Ullmark and trickled past the Boston goalie. Smejkal has played 20 games for Ottawa during his first season in North America, managing only two points over that stretch, and his nine goals and 22 points in 45 AHL contests this year don't suggest he'll serve as anything more than organizational depth next season.
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Senators' Anton Forsberg: Sharp in win No. 15
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Forsberg made 34 saves in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Bruins.
The 31-year-old netminder nearly recorded his third shutout of the season, but Pavel Zacha tucked home a power-play tally midway through the third period. Forsberg wraps up the campaign with a 15-12-0 record in 30 outings with a 3.21 GAA and .890 save percentage, his worst ratios since he became an NHL regular in 2017-18. He has one season left on his contract at an affordable $2.75 million, so Forsberg is likely to be back in Ottawa next season, even if only in a backup role.
Chabot (upper body) won't finish Tuesday's game versus the Bruins.
Chabot will have all offseason to heal from the injury, as the tilt against Boston is the Senators' season finale. The defenseman has battled injuries all campaign, which ultimately limited him to 30 points in 51 appearances.
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Senators' Tim Stutzle: Officially out Tuesday
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Stutzle (upper body) won't play Tuesday versus the Bruins.
Stutzle will end up having missed the last seven games of the campaign. The 22-year-old has not been cleared for contact yet, though he joined the Senators on their last road trip. He concludes a down year with 18 goals, 70 points, 192 shots on net, 100 hits and a minus-17 rating over 75 appearances. If Stutzle heals up in time, he could still join Germany for the IIHF World Championship.
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Senators' Mark Kastelic: Out Tuesday
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Kastelic (upper body) won't play Tuesday versus Boston.
Kastelic will miss his second straight contest. He will conclude the 2023-24 season with five goals, five assists, 60 shots on net and 126 hits in 63 outings.
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Senators' Anton Forsberg: Starting in Beantown
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Forsberg will guard the road goal versus the Bruins on Tuesday, TSN 1200 Ottawa reports.
Forsberg played well in his last start Thursday versus Tampa Bay, turning aside 24 of 26 shots in regulation before securing a 3-2 win in the shootout. He'll try to end the season with a bang by picking up a win in a tough road matchup with a Boston team that's 24-10-6 at home this year.
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Senators' Bokondji Imama: Will miss finale
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Imama (upper body) will not be in action versus the Bruins on Tuesday, TSN 1200 Ottawa reports.
Imama logged just six NHL games this campaign in which he failed to register a point while recording 22 hits, one block and seven PIM. The 27-year-old winger hasn't scored a goal since 2021-22 when he was with the Coyotes. In the minors this season, Imama hasn't been significantly more productive with just 10 points in 53 outings.
Korpisalo allowed four goals on 34 shots in Tuesday's 4-0 loss to the Rangers.
While Korpisalo's poor play was often part of the problem for the Senators this season, three of his last four losses were largely because the team in front of him didn't score. This was likely the 29-year-old's last game of the campaign -- if that holds true, he finishes with a 21-26-4 record, a 3.27 GAA and an .890 save percentage in a career-high 55 games in the first season of a five-year contract. The Senators' season finale is Tuesday in Boston, a game Anton Forsberg is likely to start.
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Senators' Bokondji Imama: Leaves early Monday
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Imama (upper body) will not return to Monday's game against the Rangers.
Imama logged just 3:49 of ice time with two hits before exiting the contest. He's now been held without a point through six NHL games this season. There should be an update on his status before Tuesday's season finale against the Bruins.
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Senators' Ridly Greig: Playing Monday
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Greig (illness) is in Monday's lineup against the Rangers.
Greig was a game-time decision, as he's dealing with a minor illness, but he's healthy enough to suit up. The 21-year-old forward has 13 goals and 26 points through 70 games this season and he's been held without a point in three straight games. He's dressing as the second-line center Monday.
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Senators' Mark Kastelic: Not playing Monday
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Kastelic (upper body) won't play Monday against the Rangers, per Gord Wilson of TSN 1200 Ottawa.
Kastelic will miss at least one game after being struck in the head by the puck in Saturday's 5-4 shootout win over Montreal. It's unclear at this time if he will be available for Tuesday's season finale versus Boston. Zack Ostapchuk, who was recalled from AHL Belleville on Monday, could play against the Rangers due to Kastelic's absence.
