Getty Images The Ottawa Senators will have to get by without Jason Spezza for a while. The 29-year-old star forward will undergo back surgery for a herniated disc on Friday and is out “indefinitely,” the club announced today.
It’s not clear how long his recovery will take — the Sens are hoping he’ll be back for the playoffs.
With Spezza gone, the Senators will need to look elsewhere for offense. Fortunately, the team hasn’t had any problems in that regard early this season. Forwards Kyle Turris and Milan Michalek are off to superb starts while Erik Karlsson continues to be one of the top offensive defenseman in the NHL.
Ottawa has a 5-1-1 record and has averaged an impressive 3.43 goals per contest. Still, maintaining that pace will be quite a challenge, especially without its leading scorer in 2011-12.
Spezza has already missed two games due to the injury, both of them Sens victories.
-
Getty Images
It boils down to mistakes of all kinds.
-
Getty Images
What a difference one goal makes.
-
Leddy benched, not hurt, as Chicago rolled five defensemen
Jun 20, 2013, 12:37 AM EDT
Getty Images
He played less than three minutes in Game 4.
-
Getty Images
It’s now 2-2 after an exciting 6-5 thriller.
-
Getty Images
The Bruins won’t give up.
-
Video: Bruins, Hawks combine for five goals in 11 minutes during wild second period
Jun 19, 2013, 10:19 PM EDT
Getty Images
… And there were plenty of other close calls.
-
Getty Images
Vancouver Canucks would appreciate the cap space.
-
Getty Images
Michal Handzus scores first, Rich Peverley ties it.
-
Getty Images
The money part has been settled, according to Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston.
-
Getty Images
In case you were worrying about another late scratch.
-
Getty Images
The Swede wasn’t getting benched during playoff games, for one.
-
Getty Images
Tough timing for free agent Mason Raymond.
-
Getty Images
37-year-old ‘tender ready to call it a career.
-
Nonis says compliance buyout a ‘distinct possibility’ for Leafs
Jun 19, 2013, 5:19 PM EDT
Getty Images
That’s a picture of Mike Komisarek.
-
Apparently Glen Sather and Mike Gillis don’t see the game evolving the same way
Jun 19, 2013, 4:44 PM EDT
Getty Images
Which could be why they end up swapping coaches.
-
NHL to implement hybrid icing next season if trial period goes well
Jun 19, 2013, 3:20 PM EDT
The players’ union and Board of Governors will vote near the end of the exhibition campaign.



