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OTT - Cap Games v Injury Bug |
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The Ottawa Senators are in the middle of salary cap trouble to keep a full roster and stay underneath the salary cap ceiling.
Former Veznia Trophy winner Linus Ullmark remains status quo with his strain injury. Goalie Leevi Merilainen has been recalled and Mads Soogard has been sent down to Binghamton for evaluations.
Forward Adam Gaudette has been recalled as David Perron is on a personal leave.
Defender Artyom Zub is out with a concussion, and defender Tyler Kleven will draw in for the Russian veteran.
This puts the Senators around $300K remaining in cap space remaining.
Another injury and they are playing shorthanded, while on their road swing.
Coach Travis Green needs to get everything out of his new club right away. The core is producing, but the depth is struggling. This needs immediate attention.
How can this be addressed?
1. System Buy In — Green has gotten through to a young team in the past. Big reference is the 19/20 Canucks. MacEwen and Gaudette were with him in BC.
2. Tkachuk — the leader is full of life. The younger Tkachuk has seen his brother win, and his hunger is always present on the ice.
3. Powerplay — second best team in the league on the powerplay at 40%. Draw the other team into making mistakes.
Tomorrow, they deal with Vegas and former star Mark Stone. This will also be Mike Amadio’s first time against the team he won a cup with in 2023.