Senators place Cameron Crotty on waivers ahead of Thomas Chabot's return
The move creates roster space for captain Thomas Chabot, who has been out with an upper-body injury since Oct. 18.
OTTAWA · The Ottawa Senators waived defenceman Cameron Crotty on Wednesday to clear a roster spot. The move signals that captain Thomas Chabot is likely to return from an upper-body injury for Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Kings. Chabot has been sidelined since Oct. 18 after getting hurt against the Philadelphia Flyers. He practised in a non-contact jersey before shedding it at Monday's skate. The Sainte-Marie, Que., native has four points and a plus-5 rating in nine games this season.
Who is the player placed on waivers?
Cameron Crotty is a 27-year-old Ottawa native who has played three games for the Senators this season. He did not record a point and averaged just over 11 minutes of ice time in those appearances. His last game was on Oct. 15. Originally a third-round pick of the Arizona Coyotes in 2017, Crotty has one assist in 11 career NHL games across three teams. He scored his first NHL point in six games with Ottawa last season and also played in the playoffs.
What is the next step for Crotty?
Crotty will be available to other NHL teams until the waiver period ends Thursday afternoon. If he is not claimed, the Senators expect to assign him to their AHL affiliate in Belleville. The team said the move would allow him to play meaningful minutes again after not suiting up for nearly two weeks. "With the way the Sens' season is going injury-wise, it may not be long before Crotty is needed again," the Senators said. "So, from that perspective, it's important to get him back playing again."
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How has the team handled its injury troubles?
The Senators have continued to play despite missing several key players. Along with Chabot, the team is without starting goalie Linus Ullmark and winger William Eklund. Winger Warren Foegele also suffered a knee injury on Tuesday night. Chabot's return would mark the first time this season that Ottawa's top six defencemen are all healthy for a game. The team said that development "will allow the D to settle back in with partners, ice time and matchups that are more familiar and appropriate."
What lineup changes will Chabot's return force?
Chabot's activation will require the Senators to sit one of their other defencemen. Jake Sanderson, Artem Zub, Jordan Spence and Tyler Kleven are expected to play. That leaves either Nikolas Matinpalo or Carter Yakemchuk as the likely healthy scratch. The team must also replace Foegele, possibly with Hayden Hodgson or a call-up from Belleville. Chabot was named the 11th captain in franchise history before the season, becoming the first francophone to hold the role in Ottawa. Garbutt Disposal reported in October that his predecessor, Brady Tkachuk, was booed upon returning to Ottawa with the Florida Panthers. Chabot had a goal and an assist in his first game as captain, a win over Toronto. The Senators face the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday.
With files from Sportsnet and Yahoo Sports