The Ottawa Senators may have kicked Patrik Laine off their summer board.
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen reported that Ottawa did talk about the unrestricted free agent winger, but the idea no longer appears to be alive. Garrioch wrote: “Staios and the Senators did discuss the possibility of signing unrestricted free agent Patrik Laine, but it’s highly doubtful he’ll end up in Ottawa.
In fact, that ship has likely sailed… We’re led to believe that the Senators don’t feel that Laine is the right fit for their roster. Yes, he can sign a bonus-laden contract, so there isn’t much risk involved, but the Senators are relying on the fact that Burakovsky can find his game in Ottawa.”
That’s a notable turn, especially for a club that could use another clean finish in the lineup. Laine’s track record is still obvious: 224 goals and 422 points in 537 career NHL games.
But Ottawa apparently doesn’t see him as the answer. The next question is what comes after that, including whether he’d be open to a PTO.
In Toronto, the Maple Leafs have filled all 50 contract slots after signing Brendan Brisson to a one-year, two-way deal. The agreement carries an $850,000 NHL cap hit and $300,000 in the AHL.
Brisson split last season between the New York Rangers and Hartford Wolf Pack. He posted one assist in three NHL games and added 37 points in 66 AHL games. He may not have a locked-in NHL role, but he gives Toronto another depth piece in the system and a possible call-up option from the Marlies.
The bigger detail here is the number itself: the Leafs are at the league’s 50-contract limit, which means any further addition will require a move first. With fringe players still battling for jobs, that kind of maneuver could still be on the table.
As for Dylan Larkin, the Montreal angle may be cooling off. TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie reported that the Canadiens are not on the Detroit captain’s approved list of teams he would accept in a trade.
That matters because Larkin holds a full no-trade clause through 2028, so he has the final say on where this goes. Montreal had looked like a natural fit on paper, with the prospect pool, draft capital and cap room to put together a serious offer.
TSN’s Bryan Hayes and Frankie Corrado also pointed to the Canadiens as a strong landing spot, though Hayes said Larkin would have to “come around to it.” If Lavoie’s report is right, that door is not open right now.
Minnesota is still being tied to Larkin, but even there, the picture is complicated. Elliotte Friedman said on NHL Network, “I don’t think Quinn Hughes wants long-term in Minnesota.
And I do think that the Wild and Hughes are going to be meeting soon to start heading this out. Where they are and where they’re going?”
In Other News...
Senators Fans Are Split On This Canadian Tire Centre Change
The Canadian Tire Centre is getting another facelift, and this one is aimed squarely at how fans spend their time between whistles. Ottawa began renovating the building on Aug. 30, removing seats to make room for a new 300-level fan deck with a bar, concession booths, lounging space and a wide viewing area, part of a broader push by the Senators to make the arena feel more social and interactive. Team president and CEO Cyril Leeder said the goal is to improve the overall fan experience, continuing a pattern of recent additions designed to give supporters more ways to gather and stay connected on game nights.
For some Senators fans, the idea fits the modern arena experience, especially if it creates a better place to meet, move around and actually enjoy the building beyond the seat itself. For others, any change that takes away seating invites a tougher conversation about what should matter most at a hockey game, especially when longtime supporters are already attached to the way the arena has felt for years. The project is moving quickly, and with the home opener on the horizon, the real test will be whether the new space feels like a welcome upgrade or just another reminder that the Senators are still trying to balance atmosphere, access and tradition. [Read more 🡒]
Ottawa 67's Need These Two Prospects To Set The Tone
The Ottawa 67s are heading toward the start of their season with a couple of 19-year-olds expected to help shape the tone early. Spencer Bowes, a recent New York Rangers draft pick, looks ready to be a significant winger in the mix after a strong preseason opener, while David Bedkowski has come back with a more physically imposing frame and the kind of presence the club wants from an overager on the back end.
Both prospects matter for more than just their own development, because the 67s are looking for players who can set an example before the regular season begins in September. With the preseason schedule wrapping up this weekend, the next step is seeing whether Bowes can keep building on his early momentum and whether Bedkowski can translate his added strength and leadership role into the sort of steadying influence a young roster tends to need. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Are Making A Fresh Pitch To Win Ottawa Back
The Ottawa Senators used a media event this week to put a fresh face on their latest offseason push, introducing a new campaign built around a slogan meant to capture the kind of identity the franchise wants to project heading into the 2026-27 season. The club also used the setting to spotlight the improvements made since its latest playoff elimination, part of a broader effort to reconnect with a fan base that has watched plenty of turnover in recent years.
Behind the scenes, the marketing department framed the message as more than a tagline, tying it to the teams larger effort to make supporters feel part of what comes next. There is also a sign the pitch may be landing, with season ticket sales sitting above where they were a year ago, even as the real test remains whether the roster changes and the new branding can translate into something sturdier when the games count again. [Read more 🡒]