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Lazar (mononucleosis) absent as Sens open camp

Colorado Avalanche v Ottawa Senators

Colorado Avalanche v Ottawa Senators

NHLI via Getty Images

Ottawa opened training camp minus one of its better young players, as former first-rounder Curtis Lazar was out due to mononucleosis.

And it doesn’t sound like Lazar will be back anytime soon.

“We’re going to be really cautious,” Sens head coach Guy Boucher said, per the Sun.

Lazar, the 17th overall pick in 2013, scored six goals and 20 points in 76 games last year, all career highs. He averaged just under 14 minutes per night, and was one of the club’s more active faceoff men.

This is a pretty tough development for the 21-year-old. Mono is difficult to return from, and can sideline players for a significant length of time -- two seasons ago, Los Angeles’ Tyler Toffoli missed three weeks (six games) while recovering from the illness.