Summary
The Ottawa Senators have officially called up defenseman Lassi Thomson from their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate in Belleville. This move comes at a critical time as the team prepares for two games in two days this weekend. With injuries affecting the main roster, the Senators needed to add depth to their defensive unit to ensure they have enough healthy players for the upcoming schedule.
Main Impact
The primary reason for this roster move is a lack of healthy defenders. The Senators are currently dealing with multiple injuries on their blue line, which has left them short-handed. By bringing Thomson up, the team now has seven defensemen available for their back-to-back set of games. This gives the coaching staff more flexibility and protects the team in case another player gets hurt during the busy weekend.
Key Details
What Happened
Lassi Thomson was promoted to the NHL squad on Saturday. This is his second time being called up this season, though he has yet to see game action with the big club during this campaign. The move was triggered by an injury to veteran defenseman Nick Jensen, who got hurt during a recent game against the Montreal Canadiens. Jensen is currently listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Fortunately for the team, reports indicate that this new injury is not related to the hip surgery Jensen had over the summer.
Important Numbers and Facts
Thomson has been having a very strong season in the minor leagues. In 55 games with the Belleville Senators, he has scored 14 goals and added 11 assists for a total of 25 points. His 14 goals are the most by any defenseman in the entire AHL this year. Despite this success, the 25-year-old has found it difficult to stay in the NHL. Since being drafted 19th overall in 2019, he has only played 18 games for Ottawa. Most of those appearances happened several years ago during the 2021-22 season.
Background and Context
Lassi Thomson was once considered one of the top prospects for the Ottawa Senators. Being a first-round draft pick brings high expectations, but his path to the NHL has not been easy. After struggling to earn a permanent spot, he spent all of last season playing in Sweden. He returned to North America this year to give the NHL another try. While he has proven he can score at the AHL level, the Senators have been slow to give him a chance in the starting lineup.
The situation is also complicated by Thomson’s contract status. This summer, he is expected to become a "Group Six" unrestricted free agent. This happens when a player is at least 25 years old and has not played enough NHL games. Because he is likely to become a free agent, there have been reports that Thomson is already looking at options to play in Switzerland next season. This weekend could be one of his last chances to show the Senators that he deserves a spot on the team before he considers moving back to Europe.
Public or Industry Reaction
Hockey analysts have noted that Thomson’s scoring ability from the blue line is something the Senators could use. However, there have always been questions about his defensive play at the highest level. Fans are curious to see if his high goal totals in the AHL will lead to success in the NHL. Meanwhile, the news about Nick Jensen’s injury has caused some concern. Jensen has seen his playing time drop this season, but he remains a veteran leader on the team. Hearing that his current injury is not related to his previous major surgery was a relief for many followers of the team.
What This Means Going Forward
For the Senators, the next few days are about survival and evaluation. They need to get through a tough weekend of games without losing more players to injury. For Thomson, this is a massive opportunity. If he gets into the lineup and plays well, he might convince the team to keep him around or attract interest from other NHL teams before he hits free agency. If he does not play or struggles, it becomes much more likely that he will sign a contract in Europe for the next season. The team will also be watching Nick Jensen closely to see how quickly he can return to the ice.
Final Take
This roster move is a classic example of how professional sports teams manage depth during a long season. While injuries are never good, they provide a window for players like Lassi Thomson to prove their worth. Whether this is a short stay or the start of a longer NHL career for Thomson remains to be seen. For now, the Senators are simply focused on having a full roster as they head into a demanding weekend of hockey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Lassi Thomson called up?
He was called up because the Senators have several injured defensemen, including Nick Jensen, and they need extra players for two games this weekend.
How has Thomson performed this year?
He has been excellent in the AHL, leading all defensemen in that league with 14 goals so far this season.
Is Nick Jensen’s injury serious?
He is currently listed as day-to-day. The team confirmed the injury is not related to the hip surgery he had during the previous off-season.