Senators Place Ceci, Dzingel, Formenton on Injured Reserve

The Ottawa Senators placed Cody Ceci, Ryan Dzingel, and Alex Formenton on injured reserve on Friday. In a pair of corresponding moves, the team recalled defenseman Christian Jaros and forward Nick Paul from Belleville (AHL).

Ceci was announced out with a lower-body injury but is believed to be suffering from multiple injuries. He’s struggled to start the season, registering no points, a -4 rating, and a 41.5 CF% through four games. Still, he is second among all Senators in ice time and will be difficult to replace in the interim, especially on the penalty kill.

Dzingel had been questionable for Ottawa’s last two games but ultimately played in both contests. According to the Senators he is out with a lower-body injury. Head coach Guy Boucher should update the status on all three players after the Senators’ practice on Friday. The fact that Dzingel already played through the injury suggests it’s not anything that will keep him out long-term. The 26-year-old winger is off to a hot start this season, logging two goals and two assists in four games. It’s unknown who Boucher will have play on the top line and powerplay unit in place of Dzingel.

Formenton would be a candidate to move up the depth chart if he wasn’t out with a concussion. The 19-year-old rookie suffered the injury in Wednesday’s game against the Flyers. There should be an update on his status later today. Formenton scored 29 goals in 48 games for the London Knights (OHL) last season but is yet to register a point in five career NHL games.

Jaros is a former fifth-round pick from the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. He played in two games for the Senators last season, registering zero points and four hits. Jaros is not a guarantee to play in place of Ceci. Defenseman Ben Harpur has been scratched in all four games this season and is the favourite to play on Saturday. He had no goals and one assist in 41 games for the Senators last season.

Unlike Jaros, Paul should be instantly inserted into the Senators’ lineup. He has three goals and three assists in 36 career games. He should serve a bottom-six role until Dzingel and Formenton are cleared to return. Forward Paul Carey will fill the other vacant spot up front.