Mass and Sass heading to retirement

 ABOVE: Defenceman Zdeno Chara is retiring after 20 years. A variety of thoughts this week as training camp for the big boys officially gets rolling. THEY’RE DONE: BIG Z AND P.K. Zdeno Chara and P.K. Subban – two of the most notable defencemen of the past two decades – are retiring.

NHL business about to get busy

 “Gentlemen start your engines?” Puh-lease. This is more, “Gentlemen, check your tank to make sure it’s topped up, get an oil change, ensure your winter tires are in great shape and bring an extra cushion for your rear end and a bucket of coffee to keep you alert.” This is

Senators: Productivity required now

 Welcome back. With a full week off – graciously granted by the National Hockey League to the Ottawa Senators due to COVID precautions – it’s given Ottawa Fan plenty of time to think on what has happened so far on the ice this season. Unfortunately for said Ottawa Fan, the

Locked On Senators: A podcast for fans, by the fans

 ABOVE: Ross Levitan and Brandon Piller co-host the Locked On Senators Podcast. It was an after-class downtown Toronto subway ride in 2016 that brought two future broadcasters together. Brandon Piller and Ross Levitan, both students at the College of Sports Media, were headed home when Piller took a seat next to

Stickhandling through a tricky route to a professional hockey career in the time of COVID-19

 Above: Nepean’s Graeme Clarke is focused on earning a contract with the New Jersey Devils by excelling in the AHL. (PHOTO: VAL WATTI) For junior players dreaming of an NHL career, the route to the major leagues has always been filled with obstacles, but this year they’re facing off against

Naughty or nice: the ABC’s of Xmas

 It’s been one helluva year, said everyone everywhere. Even in the usual sanctified domain of the sports world, the Year of COVID-19 hit hard and fast and repeatedly. But we’re moving on here, good people. ‘Tis the season for some much-required joy and boy do we need that lift, especially

NHL gets it right in bright return

 It’s rare that National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman lands any kind of praise from this corner. As rare as the steak my step-mother orders (Hi Marion!). Poor, far-reaching similes aside – kudos for the long-time head of hockey don’t come easy. This is a guy who thought a glowing

Senators set to play Wheel of Fortune

 Everything’s coming up roses? In the case of the Ottawa Senators, at the very least, the seeds have been sown. While much of the rest of the National Hockey League concerns itself with how the upcoming playoffs will look this summer, which involves 24 clubs, Ottawa likely won’t be paying

Batherson’s the real deal . . . and other stuff

 It’s been a hectic past couple of weeks across the NHL with coach firings, player movement, injuries, some player growth (hint: here in Ottawa) and of course – the lead-up to the trade deadline. Here’s some relevant stuff to pass along. That Drake Batherson kid? He can play: Took a

Onward to Boston!

 SENATORS: A Week in Review is a weekly column looking back at the week in Ottawa Senators hockey written by OLMSports Dave Gross. Feature photo by NHLI via Getty Images Hockey purists relish the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. There's a kind of whirling dervish element to the games - it is