After undergoing surgery for a broken fibula on Saturday, forward Derick Brassard of the Ottawa Senators will be out for the remainder of the season.
Brassard was hurt when he got into a collision with defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen and Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Felix Sandstrom late in the second period of Thursday’s game in Ottawa. Before being carried off by his teammates, Brassard remained on the ice for a number of minutes.
“He’s given us a lot of good games and he’s provided us with a lot of leadership,” Senators coach D.J. Smith said. “He’s helped with that second power play; he’s got 13 goals. He’s had a heck of a year and we’re going to miss him.”
After a professional tryout in October, Brassard, 35, signed a one-year, $750,000 contract and scored 23 points (13 goals, 10 assists) in 62 games this season. In July, he will become an unrestricted free agent.
Smith deferred to the player when asked how the injury affects Brassard’s plans for a new contract.
“That’s for him to decide,” he said. “That’s a tough injury.”
On March 2, he appeared in his 1,000th game, scoring twice in a 5-3 victory over the New York Rangers.
Brassard has played 1,013 games for the Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Florida Panthers, Colorado Avalanche, New York Islanders, Arizona Coyotes, Edmonton Oilers, Flyers, and Senators, scoring 215 goals and 545 points. He also has played for the Flyers and Senators.