The Ottawa Senators announced that defenseman Thomas Chabot will return to the lineup tonight against the Florida Panthers.
The return comes just 17 days after Chabot underwent surgery to repair a broken bone in his right forearm.
17 days after suffering a broken arm Chabby is good to go tonight 👊 pic.twitter.com/VQSAtQoGUU
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) April 9, 2026
Chabot was injured on March 23 during a contest against the New York Rangers after taking a heavy slash from Rangers captain J.T. Miller. While the injury was initially expected to end his regular season, the 29-year-old’s "best-case scenario" recovery allows him to rejoin the club for the final four games of the schedule.
"Everything went well, and obviously the healing process went a lot quicker than we all expected," Chabot told reporters Thursday morning. "I wasn't going to go back out there if I felt like I couldn't do what I can do out there. The last couple of days, everything reacted really well, so I was like, 'Why not? Let’s start playing again."
"Everything went well, and obviously the healing process went a lot quicker than we all expected," Chabot told reporters Thursday morning. "I wasn't going to go back out there if I felt like I couldn't do what I can do out there. The last couple of days, everything reacted really well, so I was like, 'Why not? Let’s start playing again."
In 55 games this season, Chabot has recorded 31 points (7G-24A) while averaging 22:34 of ice time per night.
Chabot’s return couldn't come at a more critical juncture. The Senators (41-27-12) currently occupy the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, holding a slim two-point lead over the Columbus Blue Jackets.