What made the center for the Ottawa Senators take part in a solitary skate session?

After a 6-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night, while the rest of his teammates were in the gym, the Ottawa Senators center opted for a solo skate to work on his game.

As the arena emptied, leaving behind only a few fans, cleaning staff, and a handful of media members, Kastelic, who played only four minutes and 46 seconds against the Jackets and didn’t see any ice time in the third period, took to the ice without any frustration. Instead, he aimed to stay sharp and improve his game.

“I just wanted to find ways to maintain my fitness level and get the touches that players who see more ice time get,” Kastelic explained following the team’s optional skate on Wednesday. “After a game like that, players typically hit the bike to stay in shape, but I wanted to handle the puck, shoot, and break a sweat.”

Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 226 pounds, Kastelic, a fourth-line center, has averaged 7:11 of ice time this season. Despite his limited minutes, his physical presence on the ice is crucial, and contributing the occasional goal is considered a bonus.

Against Columbus, Kastelic saw the least ice time among all players, and with the team already short a defenseman, he only had two shifts in the second period.

Interim coach Jacques Martin acknowledged Kastelic’s extra effort, noting, “When a player doesn’t get a lot of ice time, they usually do some extra work in the gym. Instead of going to the gym, he hit the ice, so I don’t think it sends any message.”

Kastelic himself emphasized that his decision to skate wasn’t born out of frustration but rather a commitment to self-improvement. “I’m just trying to take care of myself and do the best I can so I can help when the time comes,” he said. “It’s part of being a role player, and it’s just a blessing to be in this position.”

In other news, defenseman Jake Sanderson, who has been sidelined with a lower-body injury, made progress toward his return by participating in the team’s optional skate. While he won’t play against the Ducks, there’s optimism he could return to action as early as Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks or Monday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Sanderson expressed relief at his recovery progress, crediting the support and treatment he received from the team’s medical staff. The Senators await the status of defenseman Artem Zub, who missed Tuesday’s game, and may consider an emergency recall from Belleville if needed.