Senators' Dzingel returns to practice
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Ryan Dzingel was a welcome visitor to Thursday's Ottawa Senators practice.
Ideally, he's here to stay.
After missing the club's first two pre-season games with a groin injury, Dzingel, who will likely play a top six-role this year, skated for the first time with the full group. If all goes well, he'll suit up for the club's final two exhibition games.
Dzingel left practice early but only because he had skated with the injured players beforehand. "I feel a lot better," he said.
Dzingel will likely suit up for his first pre-season game next Wednesday night against the Winnipeg Jets at the MTS Centre, while the Senators continue to evaluate players on the bubble. Dzingel already has a spot locked up.
"I know what he is. He's so in shape and he's so fast that the last two games and practice will be enough for him to get ready for the season," Ottawa coach Guy Boucher said. "It will open up some spots for me to see some other guys."
THIS N’ THAT
Winger Nick Paul, who has been sidelined through much of camp, was skating with the Belleville group Thursday ... Defenceman Fredrik Claesson was happy to hear late Monday that the souvenir plaque of his first goal — which included the game sheet and the stick he used March 8 in Dallas — had been found. Thanks to an appeal on the internet to find the stick and good sleuth work by Ottawa resident Peter Judd to track the package, the club’s blue-liner got word after the skate Wednesday from director of team services Jordan Silmser that the keepsake had been found. Judd told TSN 1200 Thursday morning he does a lot of work in logistics so reached out to Claesson on Twitter because he felt he could help and worked with Silmser to find it. “We often came across shipments that were irreplaceable but seemed to be delayed or missing in transit,” Judd, who plays soccer with Silmser in the summer, said. “I’ve gotten very good over the years at finding the right people to talk to.” The package arrived at Claesson’s home Wednesday night and his parents were so happy they raised a toast. “My dad sent me a text showing me a picture of the frame and the crate. He opened it up and put it up on the wall,” Claesson said. “My parents celebrated with a bottle of champagne, they were really happy.” Claesson said Judd will be rewarded for his efforts. “I thanked Peter myself. We’re going to figure something out for Peter,” Claesson said.
OFF THE GLASS
People on Twitter might not be big fans of defenceman Cody Ceci, but Boucher isn't in that camp at all. He believes Ceci is one of the club's most important players because of his ability to play a shutdown role and he doesn't want him to worry about being more of an offensive player this season. "Whatever people want or what he is isn't necessarily the same thing," Boucher said. "That's where he can't get lost in that. He's a player that's going to be asked to play — day in and day out — against the top (unit) of every other team. In that regard, it's a totally different (role). He's one of the few guys, and if you talk to any team in the league, whenever they talk about trades, they want that guy. Why? There's so few guys around like that: A big guy that skates like the wind, that gets involved, that reads the play, is an outstanding penalty kill and that can play against (Connor) McDavid and still jump into the play and help our transition. You have value in what he is without looking at his points." ... Forward Colin White, who broke his wrist blocking a shot Monday, was back at the rink Thursday. He'll likely speak to the media Friday. You'd have to think White will start the season with the club's AHL affiliate in Belleville. He's going to need time to rehabilitate from the injury that will keep him out six-to-eight weeks and he'll need time to show he can get back to NHL speed.
THE LAST WORDS
Centre Kyle Turris, who sat the club's first two exhibition games against the Maple Leafs, won't play Saturday versus the Habs either. Boucher said he'll play Turris Monday night in Summerside, P.E.I., against the Devils and he'll play the rest of the exhibition schedule. "He'll play the last three. I've got too many centres to watch right now. At first I thought we'd play him Saturday but you know what I've got too many guys," Boucher said. "When you put together a lineup, you want to see the young guys and you want your guys to be ready. We're juggling. Saturday is a big one for the new guys and young guys to see what they've got."
