On this version of the Ottawa Senators Information & Rumors, we take a look at some potential harm updates on goaltender Linus Ullmark, the standing of Josh Norris because the preseason continues, in addition to what the long run holds for newly drafted defenseman Carter Yakemchuk.
Ullmark Dealing With Minor Harm
After a full summer time of not worrying in regards to the Senators’ goaltending for the primary time in a really very long time, some considerations are again for a few of the fanbase who’ve been listening to the newest information out of the Senators’ morning skates, practices, and preseason lineups.
After not lacing up for the primary preseason recreation, many had been anticipating goaltender Ullmark to play the second recreation and get his first 60 minutes beneath his finest within the new uniform. The Senators acquired Ullmark within the offseason for Joonas Korpisalo, Mark Kastelic, and a draft decide, and he’s checked out because the savior within the crease.
Whereas it has been an extended wait to see what Ullmark is able to in Ottawa, the wait is getting only a contact longer because the goaltender didn’t take part within the morning skate forward of the Sept. 24 preseason recreation in opposition to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Head coach Travis Inexperienced said that Ullmark had missed a apply on Sept. 22 for a upkeep day, however continues to be lacking from the group.
It isn’t time to fret but. The start of preseason is when the standard veterans are getting accustomed to their function, and whereas Ullmark could also be coping with one thing, if it had been an even bigger situation, there would probably have been some transparency and a proof from the membership.
The extra time he misses, the extra worrisome many will get, however because it stands now, it isn’t one thing to lose sleep over.
Norris Nonetheless Not Prepared
Although it’s a very totally different scenario than Ullmark, Norris continues to be not totally up to the mark both. Norris has but to be a full participant in all practices and hasn’t been talked about for any line rushes or preseason lineups but.
Norris did converse to the media just some days in the past, and reassured everybody that his shoulder is holding up and that he’s in a a lot better place in his restoration than he was final offseason. As many bear in mind vividly, Norris missed 32 video games final season, and within the 50 video games he did play, he wasn’t enjoying on the stage he had been previous to the harm bug hitting him.
Norris’ third shoulder surgical procedure causes some doubt about his long-term play, however with issues already going higher this yr than final, there’s optimism about him shifting into this season.
Norris did spend a while on the ice in apply and regarded comfy. Clips of him enjoying bodily made their rounds on X, coach Inexperienced talked about how he regarded good and wasn’t shying away from something, and was impressed together with his play. Norris is likely one of the greatest components within the hunt for the playoffs this season, and if he’s nonetheless struggling or reaggravates the harm, issues will likely be a lot totally different and more difficult for the membership and participant.
Carter Yakemchuk Shines in Preseason Debut
The preseason is all the time a time for gamers to shine and followers to get overzealous about their performances, however within the case of Yakemchuk, he really did make a wonderful first impression with the Senators.
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The expectation for Yakemchuk heading into preseason was to play a couple of preseason video games to point out the employees the place his improvement was at, after only one recreation, some are speculating that he could earn himself a nine-game trial within the NHL earlier than heading again to the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League (WHL).
With 23 minutes of ice time enjoying alongside Thomas Chabot, Yakemchuk slot in very nicely in opposition to the Maple Leafs’ high gamers within the preseason opener. After being drafted, the consensus settlement was that Yakemchuk didn’t have an excessive amount of to work on offensively, however his defending was fairly uncooked.
Beginning with the offensive half, Yakemchuk actually didn’t draw back from displaying that off in his preseason debut, scoring a wonderful overtime-winning purpose. After carrying the puck up the ice, Yakemchuk weaved round each Jake McCabe and Mitch Marner to interrupt free into the Leafs’ finish and beat Matt Murray with a cross-crease transfer. It was a highlight-reel purpose that must be celebrated.
🔴 CARTER YAKEMCHUK ⚫️
A superb transfer by the younger defenseman to win the sport in additional time! pic.twitter.com/oLWEQEKkw4
— NHL (@NHL) September 23, 2024
As for the defensive aspect everybody says he must work on, he nonetheless regarded fairly competent. Yakemchuk was making sensible defensive-zone reads, in addition to enjoying sturdy in opposition to the opposition’s rush. There is no such thing as a doubt that he’ll nonetheless have to develop that defensive aspect extra, and a one-game pattern isn’t really sufficient, however in these 23 minutes, he confirmed a whole lot of promise.
A nine-game trial earlier than heading again to the WHL is wanting extra reasonable than earlier than, and after a couple of extra preseason video games, he might earn that.
The NHL season is in full swing now, and with excessive hopes for the Senators, there will likely be a microscope on each element. You’ll want to come again for all the newest Senators information and rumors.
