As Anton Forsberg nears a comeback, the Senators face lineup adjustments.
Senators’ President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Steve Staios faces the task of maneuvering through salary cap constraints during the early part of the NHL schedule break.
Once the nine-day hiatus concludes on Feb. 10 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Senators anticipate assistance, particularly with goaltender Anton Forsberg nearing recovery from a right groin injury sustained on Jan. 7 against the Buffalo Sabres. If all progresses as anticipated, Forsberg could be back in action when the Senators face the Leafs at the Canadian Tire Centre.
Forsberg, absent for his 10th consecutive game as the Senators concluded the schedule before the All-Star break against the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday night at Little Caesars Arena, is now eligible to be removed from the long-term injury reserve (LTIR).
However, to accommodate Forsberg’s $2.75 million U.S. salary, Staios must clear cap space, as the Senators had only $1.05 million U.S. in cap room as of Wednesday, according to capfriendly.com.
Forward Rourke Chartier, a valuable penalty killer for the team, cleared waivers Wednesday at 2 p.m., resulting in his $775,000 salary being removed from the books as he was assigned to the club’s AHL affiliate in Belleville.
It is expected that the Senators will also assign Mads Sogaard to Belleville to allow him to continue developing his game during the break. Sogaard, recalled on an emergency basis, carries a $925,000 salary, providing additional cap relief.
Consequently, to create more cap space, the Senators may need to either demote rugged winger Zack MacEwen or defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker. MacEwen, who was a healthy scratch Wednesday night, has two years remaining on his contract at $775,000 annually.
Forsberg’s return will enable Sogaard to refine his skills in Belleville. In the four games since his recall, Sogaard has struggled to maintain consistency, posting a 1-1-0 record with an .825 save percentage and a 5.09 goals-against average. The 23-year-old, selected 37th overall in the 2019 NHL draft, was replaced by No. 1 goalie Joonas Korpisalo after allowing three goals on 11 shots against the Nashville Predators on Monday.
Forsberg, like many others on the Senators roster, has faced challenges finding his form this season, tallying a 7-8-0 record with a 3.35 goals-against average and an .889 save percentage.
