Colin White and Artem Anisimov Will Miss Weeks
Both centres are dealing with lower-body injuries.
Update 4:00pmET: Both White and Anisimov have been placed on IR.
After recalling Logan Brown from the Belleville Senators this morning, the Ottawa Senators announced that centres Colin White and Artem Anisimov will both be out a period of weeks.
Pierre Dorion says Anisimov is out two weeks with lower body. Colin White is our three to five weeks with hip flexor. #Sens
— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) October 23, 2019
Anisimov sustained a lower-body injury on October 12th against the Tampa Bay Lightning, in the Senators’ only win so far this season. He missed three games, before returning to the lineup as a gametime decision Monday night in Dallas. It appears that Anisimov reaggravated the injury, and is now set to miss two weeks.
White, on the other hand, has been attempting to play through a hip flexor strain. This makes sense, as the usually effective centre has registered just two points in the season’s first eight games. He will miss anywhere from 3-5 weeks.
White tried to play through his injury and decision was made to shut him down. #Sens
— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) October 23, 2019
This is a huge blow to a Senators team that is already struggling mightily to begin the campaign. White is currently the undisputed number one centre, and his loss will likely be felt the strongest. With Brown recalled, and taking first line rushes, he’ll be thrown straight into the fire of his first lengthy NHL stint.
Anisimov, on the other hand, presents a different challenge. Currently, J.C. Beaudin, who has been a regular scratch in Belleville, is taking his spot on the fourth line. It appears the Senators don’t want a top centre prospect playing 10 minutes or less a night, but with them now at the 23-man roster limit, their options are becoming increasingly limited.
The Senators return home to face the Detroit Red Wings, tonight at 7:30pmET.