The Senators were already without Artem Zub and Erik Brannstrom, who was stretchered off last night.
The Ottawa Senators have lost another defenceman to injury.
Thomas Chabot blocked a shot early in the second period Thursday night and felt the bone pop. He's out 4-6 weeks with a fracture in his right hand/wrist area.
That's the same hand on which Chabot tore a ligament and cracked a bone on his wrist, ending his season last March. That was his focus over the summer, fully rehabbing it and ensuring it didn't linger into this season. It's not clear whether the injuries are related or not.
There is, however, a silver lining to this setback.
With 0 goals and 3 assists, the level of Chabot's game this season hasn't been irreplaceable, and 4-6 weeks on the sidelines would qualify him for Long Term Injured Reserve. To be placed on LTIR, a player must be expected to be out of the lineup for at least 24 days or 10 NHL games, whichever comes first.
Moving an $8 million-a-year player on to LTIR leaves plenty of cap room to pay for call-ups to replace both Chabot and Erik Brannstrom, who was stretchered off after hitting the back of his head hit the ice Thursday night. All tests for anything beyond the concussion came back negative. He's heading home to Ottawa today.
Artem Zub's spot is already being taken by call-up Jacob Bernard-Docker. Zub was hit with a puck or stick blade in the ear area nine days ago. Max Guenette, Tyler Kleven, and Lassi Thomson are possible targets for a call-up.
Assuming Chabot goes on LTIR, the club even has cap room now to be able to experiment with a call-up of a player like Jiri Smejkal, who outplayed several players in training camp.