Jared Cowen’s Nightmare Season Over Early

Jan 28, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Artem Anisimov (42) and Ottawa Senators defenseman Jared Cowen (2) chase a loose puck at Nationwide Arena. The Senators won the game 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun tweeted out a confirmation of what most people suspected, and that is that Jared Cowen‘s very difficult season is ending early due to another lower body injury.

For Cowen, who missed most of the 2013 lockout shortened season due to a hip injury suffered while playing for the Binghamton Senators, never really got on track this season and was for the most part one of the two or three main targets of the ire of the fans. However, his numbers are better this season than his first full year, although there was more expected of the player who signed a 4 year, $12.4 M contract during training camp last fall.

Cowen has a history of leg and hip injuries dating back to junior, and they seem to have affected his mobility, at least in the short term.  The best thing for him would be to rehab whatever is ailing him now and get a full summer of rest and rehab and training and come to camp in September ready to get back to the learning curve he seemed to be on in his rookie season.