"After some agonizing behind-the-scenes discussions, the Ottawa Senators have decided to send 18-year-old rookie forward Mika Zibanejad back to his Swedish Elite League team for the rest of the season.

Zibanejad has played nine games for the Senators this season, the maximum before the first year of his entry-level contract kicks in.

Rather than burn that time and have Zibanejad play a third-line role in the NHL, general manager Bryan Murray told reporters it would be better for the youngster to develop his game back home.

"We think, for the long-term development of him, to give him the opportunity to become what we believe he has a chance to become, and that is a quality NHL player, that this is the right step for him at this moment," Murray said."