The Ottawa Senators could be without defenceman Mark Borowiecki for a period of time. The veteran defender sprained an ankle in the team’s recent game against the Arizona Coyotes and missed Friday practice. TSN reported the news earlier Friday morning.
Mark Borowiecki not on the ice for practice today after suffering a high ankle sprain last night.
— TSN 1200 (@TSN1200) February 14, 2020
Mark Borowiecki Out with Ankle Injury
The 30-year-old Borowiecki has quietly been one of the team’s more dependable players this year. Nobody is going to write home about his seven goals and 18 points in 53 games but his physical counting stats are among the best in the league. He has put up an astounding 199 hits and 120 blocks to this point. His ability to keep opponents in check is a big part of how Ottawa’s few scoring options have the room to perform as well as they have.
Despite not being the best scoring option, 2019-20 is Borowiecki’s best offensive season in his nine years in the league. He had cracked double-digits in scoring only twice before this year. His seven goals also represent a new career-best. Borowiecki is still not a very good possession defender but he does a lot of the gritty things teams love.
What This Means for the Future
There is no timetable for Borowiecki to return, so determining who might replace him is unclear. It is possible that the Sens will turn to Cody Goloubef but they could also rely on one of their prospects. Erik Brannstrom is one of the team’s more intriguing youngsters and has played in 31 games this season.
Borowiecki will also reach free agency after the season ends. He would be an ideal option for a team in need of an extra physical presence but the trade deadline is approaching. High ankle injuries can linger for weeks which would damage his value in a transaction. Ottawa is not interested in winning with him this season but they would likely want to flip him for future assets if he returns to the ice soon.
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