Jason Spezza could end up being held out of Wednesday's match-up against Los Angeles. He returned to practice Tuesday after staying off the ice Monday, but his nagging groin issue may result in him sitting. "To me, it's starting to become chronic, with the way it happened, ever since it happened in training camp and there's a setback and there's (another) setback," coach Paul MacLean said. "We need to stop this and we need to nip this in the bud." Spezza said he felt "pretty good" after Tuesday's skate and he's been getting better every day. If he ends up missing Wednesday's game then Stephane Da Costa will suit up in his place.

Jason Spezza rested his ailing groin Monday, so he was a no-show for practice. He sat out skates and preseason games with a minor groin injury, but coach Paul MacLean doesn't think it will keep him out of the lineup for Wednesday's game at Los Angeles. MacLean also said that Spezza's absence from training camp has hindered his play in the early going. His absence was described as a maintenance day, so we'll keep him as active for now. Spezza has one goal and 11 shots in two games this yea.

Jason Spezza is hoping to stay healthy this year after missing the majority of the 2013 season with a back injury. He also took some time off during training camp because of a groin injury. "You have to take some days, even when you're healthy, so we're going to manage my energy, make sure I'm feeling good," Spezza said. "And just try to make as many games as possible." He skated again Wednesday and appears to be ready for Friday's regular-season opener.

Jason Spezza (groin) took part in Tuesday's practice. Spezza will almost certainly participate in the Senators' season opener. He only played in five regular season games last season due to a back injury.

Jason Spezza (groin) skated Sunday and said he felt fine. "Barring something changing, we never really thought there would be a doubt about starting the season," he said. "That's kind of why we've been so cautious the last few days, just to make sure that was never in jeopardy." The Senators' season begins Friday at Buffalo, so Spezza has plenty of time to work his way back in practices.

Jason Spezza "minor" groin injury will prevent him from playing in Ottawa's split-squad games versus the New York Islanders on Sunday. He skated on his own after the team's main group practiced Saturday morning. "Jason Spezza has a minor groin injury that we are managing to get him to Oct. 4 so he can play," coach Paul MacLean said. "We're just making sure he's ready to play the opener, which is more important than an exhibition game." The Senators don't want to risk aggravating their captain's ailment.

The "training camp injury' Jason Spezza is apparently dealing with is one to his groin. Well that's better than his surgically-repaired back. Spezza should be ready for the Sens' season opener on Thursday against Buffalo.

Jason Spezza skated on Thursday but he's still dealing with his "training camp injury." "I'm just dealing with a little bit of a strain, I want to make sure we take care of it so it isn't something that lingers," Spezza said. He might play in one of the Senators' split-squad matches against the Islanders on Sunday to close out the preseason, but only if his ailment has no chance of giving him an issue. The Ottawa captain insists that he'll be ready to play in the club's regular-season opener on Oct. 4 at Buffalo.

Jason Spezza was pulled from the lineup of Wednesday's preseason game because of minor "camp issues." Ottawa coach Paul MacLean explained that Spezza's absence was a precaution and the team's top center probably would've stayed in the lineup had it been a regular-season contest. "I'm just dealing with a little, minor training camp thing," Spezza said. "Just making sure that I'm rested. I'm not going to play games unless everything's feeling good." Whatever is bothering him isn't related to his back and he expects to skate on Thursday to see how he feels.

Jason Spezza called being named the Senators' captain an honor and something that's important to him. "I've been very fortunate to have played my entire career here," Spezza said. "Ottawa has become my second home and this city has given me an opportunity to grow not only as a person, but as a player. Having the change to be the captain of an NHL team is a dream every Canadian kid has, and today I get that chance, and I'm very excited about it." Spezza will be replacing Daniel Alfredsson after he signed with the Detroit Red Wings. Although Spezza is a great pick to wear the 'C,' he'll also have big skates to fill as the followup for the man that was formerly the NHL's longest-tenured captain.