Latest news with #FabianZetterlund
New York Times
02-06-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Senators re-sign defenceman Tyler Kleven to 2-year, $3.2-million extension
The Ottawa Senators have re-signed defenceman Tyler Kleven to a two-year contract extension with an annual average value of $1.6 million, the team announced Monday morning. Kleven, who was slated to be a restricted free agent this summer, scored four goals and recorded 10 points over 79 games in 2024-25, his first full NHL season, before adding two assists in six playoff games. The defenceman was primarily used on the Senators' third pairing, playing alongside Jacob Bernard-Docker, Travis Hamonic and Nikolas Matinpalo at different points of the year. Ottawa selected the now-23-year-old in the second round of the 2020 NHL Draft, before his freshman season at the University of North Dakota. The Senators are projected to have over $15 million in cap space after the signing, according to PuckPedia. Forwards Claude Giroux and Fabian Zetterlund are the team's most prominent pending unrestricted and restricted free agents, respectively.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why The Kovalchuk Precedent Won't Help The Ottawa Senators Retrieve Their Forfeited First-Round Pick
In November 2023, the NHL came down hard on the Ottawa Senators, announcing they would have to forfeit a first-round draft pick due to the mishandling of their July 2021 trade of Evgenii Dadonov to the Vegas Golden Knights. As a result of the Senators' screw-up, the subsequent March 2022 Dadonov trade between the Knights and the Anaheim Ducks was invalidated, embarrassing everyone involved. Carter Yakemchuk Ranked 26th Overall In Magazine's New NHL Prospect Rankings Ottawa Senators Make More Front Office Changes Ottawa Senators Prospect Parts Ways With Organization And Signs Back Home In Sweden The league gave Ottawa the choice of forfeiting its first-round pick in either the 2024, 2025, or 2026 Draft. New owner Michael Andlauer questioned how this had become his problem, and why the league or the former Sens ownership hadn't disclosed the issue before he bought the franchise. The mistake occurred on Pierre Dorion's watch, and he was immediately removed as GM, a move that was probably coming down the pike anyway. At the time, the question was which pick the Senators would give up: 2024, 2025, or 2026? We now know the Senators will forfeit their 2026 first-round pick. The Sens kicked the decision down the road last year, selecting defenseman Carter Yakemchuk in round one. GM Steve Staios suggested they would probably defer the forfeiture again this year. "It's highly likely we'll keep our pick," Staios told reporters at the Senators' end-of-season availability on May 5. In reality, their official decision had to be made at least two days earlier. According to if the Senators were going to forfeit this year's pick, they had to decide within 24 hours of the conclusion of the May 2 NHL Draft Lottery. So on May 5, keeping the pick was more than just 'highly likely' at that point. The announcement, though oddly coy, was the right decision in every way. Will RFA Fabian Zetterlund Get Paid On His San Jose Numbers Or The Ones In Ottawa? Fabian Zetterlund has only been an Ottawa Senator for a couple of months, and he's already asking the club for a raise. That wouldn't fly in a normal workplace, but that's how it goes in the NHL when you bring in a pending restricted free agent at the trade deadline. The Senators are a team on the rise, so, in theory, their first-round pick will be less valuable next season. And forfeiting the pick this year would have sent a poor message to the team and its ticket-buying fan base, who head into the summer with great expectations for next season. There's also the strategy of dragging things out in hopes that time heals all wounds. In short (pun intended), the Sens are hoping Commissioner Gary Bettman has a change of heart. When people discuss this possibility, they frequently harken back to the precedent of the New Jersey Devils getting their forfeited first-round pick back 11 years ago. That happened, but here's why that was a very different situation, and probably not a good comparison for the Senators. The league punished the Devils in 2010 for cap circumvention after signing Ilya Kovalchuk to a wild 17-year contract that would have taken him into his mid-40s. They ruled that the Devils would have to give up a first-round pick in either 2011, 2012, 2013, or 2014, along with a third-rounder in 2011 and a US$3 million fine. The Devils did what the Senators are doing, delaying the forfeiture as long as possible. But two big things happened in the summer of 2013. First, Jersey traded their 2013 first-round pick to Vancouver for goalie Cory Schneider. At that point, the die was cast, and the Devils would be forced to give up their pick in 2014. But two weeks after the Schneider trade, Kovalchuk surprised the hockey world by retiring from the NHL with 12 years still left on his contract. The 2012–13 NHL season was a lockout year, and Kovalchuk, who had spent half the season playing in the KHL, apparently got homesick. Shortly after his announcement, he signed a lucrative four-year deal with SKA St. Petersburg, with an eye on playing in the 2018 Olympics. So the Devils had to carry on without Kovalchuk in 2013–14, and the league appeared to sympathize with that. In March 2014, the Devils applied to the NHL for reconsideration and relief from their earlier penalty. Towering Utah Defenceman Would Be Ideal Senators Trade Target Injuries to Artem Zub and Nick Jensen highlighted the Ottawa Senators' need for greater quality of depth on the right side throughout the 2024-25 season. The NHL agreed. "The Devils recently applied to the League for reconsideration and relief from a portion of the original penalty, citing primarily changes in circumstances which, in the club's view, changed the appropriateness of the sanctions initially imposed," the NHL said in a statement. "After due and thorough consideration, the League has decided that a modification of the original circumvention penalty associated with the Kovalchuk contract is warranted and, accordingly, has amended the sanctions." The Devils got their pick back. They were awarded the 30th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, the final selection of the first round. Plus, their $3 million fine was also cut in half. The league still took its pound of flesh. The 30th pick could not be traded, and naturally, the Devils were ineligible for the draft lottery that year. The Devils missed the playoffs that season and likely would have selected around 11th overall. At that point, players like Dylan Larkin, Alex Tuch, and David Pastrnak were still on the board. Instead, with the 30th pick, the Devils selected John Quenneville. So that's the backstory on why the league reduced the punishment and gave the first-round pick back to the Devils. The star player in question had left the club with 12 years remaining on his contract, and, in a nutshell, the league took pity on them. So in the unlikely event the Senators do get their pick back, it won't have anything to do with the Kovalchuk precedent. That 2014 decision required a major shift in circumstances, and it's wildly different than anything that's happened (or could happen) in Ottawa. Steve Warne The Hockey News - Ottawa
Toronto Sun
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Maple Leafs fail to finish off Senators again as series heads back to Ottawa
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) dives for the loose puck on a shot by Ottawa Senators' Fabian Zetterlund (20) as Morgan Rielly (44) defends during second period NHL playoff action in Toronto on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Photo by Nathan Denette / THE CANADIAN PRESS This has been a bad week for any blue team with a big lead trying to take over Ottawa. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account But moving from the political arena to the rink, it's the Maple Leafs who've given the Senators another life, dropping Game 5 by a 4-0 score on Tuesday night at Scotiabank Arena. That leaves the Senators down just 3-2 heading back to the Canadian Tire Centre. From misfiring on a double-minor power play with a chance to sweep on Saturday, Toronto has not scored despite three more chances Tuesday and a good shot advantage. They gave up a short-handed goal Tuesday and fell to 1-13 during the Core Four era in elimination games. The pesky Sens were at their best, giving the offensive-minded Leafs little space, blocking numerous shots and letting Linus Ullmark take care of the rest. Another mention that only four teams in NHL history failed to finish off a best-of-seven after winning the first three. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Read More Despite a long pre-game pump-up video of Leaf goals in the series, Ottawa survived 12 first-period shots, four giveaways and 1:09 of a Ridly Greig penalty. Just as the Leafs couldn't bury the Game 4 winner with the extra man, their top unit – despite John Tavares being back – was denied three times. The first advantage came to an end when Matthew Knies slashed Artem Zub's stick in half. Morgan Rielly also delivered a late cross-check on Thomas Chabot to put Toronto down a man to end the period. Ullmark made nice saves on a Calle Jarnkrok deflection, while Knies, Tavares and Max Domi all had partial breakaways in the period. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. But an offensive zone faceoff win by Tim Stutzle in the second period against Auston Matthews, who had shot wide on his best chance of the middle period, turned into a goal when Brady Tkachuk worked it to Chabot for a long bomb through traffic. Ottawa went well into the second period before recording its 10 th shot. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Stolarz stoned Tkachuk early in the third, but a soft Matthews pass from behind the net with Greig off again gave Nick Cousins a freebie. Claude Giroux and Tkachuk finished the scoring with an empty netters, which triggered some booing and a mass exit. Stolarz nearly assisted on a goal when he sent Steve Lorentz away on a late second period breakaway that the winger just failed to deke in before his stick was lifted with the net open. Before the game, a confident captain Tkachuk told media in Ottawa: 'Not too long ago, I watched the Red Sox-versus-Yankees documentary when Boston came back from 0-3. So it's been done before and we have belief it can happen again.' It's not just blather. The Leafs have to pay attention now, too. Lhornby@ X: @sunhornby Canada Toronto Maple Leafs Celebrity Columnists Toronto & GTA
New York Times
18-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Ottawa's Game 1 lineup vs. Toronto? Where does Zetterlund fit? Senators playoff mailbag
It's our final mailbag of the regular season. Bring on the playoffs. Senators fans are measuring their playoff expectations, but some are also looking to the future with $18 million-plus in cap space this offseason. Plus, questions on Tim Stützle, Fabian Zetterlund, that first-round pick and more. Questions have been condensed and edited for clarity. What are reasonable expectations? Should we be content with making the playoffs and going out in the first round? Thank goodness Buffalo isn't a potential first-round match-up. — Bradley C. Never be satisfied with just getting into the playoffs. If you're in it, you have every right to hope your team can go far and exceed expectations. That being said, I think the Senators are playing with house money. They accomplished their goal of making the playoffs, so anything they get from here on out is a bonus. From top to bottom, the organization has fully embraced being an underdog against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Advertisement I also believe their expectations and hopes would've differed depending on the opponent. If Ottawa drew Florida or Tampa Bay in the first round, we would probably look at it as an opportunity for the Sens to learn lessons against proven Cup-contending teams. But that Battle of Ontario rivalry changes everything. Imagine if the Sens can't handle the Leafs after dominating them in the regular season? I'm not sure how much solace the organization and its fanbase would take in that. While the Leafs are favoured to win, I think Sens fans have every right to be confident. The regular season games matter little, but there are elements from those games that are worth hanging on to. The prime goaltending performances from Linus Ullmark. Shane Pinto neutralizing Auston Matthews earlier this season. Jake Sanderson is the best defenceman on either side. Brady Tkachuk is an X-factor as long as he's healthy. For those wondering after Thursday night, he says he's got 'no issues.' I'll tell you this much: the Senators likely won't be as loose as they were in their 7-5 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. I expect the Senators to commit to a tightened, defensive-minded style against the Leafs. Those factors are enough for me to pick Ottawa to beat Toronto in seven games, even if I'm concerned with their penalty kill and third-pairing on defence (we'll get to that later on). I could be wrong, sure. But the pressure's on the Maple Leafs to get over the hump. It's not on Ottawa. Will Fabian Zetterlund be a regular top-six come the playoffs? — R.F. I think Thursday night's game against the Hurricanes provided a good window into how Zetterlund can be used for the playoffs, even if he doesn't start as a regular top-six forward. Zetterlund began the game on a fourth line with Adam Gaudette and Nick Cousins and he provided an instant impact, even if he didn't get a point. Advertisement That game-opening goal from Gaudette started because of a forecheck by Cousins and Zetterlund, limiting time and space for the Hurricanes defender in front. If it wasn't for Zetterlund being a second man in, the Canes probably use the right-side wall to advance the puck. Instead, they lose the puck in the neutral zone after Gaudette laid a hit on a Canes forward. Cousins then claims possession, regroups briefly before finding Gaudette. A team effort from the Senators' fourth line on that goal. Adam Gaudette makes it look easy. 😏 — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 17, 2025 'He's fast, man,' Gaudette said of Zetterlund Thursday night. 'He gets the pucks real quick. He holds on to them, too. He's hard to knock off the puck. Obviously, he's got a ton of skill as well and he can make a bunch of plays. Having him on your wing is something real nice to have.' But once the Sens eased off the gas pedal and allowed the Hurricanes to get back in the game, the Sens changed their lines. Zetterlund then got bumped up to a line with Dylan Cozens and Drake Batherson. In the third period, he used his speed to drive to the net before Batherson finished the play and tied the game midway through the third. Zetterlund ended the game with four shots, with three in the third period. 'Their line was great in the third period,' coach Travis Green said. '(He) gave them a spark.' Batherson finishes an unreal sequence by Zetterlund!! #GoSensGo Cozens also has his second two point night in a row. This line has found instant chemistry. Zetterlund's ability to force turnovers is really standing out. — Everyday Sens (@EverydaySens) April 18, 2025 In Zetterlund, the Sens have a quick-paced, physical presence who can chip in at both ends of the ice and move up and down the lineup. If the Senators need to put him with Tim Stützle, they can do that. Need him on the second line with Dylan Cozens and Drake Batherson? He's now shown he can do that. I have him projected on the Senators' fourth line to start the playoffs. But he's proven he can be effective there, too. If the going gets tough and Zetterlund continues to be effective, you have a secret weapon you can deploy at either wing in your lineup. Since we're here, we might as well look at that projected roster. Considering the Senators' relative playoff inexperience, I expect the Sens to lean on as much familiarity as possible. But as evidenced by Thursday night's game, they can make changes to their advantage on the fly. One more thing: Let's look at that third pairing with Tyler Kleven and Nikolas Matinpalo. I know Green was mum about his third pairing when he was asked, but that's at least what I expect to see for Game 1 Sunday. Kleven and Matinpalo are inexperienced compared to Travis Hamonic. But Matinpalo has better mobility with or without the puck and can help with zone entries. That being said, Green has leaned on Hamonic's experience throughout the season. Particularly when injuries have affected their backline. I wouldn't be surprised if he drew into the lineup. But I think Kleven-Matinpalo is the better play here. Advertisement Should we be worried about Stützle's lack of scoring? He had 39 goals in 22/23 and now 39 goals in his last 150 games. I know he's still an elite player, just curious what may be driving that. — Chris Z. If Stützle is playing well defensively and setting up his teammates for points, I think that's fine. As mentioned above to the first question, I think the Sens could still use another player to ease that goalscoring burden off of him. I wouldn't be worried, as he's still a primary point-getter who's just trying to be a great player at both ends of the ice. Just like everyone else, I think he needs to shoot more. He acknowledged that his confidence had much to do with it in recent games. I think his commitment to playing more defence has also played a role in his goal-scoring dip, but he'd still have more goals if he shot the puck more. So, Stützle is still performing like a high-end player. He's just trying to do that at both ends of the ice. Pretend you're Steve Staios. Given the Sens' current position in the standings, do you give up our first-round pick in 2025 or wait until 2026? What factors are most likely to influence your decision? — Matt B. When I asked owner Michael Andlauer about their first-round pick last week, he said he still hoped the NHL would ease up on the punishment doled out in 2023. And while it's Staios' decision, he'd lean toward keeping the first-round pick this year. If the NHL changes its mind (and we don't know if they will), my prediction is the Senators get the last pick of the first round in 2026. That's what happened with the New Jersey Devils and the first-rounder they kept after they were penalized for salary cap circumvention in 2010. At first, I thought about relinquishing the 2025 pick and keeping the 2026 one because of the potential of the draft class. But if the Senators improve again next year, they could get a lower first-round pick. If it all works out, and the Buffalo Sabres don't take a step next year, the Sens' second-round pick could still have some value. I get the logic in keeping the pick and holding out hope the NHL shows mercy. Advertisement With the amount of cap space the Sens are going to have in the next few years ($18 million next year before Claude Giroux signs), can you see them going after a big UFA like a Mitch Marner, Nikolaj Ehlers or Brock Boeser? — Kirk G. I don't see the Senators getting in on the Mitch Marner sweepstakes with teams like Chicago and San Jose prepared to throw the bag at him. Marner might also favour a veritable contending team like the Vegas Golden Knights. They are projected to have $9.6 million available in cap space this summer, but they're always ready to make a move to acquire a guy who fits their team. Brock Boeser? I didn't get the sense that the Senators were interested in him ahead of the trade deadline. So I'm very curious if they revert course. That leaves Nikolaj Ehlers, who's battling a foot injury and is week-to-week for the playoffs. Also, if he doesn't stay in Dallas, would they make a run at Mikael Granlund on an affordable deal? The Claude Giroux question is fascinating. PuckPedia projected Giroux's next contract with an annual average value between $4.85 and $5 million. But does Ottawa want to spend that on a 37-year-old winger? Also, what does Giroux want to do after this season ends? I think we'll need to wait on that. There's also Fabian Zetterlund, who will need a new contract. I think we'll see the Sens do a series of smaller moves instead of one big splash. A winger and a depth defenceman are needed. Also, will the Sens try the trade route again? They did it at the deadline while being close to the cap ceiling. Will they do it again? (Photo of Drake Batherson and Linus Ullmark celebrating Thursday's win over Carolina: Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images)
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ottawa Senators headed back to playoffs for first time since 2017 despite loss to Jackets
Eight is enough. The Ottawa Senators headed back to the National Hockey League playoffs for the first time since 2017. They couldn't have done it without a little help from their friends. The Senators weren't very good and looked a little jittery in a 5-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night at Nationwide Arena as the club's three-game winning streak came to halt. Only winger Fabian Zetterlund and Thomas Chabot were able to score for the Senators. Goaltender Anton Forsberg wasn't at his best. As a result of the loss in Game No. 78, the Senators were forced to keep an eye on the out-of-town scoreboard. A loss by the Detroit Red Wings in any fashion to the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on Tuesday would also clinch a spot for Ottawa. Thankfully for the Senators, the Habs pulled off a 4-1 victory over the Wings, which will allow Ottawa to participate in the playoffs for the first time since the club advanced to Game 7 of the East final in 2017. 'You're not going to see me smile a whole lot after a loss, but man it feels great,' Chabot told TSN 1200's Gord Wilson. 'It definitely does. Everybody, the whole group from top-to-bottom, took a huge step this year. 'Everybody did whatever they could every single night to get into the playoffs, and now that it's confirmed, we've still got some games to play, but the whole group is fired up. We can't wait to go at it.' This was the final road game for the Senators, with the club closing out the regular season with four straight at home. The Senators came into this game with an 18-18-4 road record and were trying to finish with a mark above .500 for the first time since 2017. The Jackets were a different team than the one we saw on Sunday in Ottawa with top goalie Elvis Merzlikins in net. Ottawa came into this game with a 13-4-2 record since March 1, but they just didn't look good. The Jackets were ahead 3-1 through 40 minutes and the Senators weren't able to find their game. 'I feel good for our team, our players and our fans,' said coach Travis Green. 'I am proud of our players. They deserve to be in the playoffs this year. This is something we talked about all summer, heading into training camp about where we wanted to be at this time of year. 'It's not easy to make the playoffs, as Ottawa feels, but every year every team goes into the season wanting to make it and only half the league does.' Mathieu Olivier restored the two-goal lead heading to the third when the puck took a fortunate bounce off his skate and by Forsberg with only 22 seconds left in the period. Zetterlund's first with the Senators in 16 games came on the powerplay at 16:18 of the second to pull Ottawa to within a goal. He was on the doorstep to beat Merzlikins. 'I've been shooting a lot and working hard. Finally, the puck is in the net,' Zetterlund told TSN's Matt Cullen after the second period. The Senators didn't get off to a good start and dug themselves a hole. They were trailing 2-0 after 20 minutes, and both were the result of turnovers. A 2-on-1 allowed the Jackets to extend their lead at 16:38 of the first when Justin Danfort beat Forsberg on the glove side. The Jackets ended the club's shutout string at 160 minutes. A turnover and a bad start allowed Dmitri Voronkov to open the scoring seven minutes into the first period with a blast from the slot. The Senators swore they weren't nervous heading into the game. 'It doesn't feel as good after a game like that, but we've been through some s— here and some tough years,' Tim Stutzle said. 'I'm just really proud of the guys, and how we all hung in here. 'I don't think there is a team who deserves it more than us. We worked really hard this year, and we've just got to keep going.' The Senators went back to Forsberg after Linus Ullmark posted a shutout against Columbus on Sunday. Forsberg made 39 stops in a 3-0 win over the Florida Panthers on Saturday. He came into this game with a 6-3-1 record in his last 10 starts with a 1.92 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage. Ullmark has had a heavy workload, and this gives him a chance to have a good break before the Habs come to town on Friday. The club was without captain Brady Tkachuk for the fifth straight game. He didn't make the trip to Columbus, and continues to be hampered by an upper-body injury he suffered 10 days ago. 'To find out we're in the dance we're pretty excited,' said Drake Batherson. 'Some of us have been at it seven or eight years, we're really proud of the group and everybody in the organization is really excited.' Batherson said he expected to hear from Tkachuk in the group chat. The club announced that single game playoff tickets will on sale sometime between April 15-to-April 18. bgarrioch@
