It’s hard to keep up on all of the latest Senators’ news during the summer, especially in the bliss of a hot, glorious long weekend. But as always, we’ve got you covered with The Hockey News-Ottawa’s Week in Review.
Are you sitting comfortably? Then we’ll begin.
It seems like five minutes ago centre Colin White was a big part of the Ottawa Senators’ young core, or at least regarded as such. Today, August has arrived, and he remains an unrestricted free agent. After how things went last season, it looks like it may be the end of his NHL days.
Related: The NHL Journey of Former Ottawa Senator First-Rounder Colin White May Be Done
The Senators made a major shift in their communications department, hiring two top local journalists who’ve both covered the team for a long time.
Related: Ottawa Senators Make Major Changes in Communications Department, Adding Local Hockey Journalists Ian Mendes and Sylvain St-Laurent
Best in Class: It’s hard not to be encouraged by what the Senators’ new ownership and management have done in their first season. But here are four critical improvements they’ve made that have absolutely nothing to do with specific player transactions.
Related: Ottawa Senators: Four Major Organizational Changes That Go Way Beyond Their Player Transactions
With Tyler Kleven, Jacob Bernard-Docker, and Travis Hamonic all in the mix for 5-6-7 duty, there are bound to be concerns about the Senators’ blue-line depth for this season.
Related: Ottawa Senators: Shoring Up The Third Pair on Defence
Now that it’s August, the free agent market has slowed to a crawl. But we identified three defencemen out there who wouldn’t be expensive and would bolster Ottawa’s aforementioned blueline depth.
Related: Three Free Agent Defencemen Who Might Help the Ottawa Senators’ Roster Depth
The Senators quietly signed Adam Gaudette to a one-year contract this summer. In his brief stint with St. Louis this season, he talked about becoming a better two-way player. And leading the AHL in goal scoring speaks for itself. Could he kick open the door at Sens camp this fall?
Related: Round Two: Expect Newly Signed Adam Gaudette to Push Hard for a Job in Ottawa This Fall
All the goaltending talk this summer has been about the arrival of Linus Ullmark. But we have reasons to believe that Anton Forsberg might be in for a better season than people think. Honestly, there’s nowhere to go but up.
Related: Why Ottawa Senators Goalie Anton Forsberg May be Poised for a Bounceback Season
Did you know that the Senators have only ever drafted four players from each of the two local major junior hockey clubs? Just for fun, we reviewed the list of Ottawa 67’s and Gatineau Olympiques who have been selected by and/or played for the Senators.
Related: Olympiques Watch: Top 5 Gatineau/Hull Olympiques Ever to Play for the Ottawa Senators
Huzzah! There’s actual Sens hockey on the way next month.
Related: Ottawa Senators: Schedule Released for Prospects Challenge in Buffalo Next Month
Former Senators head coach Dave Cameron prepared to put World Junior Team Canada hopefuls through their paces this week at summer training camp.
Related: World Junior Summer Camp: Former Senators Head Coach Dave Cameron Comes Full Circle With Ottawa and the World Juniors
Be sure to bookmark The Hockey News Ottawa, where there is no off-season.
Hear more from The Hockey News Ottawa Senators Site Editor Steve Warne on The Sens Nation Podcast on Apple and YouTube.