Eastern Playoff Chase Gets Tougher

 Is the Great 8 the only thing standing in the way of qualifying for the great eight? While likely not completely accurate, it sure makes for an awe-inspiring lede. (Withholding judgement on that for now . . .). But seriously people, when you truly break it down, is it Alex

Norris takes that next big step

 Need a little sunshine? Here you go. One of the biggest obstacles potentially facing the Ottawa Senators and ‘taking that next big step’ is the lack of elite star power. Sure they have Thomas Chabot, but until now, not much else in the realm of A-quality offensive talent. It’s becoming

Senators not alone on the Isle of Stink

 I always kind of wondered what it would be like to live full-time in Phoenix. You know, the warm days throughout the year, world-class golf courses, thin, clean air, superb dining, the constant hum of air conditioners and a perpetually bad hockey team. Well now I know. We’ve got all

Leafs house in disrepair

 ABOVE: Sheldon Keefe, head coach of the Leafs. (courtesyNHL.com) Supposing you bought a house and decided to invest millions of dollars into upgrades. A few months into renovations you discovered there were enormous cracks in the foundation and all that money you’d shot into the home were wasted. Then supposing you decided

Naughty or nice: the ABC’s of Xmas

 It’s been one helluva year, said everyone everywhere. Even in the usual sanctified domain of the sports world, the Year of COVID-19 hit hard and fast and repeatedly. But we’re moving on here, good people. ‘Tis the season for some much-required joy and boy do we need that lift, especially

Questions and more questions surround NHL’s return

 Uncertainty is the only certainty. Welcome to the current landscape of professional sports. In hockey, the uncertainty surrounding an upcoming season prompts a few questions. Like: What if there is no season? Don’t kid yourself, this is a real possibility. National Hockey League owners have zero appetite to return to

Isles-Bruins East finale? You betcha’

 The Great Eight. With apologies for the steal on Alex Ovechkin’s nickname, that’s where we stand right now. Eight teams with a shot at Lord Stanley. After a qualifying round record of 5-3, Round 1 of the true playoffs produced a resounding 5-3 record (resounding?) of guess-taking. So be it.

Sucking in your glut

 How’s your glut? Getting enough glut? Is the glut cutting into your chores; things you should be doing around the house? Yes folks it’s a changed world after all. The result from the hockey side of things is . . . of course . . . there is a glut

Report cards come a little – too – early

 We are supposed to be gunning for a playoff season just around the corner. We’re supposed to be talking about who’s going to win the goal-scoring race, Auston Matthews, Alex Ovechkin or David Pastrnak. We’re supposed to be talking about MVP and whether the unexpected Leon Draisaitl can accomplish the

Batherson’s the real deal . . . and other stuff

 It’s been a hectic past couple of weeks across the NHL with coach firings, player movement, injuries, some player growth (hint: here in Ottawa) and of course – the lead-up to the trade deadline. Here’s some relevant stuff to pass along. That Drake Batherson kid? He can play: Took a

Figuring out Senators’ near future is going to be a puzzle

 The possibilities are endless. This is the reality of the world where Ottawa Senators’ general manager Pierre Dorion exists. The next few weeks – and months – are rich with ifs, ands, buts, maybes and maybe nots. In Ottawa the only sure thing is there’s no sure thing. Here’s what

All-star break gives Senators’ brass time to reflect and ponder plans

 The Ottawa Senators’ bye week is upon us. They won’t hit the ice again until Jan. 27th when they host the New Jersey Devils. That’s a break the size of the one in our foundation wall (. . . but that’s another story). Nine-days-plus. A long, long time between games.

Brown/Senators: A marriage of disappointment

 You have to start wondering at this point – if you haven’t already - just what the heck is the game plan for one Logan Brown here in Ottawa? Sure, he’s up here with the big boys at the NHL level, but seriously, I think the guys who scrape the

NHL Playoffs: A veritable alphabet soup

 Photo courtesy of NHLI via Getty Images Here we go. It’s the A, B, Z’s (American pronunciation for rhyming purposes please) of the Stanley Cup playoffs, with a few Ottawa references thrown in. (This IS an Ottawa-based magazine after all, right?). So, strap on your ‘well, what a poetic thought’ hat

Remodeling and Adjusting Keeps Neil Rolling Along

 Nobody could have seen this coming. Chris Neil as Ottawa Senator franchise leader in penalty minutes? Sure. But Chris Neil as the longest serving active Senator? Not on your life. Except there he was Saturday afternoon - as the Sens faced the Kings in Los Angeles - tugging on the