Ottawa Senators lose Rudolfs Balcers indefinitely due to injury
By James Reeve
The Ottawa Senators have been dealt yet another disappointing blow with the news that Rudolfs Balcers is out indefinitely.
Latvian forward Rudolfs Balcers has been ruled out indefinitely due to injury in what is a sorry blow for the Ottawa Senators organisation.
22-year-old Balcers had looked good in preseason action with the Senators and was looking to build on a season that saw him play an extensive period in the NHL.
In 36 regular-season games with the Senators, Balcers earned five goals and 14 total points – following on from a strong showing in the AHL with the Belleville Senators, in which he earned 17 goals and 31 total points in 43 games.
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With the Senators going through a rebuilding process, which is likely to take at least between two-to-three seasons, Balcers appeared to have an opportunity to earn an even larger role on the team in 2019/20, with results not holding as much significance.
The organisation’s ultimate goal under D.J. Smith will be to develop the young talent that is beginning to emerge, with Balcers identified as one that could be ready to continue his long-term development in the NHL.
Originally a fifth-round selection by the San Jose Sharks in the 2015 NHL Draft, Balcers was a key piece in the blockbuster trade that saw Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson head down to California.
His first season in the Canadian capital has been impressive and seeing him go down with a lower-body injury is a huge disappointment to the team, with the Latvian now requiring further tests to truly determine the full extent of his injury.
The hope will be that he is able to return with a significant portion of the season still to play, but at the time of writing there is no timetable for an expected return.
Next. Three important Senators this season. dark
What do you think Sens fans? How disappointed are you to see Balcers join Christian Wolanin on the injured reserve list? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!