News Senators Team Notes

Comin’ Home

There’s an old saying in sports and it goes like this – you’re never in trouble until you lose at home. See, it’s kind of bullshit.

If you lose the first two games of a seven-game series you are undoubtedly in a very real and tangible form of trouble. The other team is half-way there and you haven’t even started yet. You need to win four of the next five. If you lose the next one, you are basically cooked.

But the premise behind it is true.

If you can find a way to protect your home ice advantage and win the games in your barn, well then things turn in an awful hurry. And that’s where the Ottawa Senators find themselves heading into Game 3 on Thursday night.

In trouble but comin’ home.

Despite that precarious spot, the team seems mostly unbothered and generally seems to feel good about where their game is at. We’ve seen it from this group all year too. Even when things start to slide, there is a very real belief that they can get it back on track. The Coach is calm, the Captain is collected and looking at the first two games of this series, there is every reason to believe that the Senators can fight their way back into this thing.

They can play with these fucking guys. They just did.

Yea I get it…the fan base has demons when it comes to the Leafs. Listen, I got ’em too. But I can guaranfuckintee you it’s nothing compared to the playoff demons the actual Leafs have. You could see it in the second and third period last night. Did you see their faces after that Adam Gaudette goal? I sure as hell did. I saw that undeniable fear that’s lurking just below the surface.

The Division-winning “Cup contender” against the Wild Card and it was the contender hanging on for dear life. Yea, Toronto won the game. But the Senators walked into their building and dictated the way the game was gonna be played and came a shot away from a split. They were right there.

They just need a little push.

All year long, the Senators were a different team on home ice. And at times, unrecognizable on the road. A game under .500 away from the CTC but 27-11-3 in their own rink. Home ice matters for this team and that’s because this young group feeds off that energy. They’ve told us as much time and time again.

And now down 2-0, they’re asking us for help.

When the season ends, there will be time to look back. There will be time to look ahead too. But right now, the only thing that matters is Game 3. The game that we have been waiting eight friggin’ years for. A game that felt essentially impossible at the low points of the last decade. The only thing that matters right now is the fans in the rink giving the team that little bit extra that they didn’t have in Game 1 and 2. It might not be enough but we sure as shit will wanna know that we tried.

A playoff hockey game is being played in Ottawa tomorrow. Say it.

If you are going to that game, it’s time to find another level. The CTC has been buzzing all year long but tomorrow needs to be completely unhinged. This is a night eight years in the making and it comes at a time when it can make a real difference in the series.

Let’s give these guys a push.

Go. Sens. Go.

The SensChirp Tipjar



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Game Day – Series Shifts to Ottawa for Game 3

It really doesn’t need to be said at this point. The stakes are obvious.

After dropping the first two games of the series in Toronto, this is a game the Sens gotta win. It’s that simple. There have been encouraging signs in those first two on the road and there are legitimate reasons to believe they can rally but tonight, they just gotta find a way.

The Ottawa Senators host the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 3.

We’ve used the term often over the last decade and usually in a mid-season slump or in a fruitless late-season push. But this time, I really mean it. I’m yelling this at anyone who will listen and at some people that won’t. It’s time to bring out the big guns. This is, without a doubt…

THE BIGGEST GAME OF THE YEAR.

Okay, that’s the obvious part.

Now how about a moment to really appreciate where we find ourselves today? I usually advise against it but just for a second, think about the low points over the last decade, about the expectations we put on this team heading into this season and about where we find ourselves right fucking now. Excuse my language but it’s late April. It’s 15 degrees outside.

It’s a jersey/no coat kinda thing. It’s chills looking at the white towels draped over the seats kinda thing. Get to the rink at 4:00 PM with your friends and crush a bunch of overpriced beers kinda thing. High-fiving a perfect stranger and heckling a kid if he looks at you the wrong way kinda thing. It’s the kind of thing we’ve waited eight long years for.

The Ottawa Senators are about to host a Stanley Cup playoff game.

Honestly, I get chills just typing the words. And all day long, you can just tell there is something different in the air as the series shifts back to Ottawa. It’s a vibe I haven’t felt in this city for a long, LONG time and honestly, I just can’t wait to get down there.

We saw a lot of it in Game 2 but it seems like the forward combinations will be shuffled right out of the gate tonight. Fabian Zetterlund appears poised to join the team’s top six, skating on a line with Drake Batherson and Dylan Cozens. Meanwhile, both Ridly Greig and Nick Jensen were again absent at the morning skate but all signs point to them both being available.

A best guess at how they’ll line up for this one.

Tkachuk-Stützle-Giroux
Zetterlund-Cozens-Batherson
Greig-Pinto-Amadio
Cousins-Gaudette-Perron

Sanderson-Zub
Chabot-Jensen
Kleven-Matinpalo

Linus Ullmark gets the start in goal.

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:08 PM at The Tire. The game is available on television and on radio and for the first time in eight years, this particular Stanley Cup playoff game is available for viewing in-person in Ottawa.

We’ve been waiting a long damn time for this, Sens fans. Let’s have some fun with it.

GO SENS GO

The SensChirp Tipjar



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Sanderson’s Goal Forces Game 5 in Toronto

FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS

-Ain’t. Dead. Yet. Thanks to a burst of energy from Tyler Kleven and then an incredible play to keep the puck in by Jake Sanderson and then a quick wrist shot by that same Jake Sanderson and then a timely screen by Fabian Zetterland and then a quick prayer from SensChirp and then a moment of reprieve from the hockey gods, the Ottawa Senators are alive and kickin’. With their season on the line in Game 4 on Saturday night, the Sens did what they always do – they just found a way. It wasn’t pretty and it was the furthest thing imaginable from a “stress-free performance” but the Senators live to fight another day.

-A moment of appreciation for Sens fans. The last two games at the Canadian Tire Centre have been another good reminder that this fan base is among the best in the National Hockey League and it’s just a damn shame we haven’t had many chances to show the rest of the hockey world in the last decade or so. Thursday night’s Game 3 was just completely unhinged. A burst of energy that was eight years in the making. Saturday night was something a little different. Even with way more blue in the rink, it was Sens fans that carried the day. Even with our season on the line and our collective backs against the wall and the Leafs pushing us to the brink, it was Sens fans that made all the noise. It cannot be understated how impressive that is and how difficult it can be to bring that kind of energy when your season is on the line. Just an incredible performance.

Volume UP 🔊#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/G3Py3hkKKS

— X – Ottawa Senators (@Senators) April 27, 2025
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-The Senators didn’t need to win four games last night. They just needed one. Not just to give those fans I mentioned above a moment of relief but for a couple days, to plant that seed of doubt in the minds of the Toronto Maple Leafs. And make no mistake – that seed has been planted. It doesn’t take much to expose those demons come playoff time and now for the next two days, the Leafs are left to stew on that “Not again…” line of thinking that has a way of creeping up on them this time of the year. All the pressure in the world on them now and the Senators are playing with house money. The Toronto media will spend the next two days picking away at those demons and asking the questions the Leafs and their fans are already asking themselves. I heard it from a few of them on the way out too. They’re worried.

-And now a moment of appreciation for the Ottawa penalty kill. On a night and in a series where the margins are razor thin, it was the effort on the penalty kill that ended up being the difference in Game 4. A shorthanded goal by Shane Pinto in the first period and then an almost unimaginable four-minute kill in the overtime, with their season on the line. When that 4:00 minutes flashed up on the scoreboard, it really didn’t even cross my mind that the game might continue beyond that double minor. But full credit to the Senators for just finding a way to kill that thing off. Again, it wasn’t pretty but they just battled with everything they had left in the tank and got it done. A real gutsy effort.

-And now, a moment of appreciation for Emma. My seven-year old daughter had a chance to attend her first playoff game last night and even though the amount of snacks we consumed was on another level and even though it drifted WELL beyond her bedtime and even though we spent another hour watching highlights when we got home, she really brought it last night. Over the years, Sens fandom has taught me the importance of appreciating the moments along the way. Ultimately, the goal is championships but if you limit it to those things, you’ll miss all the best stuff. Having a chance to show Emma playoff hockey for the first time in her young life and to celebrate an overtime winner with her is honestly right up there on my list of moments. Consensus seems to be that we’re heading to Toronto too because I think Emma may have been the difference.

Emma gets to go to her first ever playoff game tonight and I can't friggin' wait. #GoSensGo https://t.co/ENjDwKKy1X

— SensChirp (@SensChirp) April 26, 2025
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Post-Game Interviews
Advance Stats
Boxscore

GOTTA LOVE IT!#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/1dqn0EFMmf

— X – Ottawa Senators (@Senators) April 27, 2025
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Senators Grind Out Win in Game 5

FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS

-There really are no words. There will be because that’s kind of the point but you know what I mean. To turn in an effort like that on the road and with your season on the line is nothing short of remarkable. From top to bottom, that was the best team effort of the entire season and there is nothing that comes particularly close. The commitment to defence and to battling for every loose puck was honestly unlike anything I’ve seen from this team. Picking out one player from a game like that is basically impossible because it really was a team effort in every sense of the term.

-Okay, we’ll name a couple guys that stood out. Everybody played great but a couple guys in particular played out of their mind. We’ll start with Linus Ullmark who has been pretty clearly getting better with each game. Game 5 was by far his best though. Even though he looked better in that Game 4 win, there will still some moments where it seemed like he might be guessing a little bit. That was certainly not the case in this one. Ullmark was locked in from the moment the puck dropped and just looked super comfortable for the full sixty minutes. Leading up to this game there was a lot of talk about Ullmark needing to “steal one” at some point and while it wasn’t quite thievery because the Senators were full marks for the win but still – Ullmark was damn good.

-Jake Sanderson is next on the list. The boxscore says he played 26:27 but it actually felt like he was out there the entire night and on every shift, he was completely dictating the pace of the game. There was a moment in the second period, when he was doing that thing he does where he arrives out of nowhere below the goal line, takes two strides and makes an effortless breakout pass when it really hit me – this guy is only 22 years old. It feels like just yesterday we were talking about how good Jake Sanderson is gonna be and he’s just…already that good. And only just scratching the surface. He is the best defenceman in this series and nobody else even comes close.

-In the early part of this series, the Ottawa penalty kill was getting a ton of attention and for all the wrong reasons. Now, it’s one of the primary reasons this series rolls on. In Game 4, they got a shorthanded goal from Shane Pinto and a big four minute kill in overtime. Last night, they shut the door for the full sixty minutes and ultimately iced the game on a shorty by Dylan Cozens. While the formation hasn’t changed, it does seem like the Senators have been a lot more aggressive since Game 1 and it’s made a huge a difference. I am fairly certain the sound I made on that third period shorthanded goal has never been made by another human. Just a massive goal at the biggest possible moment. Also…since when do Adam Gaudette and Dylan Cozens kill penalties?!

-Live to fight another day. It’s that simple. When you dig a hole this deep, there’s really only one way out of it and that’s one step at a time. In Game 4, they survived. In Game 5, they dominated. The Leafs players can say otherwise but the seed has been planted and for the next two days, it will grow. Watching the faces of those fans in Toronto last night, it’s clear. Ottawa is only half way there but in the hearts and minds of Leafs fans, it’s a full on “here we go again”. The Sens walked into Toronto, with their season on the line, and they played a flawless hockey game. This season has been so amazing because you can sort of see the Ottawa Senators growing up in real time. The progress they made in the regular season was impressive. Now you can it in the playoffs too. They’re getting better every game.

Danger Flutes live on Elgin 😭😭 god I love this city when it's the playoffs. #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/lOqKXOkGN6

— Eldy (@Eldy_BTTS) April 30, 2025
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Post-game Interviews
Advanced Stats
Boxscore

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The Void

There is a progression to these things.

It starts with soul-crushing disappointment and that comes just after the final horn. It’s that immediate realization that a team that has always found a way, just couldn’t find a way. In this case, that disappointment lasted only a few seconds though because in that moment, the most important thing was to let that team know how much their efforts were appreciated.

pic.twitter.com/UtCZ2hArTU

— SensChirp (@SensChirp) May 2, 2025
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The second wave of disappointment comes the day after. Shock, is probably the best word for it. Watching highlights, reading other people’s thoughts on what went wrong and in my particular case, nursing a devastating hangover. Some people will immediately move on to talking about what went wrong and how they can fix it in the off-season. Some of us will just kind of stare blankly into the distance.

Phase two is honestly worse than phase one.

This morning is the start of phase three. The Void. This is the time when you truly appreciate the scale of the loss and the unsettling void that has been left in their absence. It’s the first day when there should be another game and it’s the first day when you can truly begin to confront how long it’s gonna be until we see them again. It’s when you start to notice all the jerseys and shirts and random memorabilia that has accumulated around the house over the last few weeks and when you begin to consider the possibility of putting some of those things away. I’m not ready to do that yet but soon.

That’s where I’m at this morning.

Appreciation comes next. For the team, for their incredible progress and in my case, for the loyal readers that kept this site going this season. Then there’s Opportunity. Where I’ll start to really consider the strides the team took this year and what they’ll be able to accomplish next season. It’s in here where I’ll start to feel joy again and it will most likely come in the form of each Florida Panthers win. Growth follows opportunity. This is where the mind drifts to the off-season ahead and improvements that can be made to the roster and in my case, ways that we can take this site to the next level. It ends with Excitement. The Draft, Free Agency and an irrationally early countdown towards the first rookie camp scrimmage.

The atmosphere inside CTC after the 2-2 goal during the media timeout. pic.twitter.com/Wtem4d4qmy

— AJ Jakubec (@TheSuperAJ) May 2, 2025
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I’ll get to all of those. Some of your are already onto those last couple steps. But if anyone needs me, I’ll be in The Void until further notice.

Go Sens Go.

The SensChirp Tipjar

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Senators Add Familiar Names to Front Office

If the Ottawa Senators are going to announce long-predicted changes to the team’s Front Office, that seems like as good a time as any to emerge from The Void.

For the record and for those of you worried about my well-being, what I found is that The Void ended up merging with Appreciation a little bit and I am now slowly but steadily making my way through the steps of Sens-related sadness. I have spent the last couple weeks appreciating two things mostly – the first is the gradual yet deliberate demise of the Toronto Maple Leafs. I wish I wasn’t so petty but the fact is, each shot of a sad Leaf fan helps with my own healing.

More importantly though, the thing I have really gained a new appreciation for is the Ottawa hockey fan. It ended in sadness obviously but that Game 6 crowd was unlike anything we’ve seen in this city and it honestly felt like a moment where we distinguished ourselves from everyone other fan base in the league.

It really did feel like a defining moment for this fan base. Not just the unmatched energy in the building and clearly taking it back from a rival fan base but also the relentless support right till the final horn and then beyond. That's who we are now. #GoSensGo https://t.co/uI1qco6R7C

— SensChirp (@SensChirp) May 9, 2025
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And as someone who has spent the better part of two decades as the optimistic Sens blogger and often took a lot heat for that I approach, I would be lying if I said I didn’t take a little personal satisfaction in seeing the fan base support the team in that way.

That’s who we are now and I can’t wait to get back in that rink in a few months time and pick up where we left off.

At the same time, Ottawa hockey fans are still showing up in that uniquely Ottawa way for the PWHL team. I had a chance to bring my two daughters to the game earlier this week and that building was ELECTRIC. I am talking “worried about the structural integrity of this place” level of excitement. Honestly, if you haven’t been to a game yet, get down there tonight.

The Ottawa Charge are building something special.

Let's gooooo @PWHL_Ottawa!!! pic.twitter.com/Rvm357mbFi

— SensChirp (@SensChirp) May 13, 2025
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Now, where was I?

Oh right, the news of the day. As expected, yesterday the Senators announced that Matt Turek is being hired as the General Manager of the Belleville Senators (no surprise to those of you that follow my cryptic comment section contributions) while the very recently retired Sam Gagner is being added as the team’s Director of Player Development.

This news comes on the heels of the somewhat surprising departure of Ryan Bowness. Details on exactly how that departure came to be are limited and Staios ducked the issue during his season-ending press conference but there were rumours that they actually did try to keep him around, although possibly in a lesser role and for less money. Can’t help but wonder if that is the “GM of Belleville” position they just handed Turek actually.

This kind of change is inevitable as Michael Andlauer and Steve Staios continue to put their stamp on the organization and bring in their people but the fact is, the Senators lost a good one in Ryan Bowness and by all accounts, he woulda been happy to stick around.

Turek comes highly regarded based on his work with Brantford in the OHL and obviously, he knows Steve Staios well. Meanwhile Gagner is just 35 years old and while new to the Front Office world, was widely respected in his time as a player and should be able to provide a fresh voice and perspective to the team’s management group.

The news release doesn’t specify but it does seem like the team’s AGM role remains vacant even after these additions. For those of you wondering, yes they have my resume which was sent shortly after my interview with Cyril Leeder a few weeks back.

It’s good to be back.



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Senators Sign Kleven to Two-year Deal

Woah woah woah. Was one of you gonna tell me the Ottawa Senators did a thing today?

After many, many days of surprisingly pleasant silence, Steady Steve emerged from his slumber today and in the process, crossed a key piece of summer business off his To Do list.

Two more years of Kleven 💥💪

The #Sens have signed Tyler Kleven to a two-year extension!

Read more📰 : https://t.co/v0WwBK0wZu#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/vSliCreZBw

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) June 2, 2025
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RFA defenceman Tyler Kleven is sticking around for a couple more years and it’s on rather affordable two-year contract.

The now 23-year old Kleven will earn an average of $1.6 million dollars over the next couple seasons. $1.5 million next season. $1.7 million the year after. I ran the numbers and the math checks out.

Considering the progress we saw in Tyler Kleven’s game during the post-season, this deal looks like a steeeeeal. Well there were some ups and downs throughout the regular season, Kleven showed that he is just scratching the surface of his potential in the playoffs. If he can have a big off-season, there’s every reason to believe he can start to force his way up the team’s depth chart as early as next October.

Here’s Staios on today’s signing…

“Tyler continued to elevate his game in his first NHL season, which was a good sign,” said Staios. “We expect his game will continue to develop.”

Kinda like what I said but just…steadier.

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Staios Appears on TSN 1200

The Stanley Cup has been raised in Florida which is ultimately the least objectionable of the possible outcomes. Limit the number of new fans that get to experience joy before I do. It’s not complicated.

And that means that this fancy J.P. Wiser’s Stanley Cup bottle that was sent my way during the playoffs and that is supposed to let fans raise the cup while cheering on their team will officially be on ice for a little while longer.



Ain’t touching it till the Sens get their turn.

And so our collective attention turns to what is one of the busiest weeks of the NHL off season. For some teams anyway.

Steve Staios made an appearance on TSN1200 this morning and as you might expect, didn’t share a whole lot of specifics about what he might have on the go heading into the Draft and Free Agency. Although generally speaking, it did sound pretty quiet for Steady Steve these days.

On Claude Giroux – “I don’t have anything to report”. Dialogue continues on a contract but Staios really ducked the idea of getting into specifics. He did repeat the part about loving Claude Giroux though. Me too, Steve. Still not even a little bit worried here.

On free agents generally and maybe some of the other UFAs – “Dialogue with all of them”. This felt more like a general response rather than a reference to a specific player. He did say “we don’t have nearly as much to look at” when compared to last off season and seemed to suggest he doesn’t see any urgent areas of need with the current roster. “I don’t want to force anything on to this group”.

On the Zetterlund contract – “My belief is that with a full summer he can certainly settle in”. Staios talked a lot about the benefit of being a little more settled with the team and why they were thrilled to lock him in for a few more years.

On Lassi Thomson – “My view on this is these young talented players sometimes take time”. Staios had lots of good things to say about Thomson and about the possibility of him finding a role with the organization. On a related note, I wonder if it’s too late for me to pursue a career as a right shot defenceman.

On Nick Jensen – “Nick is a man of few words”. Steady Steve would know. For what it’s worth, Staios seemed optimistic about Jensen’s health generally but he did use the term “cautiously optimistic” about his status heading into next season.

On the decision to keep the first round pick this year – “There was long discussion on it.” Staios alluded to the possibility that there may be a chance of having that punishment walked back a little bit which I have to assume was the main reason for the decision.

On the Draft – Staios talked about the idea of a trade back scenario in the first round, while downplaying the possibility of moving up. Really does sound like they have given this scenario a lot of thought. Don’t be surprised if the Sens move back.

On Cap Management – “Cap space is a huge advantage as head into the season and as we look at other opportunities”. This was in reference to Andlauer’s comment about not being a cap team and the answer really focused on the idea of having that flex so you can add during the season.

Sens GM Steve Staios says they want to leave cap space for opportunities during the season https://t.co/iKufh5FskJ

— TSN 1200 Ottawa (@TSN1200) June 25, 2025
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Senators Draft Logan Hensler in Round One (Sens Trade for Jordan Spence)

TRADE: We have acquired defenceman Jordan Spence from the LA Kings in exchange for the 67th overall selection in the 2025 NHL Draft and a 2026 6th round pick (acquired from Colorado).

Les #Sens font l'acquisition du défenseur Jordan Spence, de Los Angeles, en échange de deux… pic.twitter.com/de5jxKJNAG

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) June 28, 2025
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In what felt like an endless night of bizarre celebrity cameo appearances, odd one-liners from Gary Bettman, awkward interviews with shell-shocked teenage hockey players and poorly timed technical issues, the Sens seemingly came away with pretty interesting prospect.

Logan Hensler is an Ottawa Senator.

As the dust settled on night one of the NHL Entry Draft, the consensus seems to be that the Senators did pretty well for themselves. In Hensler, the Senators are getting an 18-year old American-born right shot defenceman that has good size and skates like the wind. While his offensive numbers don’t exactly jump off the page after his first year at the University of Wisconsin, most people seem to agree that he has room to grow in that part of the game. Brock Faber was being thrown around as a comparable for Hensler.

“A toolsy play-killer who steadily improved through the season. An easy projection to the NHL and there’s more offence to give”, according to Elite Prospects. Works for me.



Maybe what’s most reassuring thing about the Hensler selection is the Senators seemed to be going with the consensus. Hensler appeared as high as 10th overall on pre-draft lists and settled in at 15th on Bob McKenzie’s list. So when the Senators took him at 23rd overall, all the self-proclaimed Draft experts seemed to be in agreement that Ottawa got pretty good value for that pick. Even more so when you consider they were able to add an additional 3rd round pick by mashing the novelty trade button and moving back a couple spots in Round One.

Consensus draft rankings for Sens pick Logan Hensler.

From as high as 10 to as low as 27, the Sens got him at 23 pic.twitter.com/nFAT0kICCY

— John Rodenburg (@TSNJR) June 28, 2025
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If there’s one thing that I’ve learned from years of following the Draft it’s that nobody has any freaking idea though. It’s fun to pretend and it’s fun to banter back and forth about what these kids might turn into one day but we really don’t know. The real work for Hensler and everyone else drafted on a long Friday night in Los Angeles starts now. But it seems like a pretty good starting point.

Also, Tom Green was there.

BTS of @tomgreenlive announcing Logan Hensler! 🎥 pic.twitter.com/3i8xjDKyTZ

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) June 28, 2025
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The Senators will pick six more times on Saturday including 67th, 96th, 97th, 149th, 181st and 213th.

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Free Agency Day on SensChirp

It’s often one of the wackiest days on the NHL calendar.

All across the league, General Managers are looking to round out their rosters and all across the league, players are looking to get paid. It’s a dangerous mix and it always leads to equal parts excitement, shock and confusion.

Welcome to Free Agency Day on SensChirp.

It could be an interesting one for the Ottawa Senators. Thanks to some pretty slick salary cap management over the last week or so, including the contracts for Giroux, Cousins and Merilainen and the low-cost add of Jordan Spence, GM Steve Staios heads into the frenzy with a little bit of spending money.

Right around $6 million according to most recent numbers. Not so much that he’ll break the bank on Canada Day but he has certainly given himself enough flexibility to add a player or two.

Merilainen's qualifying offer was $813,750 and $80,000 on a two-way deal. Talks took place immediately after it was tabled, and the two sides got a one-way deal at $1.05 M in place. No risk of an offer sheet for the #Sens

— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) June 30, 2025
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Tanner Jeannot’s name has come up a lot over the last week or so but the Sens won’t be alone in their pursuit of the rugged winger. Jonathan Drouin has also been mentioned as a possibility but he’ll have options. And while a couple of the bigger names, think Nikolaj Ehler and especially Brock Boeser, would certainly make sense, they’re probably a little out of Ottawa’s price range.

We’ll see though. Garrioch has suggested that if Brock Boeser is willing to take a little less term on his deal, there could be a fit here.

You can also expect the Senators to at least kick tires on unrestricted free agent forward Brock Boeser. He would be a good fit on the right side of the club’s top two lines, and if he’s willing to take less term than he can get elsewhere, then Ottawa is a possibility.

The sense is the Senators wouldn’t be willing to go much beyond four years, but if Boeser wants to help this team make a move towards getting to the Promised Land, then the door is open for him. It can’t hurt that Brock’s cousin, Dan Boeser, is a scout in the organization.

A fourth line centre could be another area of need for the Senators. While the team has talked to Adam Gaudette about a return, it does sound like he wants to see what might be available in free agency. Coming off a 19-goal season, he could have other options. Plenty of ways the Senators could try to fill that spot today.

The chaos starts right around 12:00 PM. As always, updates will appear on this post and in the comment section below.

Happy Canada Day! And Happy Free Agent Frenzy Day!

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Senators, NCC Sign Agreement for Purchase of Land at LeBreton Flats

If you’ve been following the LeBreton Flats story from its early days, you’ll know that it has been full of twists and turns. Both dizzying highs and punishing lows.

In fact, the first time I wrote about the possibility here on SensChirp was a solid 10 years ago. That’s a decade, if you’re wondering. At the time, there were two groups bidding on the development rights, with the Sens-linked RendezVous LeBreton group winning the bid. In those early days, there hope was to have the rink built and open and hosting Sens hockey games by uh 2021 or 2022.

Needless to say, we’re going to fall just short of that timeline.

But when it comes to the ol’ LeBreton file, progress is unpredictable and well, gradual. Except today, we have what sounds like an actual step towards a rink at LeBreton Flats. Everyone still likes that idea, right?

In a Joint Statement, the National Capital Commission and Capital Sports Development Inc. (Go Sens Go) announced that they have signed an agreement of purchase and sale for land parcels totaling approximately 11 acres at LeBreton Flats.

From here, we move to next steps including zoning, design and approvals, and decontamination of the site, because as you’ll recall, the whole area is basically toxic wasteland.

Here’s friend of the show, Cyril Leeder, on what today’s announcement means.

“We are pleased to reach an agreement of purchase and sale with the NCC to take the next step in this process. There are still many more hurdles to clear and we look forward to working with the NCC and other stakeholders to achieve our shared vision of creating an event centre at LeBreton Flats that can be enjoyed by our Ottawa-Gatineau community.”

You can read the official statement here.



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Senators Host Season Launch Event at the CTC

We’re still a little over a month away from the opener but today, the Ottawa Senators launched the heck out of the 2025/2026 season.

It was basically the Event of the Century. Even Bruce Garrioch was there! And for some reason, the powers that be thought it would be a good idea to invite your ol’ pal SensChirp to the festivities. An influencer, apparently. Their words, not mine.

Before I get into some grainy photos from the event, a moment of reflection. I have been to a couple of these things now and they always leave me with this overwhelming sense of gratitude. And not just because of the free food. When I started this site some 18 years ago now, it was because I wanted to write about the Ottawa Senators for a living.

I ended up wandering down a very different career path but it’s amazing to have these glimpses of the life that a younger version of me wanted. And at the same time, it makes me realize that maybe I’m not too far off that living I was chasing. I expect that this year is gonna be full of these “midlife crisis” sounding musings but I am just extremely thankful for what we’ve built here on this site and for the doors it has opened for me over the years.



Now I didn’t go in THIS one specifically but it was very open.

By now you’ve heard a little bit about the event from the faster influencers and media folks in attendance.

It’s a chance for all parts of the organization – business, marketing and community – to give the fan base a sense of where things stand heading into a new year. And not surprisingly, business is good for the Ottawa Senators. Thanks to a long-awaited return to the post-season, it’s clear that this is an organization firing on all cylinders.

You can feel that excitement on a day like this.

On the business side, ticket sales are up across the board and new partners are lining up for a chance to work with the Sens. The demand for playoff tickets in April has translated into a huge increase in the season-ticket base and put the team in a great spot heading into October. With so many home games right out of the gate, the organization has a chance to really continue that momentum that we saw in the playoffs. Even with an inevitable move to LeBreton, the team is still investing in the current building. Seats have been upgraded around the rink and there are new bars popping up all over the rink.

They basically had to drag me outta this place.



On the community side, the impact in the Ottawa and Gatineau area is as strong as it’s ever been. Seriously, take a look at the Community Report that came out this morning. It can get lost in the shuffle a little bit in the day-to-day but it’s a good reminder at just how important this team is in the community and the lengths the team and the players are going to give back.

🚨 It’s here! 🚨

Our 2024-25 Community Impact Report is live!
⁰$2.3M donated⁰55 charities supported⁰Thousands of young lives changed
⁰📖 Read now: https://t.co/LUmlUHdQ7C pic.twitter.com/xD2DN3Zr1k

— Senators Foundation (@SenatorsFndn) September 3, 2025
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And on the marketing side, the team has a shiny new jersey and all sorts of exciting things lined up in terms of theme nights. The jersey is drawing mixed reactions, like every other jersey since the dawn of time, but what I will say is don’t judge it until you see it in person. The online photos really don’t do it justice.

Ignite the red 🔴
Our new red alternate jerseys are going to go so hard at @CdnTireCtr this year!#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/DP0bYP2ADD

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) September 3, 2025
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Brady Tkachuk and Jordan Spence both stopped by too. You can see part of the scrum with Tkachuk here.

While the jersey release may be the big news of the day, the thing that really jumped out at me was the energy in the room. On the ice, this team took a big step last year. It feels like on all fronts, the organization is ready to build on that success and take this thing to the next level.

Again, a huge thanks to the Ottawa Senators for including me in today’s event!

For a full rundown of the day’s announcements, check out the incredible @BringBackLee. That guy tweets faster than anyone on the planet.



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Senators Announce Training Camp Roster

This seems like as good a time as any to officially emerge from The Void.

It feels like just yesterday I walked out of the Canadian Tire Centre with that combination of soul-crushing sadness and pride that only comes with being a sports fan. And in the blink of an eye, it’s all starting up again.

This afternoon, the Ottawa Senators announced the 52 players that will attend Training Camp and once again, I have been left off the list. Next year though.

The list includes five goalies,17 defencemen, 30 forwards and dare I say, not a single surprise. Despite some speculation to the contrary leading up to today’s announcement, there are no professional tryout agreements included in this year’s group which means that Steve Staios is pretty comfortable with what he’s got. At least to start.

You can see the full list of Camp participants here.

It’s worth pointing out that Nick Jensen is listed among the 52 participants. Jensen was dealing with an injury down the stretch last season and through the playoffs and the organization has been a little bit vague about his status. Will be interesting to see if he’s on the ice on Thursday.

We also learned a little bit about the schedule for the next couple weeks. Medicals and fitness testing tomorrow. GM and Head Coach press conferences at 2:00 PM. And then the first on-ice sessions scheduled for Thursday.

The first preseason game is set for Sunday afternoon at the CTC. Against the Leafs.

Picking up right where we left off.



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Game Day – Senators Begin Preseason vs. Leafs

Come up to meet you, tell you I’m sorry
You don’t know how lovely you are
I had to find you, tell you I need you
And tell you I set you apart
Tell me your secrets and ask me your questions
No, let’s go back to the start

Okay, okay. Maybe that’s a little heavy for a Sunday afternoon preseason opener but what you need to know is it’s a Sens Game Day and the Ottawa Senators are right where we left ’em.

The Ottawa Senators host the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Canadian Tire Centre in scenic Kanata, Ontario.

It’s the first in a lighter than usual six-game preseason schedule and the only game the Sens will play on home ice. In just a shade over three weeks (22 days!), the Senators will be back on this same ice surface to play the Nashville Predators in the home opener.

So get a good look while you can.

As we all know, preseason is a bit of a myth. Sure it happens but the idea that there are all sorts of roster spots up for grabs just isn’t really how it works. Guys can make good first impressions for sure but when it comes down to it, and especially in the case of this year’s Senators, roster spots are mostly a foregone conclusion.

For a team with elevated expectations, this is about tuning up for the regular season opener in less than three weeks (18 days!) and STAYING HEALTHY. Seriously, please be careful out there.

With the Senators moving to Quebec City on Thursday (deep breaths, it’s just for Training Camp), today’s game and then Tuesday back in Toronto may be the only chance some guys get. As of this morning, there are still 52 players in Camp but it’s unlikely they have that many when they shift to Quebec City.



No lineup just yet but we’ll find out which players will dress a little later this morning.

Puck drop is scheduled for just after 3:00 PM. Right around that time most of your NFL bets have already lost and you’re looking for a change of pace. Sportsnet One has the TV coverage, I think TSN1200 is still a thing and if you’re feeling real feisty, you can head down to The Tire and watch this thing in real life. Fan Fest today from 10 to 1 too for those with a serious case of Sens Fever.

Go Sens Go? Go Sens Go.



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Game Day – Senators Visit Leafs in Preseason ACTION

See, the thing about preseason is it’s stupid and it doesn’t matter. Unless the Sens win tonight. Then it’s pretty clearly a sign of things to come.

The Ottawa Senators continue their preseason with a stop in Toronto to visit the Maple Leaves.

With only six games scheduled in the regular season tune-up and Camp moving to Quebec City later this week, this is going to be end of the line for a handful of guys. And while Ottawa isn’t exactly sending the A-team to Toronto, there are some things to keep an eye on tonight. Like Auston Matthews’ hairline, John Tavares’ bank statement and the whereabouts of Mitch Marner.

Also, Carter Yakemchuk, who is going to top pairing minutes skating alongside Jake Sanderson. A good chance for the kid to show how far he’s come since last year.

Up front, the third line Olle Lycksell, Stephen Halliday and Tyler Boucher are all looking to make an impression in the battle for a roster spot. All three are longshots obviously but if they want to hang around, they’ll need to find a way to stand out tonight.

And other than that, the focus of tonight’s contest is have some fun and please, PLEASE be careful. Tyler Kleven did not follow these instructions on Sunday and as a result, is dealing with some kind of injury. He didn’t skate with either group today but he’s fine. He’s FINE.

Tyler Kleven should be back on the ice in a few days. His injury is not that serious.

— TSN 1200 Ottawa (@TSN1200) September 23, 2025
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As you might expect, the Leafs are taking this game way too seriously because they don’t want to get booed by their own fans. Here’s how the Senators are expected to arrange themselves.

Kaliyev-Cozens-Zetterlund
Cousins-Pinto-Amadio
Lycksell-Halliday-Boucher
Bourgault-Pilon-Hodgson

Sanderson-Yakemchuk
Hamara-Zub
Sebrango-Matinpalo

Leevi Meriläinen gets the start.

Puck drop is at 7:08 PM and both TSN5 and TSN4 have the coverage.



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Senators Cut 17 Players From Training Camp

Training Camp rolls on in a way that only Training Camp can.

Players have shown up in the best shape of their lives, a couple key guys have been injured to an unclear extent and the fan base has had a couple real good opportunities to over-react to both wins and losses against a bitter rival. This is what it’s all about.

But today, we get to the best part – the cuts! Homer Simpson put it best actually…

Now it’s time for the easiest part of any coach’s job. The cuts. Although I wasn’t able to cut everyone I wanted to, I have cut a lot of you.

Seventeen players in total, actually. With Camp relocating to Quebec City the rest of the way the Sens have trimmed the fat a little bit because frankly, there wasn’t room on the plane. An overview of who was let go below…

-The club assigned the following eight players to the Belleville Senators of the American Hockey League: Matthew Andonovski, Tyler Boucher, Jake Chiasson, Jorian Donovan, Tomas Hamara, Jackson Parsons, Oskar Pettersson and Djibril Toure.

-An additional five players will be placed on waivers for the purpose of being assigned to Belleville: Wyatt Bongiovanni, Xavier Bourgault, Cameron Crotty, Garrett Pilon and Hunter Shepard.

-And four players on AHL contracts – who attended Ottawa’s camp on PTOs – will also be assigned to Belleville’s camp: Philippe Daoust, Landen Hookey, Jamieson Rees and Keean Washkurak.

That leaves a total of 31 players, including 3 goalers, 10 defenceman and 18 forwards.

3+10+18 = 31. Math checks out.



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