Defence on verge of getting big boost
Steady Methot finally getting close to playing first game of season
The Mark(c)s Brothers — Mark Borowiecki and Marc Methot — were working together on the Ottawa Senators defence Monday and both are expected back from injuries this week.
Borowiecki, who did not play in Florida because of a groin injury, is expected to play against the Islanders Tuesday. The Senators have won only one of the five games Borowiecki has missed this season and the club will definitely welcome the return of his hardhitting game.
“I think I definitely bring something a little unique in the way I play,” he said. “I don’t think any one player is going to push the team over the edge or make that much of a difference, but if I can play my game, that competitive style, and maybe bring a few guys along with me, it might help.”
Methot’s long, drawn out rehabilitation could soon finally be over, as well. Methot, who has yet to play a game this season, has been at his best with the Senators when playing with Erik Karlsson as his partner. MacLean says once Methot tells him he’s ready to return, MacLean will then consult with athletic therapist Gerry Townend and general manager Bryan Murray to determine the jumping-in point.
“It’s going to be our call at the end of the day,” coach Paul MacLean said. “I’m hoping (it’s soon), like everyone else. We want him to play right away.”
SMITH CONTINUES TO SIT
Once again, it appears as if Zack Smith will be an odd-man out when the Senators play the Islanders. When MacLean went through his line drills at practice, Smith was on the outside looking in.
Smith, also a healthy scratch against Tampa, says MacLean didn’t directly tell him why he was sitting out, but he didn’t need to hear why.
“It’s self-explanatory,” said Smith. “I need to play better, I have to be more physical and start contributing a little more.”
When he’s at his best, Smith is a solid shutdown centre who is hard to play against. While he began the year playing at left wing because of the club’s excess of centres, he’s not blaming the position switch for his troubles.
“That would be an excuse if I said that. Things are not going well. But (Milan) Michalek sat out, (Mika) Zibanejad sat out, (Colin) Greening and (Erik) Condra have sat out. Everyone is kind of getting their turn. (MacLean) is doing anything he can to get a spark and make sure nobody is too comfortable.”
PRINCE OF THE AHL
Binghamton Senators winger Shane Prince found his goal-scoring touch last week and now he finds himself with a big honour: American Hockey League player of the week.
Prince scored five goals and an assist while Binghamton went 2-01 last week and he now has nine goals and eight assists in 17 games.
STANDING PAUL
Nick Paul, the North Bay centre acquired from Dallas in the Jason Spezza trade, was named to the world junior team selection camp on Monday. Paul has scored 18 goals and 13 assists in 24 games with North Bay. Defenceman Ben Harpur, the towering Owen Sound defenceman and Senators prospect, was not one of 10 defencemen invited to the camp.
HOME, SWEDE HOME
Senators assistant general managers Pierre Dorion and Randy Lee will leave Ottawa for Sweden on Wednesday to get a closer look at three prized prospects: Mikael Wikstrand, Marcus Hogberg and Andreas Englund.
Wikstrand, a 21-year-old defenceman, was selected by Ottawa with the 196th selection in the 2012 NHL entry draft.
He is expected to come to North America next season, playing for either the Senators or in Binghamton.
Hogberg, who turned 20 last week, is a 6-5, 210-pound goaltender who was chosen with the 78th draft selection in 2013.
Englund, a hard-hitting 18-yearold defenceman, was the Senators’ first draft selection last summer, the 40th overall pick.
MELNYK, ALFREDSSON BREAK THE ICE
Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk and Daniel Alfredsson have spoken on the phone in a move that appears to put an end to a long silence between the two dating back to when the former Senators captain bolted to the Detroit Red Wings in the summer of 2013 as a free agent.
Melnyk tweeted the news of the conversation adding “Spoke to #Alfie to finalize what will be the biggest Welcome Home celebration Ottawa has ever seen! Sens fans, plan to be at game early!” Melnyk also called Dec. 4 “a truly special and historic day for the Ottawa Senators and Sens fans. Welcome home #Alfie!” in an earlier tweet.
Speculation has been building that Alfredsson may have a job with the Senators in the near future.
The contact between the two men might signal that the door is now fully open to Alfie rejoining the club in an off-ice role.