Derek Grant Returned to Binghamton, Milan Michalek Ready For Leafs?

Yesterday, the Ottawa Senators returned centre Derek Grant to Binghamton of the AHL, clearing the way for Milan Michalek to return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Mickalek will be a welcome addition to a lineup that has scored just 16 goals in the 10 games he missed after suffering a knee injury in the warmup prior to the Feb 13th game in Pittsburgh.

Jan 30, 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Ottawa Senators left wing Milan Michalek (9) and centre Kyle Turris (7) celebrate goal scored by right wing Daniel Alfredsson (11) in the second period against the Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Place. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Hopefully for the sake of the Senators, the Mickalek that takes to the ice (should he return) Wendesday is the All-Star caliber player who had points in his first 6 games, and not the mediocre struggling Michalek who had just 3 points in the 8 games he played after losing his centre Jason Spezza to back surgery.

Michalek has the ability to set a pace to his game that the Senators have been missing, and the Senators have been patient to make sure he is completely recovered so he doesn’t risk a setback.  Now is the time for him to assert himself in the lineup and take a leadership role on the ice and take some of the load off of the back of Daniel Alfredsson.  And if he could get Kyle Turris jump-started, that would be a good thing too.

Grant got into 5 games for Ottawa, going pointless and a -1 during his time with the Senators.  He proved to be a solid penalty killer, but isn’t ready to be an offensive factor in the NHL, which is what the Senators are missing right now.