OTTAWA – It`s uncommon for a team`s owner and general manager to address the media this early in June, but this is characteristic of the Michael Andlauer era.
Since he took over the franchise, which was previously considered second-tier, just under two years ago, there has been increased transparency, interaction, and accountability towards fans and the media.
Andlauer personifies a renewed enthusiasm, notably showing it when he clicked his heels while approaching the media on Friday.
If there`s one parallel between Andlauer and the prior ownership, it`s a tendency to speak candidly in public, as seen when he accused the New York Rangers of tampering last December.
Following his unique entrance, Andlauer quickly refuted a media report suggesting the Ottawa Senators might consider trading Drake Batherson.
“Totally false,” Andlauer stated. “It`s not right. There`s no truth to that.”
The organization was clearly displeased.
General Manager Steve Staios mentioned he discussed the trade rumours with Batherson.
“Drake didn`t seem concerned at all. I mostly talked to him about his training and how he plans to approach the summer,” Staios commented.
Interestingly, the owner`s statement put his general manager in a specific spot. Staios firmly believes that `everything is on the table.` It`s apparent that if a suitable trade involving Batherson were available, Staios would consider making it.
However, with the owner declaring any Batherson trade talks as false, it creates an intriguing situation to watch.
Looking at the broader picture, the Senators` ultimate decision-maker also provided an update on the potential move to LeBreton Flats for a new arena.
Andlauer stated that discussions “are moving forward, not backward.”
In related news, the Sens owner recently sold his Andlauer Healthcare Group to UPS for an estimated $1.6 billion. This significant capital could potentially fund a new arena and help the team reach the salary cap limit.
When asked if he anticipates spending up to the salary cap moving forward,
Andlauer responded, “As it stands right now, our cash over cap is higher,” indicating the Senators` actual spending will exceed their cap number next season.
The team`s player salaries for the 2025-26 season are already over $83 million.
“So that`s always tough. We`re a small market team,” Andlauer noted. “We did well in the playoffs with attendance, but some teams generated two and a half times more revenue than we did. That gives you perspective on Hockey Related Revenue (HRR) and our position. I`m okay with that. I think we`ll be competitive.”
Both Andlauer and Staios indicated the Senators will likely not utilize their full $15 million in available cap space.
Staios commented, “I think I have an idea in mind that it`s probably not going to be up there.”
Last summer, Staios operated with less cap flexibility but still managed to acquire players like Linus Ullmark and Nick Jensen, alongside signing David Perron, Michael Amadio, and Nick Cousins. He reminded the media on Friday that the Senators did spend near the upper limit of the salary cap last season.
Throughout his relatively short time as Senators GM, Staios has consistently brought in new players through trades and free agency.
“I think that now we`re striving for more,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Andlauer emphasized the significance of drafting and developing players to find more cost-effective talent for the Senators. Past owners in Ottawa have been hesitant to spend heavily on a salary-cap maximizing team. While Andlauer has shown willingness to spend so far, the long-term commitment remains to be seen.
There`s ongoing discussion across the league about the perceived `advantage` enjoyed by teams in low-tax areas like Florida and Dallas.
Andlauer proposed a potential solution he`s discussed with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, aimed at benefiting Canadian teams. His idea is to pay players in the currency of the country where they play (CAD in Canada, USD in the US). This would provide Canadian teams with more financial predictability by mitigating the impact of daily CAD/USD exchange rate fluctuations.
Andlauer shared an interesting anecdote from a recent trip to the NHL combine in Buffalo, involving a conversation with a border patrol agent.
“(Brady) Tkachuk, he`s going to leave. Taxes are pretty high there,” the agent reportedly told Andlauer.
“`Pardon,` I replied. `New York taxes are just as high.` So, it`s hard,` Andlauer recounted. `The one thing that I really think you can do is the currency. I think you can do something with the currency. And in our business, the transport business, we have a fuel surcharge between Canada and the U.S.`”
Besides advocating for changes in player payment currency, Andlauer is also still working to recover the 2026 first-round draft pick, forfeited as a penalty for the mishandled Evgenii Dadonov trade in 2021.
“I was going to go on my knees and plead for forgiveness,” Andlauer remarked, “even though it was never on my watch, and I`ll keep on reiterating that.”
Shifting from the owner to the general manager who manages the funds, Staios, typically tight-lipped, addressed a key topic on Friday: the future of Claude Giroux.
“It takes two sides,” Staios said. “There`s good dialogue between both sides, and I think we want to find some common ground.”
If an agreement is reached, one wonders if mechanisms like bonuses or deferred payments might be used to lower the salary cap impact.
Duncan Priestley