The Ottawa Senators were dealt another blow today as the injury bug reared its ugly head again. Captain Daniel Alfredsson will miss tomorrow’s game versus the Carolina Hurricanes due to a sore hip flexor.
Alfredsson said he had been feeling sore for a couple of days and just needs a game off to rest and he plans to be back for Thursday’s game. Hopefully, that’s all it is. With Alfie’s injury history, Sens Army will hold their breath as Alfie heals. But Alfie knows his body best so its fair to take him at his word.
With Alfie not in the line-up, this team is a different team on the ice. Alfie is the hardest working player on the ice every night and he leads by example. And with Alfie off to a great start to the year (3 goals and 2 assists in 8 games), Ottawa needs him in the line-up to help carry the offensive load, especially for a goal starved team like Ottawa.
Called up to replace Alfie in the line-up will be fan favorite and locker leader, Kaspars Daugavins. After helping the B-Sens win the Calder Cup last season, Daugavins had a tumultuous summer where his future in the organization was in doubt. But after resigning for one more year with the club, many expected to see Daugavins get a shot in Ottawa this season.
After getting off to a hot start in Bingo with four goals and six points in seven games, Daugavins earns the prestige of getting to be the first call-up of the year. This is surprising as recently sent down forward, Nikita Filatov has had a good couple of games in Binghamton. But me thinks there was an agreement that Daugavins would be the first call-up when he resigned with the club late in the summer.
Daugavins will bring his energy game to Ottawa and hopefully be able to pot in a goal here and there. The 23 year old has been in the organization for parts of six seasons now and this is his big opportunity to crack the NHL. Check out Daugavins interview after his first skate in Ottawa. Video courtesy of SensTV.
The Sens face the Canes tomorrow night at 7 pm. Good luck to Daugavins in his first NHL action of the year.
**Don’t forget to buy your Tickets for SenShot’s Alfie Night in Ottawa on November 11th, 2011. Click here for more details**
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