Why the Senators Must Be Careful With Sanderson

Ottawa Senators fans have been waiting for Jake Sanderson to return to the lineup. After missing eight games with a lower-body injury, the young defenceman is expected to return Wednesday against the Florida Panthers. That's welcome news for a team that has been without one of its most important players early in the season.

The timing matters, too. Thomas Chabot is expected to miss another one to two weeks with an upper-body injury, leaving Ottawa short-handed on defence. Sanderson's return should help, but the bigger question is: How much can the Senators reasonably expect from a player coming back from injury?

Sanderson Is More Than Another Defenceman.

Last season, Sanderson led Ottawa's defencemen in goals, assists, points and average ice time. Those numbers tell us something about his value, but they don't tell the whole story. He's a player the Senators can trust in several situations, whether they're trying to protect a lead, generate offence or get their power play moving.

That's a lot of responsibility for one player, and it's part of what makes his return so important. With Chabot unavailable, Ottawa needs someone who can help settle things down while still contributing offensively.

The encouraging sign is that Sanderson practised with the top defensive pairing and ran the first power-play unit before his return. That suggests the Senators expect him to play a significant role. Still, practice isn't the same as facing NHL competition, and it may take a little time for him to get his timing back.

The Senators Need to Think Beyond One Game.

It's easy to get excited about having a key player back, especially when another important defenceman is injured. But Ottawa has to look beyond Wednesday night. Sanderson missed more than two weeks of action. Even if he's ready to play, that doesn't necessarily mean he should immediately be expected to handle every minute and assignment he managed before getting hurt.

This is where coaching and player management matter. The Senators need Sanderson on the ice, but they also need him healthy for the long haul. Giving him a sensible workload while he finds his rhythm could be just as important as getting him back into the lineup.

And let's not forget that the rest of Ottawa's defence has had to adjust during his absence. His return gives the coaching staff more options and should help everyone settle into more familiar roles.

What's Next for the Senators?

Wednesday's game against Florida will be a useful first look at where Sanderson stands. Fans shouldn't judge his return solely by the score, a power-play result or how many minutes he plays. The bigger question is whether he can gradually return to being the dependable, all-situations defenceman Ottawa needs.

For the Senators, getting Sanderson back is good news. Making sure he stays healthy and can contribute consistently is the more important part of the story.