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

Senators latest skid nothing to gloss over

 Well, it could be more problematic, you could be Detroit. Actually we take that back, you WERE Detroit this past weekend. The Ottawa Senators took a plunge in to the pool that tells themselves they are the worst team in the NHL during their last collection of games. During this

Canadian clubs: the good and the bad and the in-between

 We’re right around the halfway point in this NHL season and as we are prone to do a couple of times per season, let’s have a glance at how our seven Canadian teams are faring, and what might lie ahead in the upcoming months. Across Canada? It’s truly a mixed

Making the grade – your Ottawa Senators

 A new year, and for a change, the Ottawa Senators head in with a modicum of hope. Couldn’t say that on the brink of 2019, or 2018. Been a while, eh? Face it, the farm is filled with potential plums and if you’ve been watching the world junior tourney, there

Pageau, Duclair success clouds picture

 This wasn’t supposed to be so complicated. Rebuild, lose a bunch of games, play the kids and trade any or all of the veteran assets you hold. That was the intended plan, as far as we know. But Anthony Duclair and Jean-Gabriel Pageau spoiled it. Here’s the deal: At the

Senators still an outside bet for NHL playoff berth after steady start

 Expectations were low heading into the Ottawa Senators’ 28th NHL campaign and for the most part, things have gone pretty much according to the script as we pass the 30-game mark. The Sens boast a 13-17-1 record, and sit second-bottom of the Atlantic Division with only the Detroit Red Wings

Tkachuk ka-chunks the opposition, repeatedly

 To Johnny (. . . and Jenny) Senator Fan, a few pressing internal thoughts and proposals and questions that need your attention. Have a look. Brady Tkachuk is a somewhat captivating character. This could be the understatement of the year. The second-year winger is kind of the anti-Mister Rogers. Instead

Senator win string is perplexing for fans

 Winning has never been so confusing. It’s the genesis of the angst Ottawa Senator fans are facing right now. In the case that you’ve been residing outside the nation’s capital (where no one seems to care what’s happening with this hockey club), Ottawa is a tidy 7-2 since Nov. 7th.

Special teams in Ottawa: the good and the bad

 You can see why the Ottawa Senators excel in certain areas and fail in others. It’s right there in front of you. Plain as day. Head coach D.J. Smith has refined a penalty kill which in previous campaigns was far from refined. Last season Ottawa sat 23rd in the league

Shanaplan in Toronto heading for the dumpster

 You really, truly don’t have it all that bad Ottawa. Check out the guys down the highway. No, not Montreal. Head in the other direction. For all the mea culpa’s running through the nation’s capital the last three years, at the very least there’s some semblance of direction. It might

Senator offence nothing to get Wild over

 Granted it is early but if the Ottawa Senators don’t find a way to discover a cure for their insipid power play, this is going to be one ugly beast of a season. I guess you could contend that no one should be surprised given the lip service offered up

Losing culture could be problematic down the road for Senators

 PHOTO: Courtesy NHLI via Getty Images We realize over here in this corner that two games is indeed a small sample size, however it is troubling to watch this year’s (early) rendition of the Ottawa Senators creating, what you would hope, is not a template. Yes, it’s wondrous to fill the

A small, slight bump in the hope metre?

 Photo courtesy NHLI via Getty Images It’s the tiniest of sample sizes to be sure. Ottawa’s Senators roll out two straight wins in a season that has seen so very few of these positive streaks. Still, it’s a bump; slight as the headline indicates. The odd part is the Senators accomplished

Not all miserable in Senator land

 Photo credit: NHLI via Getty Images Well now, wasn’t that a party? Not the kind where everyone has a festive time and hugs, good feelings and smiles are shared around the room. Nope, this was more of the kind of party where your guests drink too much, break some chairs, accidentally

Senators up-and-down season so far is not a bad thing

 Photo credit: NHLI via Getty Images National Hockey League brain-boxes like to measure the success rate of their hockey club in 10-game segments. So, here we sit roughly 10 games into the season with lots to mull over. Here’s a glance at how Canada’s seven teams are faring so far .

Small sample size, but Sens on target

 Photo courtesy NHLI via Getty Images The National Hockey League hype machine is officially – as with every season – firing on all cylinders. Happens every year around this time. A couple of games in and the prophecy window is wide open for business. The Senators are this, the Leafs

Ottawa Senators sinking like the Titanic

 I remember the day clearly. When polishing up the season synopsis of the Ottawa Senators on the ice (back in early April), the thought that this was definitively the worst year in franchise history was right there, smack-dab on the page. Justifiable. The team that came within a Chris Kunitz

Building an NHL winner? ‘Zip-a-dee-doo-dah’

 Photo courtesy of NHLI via Getty Images Mimicry goes back a long way in hockey. Watching what the other guy does to attain success and then attempting to imitate the same plan has become an art form. Back in the early to mid-70s, toughness was ‘in.’ Philadelphia knocked the courage out

Draft-day preparation off and running for Senators

 No. 4 and No. 22. Two digits that underline how critical the past week was, and the weeks approaching will be, for the Ottawa Senators. It’s never too early to start preparing for an NHL entry draft that will see you – at this point – selecting fourth and 22nd

Still enjoying the season so far, Ottawa Senator fan?

 SENATORS: A Week in Review is a weekly column looking back at the week in Ottawa Senators hockey written by OLMSports Dave Gross. Feature photo Courtesy NHLI via Getty (Andre Ringuette) Still enjoying the season so far, Ottawa Senator fan? Quite the capper rolled in Friday evening when deputy commissioner Bill Daly revealed

Loaded draft table awaits Ottawa

 SENATORS: A Week in Review is a weekly column looking back at the week in Ottawa Senators hockey written by OLMSports Dave Gross. Feature photo Courtesy NHLI via Getty  It’s been a fairly compelling first round in the National Hockey League playoffs. Though some things prove to be more compelling, or thought-jogging,

No surprises here: Sens fail to make the grade

 SENATORS: A Week in Review is a weekly column looking back at the week in Ottawa Senators hockey written by OLMSports Dave Gross. Feature photo Courtesy NHLI via Getty (Andre Ringuette) “Wait ‘till your father gets home!” Yup, it’s one of those report cards – the ones you’d attempt to shield from your

Soul Pop Songstress Krista Jane’s Moving From One Mic Drop Moment to Another

 Photos courtesy of ELVO Music Receiving a standing ovation at the legendary Apollo Theater has to factor into any emerging musician’s top three ways to make an opening statement. For Ottawa’s Krista Jane, this dream became a reality when the young singer watched an audience rise out of their seats

Tumultuous season continues for Senators

 SENATORS: A Week in Review is a weekly column looking back at the week in Ottawa Senators hockey written by OLMSports Dave Gross. Feature photo Courtesy NHLI via Getty Images (Andre Ringuette) "May you live in interesting times." It's an adage that adequately describes the Ottawa Senators, in that the phrase

Senators Mid-season Musings

 SENATORS: A Week in Review is a weekly column looking back at the week in Ottawa Senators hockey written by OLMSports Dave Gross. Feature photo Courtesy NHLI via Getty Image Some mid-season musings as we head to towards the all-star break (hosted by the Tampa Bay Lightning on Jan. 28th): *