Senators Reassign Zack Ostapchuk, Jiri Smejkal

17/04/2024 18:53

The Senators have begun re-staffing their minor-league affiliate after wrapping up their season with a 3-1 win over the Bruins last night. Forwards Zack Ostapchuk and Jiri Smejkal were assigned to AHL Belleville today as the B-Sens look to hold onto the fifth and final playoff berth in the North Division.

Ostapchuk, 20, was a second-round pick by the Sens in the 2021 draft. He’s had a decent professional debut with Belleville this season, recording 17 goals (fourth on the team) and 11 assists for 28 points in 66 games. The 6’4″ pivot received two post-trade deadline callups with injuries continuing to decimate Ottawa’s forward group but failed to record a point in his first seven NHL games. He took on bottom-six duties, averaging 10:30 per game, and struggled heavily in the faceoff circle (11/41, 26.8 FO%). He received no special teams usage and had a decidedly negative possession impact, posting a relative CF% of -10.3 despite receiving highly favorable offensive zone usage. It wasn’t the most promising debut, although he did get involved physically with six blocks and 13 hits.

Smejkal wraps up his first NHL season with 20 appearances after the Czech forward signed a one-year, two-way deal in free agency. The 27-year-old power winger had spent his entire career in European leagues, splitting the 2023-24 campaign between the majors and minors. He wasn’t given much of a leash by interim head coach Jacques Martin, averaging 9:29 per game in his NHL showings, but he managed two points – including his first NHL goal last night in Boston. Smejkal failed to impress much in the minors, though, posting nine goals and 22 points in 45 contests with a -7 rating. A UFA this summer, he’ll likely return overseas.