The Sens have a new owner for starters
“DEADPOOL wants to buy THE SENS!!“
OTTAWA, June 30, 2023 – The Ottawa Senators, following the passing of former owner Eugene Melnyk, found themselves entertaining various offers from notable personalities in Hollywood and beyond. One of the early suitors was none other than Ryan Reynolds, known for his role as Deadpool and a native of Vancouver. Reynolds expressed his interest in purchasing the team during an appearance on “The Tonight Show” in November. He acknowledged the expense involved and jokingly referred to the need for deep-pocketed partners.
After Reynolds’ bid was shut down by the NHL, another star emerged on the scene. Snoop Dogg confirmed on Instagram in May that he had partnered with businessman Neko Sparks in a bid to acquire the Ottawa Senators. Snoop expressed his enthusiasm for Sparks’ plans to bring hockey back to the community.
Additionally, The Weeknd, stage name for Abel Tesfaye, joined a group led by Toronto billionaires Jeffrey and Michael Kimel in their pursuit of purchasing the team. These high profile proposals from Hollywood stars garnered attention, but ultimately, the NHL and the Melnyk family opted for a more understated owner with a rich history in the hockey world.
And the new owner of the Ottawa Senators is…
The new owner of the Ottawa Senators is transportation billionaire Michael Andlauer, a lifelong fan of the Montreal Canadiens. At 58 years old, Andlauer brings with him a wealth of business experience and a deep understanding of the hockey world, shaped by his own involvement as a beer league goalie, team owner, and dedicated hockey dad.
Born in France, Andlauer was raised in Montreal by a single mother in the suburb of Notre Dame de Grace. Despite limited financial resources, his unwavering devotion to the Montreal Canadiens flourished. Investing his earnings from a paper route, Andlauer purchased copies of the Hockey Digest, considering it the ultimate authority on the sport. His love for the game grew as he proudly wore his Canadiens’ sweater adorned with the number 10, paying homage to his favourite player, Guy Lafleur.
“My family and I are very excited to be a part of the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club. I believe that the Senators’ fanbase is one of the most passionate in the league and I’m excited to take the franchise’s success both on and off the ice to the next level,” said Andlauer.
“The short and long-term future of the team is incredibly bright, and I look forward to getting to know the team, the fanbase and the community,” added Andlauer in the official news release.
Andlauer’s journey took him away from Montreal as he pursued his career aspirations at York University, studying business administration and management. To support his education, he took on a part-time position at McCain Foods Limited in Toronto. Andlauer’s talent and drive led to rapid advancement within the company, eventually prompting him to establish his own trucking enterprise, Andlauer Transportation Services (ATS Healthcare), in 1991.
ATS Healthcare, with its impressive fleet and specialization in transporting pharmaceuticals across Canada, emerged as a leader in the healthcare transportation industry. Andlauer’s entrepreneurial spirit didn’t stop there, as he also founded Associated Logistics Solutions (now Accuristix), a healthcare logistics firm, and Bulldog Capital Partners, a private equity firm. He further consolidated specialized healthcare supply chain entities under Andlauer Healthcare Group, optimizing the industry’s operations.
Andlauer’s love for hockey led him to acquire ownership stakes in the Hamilton Bulldogs, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens. Despite the team’s financial challenges, Andlauer saw an opportunity to contribute to the sport. He later purchased a minority stake in the Montreal Canadiens themselves.
Alongside his endeavours in the hockey business, Andlauer played the role of a dedicated hockey dad as his son, Michael Jr. competed in AAA hockey and was drafted by the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Andlauer also gained experience in relocating a hockey franchise when he sold the AHL Bulldogs to the Canadiens and acquired the Belleville Bulls in the OHL.
Beyond his involvement in hockey, Andlauer is actively engaged in philanthropy through the Hamilton Bulldogs Foundation, which provides meals to underprivileged school children in Hamilton. His contributions to the city’s economic development have earned him admiration, with suggestions for a statue honouring his remarkable achievements.
Senators GM & Coaching Staff
The decision to retain Dorion and Smith reflects confidence in their abilities to guide the team and build a competitive roster. Dorion, who has been with the Senators since 2007 and took over as general manager in 2016, has been instrumental in shaping the team’s direction and overseeing player acquisitions and development. His experience and knowledge of the organization will continue to play a crucial role in the Senators’ ongoing rebuilding process.
Similarly, head coach D.J. Smith has earned praise for his work behind the bench. Since joining the Senators in 2019, Smith has been focused on developing the team’s young talent and instilling a competitive mindset. Under his guidance, several young players have shown significant growth and promise, providing optimism for the team’s future.
The decision to retain Dorion and Smith signifies stability and continuity within the organization. It allows the Senators to maintain a sense of direction and consistency as they work towards their goals of becoming a competitive team in the NHL. With the new ownership’s support, Dorion and Smith will have the opportunity to continue shaping the team and striving for success in the seasons to come.
Expectations for the coming season
When it comes to individual accomplishments, Tim Stützle, wearing number 18, stands out. His year-by-year progress is truly remarkable. In the previous season, he scored 22 goals and had 58 points in 79 games. However, this season has seen a significant improvement, with Stützle scoring 35 goals and increasing his points per game from 0.73 to 1.16. Additionally, Stützle’s ice time has increased by over 2.5 minutes per game. Another notable statistic is his offensive point share (OPS), which has risen from 3.8 to 7. However, amidst all the positives, Stützle still has areas to develop, such as his faceoff win percentage, which currently stands at 40.6% (an improvement from 38.1%).
Not only has Stützle had a great season, but other teammates have also exceeded expectations. One notable metric where Stützle stands out is his goals above expected, ranking 26th among forwards league wide with a score of 7.4, placing him just ahead of his teammate Claude Giroux at 6.8. It is worth mentioning that the leader in this category is no surprise, Connor McDavid, with a score of 18.4. Furthermore, Giroux, at 35 years old, has had an exceptional season. Likewise, Brady Tkachuk has experienced a career best season, setting personal records in goals, assists, shots, and faceoffs taken. Clearly, many individuals are delivering outstanding performances, likely influenced by the talented players they are surrounded by.
However this offseason the Senators have learned DeBrincat has no plans in playing for the club next year. DeBrincat’s inaugural season with the Sens may not have been exceptional, as he managed a modest 27 goals. However, he has since established himself as one of the premier scoring wingers in the NHL, effectively debunking the notion that a 5 foot 8, 178 pound physique can hinder success in today’s game. Since his rookie campaign in 2017-18, DeBrincat has tallied an impressive 187 goals, positioning him 14th in the NHL goal-scoring rankings, sandwiched between Mika Zibanejad and Mark Scheifele. Notably, he has surpassed more prominent 2016 draft counterparts, namely Patrik Laine and Matthew Tkachuk.
Given DeBrincat’s status as a prime, high caliber goal scorer, the Senators are bound to attract numerous enticing offers. However, the situation is complicated by the fact that the team hasn’t made a playoff appearance since the 2016 -17 season. Nevertheless, they are on the cusp of achieving that milestone and are fully committed to reaching the playoffs in the upcoming season. Consequently, General Manager Pierre Dorion is likely to prioritize trade packages that include assets capable of contributing to Ottawa’s immediate success. Naturally, such deals can be challenging to execute.
Sens Prospects
The Ottawa Senators have been making efforts to rebuild their prospect pool in recent years, aiming to develop a strong foundation for future success. While they may currently rank 24th in the NHL prospect pool rankings, they still have several promising prospects worth noting. Some key prospects within the Senators’ organization are:
- Ridly Greig, C/LW, 20 (Belleville Senators): Greig, selected 28th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, is a versatile forward known for his strong two-way game. He possesses excellent playmaking abilities and a competitive edge that makes him effective in all areas of the ice.
- Zack Ostapchuk, LW, 19 (Winnipeg Ice): Ostapchuk was chosen by the Senators in the second round of the 2021 NHL Draft. Standing at 6-foot-3, he brings size and physicality to his game. He’s a power forward who can contribute offensively and play a strong defensive game.
- Jacob Bernard-Docker, RHD, 22 (Ottawa Senators/Belleville Senators): Bernard-Docker is already making an impact at the NHL level. He was selected 26th overall in the 2018 NHL Draft and has shown great poise and defensive awareness on the blue line. He possesses strong skating ability and is effective at moving the puck.
- Tyler Boucher, RW, 19 (Ottawa 67’s): Boucher, drafted 10th overall by the Senators in the 2021 NHL Draft, brings a combination of skill and physicality to his game. He’s a gritty forward who plays with intensity and has a scoring touch around the net.
- Egor Sokolov, RW/LW, 22 (Belleville Senators): Sokolov, a big-bodied winger at 6-foot-4, has displayed impressive goal scoring ability in the AHL. He has a powerful shot and good offensive instincts. He still has some development ahead of him but has shown promise in his game.
While the Senators’ prospect pool may not be ranked among the league’s elite, they do have notable prospects who could contribute to the team’s future success. Development and nurturing of these young players will be crucial for the Senators’ long term aspirations.
Who did the Sens pick in the 2023 Nashville Entry Draft?
The 2023 entry draft will forever be etched in NHL history as the moment when we finally found a player who could give Gretzky and Lemieux a run for their money. Say hello to Connor Bedard – touted as The Next Great One. He’s here to pick up where previous players left off, striving to elevate the game to the levels of the NBA and MLB. Crosby could outrun a Porsche in his prime, but he never quite dominated the record books like Gretz. Ovie’s goal scoring prowess aligns more with Gretzky, but he’s still missing that certain je ne sais quoi. Then there’s the original Connor, McDavid who is no slouch, walking away with four major awards last week including the Hart Trophy for league MVP, the Art Ross Trophy for most points in a season – he was also was the first player to lead the league in goals (64), assists (89) and points (153) since Lemieux did it – and he also took home the Ted Lindsay award voted by the NHLPA. Although, some say McDavid lacks the charisma of a Charles Barkley or Michael Jordan (casino commercials aside). But fear not, because Connor 2, of the Bedard variety could bring the pizzazz both on and off the ice that the NHL desperately needs. Bedard is here to shake things up and show the world that hockey is once again ready to take its rightful place in the spotlight.
As for the Senators they didn’t have a pick until the 4th round of the draft. Their first selection was Hoyt Stanley who is a promising young defenseman. Stanley is known for his size and physicality, standing at six-foot-three and weighing 205 pounds. He hails from West Vancouver, British Columbia. During the 2022-23 season, Stanley played for the Victoria Grizzlies in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). He showcased his offensive capabilities by contributing 4 goals and 34 assists in 53 regular season games. In the playoffs, he recorded 1 assist in 4 games. With his right handed shot and strong defensive skills, Stanley has the potential to develop into a reliable presence on the blue line. As a fourth round pick, he may require further development and seasoning in junior hockey or college before making a push for a spot on the Ottawa Senators’ roster in the future.
Matthew Andonovski is a young defenseman who was chosen by the Ottawa Senators in the fifth round of the NHL draft with the 140th overall pick. Andonovski, a left handed defenseman, possesses a strong physical presence at six-foot-two and 201 pounds. He comes from Markham, Ontario. During the 2022-23 season, Andonovski played for the Kitchener Rangers in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). While he didn’t contribute much offensively in terms of goals, he demonstrated his playmaking ability by recording 16 assists in 67 regular-season games. In the playoffs, he did not register any points in nine games. Andonovski’s size and defensive skills make him a valuable asset on the blue line. With further development, he has the potential to become a reliable shutdown defenseman who can effectively contribute to his team’s defensive efforts. As a fifth round pick, he may require additional time to refine his game and develop his offensive skills before making a push for a spot in the Ottawa Senators’ lineup.
The Senators had three picks in the seventh round which doesn’t make up for not having any picks until round four. The players they drafted are:
Owen Beckner, a left handed centre, stands at 6 foot 2 and weighs 181 pounds. He hails from Victoria, British Columbia. During the 2022-23 season, Beckner played for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). He showcased his offensive abilities by tallying 17 goals and 33 assists in 53 regular season games. In the playoffs, he continued his strong performance with 2 goals and 8 assists in 14 games.
Vladimir Nikitin, a left-catching goaltender, is an imposing presence at 6 foot 4 and 192 pounds. He represented Barys Astana U20 in the Kazakhstan U20 league. In the 2022-23 season, Nikitin exhibited his skill and consistency between the pipes, amassing 18 wins and 6 losses in 24 games. He boasted an impressive save percentage of .921 and a goals against average of 2.07.
Nicholas Vantassel, a right handed center, stands at an imposing 6 foot 4 and weighs 196 pounds. He hails from Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Vantassell spent the 2022-23 season playing for the Green Bay Gamblers in the United States Hockey League (USHL). He showcased his offensive prowess by netting 19 goals and adding 18 assists in 62 regular-season games. In the playoffs, he contributed 1 goal in 3 games.
As their draft choices slowly develop and progress in their respective leagues, the Senators will closely monitor their growth and provide the necessary support to help them reach their full potential.
Will the Sens make the playoffs?
If the Senators can find a stabilizing force in goal and a few more veteran forwards who buy into what the coach is selling, this might be a playoff team and one day win a Cup. NHL free agency begins tomorrow and who knows what Pierre Dorion has up his sleeve to help deliver this team to playoff land.
by Myles Shane
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