Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson will return to the lineup Wednesday against the Florida Panthers, head coach Travis Green confirmed, according to The Athletic's Julian McKenzie.
Sanderson sustained a lower-body injury in the Senators' season opener on Oct. 3, sidelining him for eight games.
"I'm fired up," Sanderson said, according to NHL.com. "Long few weeks for me, frustrating for sure. But you know, I think seeing the guys play as good as they have kind of makes it a little bit better. So, frustrating, like I said, but man, I'm just so excited to play."
Sanderson was paired with Artem Zub at Wednesday's morning skate, according to TSN's Claire Hanna.
The 24-year-old had 14 goals and 54 points in 67 games last season, finishing 10th in Norris Trophy voting for the second straight year.
Ottawa faces Brady Tkachuk for the first time Wednesday since the former Senators captain requested a trade and was dealt to the Panthers in June.
Sanderson dined with Tkachuk on Tuesday night and noted that Tkachuk paid for the dinner, per Hanna.
