Articles in Ottawa Senators

NEW YORK (Sept. 21, 2023) – The National Hockey League’s Board of Governors has unanimously approved the sale of the Ottawa Senators to Michael Andlauer. The transaction closed today.

from Wayne Scanlan of Sportsnet,

Six months ago, they looked to be on thin ice, if not dead men walking.

But look at Ottawa Senators head coach D.J. Smith and general manager Pierre Dorion today. Smiles as wide as the great outdoors. As confident as any head coach and GM can be under the circumstances of new ownership.

The photo of Tuesday’s pre-training camp golf tournament was telling: incoming owner Michael Andlauer fist-bumping Dorion on the golf course, both men captured laughing uproariously.

Yes, I know, the team hasn’t played a single game yet, let alone have a camp skate – that starts on Thursday at the Sensplex.

These are the earliest of days and a lot can change in a hurry. Andlauer has been around hockey a long time, with street cred at the OHL, AHL and NHL levels – the latter as a minority owner of the Montreal Canadiens.

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OTTAWA – The Ottawa Senatorsannounced today that the team has signed defenceman Jake Sanderson to an eight-year, $64.4M contract extension. The contract has an average annual value of $8.050 million and includes the following breakdown: $8.050M in 2024-25, $8.050M in 2025-26, $8.050M in 2026-27, $8.050M in 2027-28, $8.050M in 2028-29, $8.050M in 2029-30, $8.050M in 2030-31 and $8.050M in 2031-32. The contract also includes a 10-team no-trade clause which will be applicable to the final three seasons of its duration.

from TSN,

Entering his fourth season with the Ottawa Senators, Tim Stützle has his eyes set on playing playoff hockey for the first time in his NHL career.

The Senators finished six points out of the playoffs last season, extending their drought to six seasons. With a young core and off-season additions, expectations are high for the Senators this season, with Stützle agreeing that reaching the postseason is a realistic goal for the club.

"I think so, yeah," Stützle told NHL.com.(opens in a new tab) "At first when I came to Ottawa the playoffs were so far away and now I think we're making a lot of steps in the right direction, and you can just tell the playoffs are coming closer and closer every year. … We are in a really good age group right now that we have a chance to be good and now is the time to show our fans and give the fans something back. They have been waiting for a long time."

The 21-year-old winger, who was selected third overall in the 2020 draft, is coming off a breakout season, having posted 39 goals and 90 points in 78 games. He had 22 goals and 58 points in 79 games during his sophomore season....

Stützle is part of young Senators core that is signed long term. Entering the first season of an eight-year, $66.8 million deal, Stützle is one of seven members of the Senators signed through at least the next four seasons - along with captain Brady Tkachuk, wingers Josh Norris and Drake Batherson, defencemen Thomas Chabot and Artem Zub, and Korpisalo.

"Oh yeah. It's unreal. Having those guys there who have been committing long term too, you just can tell that everybody wants to be there and that's the biggest part for us," Stützle added. "And now having Korpisalo and Tarasenko coming in, the deals they signed, and getting Tarasenko from free agency, you can tell he believes in the group the same way we do and that's fun to see. Korpisalo signed for five years. He's been a really good goalie in this league and him committing to us long term is unreal.

"And it's awesome to see all those young guys signing with Ottawa long term and really believing in this group of guys."

read on

from Mike Zeisberger of the NHL's website,

The Ottawa Senators are looking to end their six-season Stanley Cup Playoffs drought, and they believe goalie Joonas Korpisalo is the one to help them do it.

Since the Senators last qualified for the postseason in 2017, goalies Craig Anderson, Filip Gustavsson, Matt Murray, Anton Forsberg and Cam Talbot are among the big names who've tried to get Ottawa back to the postseason but were not able to do so.

Now it's Korpisalo's chance after he signed a five-year contract with Ottawa as an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

"He's got size, he's athletic, he's powerful, he's played in the playoffs, he's won a series," general manager Pierre Dorion said. "I think we're really comfortable moving forward now with our goaltenders."

This much is certain: Ottawa's two goalies will be comfortable with each other.

Korpisalo and Forsberg were teammates in the Columbus Blue Jackets organization.

"We go a long way back," Korpisalo said. "When I first came over to the U.S. we played together in the minors in Cleveland (American Hockey League) for a couple of years. We won together there and then we spent some time in Columbus. So, we go a long way back and we became friends immediately when we met each other. I'm super happy we created this tandem again."

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via TSN's YouTube channel,

Speaking to the media for the first time since signing his one-year deal in Ottawa, Vladimir Tarasenko says he is excited at the chance of playing in a hockey crazy Canadian market, and feels like the Sens are a perfect fit since they are a young team who he believes are on the verge of taking the next step.

via Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun,

While a lot of people are getting prepared to put up their feet to begin holidays, Senators general manager Pierre Dorion and the hockey operations staff continued to work the phones Wednesday to try to deal the two-time 40-goal scorer as soon as possible.

Though the talks with the Detroit Red Wings, DeBrincat’s hometown team, have been on and off again throughout this process, there’s talk those discussions have been revisited....

Sources told Postmedia the Anaheim Ducks and New York Islanders are also among the club’s still trying to find a way to make a deal.

The expectation is that if the Senators can find a way to get DeBrincat and his $9 million salary off the books for next season, Ottawa could sign unrestricted free agent winger Vladimir Tarasenko.

Below, Elliotte Friedman was on the NHL Network to discuss a few NHL topics.

from Ian Mendes of The Athletic,

For the past several weeks, Alex DeBrincat’s camp has been steadfastly quiet as rumours swirled around his future in Ottawa.

But on Monday evening, DeBrincat’s agent Jeff Jackson wanted to address a storyline that is gaining traction.

After a headline in Postmedia stated, “Alex DeBrincat’s contract demands holding up trade from Ottawa Senators,” Jackson called the report “entirely false and without merit” in a text message to The Athletic.

Jackson wanted to clarify the circumstances around his client, which he believes has been mischaracterized in recent media reports.

“As far as I have been advised, there has been no agreement of any kind on an actual trade involving Alex and I would require that before entering into an actual negotiation,” wrote Jackson. “We are waiting patiently for that to happen.”

And when it comes to the notion that DeBrincat and his agent are acting as a barrier to the sniper’s own trade out of Ottawa, Jackson was very pointed in his assessment of the situation.

“Agents and players don’t make trades … that’s the GM’s job,” wrote Jackson.

DeBrincat does not hold a no-trade clause in his contract, so technically the Senators are free to send him to any club in the NHL — without requiring DeBrincat’s approval.

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from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun,

Alex DeBrincat is learning the hard way that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence.

After refusing to sign an eight-year deal with the Ottawa Senators, the 25-year-old, two-time 40-goal scorer and his Toronto-based agent, Jeff Jackson, are learning that DeBrincat can’t get that kind of contract anywhere else in the National Hockey League.

While the Senators have tried to deal DeBrincat for the past three weeks and found some trades they considered to be close, those talks got shut down because Jackson was unable to get the kind of term of contract he wanted after being given permission to speak to those teams.

General manager Pierre Dorion confirmed Saturday, the day NHL free agency opened, he had given Jackson permission to talk contract with more than one team in an attempt to facilitate a trade, but those trades fell through because DeBrincat’s camp didn’t like the term they were being offered.

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from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun,

The dawn of a new era is on the way for the Ottawa Senators.

League sources told Postmedia Tuesday Toronto billionaire Michael Andlauer’s bid, which believed to be worth close to $1 billion (all figures U.S.), has been moved to the front of the line by New York-based banker Galatioto Sports Partners (GSP) and the Melnyk estate.

Sources say Andlauer has reached an agreement in principle to purchase the Senators. That means his offer has been elevated to the next stage of due diligence and work will now ramp up with the National Hockey League to try to close the deal.

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from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun,

Ryan Reynolds departure from the sale process of the Ottawa Senators feels like a huge, missed opportunity.

Not only for the Senators, but also for the National Hockey League....

Talk about a sinking feeling....

The decision of the 46-year-old Vancouver-born Reynolds and Christopher Bratty of the Remington Group to pull out of the bidding for the Senators is a blow being felt from Carleton Place to Cumberland.

Two weeks ago, Postmedia reported that the group led by Reynolds and Bratty was poised to make a $1-billion bid (all figures US) for the franchise. That offer was presented to New York-based banker Galatioto Sports Partners around the same time....

It felt like such a good fit. Reynolds spent part of his youth in Vanier and has maintained connections to the city. He has a street named after him and made a large charitable donation to the Ottawa Food Bank during the COVID-19 pandemic with his wife, actress Blake Lively.

Twice Reynolds appeared at home games and people at the Canadian Tire Centre were on their feet when he was shown on the video board. People like Reynolds because he’s relatable, down to earth and has never forgotten his Canadian roots.

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via the CP at TSN,

A celebrity bidding war for a minority ownership stake in the NHL's Ottawa Senators stands to lift the team's profile to new heights, while serving as a safe way for stars to park their money.

Experts say that while some hockey fans may be surprised to see names such as Ryan Reynolds, Snoop Dogg and reportedly The Weeknd throw their hats into the ring, the opportunity to own one of just 32 NHL teams doesn't come around often.

Associate professor of sport management at Brock University Michael Naraine says having one of the celebrities involved in the Senators would give the eastern Ontario franchise new exposure in non-traditional markets.

Reynolds, who has been attached to a bid worth more than US$1 billion led by real estate developer Remington Group, has expressed interest in creating a television series about the team similar to his production company's hit reality show, “Welcome to Wrexham,” about the Welsh soccer team the actor co-owns.

from Ian Mendes of The Athletic.

After his appearance on ESPN’s “First Take” on Tuesday, there were considerable questions about Snoop’s commitment level to the city of Ottawa. Many took his passionate conversation with Stephen A. Smith about growing the sport at the grassroots level and exposing it to a more diverse crowd to mean that Snoop didn’t particularly care in which city his NHL team was located. After listening to him speak, there were some fans who believe Snoop would be a better fit in an American market like Atlanta or Houston, where he could truly unleash his plan to expose the sport to a brand new crowd.

So as part of his extended conversation with The Athletic, Snoop was asked directly why he is attracted to owning the Senators in particular.

“I want Ottawa because Ottawa wants me. It’s a thriving city. The team is going to make a U-turn once we get ownership,” says Snoop. “The players are inspired. The community is inspired. I felt like this is what Ottawa needs.”

Snoop expanded on his fondness for Ottawa. He still has the Ray Emery jersey that was gifted to him by the late Ottawa netminder prior to the 2007 Stanley Cup Final. And inside his personal weight room, there is a large picture of Snoop wearing an Erik Karlsson in the white Heritage ‘O’ Senators jersey, taken when he was a headliner at Ottawa Bluesfest in 2014.

He believes there is a special connection between himself and the city of Ottawa.

“I love the city. Every time I’ve come through the city, they’ve rolled out the red carpet for me. The fans, the city. Everyone. It’s been nothing but love,” Snoop says. “When you go around the world as much as I have, there are certain places that stick out in your heart. Everywhere I go in Canada, it’s always been love, but there’s something about Ottawa. And the opportunity for the team to be bought? It’s impeccable timing right now.”

more ($)

from TSN,

Hip hop artist Snoop Dogg is part of a bid for the Ottawa Senators and has reportedly aligned with the group led by Los Angeles-based entrepreneur Neko Sparks, according to The Athletic's Ian Mendes.

“He’s passionately involved. He’s coming up with ideas. And he’s legitimately excited,” said a source of Snoop’s involvement to The Athletic. “He wants this team.”

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from Nick Miller of Wrestling Inc,

Snoop is teaming up with entrepreneur Neko Sparks and nearly a dozen other investors, including Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, to put in a large bid for the Senators. Rather than being a silent investor, the hip-hop legend is reportedly very excited about the prospect and has been putting forward ideas on how to run the team should the bid go through....

Following the death of owner Eugene Melnyk last year, the NHL's Ottawa Senators are currently on the market and available to the highest bidder. One of those bidders appears to be 2016 WWE Hall of Fame inductee Snoop Dogg. According to a report from The Athletic, Snoop is teaming up with entrepreneur Neko Sparks and nearly a dozen other investors, including Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, to put in a large bid for the Senators. Rather than being a silent investor, the hip-hop legend is reportedly very excited about the prospect and has been putting forward ideas on how to run the team should the bid go through...

...Snoop is expected to play a key role with the team, possibly even sitting in to provide commentary and analysis for some games.

more

from TSN,

Alex DeBrincat’s stint with the Ottawa Senators could be a short one.

Following the team’s end-of-season media availability, Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch reported that DeBrincat was non-committal when asked about a possible contract extension with the club. He added that general manager Pierre Dorion could look to trade the forward if a long-term extension is not in place by the NHL Draft in June.

“From what I heard this morning, I think we’re talking about a guy who has no inclination of signing here,” said Garrioch. “He said he’s open to having discussions but I found what he said was very non-committal. He didn't show any signs that he’s going to sign a contact extension here.

“The Senators won’t keep him unless they can get some kind of long-term extension in place. They’ve had the door open since they acquired him last July. There have been no substantial discussions between DeBrincat, his agent, Jeff Jackson, and Dorion. I think there’s a possibility that at the draft, we may see Alex DeBrincat get moved.”

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Claude Giroux and Joe Pavelski with their 1000th point tonight.

Giroux first, Pavelski below.

from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun,

The Ottawa Senators made one change Sunday by sending goaltender Kevin Mandolese back to their AHL affiliate in Belleville and bringing up Dylan Ferguson to join the club in Pittsburgh.

Something had to change.

Coming off a 5-4 shootout loss to the arch-rival Toronto Maple Leafs in the Battle of Ontario Saturday, the Senators packed their bags Sunday and jetted off to Steeltown to open a two-game road trip with a pivotal game against the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena Monday.

Trying to halt a five-game winless skid and crawl back into the race for the final wildcard spot in the East, this trip down the stretch has taken a turn for the worse, but this isn’t the group the Senators expected to be battling with down the stretch when camp opened in September.

And it starts in the net.

The biggest issue the Senators have right now is goaltending.

Injuries to top goalies Anton Forsberg, who tore both MCL’s Feb. 11, and Cam Talbot who has been sidelined since March 4th with an oblique injury, have sent this group into tailspin. Strong goaltending is paramount and hasn’t been steady since Talbot went down for the third time this season.

You can’t pin all the blame on 22-year-old Mads Sogaard and Mandolese because neither were supposed to be put in this position. But this is the cards they’ve been dealt and unless they can find a way to get consistency this situation won’t improve.

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from Wayne Scanlan of Sportsnet,

Very early in the Vancouver game, Senators forward Claude Giroux found himself wide open in the slot and ripped a shot off the inside of the post.

The puck stayed out, bounding harmlessly through the crease. As the camera panned to Giroux back at the bench, he screamed a single word, apparent to all who can read lips: “FRICK!!” Or, something close to that which can’t be repeated in family publications.

The moment was fairly representative of the Ottawa Senators Lost Weekend out west – back-to-back losses to Vancouver on Saturday (5-2) and Calgary on Sunday (5-1).

NHL Highlights: Flames 5, Senators 1Play VideoPlayMuteCurrent Time 0:00/Duration 5:34Loaded: 2.97% Fullscreen

Though the Senators hung on to beat Seattle 5-4 on Thursday, this trip began with a 5-0 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday. So, the Sens have lost three of four and been outscored 15-3 in those losses.

This isn’t exactly the prescribed recipe for grabbing ahold of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, losing three games to teams not currently in playoff positions themselves.

Ottawa is certainly not out of the race but they have certainly lost precious ground.

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from Ken Warren of the Ottawa Sun,

What the Ottawa Senators hoped would be a road to a chase for a wild card spot is fast becoming a road to nowhere.

For the second time in three tries on the pivotal five-game road swing, the Senators were sloppy and out of sorts Saturday, with bad discipline and pour positioning contributing to a 5-2 loss to a Vancouver Canucks squad that long ago gave up hopes of being involved in any playoff hunt themselves.

The Senators came into the late night contest with an opportunity to gain ground on their rivals in the tight race in the East, but they couldn’t find their footing until it was too late.

With even more question marks surrounding the club’s goaltending health — Saturday’s starter Mads Sogaard battled through to the end after being down on the ice following a collision in the second period — the challenge now is to immediately shake off another disappointing defeat before facing the Calgary Flames Sunday night.

It was another example of a young team losing its cool and its rhythm with a constant parade to the penalty box. As for the Senators power play, it has suddenly gone ice cold.

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Game highlights are below.

from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun,

The Senators started off a meaningful March schedule by extending their season-best winning streak to five games, putting the Columbus Blue Jackets in their place with a 5-2 victory in front of 18,073 at the Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday night....

The Senators last won five consecutive games in March 2017, before they went to the National Hockey League’s Eastern Conference playoff final....

Fans chanted “We Want Playoffs” as the clock ticked down in the third period with the two points were well in hand.

“It gave me chills,” Stutzle said.

He wasn’t alone on that front.

“The crowd had great energy right from the get go,” said coach D.J. Smith. “It’s a credit to our guys for dragging this group along. We were down and out essentially. What they’ve done here lately, and what they did stay afloat in December and January, our core group of guys believe in each other.

“There is a buzz but there’s still lots of track here.”

With the Pittsburgh Penguins losing 4-1 decision to the Florida Panthers on Saturday, the Senators closed the gap for the final wildcard spot in the East. They, the Panthers, Buffalo Sabres and Washington Capitals are breathing down the necks of the Penguins, all just three points back.

read on

added 6:07pm,

from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun,

We’ve seen the last of Anton Forsberg this season.

Senators general manager Pierre Dorion told reporters Sunday morning at the Canadian Tire Centre that Forsberg suffered MCL tears in both knees during the club’s 6-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers Saturday afternoon at the Canadian Tire Centre.

He’ll undergo further examination Sunday afternoon but Dorion added “(Forsberg) is likely out for the season.” He was taken off the ice on a stretcher after Edmonton’s Zach Hyman landed on Forsberg following a check from defenceman Travis Hamonic with five minutes left in the third.

continue for more on the Senators and below watch how the injury may have occurred.