Ottawa Senators

For the second year in a row, Vladimir Tarasenko may be traded midseason. The 32-year-old forward's first season with the Ottawa Senators could end with him playing for a different team.

According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, there is an expectation that the Senators will deal Tarasenko ahead of the NHL's trade deadline for the 2023-24 season, which is Friday at 3 p.m. ET. Tarasenko has a no-trade clause in his contract, but it appears that may not be an issue as Ottawa potentially tests the market.

"Speaking to those close to him, Tarasenko is open to a trade and will waive his NTC for a [Stanley] Cup contender," Pagnotta shared on X.

It makes sense that Tarasenko would be willing to do that. Because as things stand now, it's highly unlikely Ottawa will be heading to the playoffs. The Sens have 53 points, which are the second fewest among Eastern Conference teams.

That's also why they should look to move Tarasenko, who only signed a one-year deal worth $5 million with the team last offseason. It would be a good move for both sides.

Tarasenko can get an opportunity to win the second Stanley Cup of his 13-year NHL career (he previously won with the St. Louis Blues in 2019). Meanwhile, Ottawa could potentially acquire some additional draft capital in return.

After spending the first 10 1/2 seasons of his NHL career in St. Louis, Tarasenko switched teams for the first time in February 2023, when he was dealt to the New York Rangers. He didn't get a long playoff run with the Rangers, though, as they were eliminated by the New Jersey Devils in the first round.

Then, Tarasenko signed with the Senators, who haven't reached the playoffs since the 2016-17 season. They have a lot of talented young players, but they're not at the level of postseason contention quite yet.

If the Senators shop Tarasenko (as they should), there would likely be plenty of interested suitors. Through 56 games this season, he has 16 goals and 24 assists. With 40 points, he has a chance to exceed his total from last season (50).

Perhaps a reunion with the Rangers could play out for Tarasenko. New York leads the Metropolitan Division with 83 points, but maybe it could see a benefit to re-adding Tarasenko to its offense.

Other Stanley Cup contenders that seem like they could be potential fits include the Edmonton Oilers, Nashville Predators or New York Islanders. But it isn't clear which teams could have interest in Tarasenko, so at this point, it's all speculation regarding possible landing spots.

It would be quite surprising if the Senators opt to hold onto Tarasenko for the rest of the season, though. It makes too much sense for both sides to work out a trade within the next week.

Ottawa Senators president of hockey operations and interim general manager Steve Staios announced Monday that head coach D.J. Smith has been fired amidst an 11-15-0 start to the season, leaving the team in last place in the Atlantic Division.

Assistant coach Davis Payne was also fired and Jacques Martin was appointed interim head coach.

Smith, 46, was on an expiring contract, and the club's new leadership—Michael Andlauer became the majority owner in September and fired general manager Pierre Dorion in early November—was going to have to make a decision on his future before the start of next season regardless.

That decision came a bit earlier than expected, though it was the decision most folks anticipated the team ultimately making at some point:

"I think Staios would have, in a perfect world, preferred to have waited until after the season to make this change," TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported Monday. "But this is almost like a mercy fire. I think things have gone off the rails so badly, and I think this is a situation where they're almost doing the guy a favor at this point."

Indeed, the Senators are mired in a four-game losing streak. Smith, meanwhile, hadn't built the type of résumé in his career that would have bought him more leeway, going 131-154-32 in parts of five seasons with no playoff berths.

Granted, his tenure started in a rebuild focused on developing younger players. But that period is over, and expectations of a potential playoff run this season haven't come to pass, at least not early on. In that regard, a change doesn't come as a surprise.

As for the 71-year-old Martin, he spent nine years as the head coach of the Senators between the 1995-96 and 2003-04 seasons, leading the team to a 341-215-20 record and playoff berths in eight of those campaigns.

The Senators hired Martin earlier in December to serve as a senior advisor to the coaching staff, a bit of foreshadowing to Monday's major moves. Now, he's tasked with salvaging a sinking ship.

The Ottawa Senators haven't made the playoffs since the 2016-17 season and will be starting a new era after general manager Pierre Dorion resigned Wednesday after eight seasons, per hockey reporter Elliotte Friedman.

Steve Staios for Dorion will take over in an interim role.

Frank Seravalli of the Daily Faceoff initially reported Ottawa was "making [a] change" and would announce the move in a press conference on Wednesday.

This comes after the NHL announced the Senators would lose either their 2024, 2025 or 2026 first-round draft pick as a result of the fallout from the Evgenii Dadonov saga.

Ottawa traded the right-winger to the Vegas Golden Knights in July 2021 but did not inform the Western Conference team of his 10-team no-trade clause list. The Golden Knights then attempted to trade him to the Anaheim Ducks in March 2022 only for the deal to be invalidated because Anaheim was one of the teams on Dadonov's no-trade list.

The Golden Knights released a statement saying they "appreciate the league's diligence on this matter and respect the decision. The club will have no further comment."

As for Dorion, he was with the Senators since he joined the team as a scout in 2007. He was previously with the Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers for a combined 13 years.

Before becoming general manager in 2016, Dorion moved up to director of player personnel and then assistant general manager. Yet Sportsnet noted new owner Michael Andlauer named Staios as president of hockey operations just eight days after he took over the club in September and now gets to hire a general manager of his choosing following the resignation.

Ottawa didn't find much success during Dorion's tenure and made the playoffs just one time.

It was a far cry from when the team reached the postseason 11 years in a row from 1996-97 through 2007-08 during a stretch that included two appearances in the Eastern Conference Final and one appearance in the Stanley Cup Final.

The Senators are off to a 4-4 start this season and are in seventh place in the Atlantic Division with eight points in the early standings.

The Ottawa Senators will lose a first-round draft pick thanks to their involvement in multiple trades involving right-winger Evgenii Dadonov in 2021 and 2022.

The NHL announced Ottawa must choose whether it will give up its 2024, 2025 or 2026 first-round pick within 24 hours of the end of this year's draft lottery.

As hockey insider Frank Seravalli explained, the decision was made because the Senators didn't supply a correct no-trade list during a sequence that saw Dadonov traded from Ottawa to the Vegas Golden Knights in July 2021 and then from the Golden Knights to the Anaheim Ducks in March 2022.

The latter trade was invalidated.

TSN provided more details, noting Ottawa did not tell Vegas that Dadonov had a 10-team no-trade clause in the contract he signed with the Senators when the two teams completed the 2021 trade.

It turns out the Ducks were on that no-trade list when the Golden Knights then traded him to Anaheim in 2022 for defenseman John Moore and Ryan Kesler's contract. As a result, the league invalidated the trade and prevented Dadonov from being moved to Anaheim.

Vegas released a statement Wednesday:

Dadonov has bounced around some during his career, playing for the Florida Panthers, Senators, Golden Knights, Dallas Stars and Montreal Canadiens. He currently plays for Dallas and has appeared in all seven of the team's games this season with two goals and one assist.

The Stars landed him in a trade with the Canadiens last season and then signed him to a two-year contract extension this past offseason.

It was Dadonov's old team in the Golden Knights that eliminated his Stars in the Western Conference Final last season. Vegas went on to win the Stanley Cup Final over the Panthers, another one of the right-winger's former teams.

Ultimately, the ordeal ended up costing the Senators in the future, as they will have one fewer first-round draft pick to use as they attempt to establish themselves as long-term contenders in the Eastern Conference.

Unsigned Ottawa Senators forward Shane Pinto is being suspended 41 games by the NHL for violating the league's gambling policy, the league announced Thursday.

"The National Hockey League announced today that it has suspended NHL Player Shane Pinto for 41 games for activities relating to sports wagering," the league said in a statement. "The League's investigation found no evidence that Pinto made any wagers on NHL games.

"The NHL considers this matter closed, absent the emergence of new information, and will have no further comment."

The Senators said in a statement:

We were made aware of the National Hockey League investigation into this matter and additional information was made available to the club upon the completion of the league's investigation yesterday.

Shane is a valued member of our hockey club; an engaging, intelligent young man who made poor decisions that have resulted in a suspension by the National Hockey League. We know he is remorseful for his mistakes.

The Ottawa Senators fully support the NHL's rules on gambling. While saddened to learn of this issue, the entire organization remains committed to Shane and will work together to do what is necessary to help provide the support to allow him to address his issues and become a strong contributor to our community.

When the time is right and with the league's blessing, we will welcome him back to the organization and embrace him as one of our own.

"I want to apologize to the National Hockey League, the Ottawa Senators, my teammates, the fans and city of Ottawa and most importantly my family," Pinto added in a statement. "I take full responsibility for my actions and look forward to getting back on the ice with my team."

The NHL began an investigation into Pinto over the summer, and it's believed the probe "intensified over the past few weeks," according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

Pinto's suspension started with Ottawa's season-opener and is not dependent on him signing a contract, according to Friedman. He is the first player in league history to be suspended for sports gambling.

The league sent a memo to teams and players in March 2022 reminding them that placing wagers on NHL games is "absolutely prohibited" and will "constitute conduct that is dishonourable, prejudicial to, or against the welfare of the League or the game of hockey" per Friedman.

The memo added that NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was authorized to "discipline individuals determined to have engaged in improper gambling activities," including expulsion, suspension, cancelling a contract or imposing a fine.

"The League will act swiftly and aggressively in penalizing any League or Club personnel determined to have engaged in acts in violation of the NHL Gambling Policy," the policy says.

The Senators selected Pinto in the second round of the 2019 draft, and he made his NHL debut during the 2020-21 season. He played his first full season in the league during the 2022-23 campaign, tallying 20 goals and 15 assists for 35 points in 82 games.

The 22-year-old's three-year, $3.975 million entry-level contract was up after the 2022-23 campaign. He is designated as a 10.2(c) player and the Senators hold his signing rights, meaning he can only negotiate a contract with Ottawa.

Pinto has not requested a trade from the Senators, and Friedman wrote that it's believed he hasn't requested a move because "he appreciates the organization's secrecy about the investigation" into his gambling violations.

Shane Pinto continues to be the talk of the Ottawa Senators as the start of the 2023-24 NHL season draws near, thanks in large part to a lack of a new contract for the restricted free agent and very real questions about the team's ability to give him what he wants.

Dave Pagnotta told NHL Network Radio that the Senators have approximately $1.7 million in salary cap space but Pinto has been consistently looking for $2.5, meaning one of two things: either Pinto signs for less than he wants or the team will have to make a roster move or two to free up the money necessary to ensure the depth of their roster at the center position.

With Josh Norris fighting an injury that will keep him out of Wednesday's opener against Carolina, per Ian Mendes of The Athletic, Pinto's value to the team would appear to be higher than it has been.

Given the fact that he is a a young center at just 22 years of age, with plenty of upside and potential, said value was already high to begin with. That he knows the system and could benefit the team without Norris available only makes him more so.

That does not mean the team is not willing to listen to offers for the young player.

While insider Elliott Friedman does not believe Pinto will be dealt, he admitted on the 32 Thoughts podcast that he would not be surprised if the Islanders express interest. "But it wouldn't surprise me if the Islanders were one of the teams kicking the tires there. That's where he's from, they'd like that," (h/t Michael Stahurski of Eyes on Islanders for the transcription).

The Islanders realistically have nothing of value to offer the Senators outside of draft picks and giving those up for a player who has shown flashes of stardom but not enough to justify mortgaging the long-term future of the organization would be a mistake, no matter how close he grew up to the team's stadium.

Friedman went on to suggest that the Senators and Pinto have both given a bit and are not willing to give any more, despite being relatively close on a deal, resulting in the standstill the sides find themselves in right now.

With the uncertainty surrounding Norris, and the potential Pinto has shown as a raw, net-attacking center, it is time for the sides to work out their differences. The Senators must show good faith, find a way to make the numbers work, and bring Pinto back into the fold.

Simply put, the Senators have not been nearly good enough to warrant playing hardball and can use all the help they can get in pursuit of their first postseason appearance since 2017. If they lose out on Pinto, and he goes on to be a star for another organization because of a dispute over $800,000, the team will have no one to blame but itself.

The Ottawa Senators do not want to trade restricted free agent Shane Pinto.

Pinto does not want to go anywhere else.

That has not been enough to bring the two sides together on a new deal, however, as the franchise and its 22 year old center remain apart on a new contract, per Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.

"Both sides have reached a stalemate after discussions earlier this week and remains to be seen whether either will bend to try to get the 22-year-old Pinto signed to a deal to try to get him into camp in time to suit up for the club's final exhibition game against the Montreal Canadiens Saturday," Garrioch wrote.

Elliotte Friedman had previously reported that the team had offered Pinto a one-year, $1 million deal but it caused the gap between the sides to widen as the player is looking for a $2.5 million contract.

The team is hurting for salary cap room, with just $118,096 available as estimated by Spotrac.

Ottawa will likely have to field a roster smaller than most to make any deal with Pinto work but the fact that negotiations are ongoing suggests the team would be comfortable doing just that.

Pinto is not a starter for the Senators but he does provide valuable depth at center behind Josh Norris and Tim Stutzle. In 82 games for Ottawa a season ago, Pinto scored 20 goals and tacked on 15 assists and a shooting percentage of 12.7, showing flashes of the dynamic player he can be.

He is more a shooter and scorer than someone who is going to dish the puck to teammates. He is aggressive and attacks the goal, something teams want out of young players.

Taking his youth into consideration, not to mention the potential for growth as a player, it is not particularly surprising that the team would not be in a hurry to trade him. With that said, the start of the NHL season is rapidly approaching and if the team is going to get anything of substance in return for Pinto, it will be now.

Add to that the potential distraction the contract dispute becomes and you have two legitimate reasons to make a deal if it is determined the sides cannot come to an agreement.

Luckily, it appears as though the sides have made some leeway and may get a deal done at the final hour.

Garrioch added, "The belief is there was progress made on a two-year deal this week and if this going to get settled that's where the term will likely land."

Any setback, though, and the team must do what neither side wants: make a deal that would squash any long-term drama and give the Senators at least something in return for a player with plenty of potential to be the long-term future of the organization at his position.

The Ottawa Senators have a new owner for the first time since 2003.

The NHL Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale of the Senators to a group led by Michael Andlauer, per TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

The sale closed Thursday for $950 million, the highest price ever paid for an NHL team, according to the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch.

The NHL agreed to sell the club to Andlauer's group on June 13, per Reuters. Andlauer also owns the OHL's Hamilton Bulldogs.

Andlauer, the fourth owner in Senators history, succeeds the late Eugene Melnyk. Melnyk's daughters will retain a 10 percent share in the franchise, per Garrioch.

Following Melnyk's death in March 2022 at age 62, his daughters Anna and Olivia placed the Senators on the market in November. One caveat for any buyer interested in purchasing the team was that they must agree to keep the team in Ottawa.

Andlauer's group presented one of four final bids considered by the Senators, per Garrioch. Andlauer reportedly won out thanks to his plans to build a new stadium for the Senators. The team has previously described moving closer to Ottawa's downtown as part of the Senators' "long-term vision."

Several of Andlauer's partners in the deal are Ottawa-based businesspeople, including Jeff York, partner in Ottawa grocery chain Farm Boy and Sobey's, and the Malhotra family, owners of Ottawa real estate developer Claridge Homes, according to Garrioch.

That partnership with Claridge could help Andlauer put together plans for the new arena, according to The Athletic's Ian Mendes.

Andlauer was also previously part of a collective that purchased a 10 percent minority share of the Montreal Canadiens. He will have to divest those interests now that he is the majority owner of the Senators, per NHL rules, according to ESPN's Kristen Shilton. He is currently "working" to sell his share to Canadiens co-owner Geoff Molson, per Garrioch. Forbes' Mike Ozanian reported in June that Andlauer could make as much as $120 million from the sale.

Andlauer will now serve as managing partner of the Senators, where he plans to "be involved in the day-to-day operation of the franchise," according to Garrioch.

Jake Sanderson is going to be a member of the Ottawa Senators for a long time.

The Senators announced Wednesday that they signed the defenseman to an eight-year, $64.4 million contract extension with an average annual value of $8.05 million. The deal runs through the 2031-32 campaign and includes a 10-team no-trade clause for the last three seasons.

"Jake's transition to the pro game has been flawless," Ottawa general manager Pierre Dorion said in the announcement.

"He's a very mature young man who demonstrates a routine and skillful ability to play important minutes with poise. An effortless skater who holds himself to a high standard, he has the talent to be one of the best all-around defencemen in the NHL for years to come. We're very pleased to have another significant member of our core group of players under long-term contract."

The Senators selected Sanderson with the No. 5 overall pick of the 2020 NHL entry draft with the hope he would turn into a franchise cornerstone.

He appeared in 77 games during his rookie campaign in 2022-23 and finished with 32 points on 28 assists and four goals to go with a plus-minus number of minus-six. He was a bright spot for a team that finished in sixth place in a daunting Atlantic Division and missed the playoffs.

Sanderson is just 21 years old and is poised to be one of the faces of the franchise for seasons to come following this deal.

He was named to the NHL All-Rookie First Team and figures to have a bright future as Ottawa battles for playoff spots down the line.