Dec 29, 2024; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Nikolas Matinpalo (33) in action against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

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Ottawa Senators Call Up Jan Jenik and Nikolas Matinpalo Amid Injuries

Ottawa brings in Jeník for forward depth and Matinpalo to fill in for Hamonic's injury.

Dec 29, 2024; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Nikolas Matinpalo (33) in action against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

The Senators called up Jan Jeník and defenseman Nikolas Matinpalo from AHL Belleville on Monday, according to a team statement. Ottawa has only one available roster spot, which means a corresponding move must have occurred—probably putting defenseman Travis Hamonic on injured reserve, according to PuckPedia.

Jeník’s recall marks his initial of the season and his first while being a Senator. On July 3, Ottawa obtained his signing rights from the Utah Hockey Club in exchange for depth winger Egor Sokolov.

Senators Recall Jan Jeník, Nikolas Matinpalohttps://t.co/6u9hHG0Mju
— Pro Hockey Rumors (@prohockeyrumors) January 6, 2025

Two days later, Jeník signed a one-year, two-way deal worth $775K in the NHL and $190K in the AHL. He didn’t secure a spot on the Senators’ roster after training camp and went unclaimed on waivers before heading to Belleville, where he has been sidelined with an injury for much of the season.

The 24-year-old has remained healthy for 13 games, recording four goals and three assists for a total of seven points and a +4 rating, while swiftly accumulating 38 PIMs. The 6’1″, 198-pound forward has consistently been a troublemaker, regularly posting PIM totals exceeding 50 during complete junior and AHL seasons.

Jeník has participated in 22 NHL games, all with the Coyotes over the past four seasons. The 2018 third-round selection has scored four goals and provided two assists for a total of six points, holding a -4 rating, while recording 27 shots on goal and averaging just below 10 minutes of ice time per game.

The Czech winger/center has regularly faced fewer opportunities at 5-on-5, managing to control just 45.5% of shot attempts. That is partly attributed to Arizona’s conservative use of Jeník in the defensive zone while he was in the desert. He proved to be a more impactful offensive player in the minors, accumulating 127 points in 178 career AHL matches. Jeník provides Ottawa with an additional forward choice for tomorrow’s crucial game against the Red Wings. At this time, it’s uncertain whether he will make it into the lineup.

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Nonetheless, Matinpalo is highly likely to. The frequently mentioned defender is expected to take on a third-pairing position on his preferred right side next to Tyler Kleven, while Hamonic is sidelined for a week or more due to a lower-body injury. Jacob Bernard-Docker suffered an injury during Monday’s practice and is expected to miss tomorrow’s session, according to Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia.

Matinpalo, 26, has made just one appearance for the Sens this season after several transactions between the NHL and AHL. He incurred a minor penalty and played 10:24 versus the Wild on December 29. Aside from that, the defensively focused Finn has eight points and a -4 rating in 24 outings for the B-Sens.

Image Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Jan Jeník

NHL

Nikolas Matinpalo

Anamika Shrivastava

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