Senators Recall Angus Crookshank

The Ottawa Senators have recalled depth winger Angus Crookshank from the minor leagues ahead of their Sunday matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins. This marks Crookshank’s second recall of the season. His first came in late-February and resulted in a spot start in the NHL lineup. He was returned to the minors on March 1st and has been productive ever since – netting seven points, 14 penalty minutes, and an even plus-minus in 12 games this month.

Crookshank’s recent hot streak in the minors brings his season long totals up to 22 goals and 40 points in 60 AHL games. Those marks rank third on the Belleville Senators in scoring, behind emerging prospect Stephen Halliday’s 44 points and veteran defenseman Jeremy Davies’ 42 points. Crookshank has been impressively consistent since turning pro in the latter half of the 2020-21 season. He broke out with 16 points in his first 19 AHL games, and has found a knack for rivaling 25 goals and 45 points in each of the three seasons since then. But despite that consistency, he’s yet to find his footing at the NHL level. Crookshank has just three points through 14 career games in the Ottawa lineup, and hasn’t recorded an NHL point since March 23rd of last season.

This new call-up could be a chance for Crookshank to find his pro legs. He brings a physical spark with scoring upside. Both traits could be invaluable for Ottawa, after their last four games were decided by a one-goal margin. The Senators don’t appear to be facing any new injuries, so slotting Crookshank in will mean demoting one of their underperforming wingers. Both Matthew Highmore and Adam Gaudette have managed just one point in their last 10 games while operating on Ottawa’s fourth line. Trade deadline acquisition Fabian Zetterlund also only has one point in his last 10 games, despite the Senators rotating him through the lineup. Any of the three could be forced to make way for the hard-hitting Crookshank, as Ottawa looks to hang on to their hold of the top Eastern Conference Wild Card.