September is here, and that means the return of Sens hockey. Will Drake Batherson get an eight-year extension before the September 15 deadline?

Steve Warne and Gregg Kennedy discuss whether letting the deadline pass would really be cause for concern. Should the Sens lock him up now or later? Or is there a chance that one side is thinking about other possibilities?

With training camp approaching, we also discuss:

• Is the Senators’ opening-night roster already set, with players mostly competing for roles?

• Why Jake Sanderson makes sense as Ottawa’s next captain, and what should matter when choosing a leader.

• NHL player power: for star players, has a no-movement clause basically become an out clause?

• Could Tyler Kleven eventually challenge for a spot in the top four?

• Ottawa’s September calendar, the prospects challenge in Gatineau, and physical defenceman Gabriel Eliasson.

What do you think will happen with Batherson, and does it line up with what you want to happen? Let us know in the comments.

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If the Senators go with a defenseman as their next captain, who should it be, Jake Sanderson or Thomas Chabot?Steve and Gregg examine the case for both, including leadership, loyalty, contracts, stability and the risk of another captain eventually wanting out.They also discuss Connor Hellebuyck’s trade request, whether players should lose some no-trade protection after asking to leave, and how Steve Staios handled Ottawa’s difficult Brady Tkachuk trade.Plus:• Could Fabian Zetterlund complete a line with William Eklund and Tim Stützle?• Is Warren Foegele a dark-horse top-six option?• The five greatest Ottawa-born and raised players in Senators history• Your questions and commentsTHN Ottawa: THN.com/OttawaSens Nation: SensNationHockey.comPatreon: Patreon.com/SensNationDon't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of the Jim Keay Ford Sens Nation Podcast!🏒 SUPPORT SENS NATIONSupport the show on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/sensnationVisit our show website, Sens Nation Hockey, where you can leave a voicemail with your Senators comment to be played back on the show:https://sensnationhockey.com🎙️ THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS🚗 Jim Keay FordOur favourite Ottawa Ford dealership at 1438 Youville Drive in Orléans.https://www.jimkeayford.com🔧 Midas OttawaFor tires, brakes, oil changes, exhaust and more.https://www.midas.com🏠 Harding — Your Home Comfort CentreHeating, cooling, fireplaces, BBQ and home comfort solutions in Ottawa.https://teamhardingcomfort.com

Tim Stützle has finally addressed Brady Tkachuk’s departure, saying the Senators will miss their former captain but must now focus on the players who want to be in Ottawa. Steve and Gregg react to Stützle’s comments and officially attempt to put further discussion of the trade behind them.

The guys also examine the pressure facing Travis Green after two straight playoff appearances—and whether simply making the postseason will still be enough this year.

Plus, could NHL expansion lead to an expanded playoff format? And former Senator Zdeno Chara celebrates his career with an emotional “final shift” in Slovakia.

THN Ottawa: THN.com/Ottawa

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Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of the Jim Keay Ford Sens Nation Podcast!

🏒 Support the show on Patreon: Patreon.com/sensnation

Visit our show website, Sens Nation Hockey, where you can leave a voicemail with your Senators comment to be played back on the show:

https://sensnationhockey.com

🎙️ THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

🚗 Jim Keay Ford

Our favourite Ottawa Ford dealership at 1438 Youville Drive in Orléans.

https://www.jimkeayford.com

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For tires, brakes, oil changes, exhaust and more.

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🏠 Harding — Your Home Comfort Centre

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In this episode of Sens Nation, Drake Batherson reportedly wants the maximum eight-year commitment from the  Senators, and with the NHL’s new CBA rules looming, there's suddenly an important early bird deadline.

Steve and Gregg discuss what Batherson could command, the idea of paying him into his late 30s, and whether his desire to make Ottawa his long-term home should put him in the conversation to become the Senators’ next captain.

Plus, The Hockey News redrafts the 2020 NHL Draft and Jake Sanderson and Tim Stützle go 1-2. What would Ottawa’s incredible 2020 draft look like if it were held again today, and in this fictional exercise, who would they now get at 3rd and 5th overall?

The guys also debate whether the Senators have enough scoring, they disagree strongly on whether Alexis Lafrenière could be a worthwhile target, and where Ridly Greig and Warren Foegele fit in the lineup.

Plus, we answer our first listener voicemail about the timeline for a new Senators arena at LeBreton Flats and discuss Chris Neil’s interesting comments about Brady Tkachuk’s new role in Florida.

Thanks for watching and listening to the Sens Nation Podcast!

00:00 Welcome to Sens Nation

04:15 Sanderson Goes No. 1 in a 2020 NHL Redraft

08:10 Would the Senators Take a Chance on Alexis Lafrenière?

13:50 Do the Senators Have Enough Goal Scoring?

17:35 Drake Batherson Wants an Eight-Year Deal

22:25 Should Batherson Be in the Captaincy Conversation?

28:15 Voicemail: When Will the New Senators Arena Actually Open?

34:30 Chris Neil on Brady Tkachuk’s Role in Florida

39:55 How Will Tkachuk Fit With the Panthers?

44:05 Is Ridly Greig Overrated?

47:15 Could Warren Foegele Get a Shot on the Top Line?

49:30 Listener Comments & Wrap-Up

The Senators have plenty of intriguing storylines as training camp approaches.

In this episode, Steve and Gregg discuss Carter Yakemchuk who now has his best opportunity yet to earn a full-time NHL job, after being one of Ottawa’s final training-camp cuts in each of the past two seasons.

The guys also look at some interesting revelations from the Senators’ latest Breakaway documentary, including the draft-night trade offers Steve Staios turned down from Vancouver and Pittsburgh, where Ottawa had Jonas Lagerberg Hoen ranked internally, and why the Senators selected him before Jaxon Cover.

Plus, who was actually Ottawa’s most improved offensive player last season? We compare the year-over-year points-per-game numbers for Senators players who appeared in at least 50 games in each of the past two seasons.

Also discussed:

• Ottawa’s internal ranking of Jonas Lagerberg Hoen
• The trade package Vancouver offered for the 25th pick
• The mystery Pittsburgh roster player potentially offered to Ottawa
• Which Senators made the biggest offensive improvements last season

Subscribe for new episodes of the Sens Nation Podcast every Monday and Thursday.

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The Senators are getting closer to training camp. We look at some of the remaining free agents who might make sense on a PTO, including Vladimir Tarasenko, Patrik Laine, and Michael Bunting. We also discuss the five Senators with the most to prove in 2026-27, whether it's time for a deep look into Canada’s 33-year Stanley Cup drought, and whether the Sens would prefer to wait until next month to negotiate new contracts when the NHL’s maximum contract term drops from eight years to seven.Also on the show: the Senators are shut out of NHL.com’s top 20 winger rankings, although a former Senator made the list. Jake Sanderson gets high marks for the D rankings. And to kick it off, Kelly Hrudey is out at Sportsnet. Could more changes be coming to Hockey Night in Canada?All that and more on this edition of the Sens Nation Podcast with Steve Warne and Gregg Kennedy.Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of the Jim Keay Ford Sens Nation Podcast!🏒 SUPPORT SENS NATIONSupport the show on Patreon:  / sensnation  Visit our show website, Sens Nation Hockey:https://sensnationhockey.com🎙️ THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS🚗 Jim Keay FordOttawa’s Ford dealership at 1438 Youville Drive in Orléans.https://www.jimkeayford.com🔧 Midas OttawaFor tires, brakes, oil changes, exhaust and more.https://www.midas.com🏠 Harding — Your Home Comfort CentreHeating, cooling, fireplaces, BBQ and home comfort solutions in Ottawa.https://teamhardingcomfort.comThanks for watching! If you enjoy the show, please like the video, subscribe to the channel, and join us in the comments.Sens Nation — Your Ottawa Senators PodcastWith Steve Warne and Gregg Kennedy

Logan Hensler is back on the ice after suffering THREE significant injuries to the same leg. A torn ACL, a ruptured ankle ligament and a high ankle sprain. We discuss the Senators’ 2025 first-round pick and where things stand in his recovery.We also get into William Eklund winning NHL Goal of the Year honours, plus Tim Stützle and Andre Burakovsky getting some recognition of their own.Drake Batherson is a club champion! The Senators winger fired rounds of 66 and 71 to win the Ken-Wo Golf Club championship — beating his own dad along the way. With Batherson also eligible for a new contract, what will it take to keep him in Ottawa and what might his next deal look like?Plus, Jonas Lagerberg Hoen, the latest on potential NHL expansion after comments from Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly.All that and more on this episode of the Sens Nation Podcast — Your Ottawa Senators Podcast.

We've got plenty to break down in this episode of the Jim Keay Ford Sens Nation Podcast.Travis Green spoke publicly about Brady Tkachuk's departure, admitting he was "a little bit mad" and "a little bit surprised" by the captain's decision to leave Ottawa.

We discuss Green's comments and whether Jordan Spence is right when he says Tkachuk's exit could actually make the Senators a better team.

We also dive into the blockbuster contract signed by Macklin Celebrini in San Jose. At just 20 years old, Celebrini lands a five-year deal worth $18.8 million per season. What does that mean for the next wave of NHL stars, and just how fortunate are the Senators that Tim Stützle and Jake Sanderson signed long-term extensions before salaries exploded?

Speaking of Sanderson, Boston Bruins star Charlie McAvoy had some glowing praise for Ottawa's No. 1 defenceman on the Wingmen Podcast

Also on this episode:

🏒 Former Senator Colin White gets another NHL opportunity with the New Jersey Devils.

🏒 Senators prospect Lucas Beckman takes another step toward representing Canada at the World Juniors by earning an invitation to the World Junior Summer Showcase.

🏒 The Columbus Blue Jackets make another disappointing decision for hockey fans by eliminating a separate radio broadcast in favour of simply simulcasting the television feed.

Don't forget to leave a comment, like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of the Jim Keay Ford Sens Nation Podcast!🏒 SUPPORT SENS NATIONSupport the show on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/sensnationVisit our show website, Sens Nation Hockey:https://sensnationhockey.com🎙️ THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS🚗 Jim Keay FordOttawa’s Ford dealership at 1438 Youville Drive in Orléans.https://www.jimkeayford.com🔧 Midas OttawaFor tires, brakes, oil changes, exhaust and more.https://www.midas.com🏠 Harding — Your Home Comfort CentreHeating, cooling, fireplaces, BBQ and home comfort solutions in Ottawa.https://teamhardingcomfort.comThanks for watching! If you enjoy the show, please like the video, subscribe to the channel, and join us in the comments.Sens Nation — Your Ottawa Senators PodcastWith Steve Warne and Gregg Kennedy

In this episode, we discuss whether the Senators are still likely to be a playoff team in a very difficult Atlantic Division. We each choose our top six forwards. The first four are easy; the last two are not. What we won't miss about Brady Tkachuk this season. With Tkachuk gone and Kurtis MacDermid seldom used, do the Senators need to add more toughness? And why rostering three NHL goalies is a bad idea.🏒 SUPPORT SENS NATIONSupport the show on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/sensnationVisit our show website, Sens Nation Hockey:https://sensnationhockey.com🎙️ THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS🚗 Jim Keay FordOttawa’s Ford dealership at 1438 Youville Drive in Orléans.https://www.jimkeayford.com🔧 Midas OttawaFor tires, brakes, oil changes, exhaust and more.https://www.midas.com🏠 Harding — Your Home Comfort CentreHeating, cooling, fireplaces, BBQ and home comfort solutions in Ottawa.https://teamhardingcomfort.comThanks for watching! If you enjoy the show, please like the video, subscribe to the channel, and join us in the comments.Sens Nation — Your Ottawa Senators PodcastWith Steve Warne and Gregg Kennedy

Steve Staios made the media rounds this week, and he sounds pretty comfortable with the Ottawa Senators’ scoring ability up front. But should he be? We discuss whether the Sens still need another proven finisher and what Staios might be looking for before the season begins.

Staios also says Daniel Alfredsson’s spot on the coaching staff won’t be filled. Does that suggest the role was created specifically for Alfie — and what does it tell us about his departure?

Also on the show:

• Does Jason Robertson’s new $12 million deal in Dallas deal help or hurt Drake Batherson’s value?

• How might Claude Giroux be feeling after seeing Patrick Kane land a two-year, $16 million contract?

• And in our new “Old Man Shakes Fist at Cloud” segment, we wonder how young Senators players are latching on to numbers like 34 and 26 when legendary single digits like 7 and 9 are sitting right there.

🏒 SUPPORT SENS NATION

Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sensnation

Visit our show website, Sens Nation Hockey: https://sensnationhockey.com🎙️

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

🚗 Jim Keay Ford

Ottawa’s Ford dealership at 1438 Youville Drive in Orléans. https://www.jimkeayford.com

🔧 Midas Ottawa

For tires, brakes, oil changes, exhaust and more.https://www.midas.com

🏠 Harding — Your Home Comfort Centre

Heating, cooling, fireplaces, BBQ and home comfort solutions in Ottawa. https://teamhardingcomfort.com

Thanks for watching! If you enjoy the show, please like the video, subscribe to the channel, and join us in the comments.

Sens Nation — Your Ottawa Senators PodcastWith Steve Warne and Gregg Kennedy