After Colin White sustained an upper-body injury Monday against Toronto, an injury that Senators head coach D.J. Smith says will see White "be out for a significant amount of time," the Senators centre depth is a little thin. The team has already lost Clark Bishop with a lower-body injury too.
"Now we have two of our five [centres] that are out for a significant amount of time and we will have to figure that out and we will," Smith said.
While sliding Nicholas Paul back to centre is something to consider, one other option comes in the form of Andrew Agozzino. The 30-year-old centered a line in practice Tuesday with Zach Sanford and Austin Watson.
"Obviously, it's unfortunate but that does create an opportunity for a guy like myself and that's something you work for and look for," Agozzino said. "It's something I have to try and grab a hold of."
Agozzino, a native of Kleinburg, Ont., has previously played 46 NHL games scoring twice and adding seven assists. In the AHL, he's been exceptional over his career, tallying 412 points (173 goals) in 535 contests and is a three-time AHL All Star.
With the Senators' injury woes down the middle, Agozzino will get 14-15 minutes Thursday against Montreal according to Smith. In four preseason games with the Sens, Agozzino has one assist, four shots on goal, three blocks, three hits and two penalty minutes while averaging 13:00 a game.
"It's not the first time I've been through scenarios like this," Agozzino said of earning a job in NHL camp. "For me, not too much changes. I came in with the mentality to get better every day and put myself into a position to make a hard decision on a player like myself."
Agozzino has spurned the chance to go Europe many times in the past, saying "I still feel like I can contribute to an NHL organization." He's going to get a chance now with the Senators.
"That's why I decided to stick around and it was a great opportunity to come to Ottawa and try and showcase myself," he said.
As one of the just four players still in Sens camp who are 30 or older, Agozzino has a lot of experience compared to many of his teammates. He was a three-time captain in the OHL with Niagara and over the course of his AHL career, has worn an 'A' five different times, and is hoping some of his experiences rub off on his new teammates.
"When you're stepping into a locker room like this, you have to be yourself," Agozzino said. "Obviously, I'm an older guy with a little bit of experience but I think in a role like mine, positivity and having a great attitude can go a long way and helping guys come in every day with a good mind frame."
