The Ottawa Senators have gotten off to a strong start this season, but with injuries starting to pile up, they need more from Andre Burakovsky. The veteran forward has yet to record a goal or an assist through seven games and has already been a healthy scratch.
That is not what Ottawa needs from him right now. The Senators are playing well, but they are also dealing with injuries that have forced others to take on bigger roles. This is where Burakovsky needs to step up and show why the team brought him in.
Ottawa needs more from Burakovsky
Burakovsky has shown throughout his NHL career that he can produce offensively. He has reached the 20-goal mark multiple times which was why Ottawa brought him in, the talent is there.
However, past production only goes so far when a player is struggling in the present. Seven games without a point is not a massive sample size, but the lack of production becomes more concerning when he has already been scratched. With the Senators dealing with injuries, they need every available forward contributing in some way.
This is the time for Burakovsky to find his game. Ottawa does not need him to carry the offence, but it does need him to provide some secondary scoring and take advantage of the opportunity in front of him. If he cannot do that while the team is missing key players, it is fair to question what his role should be once everyone starts returning to the lineup.
The Senators may need to cut their losses
If Burakovsky's struggles continue, Ottawa should at least consider putting him on waivers. It would be a tough decision given his NHL experience and past production, but the Senators cannot afford to wait around forever if they have other options available.
Waiving him would open up a roster spot and give Ottawa a chance to call up Sammy Blais or Philip Tomasino from the Belleville Senators, who has earned an opportunity. They could provide a spark, bring some fresh energy to the lineup, and give the coaching staff another option while injuries remain an issue.
There is always a chance that another team claims Burakovsky, allowing Ottawa to move on from his contract and the salary-cap implications for free. However, given the start to the season he has had, it seems very unlikely, which would mean that the Senators would have a buried cap hit. Which is better than paying a player $5.5 million to not produce.
At the end of the day, the Senators have to focus on what gives them the best chance to win right now, and that could be placing him on waivers.
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