Ottawa Senators Defence Looking Thin for 2019-20 Homestretch

As the 2019-20 season runs down over the next six weeks, the Ottawa Senators look more likely to limp out rather than make a final statement.

After trading Dylan DeMelo to the Winnipeg Jets, and losing Cody Goloubef to the Detroit Red Wings on waivers prior to the trade deadline, the team has been bit by the injury bug. As the season’s homestretch sets in, fans will see a relatively weak defence corps given a major test.

The team’s top four currently consists of Thomas Chabot, Nikita Zaitsev, Mike Reilly and Ron Hainsey. One might argue that there is only one defenceman in this group even worthy of playing top four minutes, in Thomas Chabot.

As his playing time suggests, D.J Smith believes…