Wait is over: Andlauer agrees in principle to buy Senators

Next step – NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and the league executive board. This after news broke late Tuesday that Toronto-based billionaire Michael Andlauer has purchased the Ottawa Senators for a price estimated at $1 billion US.

The ‘in-principle’ deal means the agreement is now in the hands of the NHL’s top dogs – Bettman and the board, then if approved it’s on to the board of governors for the final stamp.

Reportedly the process came down to four bids with Andlauer coming out on top.

Andlauer also owns a piece of the Montreal Canadiens, which he will now have to sell if his bid pushes forward.

He is the founder of Andlauer Healthcare Group and is also the owner of the OHL’s Bulldogs franchise.

The 57-year-old also lands preferred bidder status to construct an arena at LeBreton Flats.

THOUGHT, SEEN AND HEARD: If Mark Stone goes on to win the Stanley Cup tonight, do you think somewhere P.K. Subban wakes from a slumber grimacing and shaking his wrist? . . . This must be a tough playoff to watch (from the outside) for Brady Tkachuk. First, his brother grabs all the spotlight across the hockey universe for months at a time, then his former landlord (Stone) claims hockey’s top prize . . . Then again, maybe Brady’s got his ego in check? . . . Kyle Dubas might or might not be a terrific hockey manager. One time he certainly wasn’t, was when Calgary made Sam Bennett available for trade, in 2021 . . . Calgary’s take from that deal with the Panthers – Emil Heineman and a second-round pick in the 2022 draft (David Goyette) . . . The guy that made the deal, Brad Treliving, oddly enough now runs the Leafs . . . Don’t single out Dubas though, plenty of others missed the boat on Sammy . . . Looking forward to seeing a full season from Matthew Knies. Credit Dubas for a steal there, picking the 20-year-old winger 57^th overall in 2021 . . . If the NHL is indeed a copycat league, how many hockey ops departments are whispering to themselves – “Hey, we gotta find a Nic Hague-type in the upcoming draft.” . . . Did you know that then-future Panther great Matthew Tkachuk played back-to-back-to-back developmental years with then-future Leaf greats Auston Matthews and Mitchell Marner? From 2013 through 2015, Matt teamed with Auston on the U.S. National Under-17 and Under-18 squads. In 2015-16, Tkachuk and Marner skated with on the Memorial Cup winning OHL London Knights . . . If you thought those U.S. rosters were stacked you’d be right – Zach Werenski, Tage Thompson, Clayton Keller, Jack Roslovic, Jordan Greenway, Noah Hanifan, Charlie McAvoy, Colin White and Joe Woll were some of the graduates . . . Add Jake Oettinger to the list . . . Don’t believe I’ve seen another playoff season that’s come close to the amount of targeting Alex Pietrangelo’s been landing . . . (Does that make any kind of grammatical sense?) . . . Remember Pietrangelo’s draft? It was here in Ottawa in 2008 . . . That one was a doozy – Steven Stamkos, Drew Doughty, Zach Bogosian, then Pietrangelo went 1-2-3-4. One of these isn’t like the others . . . Some dude named Karlsson (not William) went No. 15 to the Senators.

SWINGS AND THINGS: Interesting take on Alek Manoah’s struggles from Sportsnet’s Kevin Barker who suggested they might be due to lack of conditioning. Could be true but it’s not like Manoah was a Greek God last season . . . One thing that will prove difficult as the season progresses – the Jays are aging in key areas. Kevin Kiermaier (33), Whit Merrifield (34), Brandon Belt (35) and George Springer (34) are indispensable as a group. Injuries have already become problematic . . . I watch Daulton Varsho and see ‘hockey player.’ Guy plays like he’s Sam Bennett . . . This is a good thing . . . Yes, I’m on a Bennett role . . . Yes, I’m a Mets fan. Yes, I think the team needs a David Wright-type injection . . . Since we’re doing cross-over, the Mets conjure thoughts of the Leafs – big stars, big money, no payoff . . . Someday someone’s going to have to write the Tampa Rays’ story. Remarkable how they do it, year after year, with a sliver of the Yankees’ payroll . . . Yes it was a great moment for Nick Taylor capturing the Canadian Open Sunday in a playoff, but how about that security guy who took down Adam Hadwin with a crushing tackle during the celebration? Is the guy fielding calls from NFL teams now? . . . Canadian golf is in great hands these days thanks to Mike Weir and that ‘pretty decent’ 2003 showing . . . Superb documentary on the life of the Ultimate Warrior this past weekend featured on A&E. If there’s a hell for promoters, Vince McMahon’s on the express tracks . . . I’m clearly watching too much TV . . . Although, after further review if you get the chance, watch Happy Valley – Brit crime series. ‘Tis brilliant.

thegrossgame@yahoo.com

Photo: Courtesy ESPN