The Senators reassigned Zack Ostapchuk and Jiri Smejkal to AHL Belleville as they strive to secure the final playoff spot in the North Division after finishing their season with a victory over the Bruins.

By the Numbers
  • Ostapchuk recorded 17 goals and 11 assists for 28 points in 66 games with Belleville this season.
  • Smejkal, in his first NHL season, had 20 appearances and managed two points, including his first NHL goal.
  • Ostapchuk struggled in the faceoff circle with an FO% of 26.8 and a relative CF% of -10.3 in his NHL debut.
Yes, But

The reassignments may indicate a lack of confidence in the players' abilities to contribute to the Senators' immediate success, raising questions about their future with the organization.

State of Play
  • Senators are aiming to secure the fifth and final playoff berth in the North Division.
  • The B-Sens have wrapped up their season with a 3-1 win over the Bruins.
  • Ostapchuk and Smejkal are now playing for AHL Belleville.
What's Next

It is likely that both Ostapchuk and Smejkal will continue to develop their skills and strive for future NHL opportunities with the Senators or other organizations.

Bottom Line

The reassignment of Ostapchuk and Smejkal underscores the Senators' commitment to optimizing their roster for playoff contention, while raising questions about the future prospects of these players in the organization.