Links, News, and Notes: Preparing for Camp, Mourning Johnny, Extending Draisaitl

Don't look now, but there are 35(!) days left until the Ottawa Senators open up the 2024-25 season against the reigning champs. I for one don't feel the least bit prepared--I hope the players and the staff do! Would I consider myself just the tiniest bit nervous and anxious about the forthcoming 82-game schedule? Yes, every single day of the week. I have barely acquainted myself with the Sens roster this offseason and I really have to squint to see how this team fares better than the one that missed the post-season again last year. But also, the witch's curse has to wear off eventually, right? Enjoy some news for your brainhole:

• In a meet-and-greet with season ticket holders, Travis Green managed to say most of the right things and effectively tell us all what we want to hear without deviating from the organization's party-line. It feels tedious as a fan listening to the same cliches from the new regime without having actually seen the performance of the new product, but such is the life of a sports fan. Also of note from said article, expect another update on the LeBreton flats update in an update by the end of the month.
• You can get a bit of a round-up here of which players have started skating in Ottawa with some key dates for the pre-season. Of note, the Sens will play an intra-squad game in Gatineau complete with autograph sessions and all that warm and fuzzy stuff--eat trash, les habitants!
• Steve Staios also provided an expectedly vague update on Josh Norris in stating that he seems healthier than this time last year but also maybe not on track to play opening night. As always, with Norris' shoulder, it's a bit of a choose your own adventure. Like everyone else, I want to see Norris at full health because this team desperately needs vintage Josh Norris. If we gotta wait then I guess we just gotta wait (again).
• One of the least most memorable players in franchise history has signed a one-year deal for the forthcoming season in Switzerland with HC Ambrì-Piotta (NHL opt-out clause included). Yes, that's right Dominik Kubalik has put his NHL dreams on hold after a remarkable season in Ottawa during which he definitely did some things. I guess he needed a new challenge!
• Our old friend Graeme Nichols has some thoughts on Tyler Kleven's imminent impact this coming season and almost kind of gives me hope(?) for the Sens' defence this season.
• Our other old friend (and Silver Seven alumni) Callum Fraser reported that local living legend Brooke Henderson has agreed to a sponsorship deal with the Sens for her upcoming LPGA season. If you want anyone wearing your merch, you can do a lot worse than one of the best athletes ever to come out of eastern Ontario.
• In non-Sens news, we continue to mourn the loss of the Gaudreau brothers. A gofundme for Matthew Gaudreau's widow (who is expecting their first child) has already raised more than half a million and fans in Canada and the US continue to pay tribute. Both the Blue Jackets and Flames organizations have planned events to commemorate the Gaudreaus and suffice to say the games between the two teams on November 29th and December 3rd will be emotional.
• Elsewhere in Alberta, the NHL's second best German-born player (winky face) has signed a lucrative eight-year extension with the Oilers.
• A few RFAs of note remain unsigned with only a few weeks left in the off-season with Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman stealing most of the headlines. Lucas Raymond, Moritz Seider, Cole Perfetti, Dawson Mercer, and Arthur Kaliyev also need new contracts. Ottawa should naturally trade for all of them for pennies on the dollar.

Enjoy what remains of the summer, folks!