Donovan Heads Back to the Farm
The Ottawa Senators have sent defenceman Jorian Donovan back to the American Hockey League's Belleville Senators, the club confirmed ahead of their upcoming game against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.
Donovan had been recalled to fill a blueline gap for Ottawa, but with the roster situation shifting, the young defender will return to Belleville to continue his development in the AHL. It's a routine transaction, but one that's sparked plenty of chatter among Sens fans — because it likely signals that someone else is ready to come back.
Is Jake Sanderson Returning?
The big question swirling around Scotiabank Place is whether star defenceman Jake Sanderson will be cleared to return for Tuesday's tilt against Florida. Sanderson has been sidelined with an injury, and his absence has been felt on the Ottawa blue line.
The Donovan reassignment strongly hints that Sanderson may be nearing a return, but the Senators have been cautious. Reports indicate Sanderson was set to skate on Monday, and how that session goes will be the real determining factor. Don't pencil him in just yet — Ottawa's staff will want to see a clean skate before putting him back in the lineup.
What It Means for the Senators Down the Stretch
With the Senators still in the mix for a playoff spot, every roster decision carries weight. Ottawa has leaned heavily on its defensive corps this season, and losing Sanderson — even temporarily — has put extra pressure on veterans and call-ups alike.
Donovan, for his part, acquitted himself well during his time with the big club. The 22-year-old showed composure and physicality, earning positive reviews from the coaching staff. A return trip to Belleville isn't a setback — it's part of the development plan, and he'll likely get more ice time and opportunity there than he would riding the Ottawa bench.
Florida Looms Large
Tuesday's game against the Florida Panthers is no cakewalk. Florida is a defending Stanley Cup champion with one of the deepest rosters in the Eastern Conference. For Ottawa, it's exactly the kind of test that will reveal where this team stands heading into the final weeks of the regular season.
If Sanderson does return, it would be a major boost — not just for the defensive pairings but for team morale. His skating ability and two-way play give Ottawa a dimension that's hard to replace. Without him, head coach Travis Green will need to be creative with his defensive rotations.
Eyes on Monday's Skate
Ottawa fans will be watching Monday's practice session closely. A full, unrestricted skate from Sanderson would be the green light everyone's hoping for. Until then, it's a wait-and-see situation — which, as any Sens fan knows, is a familiar place to be.
Tuesday's puck drop against Florida can't come soon enough.
Source: Ottawa Citizen
