SENATORS SNAPSHOTS: Drake Batherson closing on a return from high ankle sprain

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Drake Batherson created some excitement at Thursday’s morning skating.

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As it got under way at the Canadian Tire Center, the Ottawa Senators’ winger was on the ice in a contact jersey while taking regular shifts on the right side of the top line with captain Brady Tkachuk and center Josh Norris.

It left many wondering if Batherson was ready for a return from his high ankle sprain, but he was skating because Connor Brown was a game time decision with an undisclosed ailment he’s been playing with.

“Drake’s out there today and he’s probably a little bit away,” coach DJ Smith said Thursday before facing the Seattle Kraken to open a five-game home stand at the Canadian Tire Center. “I know people are probably pretty excited.”

Well, to be honest, everybody was excited because Batherson has been out since he suffered the high ankle sprain against the Buffalo Sabers Jan. 25th.

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“He didn’t have to stop and start and he didn’t have to grind his ankle,” Smith said. “The flow drills were stuff that he’s been doing. It gives our guys a little bit of jam with (Brown) not even skating this morning, I didn’t put them together, they just found each other there.
“You could see the excitement in them just having Drake out there and he looked pretty good to me. If you’re asking me, I’d put him out there tonight, but he’s not ready. It was just good to have him back with the guys. He sits on the bench and watches every practice. He just loves hockey. It’s just good to have him back around the guys.”

Smith said Batherson won’t play during this home stand that wraps up next Friday against the Philadelphia Flyers.
If you look at the calendar, March 26th is eight weeks from the injury, but don’t rule out a return earlier that week if the ankle is strong enough.

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MAYBE NEXT YEAR?

Smith was asked if he feels this team is headed in the right direction to make the playoffs as early as next season.
“That’s a great question,” Smith said. “So much wants to be made of this rebuild. Really, truly, the rebuild started when we trade (Jean-Gabriel Pageau (Feb., 2020). You traded your final piece. When Ridly Greig, and all these guys get here, you’re going to see the final piece rewards come with it.

“Norris and Batherson are only in their second year, Brady and all these guys are getting to the point where they know what it takes to win. They don’t do it every night and that’s part of being young. But they’re at the point where as a group they understand what they have to do to win.”

Smith said it would have helped to have center Shane Pinto as part of the mix because it was a chance for him to get to know what it takes to play in the NHL. He suffered a shoulder injury early in the season and will find out in the next couple of weeks if he’ll be able to return at all this year.

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“Pinto is a huge loss for us this year because it would have helped him and helped us assess just how good we are down the middle,” Smith said.
Smith noted general manager Pierre Dorion and the rest of the hockey operations staff will determine what the club needs to make the next step.

He added owner Eugene Melnyk and Dorion have done this the right way.

“The patience that they’ve shown, Mr. Melnyk and Pierre, by not listening to the noise and (staying) with the kids all the way through,” Smith said. “(They chose) not to panic and go get a ton of veterans which may get us closer to the playoffs, but at the end of the day does (Alex) Formenton get to play as much as he does?

“Does (Erik) Brannstrom, (Parker) Kelly? Does Norris get top-line minutes on the power play? I guess, the answer to your question, is Pierre will have to make that decision (on what’s needed) in the summer, but I think this is the proper timeline for these young kids.
“They’re starting to come to that point where I think it would be fair to say next year it’s fair to judge us, if we’re healthy, it’s time for us to start being better than just OK.”

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SKATING AND WAITING

With the trade deadline set for March 21, winger Nick Paul was asked the usual question about where his talks are at on a new deal.
The 26-year-old Paul, who has played a key role for this team, says he’s leaving those discussions in the hands of his Toronto-based agent Paul Capizzano.

“I’m just focusing on myself and the team right now,” Paul said. “I’m just leaving it to my agent and I honestly haven’t talked to him since the last time I talked to you guys about it two weeks ago.

“I’m just kind of leaving it in their hands. I don’t really know what’s going on, but my agent knows I’m one of those guys that can’t just tune it out and play hockey. Whatever happens, happens. I didn’t even realize it was 10 days (to the deadline) because I’m focused on the team and getting better every day.”

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If the Senators do decide to trade Pau because he’s over-priced himself, there will be lots of interest.

Despite reports to the contrary, Dorion has held talks with Capizzano and the two sides are trying to get a three-or-four-year contract in place.

Stay tuned.

DO NOT UPDATE IN NET

Goaltender Matt Murray wasn’t on the ice Thursday and there’s no timetable for his return from what’s believed to be a head injury he suffered in Saturday’s 8-5 loss to the Arizona Coyotes on the road.

Smith had no real update on his status when asked where Murray is at?

“He’s not close at this point,” said Smith. “We’ll update as we go. He’s not skating or close to skating at this point. We’ll update that as we go along.”

Naturally, it’s hard to tell how long Murray will be out but he has been placed on an injured-reserve and until he resumes skating there won’t be any real update.

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THE LAST WORDS

Norris suited up for his 100th career game against the Kraken. It’s nice milestone for the 22-year-old.

He went into the game with 37 goals and 65 points in 99 games with the Senators. Norris hit the 20-goal plateau with his game-winner against the Blues on Tuesday.

“It’s not a crazy amount of games but it’s 100 games and that’s a nice little milestone to hit,” Norris said. “It’s definitely exciting. I just want to keep getting better. We’re in a unique spot here because all the guys are coming up together and we’re starting to find our game a little bit.”

A key piece in the deal that sent former captain Erik Karlsson to the San Jose Sharks, Norris has made his impact felt. It feels like the sky is the limit for him.

“We weren’t sure last year how much to give him and just how much was too much,” Smith said. “The best part is, he was able to learn on the fly. His offense from him has always been there but he’s learned to play against the best players.

“For 100 games, it’s hard to believe it’s gone this well to be honest. The offensive numbers, the way he plays and just the way it looks like he’s coming as a player, I don’t think we could be any happier.”