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Lazar draws back in for Sens as trade rumors swirl

Colorado Avalanche v Ottawa Senators

OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 11: Curtis Lazar #27 of the Ottawa Senators skates against the Colorado Avalanche during an NHL game at Canadian Tire Centre on February 11, 2016 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)

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After sitting as a healthy scratch for the last four games, Curtis Lazar will get back into the lineup tonight when the Sens take on the Devils in New Jersey.

It’ll be an inclusion worth monitoring.

Earlier this week, we welcomed Lazar to the trade rumor mill after reports that his agent, J.P. Barry, was set to meet with Sens brass about the 22-year-old’s current situation. TSN’s Darren Dreger floated the possibility Barry would ask for a trade, while the Sun’s Bruce Garrioch said teams calling about Lazar have been told the asking price is a first- or second-round pick.

An update on the pending meeting, per the Citizen:

Come Saturday, Dorion will talk face-to-face with Lazar’s agent, J.P. Barry, about what’s next in a season that has gone from bad to worse for the 22-year-old.

And yes, at least the idea of Lazar being traded will be discussed.

Lazar, the 17th overall pick in 2013, has struggled through a rough campaign. The start of the year was derailed after he was diagnosed with mononucleosis. Lazar was eventually sent down to the AHL, with Dorion saying in late October that it was best, at the time, for Lazar to play in the minors and continue to regain his confidence.

Since returning to Ottawa in November, Lazar has failed to produce, with only one assist in 29 games, while averaging just 8:23 of ice time per game and virtually no presence on any of the club’s special team units. He was also hurt in a game versus Pittsburgh in December.

Minutes have been even tougher to come by lately, with the arrival of Tommy Wingels from San Jose.

All this comes after Lazar had a reasonably successful sophomore campaign in ’15-16. He posted career highs in a number of categories -- including games played (76) and points (20) -- and was averaging just under 14 minutes per night.

It’s probably worth noting that Lazar’s played for three different coaches (Paul MacLean, Dave Cameron, Guy Boucher) over the course of his three-year career. That can be difficult on a young player, which could be why the “change of scenery” idea has been floated.