Senators activate Nikita Zaitsev, Rourke Chartier from injured reserve

It’s been an up-and-down (mostly down) day for the Ottawa Senators. First they recalled prospect Ridly Greig, but then followed that move with news that Josh Norris would be out for the rest of the season. Now, the team has activated two other players from injured reserve.

Rourke Chartier and Nikita Zaitsev are both active again, though the former was sent immediately to the minor leagues.

The return of Zaitsev gives the team six healthy defensemen again, after Sunday’s demotion of Jacob Bernard-Docker. Zaitsev was skating next to Erik Brannstrom on the third pairing Monday, and is expected to return to action on Wednesday. He hasn’t played since December and has been rather ineffective when in the lineup. Through 19 appearances he has just three points (all assists) and is averaging fewer than 17 minutes a night.

For Chartier, it’s been even longer since he appeared in a game with Ottawa, last playing on December 22. The 26-year-old minor leaguer has six games under his belt this season but is still looking for his first point of the year. His previous 13 NHL appearances, all with the San Jose Sharks in 2018-19, resulted in one goal.