Curtis Lazar to stay past Game 9, Questions on Defence.

Nov 4, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Curtis Lazar (27) skates on the ice in the second period against the Detroit Red Wings at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Lazar to Stay

The Sens have announced that Curtis Lazar will stay past the 9 game mark this season. The move makes Lazar a full time Senator, burning a year on his ELC

This question will come up again at the 4o game mark, where Lazar will be a year closer to UFA eligibility. The move comes such that Lazar is unlikely to play in the upcoming World Junior championship, but the option remains.

Ian Mendes mentioned on TSN 1200 this afternoon that even though Lazar hasn’t produced offensively, that the club’s choice to keep him is a testament to his 200 foot game.

the club’s choice to keep him is a testament to his 200 foot game.

The move was an easy decision for Bryan Murray. Lazar has 3 assists in 9 games, the “kid line”, centred by Lazar has been solid the last 3 games and Lazar has shown his responsible style of play. It’s been apparent that Lazar is still not a fully matured player; and we wouldn’t expect him to be. He’ll someday be that mature player, the question was just whether or not Ottawa thinks he’s better to develop at the NHL level or back in junior.

Playing in the NHL allows Lazar to play against men on a nightly basis, and will push him to achieve the upside his game has.

Questions on Defence

Marc Methot is still on the shelf, as Ottawa’s roster remains at 24. Chris Phillips left Tuesday’s game with a lower body injury and Mark Borowiecki has been out with an injury. As Bruce Garrioch reported, Borowiecki and Phillips should be ready to go on Thursday.

The Senators have Marc Methot still out and will need to make a roster move at some point. Likely involving the move of a forward, sending Mark Stone to the AHL may be the easy option but maybe a trade is looked at as well.

The recent injuries on D brought up some questions to a possible call up. Chris Wideman had an amazing month in Binghamton and Fredrik Claesson may be the most favourite to be called up.

Patrick Wiercioch scored his first of the season after a rough start, Wiercioch will have to battle to remain in the lineup as Borowiecki’s return may see Wiercioch out again. On another note, Jared Cowen has played simple hockey since returning to the lineup. He’s been good and steady, and hopefully he’s able to turn it around which could be a key to success for the Senators.