Preseason results rarely tell the full story, and they may tell even less for the Ottawa Senators while four of their top defensemen are out. If anything, an empty win column before the games count might end up looking like a decent sign for Ottawa.
There’s also no shortage of reasons to focus on the younger and deeper parts of the roster right now. The Senators have split into NHL and AHL groups at practice this morning, with Hoyt Stanley, Djibril Toure, Cameron Crotty and Samuel Bolduc among the defensemen skating with the regulars. Samuel Blais and Philip Tomasino are also with that group.
Even in the two losses to Toronto, Ottawa managed to produce a couple of eye-catching goals. Tim Stützle opened the scoring in Toronto after taking a neutral zone feed from Andre Burakovsky and beating Darren Raddysh. Then Stanley gave the Senators another highlight moment with a backhand finish that tied the game just 41 seconds later.
Around the league, the Edmonton Oilers’ decision to hire Mike Babcock has drawn plenty of reaction, and Mark Messier has now weighed in on it as well.
Kevin Hayes has officially said he is done playing in the NHL after a 12-year career. He most recently played for the Pittsburgh Penguins before signing a contract in the KHL, where he did not perform too well.
The hockey world also lost George Gillet Jr. earlier this week. The former Montreal Canadiens owner and prominent businessman died at 87.
In Winnipeg, the Connor Hellebuyck situation continues to drag on, and there’s a sense the Jets did try during the offseason to find a deal that could work for everyone. One possibility that was discussed would have sent Hellebuyck to the San Jose Sharks, a young team viewed as on the rise. The move never came together, and San Jose no longer appears to be a realistic fit even though the Jets likely would have liked the kind of young assets the Sharks could have offered.
Dylan Larkin’s situation in Detroit is a little different from his Team USA counterpart. He still does not want to continue his career with the Red Wings, but he is expected to return to training camp after a minor injury and keep playing until a resolution is reached.
CBC is also making a change to one of hockey’s most familiar Saturday-night traditions. With the NHL no longer part of Hockey Night in Canada, the network says it is keeping the brand alive by shifting that spotlight to the PWHL. The league has been a major success since its launch, and the added coverage is being welcomed as a boost for both the PWHL and its fans.
And the troubling Matthew Mayich story continues to deepen. After a workout video surfaced showing most of the players struggling, it was later learned that no training plan had been sent to ASU’s strength and conditioning coaches before the session. That followed reports that the ex-military trainer was never properly vetted for his background and ability to coach young athletes, while questions also remain about why the workout took place outdoors in extreme heat.
In Other News...
Senators Blue Line Suddenly Has An Opening Night Concern
The Senators are still sorting through their defense as they head into the second night of preseason action, and the timing is not ideal with the club splitting into two groups for simultaneous games against Montreal. Ottawa has been using these exhibition looks to evaluate players and defensive combinations, but the blue line has already been forced to absorb some early absences while the coaching staff keeps a close eye on who can handle more responsibility.
Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub both remain unavailable, leaving a noticeable hole in the mix on a unit that is trying to get settled before the games start counting. Travis Green has said Sandersons issue is minor, which offers some reassurance, but the bigger question for Ottawa is how long this patchwork situation lasts and what it means for the opening night picture if the defense does not get whole again soon. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Roster Battle Took A Tough Turn Against Toronto's Split Squad
The Senators roster competition got another layer of urgency Thursday night at Canadian Tire Centre, where Torontos split squad came away with a 4-2 preseason win even without its biggest stars in the lineup. It was the kind of game built around players trying to make an impression, with both sides leaning on hopefuls and depth pieces rather than established names, and Ottawa still managed to find a moment that suggested the night might swing its way.
Hoyt Stanley gave the Senators a brief lift when he tied the game in the third period, but the Leafs answered and regained control in the closing stretch to leave Ottawa with another reminder of how tight these battles can be this time of year. Henrik Rybinski and Steven Lorentz were among the goal scorers in a game that had the feel of a final audition, and now the Senators turn to their preseason finale against the Canadiens with a few roster decisions still hanging in the balance. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Just Forced A Bigger Question About Leevi Merilainen
A rough night in Toronto has already pushed Leevi Merilainen into a familiar but far less comfortable kind of NHL conversation. The Senators placed the young goaltender on waivers after a difficult recent outing, a move that underlined just how quickly the depth chart can change when a backup or developmental netminder starts to wobble. Ottawa has seen enough volatility in goal to know these decisions can carry real weight, especially with a player still trying to establish himself.
If Merilainen clears, the next stop would be Belleville in the American Hockey League, which would mark the first time in his career he has needed waivers to get there. That detail matters for Ottawa because it turns a routine roster shuffle into a bigger question about where he stands in the organizations long-term plans, and how much patience the club still has as it tries to sort out its goaltending picture. [Read more 🡒]