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Photo by Tony Caldwell / Postmedia

That means Max Lajoie, the only healthy defenceman in the organization, will be recalled from the club’s AHL affiliate in Belleville to play Saturday night against the Philadelphia Flyers and in Monday’s visit by the Buffalo Sabres.

“It’s not ideal how young we are, but injuries happen in this game,” Smith said following the club’s skate Friday at the Canadian Tire Centre. “I’ve said all along that kids train and people train all summer to get an opportunity to prove that they belong in the NHL and with every injury comes an opportunity for someone else.

“(Hainsey and Chabot) have been playing huge minutes, but with those minutes out, somebody is going to get an opportunity. Now you’ve got to prove that you’re deserving and you belong. There’s only one way to do it and that’s the next man up. You’ve got to do the job.”

Hainsey slipped during a 2-on-1 in the first, but was able to finish the game because of “adrenaline”. He was sore when he woke up Friday morning.

“We’re hopeful that he’ll be back (against New Jersey),” said Smith. “It’s a big loss for us. He’s been really good, but it’s going to be an opportunity for someone else to step and eat those minutes.”

With prospect Christian Jaros sidelined in Belleville, the Senators would have to either trade for a blueliner — and that can’t be done with roster freeze in effect until midnight (local time) on Dec. 27 — or turn to Europe if they suffer another injury.

Speaking on TSN 1200 Friday morning, GM Pierre Dorion indicated the club would have to call up prospects Olle Alsing in Sweden or Lassi Thomson, who’s at the world juniors with Team Finland in the Czech Republic. Alsing would make the most sense at this juncture because it may be easier to get him to North America on an emergency recall.