Brann muffins and Canada’s best Cup wager

 ABOVE: Ottawa Senator defenceman Erik Brannstrom. A somewhat captivating assortment of thoughts . . . JOIE DE VIVRE IN LEAF LAND If Ottawa’s the town that fun forgot then Toronto must be the hockey team that fun remembered. Say what you want about the Maple Leafs, and we know you

NHL business about to get busy

 “Gentlemen start your engines?” Puh-lease. This is more, “Gentlemen, check your tank to make sure it’s topped up, get an oil change, ensure your winter tires are in great shape and bring an extra cushion for your rear end and a bucket of coffee to keep you alert.” This is

Young trio making waves where waves are needed

 For right now the Ottawa Senators are awfully thin. Thinner than Twiggy, thinner than Victoria Beckham. But you know what . . . the meat that IS on the bone, is getting the job done currently. Ottawa has won four of its last five games and the locals can lay

Front office changes in Ottawa?

 They’ve made the seismic shift in Montreal. They’ve done the same, finally, in Vancouver. Where does that leave Ottawa? We’re about to find out. But that ‘finding out’ is dependant on a few matters being settled. First – is this recent blip of success about to grow? If so, talk of

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

Senator fans continue to squirm

 Marge Simpson: You know, Homer, it's very easy to criticize. Homer Simpson: Fun, too. And so it is, Ottawa Fan. You have come to this, eh? Really can’t blame you . . . when you think about it. This stuff has been going on for years. By ‘stuff,’ I mean

Grades improving; this student has potential

 I remember those dreaded days: Getting the sealed envelope with my school’s emblem adorning the front. “Please bring this home for your parents to look at (‘pick apart,’ you mean) and have them sign it and bring it promptly back to your home-room teacher.” The cringe-worthy report card. Twice a

Senators make ‘slight’ moves at deadline

 Really, when you think about it, it’s the small things that matter in life. So-hope the Ottawa Senators who did a few of the little deals at the trade deadline but picked up a small piece that - hopefully (for them) - eventually makes a difference. Ottawa tapped on its

Canadian teams look to post-season and draft

 Above: Morgon Reilley will return to the Leafs lineup (Courtesy NHLI via Getty Images) It’s lonely at the bottom. The Ottawa Senators – as discussed at great length in this space last week – won’t be taking part in the 24-team slap-and-tickle know as the NHL playoffs later this summer.

Dearth of hockey brings about ‘classic’ possibilities

 If you could have your choice of NHL games or series to re-watch, what would populate your list? That thought popped into my head Saturday night as I sat in front of my TV going: something’s missing . . . right – Hockey Night in Canada. Sure it was great

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

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