Since 2022, Matthew Highmore has struggled to get full-time play in the NHL. After playing in just two games in the 2022-23 season with the St. Louis Blues, Highmore has spent his time with the Ottawa Senators since last season.
However, even with a fresh start in Ottawa, Highmore is still struggling to be a full-time NHLer. Last season, Highmore recorded just two assists while playing in seven games.
This season, Highmore wouldn't play in an NHL game until Jan. 11. Highmore appeared to be on the right track to get more NHL playing time when he got inserted into the lineup, but his play since mid-January hasn't been much productive now at 29 years old.
Highmore has struggled and has been having limited ice time
In his second game played this season, things appeared to be high for Highmore when he scored not only his first NHL goal since April 2022, but also the game-winning goal in the Senators win on Jan. 12 against the Dallas Stars. Since his goal against the Stars, Highmore has struggled.
Highmore has recorded just three assists in 17 games following his goal. Along with not much offensive production, Highmore's ice time is a concern to his game.
This past Wednesday in the Senators' 4-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, Highmore's ice time of 17:52 was his highest ice time of the season. Even with high ice time, Highmore still went pointless and didn't record a single shot on goal, but last night against the San Jose Sharks was something to keep an eye on.
In the Senators' 5-3 win against the Sharks, Highmore had an ice time of 8:45, which was not only the third lowest ice time he's played this season, but also the fourth time that he's had under 10 minutes of ice time in a game.
With little ice time and not having much production offensively, playing Highmore might not be much of an impact for the Senators. Someone in the AHL in Belleville could be a better option to get used to NHL play, or to potentially trade him at the deadline in five days.
Highmore is on an expiring contract at $775,000 and will become an unrestricted free agent.