The Senators have rebalanced their blue line, but if Chabot's health issues continue next season, it may be a big problem.

For all of the Ottawa Senators' faults during their rebuild, they seem to have had more than their share of injuries. Heading into next season, they have a few players in their lineup who must return to total health (and stay healthy) if they have any chance at a playoff spot. 

But Thomas Chabot, now an NHL veteran, is the player they most need to get back on track.

The Senators finally have some balance in their top four, which should allow Chabot to do what he does best with a partner who helps erase the things he doesn't do well. One of the things he hasn't done well lately is stay in the lineup. 

2021-22 (missed 23 games), 2022-23 (14 games),  2023-24 (31 games). 

Chabot underwent wrist surgery in May to address a problem that's been bothering him for two seasons. Sometimes, he played through it; sometimes, it forced him to the press box. The surgery went well, and he's expected to be ready for training camp.

As he prepares for his eighth season in the league, he should be a motivated player. Chabot (6th) and Brady Tkachuk (4th) are among the NHL active leaders in most games played without appearing in a Stanley Cup Playoff game.

At 27, Chabot is excellent with the puck, but he has regressed as a defender and averaged less than one hit per game last season. The Sens are hoping at least a little of that is related to injuries and D.J. Smith's years of absurd overuse.

But if the wrist remains an issue or a new injury pops up, that surplus of skilled left-shot depth isn't there. Not anymore. With Jakob Chychrun and Erik Brannstrom no longer with the team, there isn't an easy fill-in for Chabot. Who is it? Tyler Kleven? Maybe. Is he even NHL-ready, let alone capable of filling in on the top four? 

After that, Filip Roos or Jeremy Davies are next on the left shot depth chart, which would probably look like this:

Sanderson–Jensen

Kleven–Zub

Roos–Bernard-Docker

If Chabot has to miss time, as he has for three straight seasons, then Brannstrom's availability as a top-four sub would start to look pretty good. Now with the Colorado Avalanche, Brannstrom's Chabot impression was always pretty good – not too Chabby.

So, the Sens desperately need a return to health and form for Chabot. Otherwise, Steve Staios's desire for a balanced blue line goes right out the window. He just fixed the problem of too much left-shot, puck-moving skill in the top four. 

Now, given Chabot's injury history, there might not be enough.