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

In this episode, we discuss the rest disadvantage the Senators face with their new schedule, especially when compared to Montreal. Shane Pinto tries his hand at pro golf, and we discuss how he fared. With massive new summer deals to Connor Bedard ($15M) and Leo Carlsson ($18M), is there any way the Sens can re-sign Batherson for under $10 million? Steve Yzerman is out in Detroit, and Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon put his entire family's names on the Cup before anyone else's.

The Senators continue to make headlines, and we've got plenty to break down on this episode of the Sens Nation Podcast.

Shane Pinto speaks publicly for the first time since Brady Tkachuk was traded to the Florida Panthers, and his comments challenge some of the narrative that's been circulating in the media about Tkachuk's departure.

Claude Giroux also met with the media via Zoom following his new contract, discussing leadership, his decision to return to Ottawa, and the opportunity that lies ahead for this year's Senators team.

Nick Cousins reacts to a new two-year contract, and we discuss why his return is important. With a forward group that's getting crowded, we take a look at who has the inside track for roster spots heading into training camp.

We'll also discuss Travis Green being honoured in his home province of British Columbia over the weekend. Tyler Boucher gets a new deal. And we debate the Ottawa Charge's decision to make Canadian Tire Centre their full-time home. Is the move happening at the right time, or are they getting ahead of themselves?

Thanks to our sponsors https://jimkeayford.com, https://midas.com, https://teamhardingcomfort.com/. If you're enjoying the show, you can buy us a coffee by becoming a member on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/sensnation Or hit subscribe, share and leave a comment to keep the channel growing.In this episode, we discuss the Summer of Captains Jumping Ship. Daniel Alfredsson joins the Leafs, and Brady Tkachuk joins the Panthers. Elliotte Friedman says he got a call from a Senators player who said the players were tired of the noise and that his podcast was causing problems.

In this episode, we discuss the Claude Giroux case. Is he really planning to sign elsewhere? Are the Flyers waiting on Anaheim's answer to Leo Karlsson's offer sheet? Why is Steve Staios waiting around for an answer when it might be no? The Sens re-signed Nick Cousins and Leevi Merilainen, so we get into that. And we project an opening night roster without Giroux (or Brady Tkachuk).

The Senators had one of the busiest NHL Draft weekends ever, and we're breaking down everything.

Steve Warne and Gregg Kennedy discuss Ottawa's acquisition of goaltender Samuel Ersson, the gamble on veteran winger Andre Burakovsky, the re-signing of Jordan Spence, and why Steve Staios believes William Eklund fills a major need as a playmaker.

We also examine a draft class loaded with skilled forwards, including first-round picks Jonas Lagerberg Hoen and Jaxon Cover, and what their selections say about the organization's long-term vision.In this episode:

🥅 Is Samuel Ersson really an upgrade in goal?

💰 The risk and reward of adding Andre Burakovsky

🎯 Why Ottawa prioritized playmakers over shooters

📈 Steve Staios' draft strategy

🇸🇪 Breaking down Jonas Lagerberg Hoen

💪 What to expect from Jaxon Cover

🎸 Plus: Why "Mr. Brightside" was an interesting musical choice