Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators announced on Wednesday that they acquired defenseman Jakob Chychrun from the Arizona Coyotes for a conditional first-round pick in 2023, a conditional second-rounder in 2024 (originally from the Washington Capitals) and a 2026 second-round selection.

The 2023 first-rounder is top-five protected, which would become an unprotected 2024 first-round selection if it doesn't convey. The second-round selection in 2024 will become a top-10 protected first-rounder in 2024 if the Senators reach the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals. If it becomes a 2024 first-rounder and doesn't convey, it would become a 2025 unprotected first-round pick.

Chychrun, 24, has appeared in 36 games this season, posting seven goals, 21 assists and a plus-8 in over 23 minutes of average ice time. Despite his age, he's already in his seventh NHL season, all with the Coyotes until Wednesday.

He is currently in the fourth year of a six-year, $27.6 million contract. He'll have a cap hit of $4.6 million in each of the final two years of the deal.

"A defenseman we've coveted, Jakob is big and plays imposing," Senators general Pierre Dorion said in the team's statement announcing the deal. "He possesses a quality skill set; he defends hard and is highly skilled. He uses his heavy shot with accuracy and is effective at creating offense as a threat at the offensive blue line."

The Senators are fighting to get back into the playoff picture and currently sit five points (64) behind the Pittsburgh Penguins (69) for the final wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference. The Florida Panthers (66 points), Buffalo Sabres (66), Detroit Red Wings (64) and Washington Capitals (64) are also still in the running.

The Coyotes, meanwhile, have struggled this season and are well out of the playoff picture. Chychrun hasn't appeared in a game for the team since Feb. 10 as Arizona looked for a trade partner ahead of the deadline.

While health issues have become a concern—he had offseason surgeries for both a bone spur in his ankle and a wrist issue—he's a talented offensive-minded blue-liner and will bolster Ottawa's defensive pairings.

His acquisition wasn't cheap, but it was a logical move for a Senators team trying to fight its way into the playoffs.

Actor Ryan Reynolds has joined the Remington Group in a consortium that will make a bid to purchase the Ottawa Senators, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.

Reynolds, who was born in Vancouver, Canada, admitted last November was interested in purchasing the Senators but needed "a partner with really deep pockets":

The Remington Group is a Toronto-based real estate company and one of the largest developers in Ontario.

Reynolds is already notably a co-owner of Welsh soccer team Wrexham AFC alongside fellow actor Rob McElhenney.

The duo has documented the venture in the Welcome to Wrexham series, although the NHL's Senators are a significantly bigger organization than the fifth-tier English squad.

According to Forbes, the Senators were valued at $800 million in 2022.

The team has been put up for sale after previous owner Eugene Melnyk died last March, creating a long list of potential suitors.

Los Angeles-based entrepreneur Neko Sparks reportedly planned a significant bid in January, per Ian Mendes of The Athletic, while Michael Andlauer and Jeffrey Kimel were considered potential favorites. Andlauer has a minority ownership stake in the Montreal Canadiens, while Kimel previously had a share in the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Remington Group still has high ambitions for the organization, with Garrioch reporting plans to build a new rink at LeBreton Flats.

The team has played at the Canadian Tire Centre since 1996.

According to Garrioch, the Remington Group gave a presentation to Reynolds, and "they sold him on the vision they have to turn the franchise into a winner."

Ottawa sits in seventh place in the Atlantic Division and is on track for a sixth straight year without making the playoffs. In 30 seasons, the franchise is yet to win a Stanley Cup.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman also offered his support for Reynolds joining an ownership group for the Senators after meeting with the actor in December.

"[Reynolds] very much impressed us," Bettman said. "If we can figure out a way to have him included, I think that would be great for the Senators and great for the league."

Ottawa Senators goaltender Anton Forsberg was stretched off the ice during the third period of Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers at Canadian Tire Centre with an apparent leg injury.

Forsberg exited the game with 5:23 remaining in the third period after Senators defenseman Travis Hamonic pushed Oilers forward Zach Hyman onto the goaltender's right leg. A trainer immediately came out before he was taken off the ice.

Senators coach D.J. Smith told reporters after the game that there was no update on the veteran netminder.

"He's been great for us all year," Senators captain Brady Tkachuk said after the loss. "No update, but I hope it's not as severe as it looks."

Forsberg signed a three-year, $8.25 million contract with the Senators in March 2021. He entered Saturday's game with an 11-10-2 record, 3.13 goals-against average and .905 save percentage.

If the 30-year-old is sidelined, the Senators will turn to 22-year-old rookie Mads Sogaard in goal as Cam Talbot is also sidelined with a lower-body injury. He replaced Forsberg on Saturday and stopped all three shots he faced.

Prior to Saturday's game, Sogaard had appeared in two games for the Senators this season, going 1-1-0 with a 3.07 goals-against average and .889 save percentage.

Before signing with the Senators, Forsberg played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Chicago Blackhawks and Carolina Hurricanes, mainly as a backup. He appeared in 46 games for Ottawa last season, going 22-17-4 with a .917 save percentage an 2.82 goals-against average.

The Senators are currently seventh in the Atlantic Division with a 24-24-3 record and have slim chances to make the postseason.

After rumors about a potential sale, the Ottawa Senators have officially been put on the market.

Senators Sports & Entertainment released a statement on Friday announcing the NHL franchise is for sale, with the condition that a sale requires the franchise to remain in Ottawa.

Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams of Sportico reported earlier this week that Senators ownership retained Galatioto Sports Partners to initiate a sale.

Per Ian Mendes of The Athletic, there are "multiple" groups that have shown a willingness to purchase the franchise to keep them in Ottawa.

Mendes also noted potential buyers are "extremely interested in the prospect of a downtown arena at LeBreton Flats."

The Senators reached an agreement with the National Capital Commission and a group of partners in June for a plot of land in LeBreton Flats with the hope of building a new arena.

Anthony LeBlanc, Senators president of business operations, told reporters in September the franchise hopes to follow the blueprint set by the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena.

"They’ve done a remarkable job on a small square footage area, which is going to be our challenge," LeBlanc said of the Seattle arena. "It’s a tight site. I wish we had the 27 acres they have in Edmonton, but we don’t. Rogers Arena blew me away by their sheer size. Seattle was a much tighter bowl, which is what we’re leaning towards."

Eugene Melnyk, who died in March at the age of 62, originally purchased the Senators and their arena in August 2003. The franchise is currently owned by his estate.

Ottawa was awarded an NHL franchise in December 1990, with the 1992-93 campaign being its inaugural season.

During Melnyk's ownership tenure, the Senators made the playoffs nine times and won one division title. The franchise's only Stanley Cup Final appearance came during the 2006-07 season.

If you're enjoying Welcome to Wrexham, then perhaps you'll enjoy Welcome to Ottawa.

People's Ryan Parker reported Wednesday that actor Ryan Reynolds "is very interested in buying the Ottawa Senators should the NHL team ultimately be sold."

A representative for Reynolds declined to comment when asked by Parker about the story.

The 46-year-old didn't dismiss the idea when a Senators fan pleaded with him to buy the team:

Reynolds has already partnered with fellow actor Rob McElhenney to purchase Wrexham AFC, which competes in the English National League. They have turned their and the club's journey into an ongoing documentary series.

Sportico's Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams reported Tuesday the Senators' ownership regime is exploring a possible sale. Longtime owner Eugene Melnyk, who bought the franchise in 2003, died in March.

As much as Reynolds might like the idea of joining a potential ownership group, there's obviously a difference between investing £2 million to buy a Welsh soccer club and making a run at an NHL franchise. Kurt Badenhausen of Sportico valued the Senators at $655 million.

Reynolds might have to star in a lot more Deadpool sequels to make this happen.