Ottawa Senators

The Toronto Raptors, Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators will limit home games to a 50 percent crowd capacity amid Ontario's new rules to combat the COVID-19 surge, per Sportsnet.

"This measure is being taken to reduce opportunities for close contact in high-risk indoor settings with large crowds and when masks are not always worn," the province wrote in a press release.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford offered more explanation for the decision in a press conference.

"Let's be very clear, you've got to target the largest venues," Ford said.

He also added: "Sports games, large concerts—people aren't masking as much as (organizers) implore them to mask. They all aren't masking. You're sitting side by side for hours. Compared to a restaurant, that's comparing apples and bananas as far as I'm concerned, not even apples and oranges."

The province unveiled the new rules Wednesday, and they will go into effect Saturday. They are in effect for all indoor venues that can hold 1,000 or more people.

COVID-19 cases have steadily been on the rise since Oct. 11, per the World Health Organization Coronavirus Dashboard. The week of Oct. 11 saw 2,822,302 confirmed cases worldwide, while the week of Dec. 6 had 4,253,897 confirmed cases.

The situation in Ontario mirrors the COVID-19 picture worldwide. Per the province's official website, there were 269 new cases on Oct. 26. That number has since jumped to 1,808 reported new cases on Dec. 15.

The Raptors were scheduled to host the Chicago Bulls on Thursday, but that game has been postponed because of a COVID-19 outbreak within the Bulls roster. Therefore, the limited capacity mandate will begin to take effect on Saturday when the Golden State Warriors visit Scotiabank Arena.

Ottawa is out of town until Sunday, when the Sens host the Boston Bruins. The Maple Leafs' next home game is Dec. 23 against the St. Louis Blues.

The NHL announced Tuesday that Los Angeles Kings forward Brendan Lemieux has been suspended five games for biting Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk during a Saturday matchup between the teams. 

The two clashed during a scrum following a stoppage of play. Tkachuk tackled Lemieux to the ice while the two wrestled, and while on the ice Lemieux bit Tkachuk's ungloved hand. 

Key part of this ruling: "While circumstantial evidence supports the argument that Lemieux may have bitten Tkachuk multiple times during this fight, we are limiting our review of this incident to the bite that occurs almost immediately after the players fall to the ice." https://t.co/0X3bGynzBx

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) December 1, 2021

.@NHLPlayerSafety: Lemieux argued Tkachuk’s hand was punctured from punching Lemieux in the tooth.

Video evidence, postgame inspection and medical info from #Sens training staff was included in analysis.

Ruling was on first bite. Not conclusive on injury to Tkachuk’s right hand

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) December 1, 2021

Lemieux actually lucky that the NHL could verify only one of the two bites that Tkachuk says that Lemieux inflicted.

— Helene Elliott (@helenenothelen) December 1, 2021

Tkachuk was furious following the incident, ranting about Lemieux while speaking to reporters after the game:

This is the one time I'm going to answer this. It was the most gutless thing somebody could ever do. This guy, you can ask any one of his teammates, nobody ever wants to play with him. This guy is a bad guy and a bad teammate, he focuses on himself all the time.

The guy's just a joke. He shouldn't be in the league. This guy's gutless. No other team wants him. He's going to keep begging to be in the NHL, but no other team wants him, he's an absolute joke. I can't even wrap my head around it. People don't even do this. He's just a bad guy.

It's outrageous. Kids don't even do that anymore. Babies do that. I don't even know what he was thinking. He's just a complete brick head. He's got nothing up there. Bad guy, bad player, but what a joke he is.

Matthew Tkachuk, on brother Brady’s character assessment of Brendan Lemieux:

“He’s not wrong.”

— Salim Nadim Valji (@salimvalji) November 29, 2021

Kings' goalie Jonathan Quick stood up for Lemieux, however:

Quick defends Lemieux, while giving Tkachuk a shot. @TSN1200 @TSNJR @TSNHammer pic.twitter.com/oGYeaaXMrq

— Shawn Simpson (@SimmerDownCIH) November 29, 2021

The Lemieux-Tkachuk rivalry is nothing new, dating back to the playing days of Claude Lemieux and Keith Tkachuk, the respective fathers of Brendan Lemieux and Brady Tkachuk.

Those two squared off in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey. 

https://twitter.com/alex_faust/status/1464833349923393536

Claude Lemieux was an enforcer during his playing days and had a reputation for being more than a little dirty. In Game 4 the 1986 Stanley Cup Finals while playing for the Montreal Canadiens, he bit the finger of Calgary Flames winger Jim Peplinski during a late-game scrum. 

Like father, like son. 

"I didn't know they allowed cannibalism in the NHL," Peplinski famously told reporters after the incident. 

They don't. These days, it will earn you at least a five-game suspension.

The Ottawa Senators' next three games have been postponed amid a COVID-19 outbreak with the team.

Games against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday, the Nashville Predators on Thursday and the New York Rangers on Saturday are impacted. The Senators currently have 10 players in the NHL's health and safety protocols.

SCHEDULE UPDATE: @Senators games postponed at least through Nov. 20. https://t.co/bJpC88cb5F pic.twitter.com/sWwojm1W1h

— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) November 15, 2021

“You’re almost crossing your fingers every single day hoping that you get through with a negative (test),” veteran defenseman Michael Del Zotto told reporters. “It is a learning experience, with the different tests we’re doing, and trying to keep everyone safe, not just the players but their families and staff as well. It’s a great opportunity for guys to learn the mental side of the game.”

The Senators have essentially been on lockdown between games, with their players unable to practice or leave their homes. The team has understandably struggled under the mounting pressure and has lost seven of its last eight games overall.

With the Senators (4-10-1, last in the Atlantic Division) struggling to field an NHL-caliber team and the AHL Belleville Senators also barely scraping by because all of the call-ups, the NHL was forced to take some action. This temporary pause in the schedule should allow a majority of the players currently in health and safety protocols to get back on the ice while mitigating any further potential spread. 

The Ottawa Senators have signed forward Brady Tkachuk to a seven-year, $57.5 million contract, the team announced Thursday. The deal has an average annual value of $8.214 million.

"We're thrilled to come to a long-term agreement with Brady," Senators owner and governor Eugene Melnyk said in a release. "He's a valuable member of our leadership group, is universally respected by his teammates and a player we're certain will have a significant impact on our success in the seasons ahead."

News Release: The #Sens have signed forward @BradyTkachuk71 to a seven-year contract: https://t.co/OowupAvSH2 pic.twitter.com/Ew02IJA5ds

— X - Ottawa Senators (@Senators) October 14, 2021

The deal came just hours before Ottawa's season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Tkachuk, who had been a restricted free agent, is linked to the Senators through the 2027-28 season.

The 22-year-old had the perfect reaction to his new deal:

pic.twitter.com/qigpV0K6Oj

— brady tkachuk (@BradyTkachuk71) October 14, 2021

Frank Seravalli of the Daily Faceoff reported Tkachuk is not expected to play in the opener but will be in attendance at the Canadian Tire Centre. 

The Senators selected the winger fourth overall in 2018. He has led the team in scoring in each of the last two seasons, including a 17-goal, 19-assist 2020-21 campaign. 

Tkachuk, the brother of Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk and son of former NHLer Keith Tkachuk, is considered a vital piece of the Senators' rebuild. 

Ottawa has not made the playoffs since the 2016-17 season, when it reached the Eastern Conference Finals, and has been in turmoil since, posting a 105-152-34 record over the past four seasons. 

The Senators are not projected to make the playoffs during the 2021-22 season in a tough Atlantic Division that includes the reigning Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning and the Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings and Buffalo Sabres.  

Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk issued a clarification after initially announcing he submitted plans to allow up to 6,000 fans to attend games at Canadian Tire Centre. 

In a since-deleted tweet, Melnyk said his plan included "proper physical distancing, rapid testing and mask-wearing at all times."

Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk has deleted this tweet about a plan to allow 6,000 fans into Canadian Tire Centre this season. pic.twitter.com/5B0NapuY8r

— Joshua Clipperton (@JClipperton_CP) January 12, 2021

However, the Canadian province of Ontario issued an emergency measure that included a stay-at-home order because of surging COVID-19 cases in the area. The order will be effective Thursday at 12:01 a.m. ET.

Melnyk responded by issuing a new statement that said the Senators "are committed to continuing the development of a plan that allows fans to safely enjoy NHL hockey in-person — but only when the time is right."

The Senators open the season at home Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs and have three more home contests before embarking on their first road trip.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman told reporters Monday the league is expecting to incur billions of dollars in losses during the abbreviated 2021 season since games will have limited attendances or no fans at all. He added that wiping out the season altogether would've been less costly than forging ahead with the current plan.

ESPN's Emily Kaplan and Greg Wyshynski reported in November some owners cited that reason as grounds to cancel the season. Bettman, however, successfully argued the long-term consequences from that plan would be far worse.

Who is Tim Stuetzle?   

The Ottawa Senators drafted the German left winger with the third overall pick in the NHL draft Tuesday night, and Jeopardy! host and Ottawa native Alex Trebek announced the team's selection in a video shot on the set of the game show.

‼️ Awesome Moment Alert ‼️

Alex Trebek announces the @Senators 3rd overall pick, Tim Stuetzle! 🤗#NHLDraft | #NHLonSN pic.twitter.com/mqv3xonhcP

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 6, 2020

The 18-year-old has yet to appear in the NHL, but he has made his Jeopardy! debut. That's something some players never accomplish.

The Ottawa Senators selected Tim Stutzle with the No. 3 pick in the 2020 NHL entry draft.

With the third overall selection in the 2020 #NHLDraft, the #Sens select Tim Stützle of Adler Mannheim of the DEL. pic.twitter.com/hmjUkwQQoq

— X - Ottawa Senators (@Senators) October 6, 2020

Alexis Lafreniere firmly established himself as the best player in this year's draft class, but the title of "second-best" was a battle between Stutzle and Quinton Byfield.

Stutzle committed to play for the University of New Hampshire but decided to sign with Adler Mannheim in the German league. He finished with seven goals and 27 assists in 41 appearances.

The 18-year-old made a strong impression for the German national team, as well, compiling two goals and seven appearances in eight games for the junior squad.

Speaking with The Athletic's Scott Wheeler in January, Adler assistant coach Mike Pellegrims commented on Stutzle's seamless transition to the pro ranks: "The thing is, you never know coming in with a young guy like that that he will have the transformation from youth hockey to the pros. But he's a smart kid and he adapts really quick. He's got a great set of tools. He's a good skater, he's got great vision, and he's got impressive hockey IQ. That has made him successful."

Detroit Red wings prospect Moritz Seider added that Stutzle is "going to be a phenomenal superstar."

In analyzing the teenager's game, The Hockey Writers' Josh Bell drew attention to his playmaking and on-ice intelligence, the latter of which echoed Pellegrims' assessment.

Stutzle doesn't boast the jaw-dropping numbers of Lafreniere (72 goals over the past two seasons) or the imposing size of Byfield (6'4", 214 lbs), yet he has the potential to be a difference-maker in the NHL. 

Especially once he becomes accustomed to the level of competition and learns how best to utilize his blazing speed, he'll be a nightmare going forward.

Although Stutzle is good enough to crack Ottawa's roster for the start of the 2020-21 season, his development track could mirror that of his Germany teammate. Seider suited up for the Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit's AHL affiliate, after the Red Wings selected him sixth overall in 2019.

Thanks to the Erik Karlsson trade, the Senators were poised to add two promising pieces to their ongoing rebuild. Stutzle is the first, and now they have the fifth pick to further bolster their long-term outlook.

The last few years have been painful in Ottawa as the franchise bottomed out following its last playoff appearance in 2017. The team started turning a corner in 2019-20 and has a bright future ahead following the 2020 draft.

Ottawa Senators forward Bobby Ryan was named the winner of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy as the NHL player who best exemplified perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey during the 2019-20 season.

Bobby Ryan is the recipient of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy! #NHLAwards

MORE ➡️ https://t.co/feIhwy9fsT pic.twitter.com/RK6OsDUpPx

— NHL (@NHL) September 7, 2020

The Masterton Trophy, which has been awarded since the 1967-68 season, is typically given to a player who's overcome an off-ice personal issue, injury or health problem to make an on-ice impact.

Last year's winner, goalie Robin Lehner, detailed his struggle with addiction and longstanding mental health issues before posting a .930 save percentage and a career-high six shutouts for the New York Islanders. He now plays for the Vegas Golden Knights.

Lehner said he hoped winning the award would help further the impact of his message:

"It represents so much. It represents so much personally to both me and my wife, my family. I've had such an incredible outpour of support and so many people that have contacted me, tried to contact me that I still haven't been able to get to yet, that are just scared to take that first step, scared of doing the things necessary to turn their lives around. That's incredibly rewarding. I had a dinner with all the doctors from the program the other day and they obviously don't tell me names or anything, but they said a lot of people have reached out to them and started getting help because of me being outspoken. If that was just one person it would be worth it."

Other recent winners include Brian Boyle, Craig Anderson, Jaromir Jagr and Devan Dubnyk.

Ryan joins the group after leaving the Senators in November to receive treatment for alcohol use. He returned to the lineup in February and he scored a hat trick in his first home game back.

The 33-year-old forward recorded five goals and three assists in 24 appearances during his 13th NHL season.

Ottawa Senators head coach D.J. Smith said all seven members of the organization who contracted the coronavirus, including five players, have completed their recovery.  

"The good thing is that everyone that had it didn't have horrible symptoms [like] what we're seeing on TV and [with] some of the people that have really struggled," Smith told reporters Wednesday. "Some guys didn't feel well, but being athletes, they all got through it, and they're all on the other side of it now."

The Senators were together on a five-game road trip with three stops in California when the 2019-20 NHL season was halted because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Smith said on the video conference with reporters the team's firsthand experience with the disease has provided him with perspective about its seriousness:

"My opinion has changed about how much more serious it is. The way it's spreading and hitting towns and cities.

"I think it's important that you see that this disease doesn't spare anyone. It doesn't matter: Actors or actresses, rich or poor, you gotta make sure that you stay safe. I'm really glad that everyone in our organization and on that plane is doing well now, but certainly a scary time. It hit us, but at the same point, probably saved a lot us too. Seeing it up close that quickly, we probably got a bit of a jump on it too."

Although the names of the five Senators players and one staff member weren't publicly released, Sens radio analyst Gord Wilson confirmed his diagnosis to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.

"It's hit me hard enough," Wilson said March 27. "I haven't felt good for two weeks. The worst was last weekend. So I'm hitting a week here at least with shortness of breath and feeling lethargic. I walk up a flight of steps here and I'm out of breath. The biggest thing is the lack of taste and smell. I'm down about eight or nine pounds. I'm not eating as much."

He added: "We've all had the flu and we've all had bad colds. This is completely different ... completely different. It grips you."

The NHL season remains indefinitely suspended because of the coronavirus. Commissioner Gary Bettman said Tuesday he hopes to have a clearer picture on the league's path forward by the end of April.

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Bleacher Report's David Gardner interviews athletes and other sports figures for the podcast How to Survive Without Sports.

The Ottawa Senators announced Thursday that the team's "full-time workforce will be reduced" temporarily and that the hours of "some of the staff will be furloughed," per Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: 

This is part of the statement from the club. #Sens pic.twitter.com/5IPKJGQwYM

— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) April 2, 2020

The Senators will be instituting an unemployment plan that will "supplement employment insurance benefits" through July 3 "up to a minimum of 80 percent base salary." 

Ottawa isn't the only NHL team to lay off workers during the league's hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Per Garrioch, the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens have also reduced staff. 

The looming question that remains is when, and if, the NHL season will resume. According to a Canadian government document obtained by Christopher Nardt of the National Post, "Current GoC [Government Operations Centre] modelling suggests as a best case scenario that current measures continue until at least July."

And Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the timeline for Canadian life returning back to normal remains unclear, per Nardt:

"There are obviously many, many different projections of how long this could last, how serious this could be, how many cases we could be facing. But those projections all hinge on choices that Canadians are making today, choices they made over the past few days, choices they will be making over the coming few days. We will be able to say more about how many weeks or months this lasts for as we see the impacts of the behaviours people have engaged in over these days."

Most events at the Canadian Tire Centre have been either postponed or canceled outright for the next several months during the coronavirus pandemic, per Garrioch.