Jake Sanderson is closing in on his return, and Ottawa Senators head coach Travis Green has identified when his top defenseman could rejoin the lineup.
Green told reporters Saturday that he expects Sanderson to play Wednesday against the Florida Panthers, giving Ottawa a significant injury update.
Sanderson has missed the Senators' last eight games after aggravating a lower-body injury during the season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The young defenseman lasted just 4:29 before leaving that contest, raising concerns about an injury that had already disrupted his training camp.
"Jake Sanderson will not play tonight and did not travel with the team. Travis Green told Jackson that he expects Sandy to play Wednesday night at home versus Florida."
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Senators have been hot without Sanderson: Expect a bigger step with him back vs Panthers
Despite losing their top defenseman, the Senators have opened the season with an impressive 6-2-0 record and sit tied for first place in the Atlantic Division.
That strong start has given Green some breathing room, but getting Sanderson back would restore an important piece of Ottawa's defensive structure.
Sanderson isn't simply another body on the blue line. He's the defenseman Ottawa relies on to handle demanding matchups, move the puck under pressure and generate offense.
Last season, he recorded 14 goals and 40 assists, establishing himself as one of the Senators' most valuable players.
His return would also provide Ottawa with another option on the power play, where his skating and puck movement can create opportunities.
Green has managed to keep the Senators competitive without him, but reinserting Sanderson would give the coaching staff greater flexibility with defensive pairings and special teams.
The timing is particularly interesting because Ottawa has already demonstrated it can collect wins while dealing with injuries on the back end.
Before Wednesday's anticipated return, the Senators still have business to handle against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night.
Sanderson's availability against Florida remains an expectation rather than an official confirmation. Ottawa will still need to assess how he responds before puck drop.
But with the Senators already near the top of their division, getting their top defenseman back could make an impressive opening stretch even more encouraging.
Can Jake Sanderson's return make the Ottawa Senators serious Stanley Cup contenders?
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