Marc Methot has been out all season. An injury that has plagued him since last April came back before training camp. The problem has been known as a back matter, and it’s a rough area to take a chance in.
That being said, it looks like Methot could make his season debut as soon as tomorrow @ Islanders.
The Senators took a morning skate in Tampa Bay today and will travel to New York later today before their home-and-home matchup with the Islanders. Aaron Ward had the report, citing that if all goes well it looks like Methot could return tomorrow.
If #Sens morning skate goes well, indications are Marc Methot very likely to make his season debut tomorrow night against #Islanders #TSN
— Aaron Ward (@NHL_AaronWard) December 1, 2014
A fact to keep in mind is that Methot hasn’t played a game since April.
So, I don’t think we can expect an up to game shape Methot right away. In fact, the most logical approach to the situation may be to rest Methot and play him in a diminished role for the time being.
The idea of a conditioning stint was brought up, but that doesn’t seem to be a go either. Easing Methot back into the lineup seems like the most logical choice at this point.
Methot’s return will mark a roster move. At this point, it looks like Colin Greening may be on the go but Cody Ceci or Mark Stone to the AHL may be the easy move if they can’t deal someone right away.
Nov 20, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators right wing Bobby Ryan (6) celebrates his goal scored in the second period against the Nashville Predators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing James van Riemsdyk (21) and Ottawa Senators right wing Bobby Ryan (6) battle for the puck in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Maple Leafs defeated the Senators 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Bobby Ryan out.. again?
Bobby Ryan missed the Tampa Bay game, caused by a fractured finger.
Ryan has shown he can play through injuries in the past, but hasn’t always worked in his favour. Last season saw Ryan play through a sports hernia from October, until he finally required surgery at the 70 game mark.
Ryan’s game slowed down incredibly after the hernia, and it looks like this will be another set back. Ryan claims that pain tolerance is the issue in this case, where a simple task like gripping the stick could become painful as the game wears on.
Bobby will remain a “maybe” until tomorrow’s skate, where Ryan will know if he is ready to go.
Nick Paul
Hockey Canada announced their selection camp invitees monday, where Ottawa prospect Nick Paul made the list.
Canada’s forward invitee group includes 17 forwards, where Canada will likely take 13. Paul’s size is a big asset, where at only 19 his 6foot3 stature will have Team Canada seriously considering Paul a candidate.
Nick Paul may be a player on the bubble at this point, but taking into account his impressive OHL stats of 18G, 36P in 24 games could earn Paul a spot.
Ben Harpur, another Ottawa prospect who was at the summer camps did not find his name on the list this time around. Harpur missed time due to injury and suspension and was an outside-looking-in prospect.