Lassi Thomson Set for First NHL Game Since 2022 Against Rangers

In a significant moment for Lassi Thomson, the young defenseman is set to make his NHL return on Monday night as the Ottawa Senators face off against the New York Rangers. This will mark his first game in the league since November 25, 2022, and comes amid a challenging stretch for the Senators’ blue line, which has been impacted by injuries.

With three injuries affecting the defense, including Jake Sanderson’s shoulder issue and Nick Jensen’s knee injury, Thomson has been called up from Belleville alongside teammate Dennis Gilbert. Although Thomson had been serving as the seventh defenseman, Gilbert’s injury during a recent game against Toronto opened the door for Thomson to step in and seize this opportunity.

Excitement radiated from Thomson during a conversation with Sens host Jackson Starr. “It’s a pretty awesome opportunity,” he stated. “Being around the boys for almost two weeks, seeing the group in the locker room after they’re winning games. It’s pretty awesome to check in right now in New York. I’ve never played here before. So it’s a pretty cool moment for me.”

Thomson is having an impressive season in the AHL, leading all defensemen with 14 goals. His skills as a gifted skater and offensive contributor have not gone unnoticed. Belleville’s interim head coach Andrew Campbell praised Thomson, highlighting, “He’s probably one of the better skaters in the whole league, so, yeah, he’s driven our offense from the back end and he does lead the league in goals for defensemen.”

However, concerns about his defensive game have been noted, and it will be crucial to see how much he has improved in that area since his last stint in the NHL. After spending last season with the Malmo Redhawks in Sweden, where he led the team in goals and points, Thomson is keen to showcase his growth.

Thomson’s decision to re-sign with the Senators last summer hinted at his belief in his potential for an NHL opportunity. With the team needing right-shot defensemen and the uncertainty surrounding Jensen and other players, Thomson saw a chance to compete. However, the Senators’ acquisition of Jordan Spence and the unexpected readiness of Jensen for the season opener initially closed the door on Thomson.

Now, with Jensen sidelined for the remainder of the season and Sanderson still recovering, Thomson finds himself with a golden opportunity to make a lasting impression, whether to secure a future with the Senators or attract interest from other NHL teams as he approaches free agency this summer.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.