OTTAWA — It`s unusual for an NHL organization`s owner and general manager to address the media together in early June, but this level of transparency is characteristic of the Michael Andlauer era with the Ottawa Senators. Since acquiring the franchise, formerly considered a second-tier team, just under two years ago, Andlauer has fostered increased visibility, engagement, and accountability towards both fans and the media.
Andlauer projects a noticeable enthusiasm, evident in his energetic demeanor, such as clicking his heels before speaking to reporters on Friday. However, a trait he shares with the previous ownership is a propensity for candid public statements, like when he accused the New York Rangers of tampering last December.
Following his lively arrival, Andlauer promptly refuted a media report suggesting the Senators were open to trading forward Drake Batherson.
“Totally false,” Andlauer stated emphatically.
“It`s not right. There’s no truth to that.”
The organization was clearly displeased by the circulating rumor.
General Manager Steve Staios confirmed he discussed the trade speculation with Batherson.
“Drake didn’t seem concerned at all. Talked to him mostly about his training and how he’s going to approach the summer,” Staios commented.
This exchange highlights an interesting dynamic, as the owner publicly contradicted the notion of trading a player the GM might otherwise consider movable under his “everything is on the table” philosophy. It remains to be seen how this owner`s public stance will impact future decisions regarding Batherson.
Addressing a larger organizational matter, Andlauer provided an update on the potential move to LeBreton Flats for a new arena.
Discussions “are moving forward not backward,” he reported.
In recent financial news, Andlauer sold his Andlauer Healthcare Group to UPS for a reported $1.6 billion. This substantial sum could potentially fund a new arena and provide resources to invest in the roster up to the salary cap.
When asked if he expects the team to spend to the salary cap going forward, Andlauer responded:
“As it stands right now, our cash over cap is higher,” meaning the team`s actual spending on player salaries for next season will exceed their official cap hit.
The Senators` player payroll for the 2025-26 season is already over $83 million.
“So that`s always tough. We’re a small market team,” Andlauer acknowledged. “We did well in the playoffs with our gate, but some teams did two-and-a-half times more revenue than we did. So, it gives you a perspective of where HRR (hockey related revenue) is and where we fit in. I`m OK with that. I think we`ll be competitive.”
Both Andlauer and Staios indicated the team is unlikely to spend their entire estimated $15 million in available cap space.
“I think I have an idea in mind that it`s probably not going to be up there,” Staios stated.
Despite having less cap space last summer, Staios was active, acquiring players like Linus Ullmark and Nick Jensen and signing free agents David Perron, Michael Amadio, and Nick Cousins. He reminded reporters that the Senators did spend near the top of the salary cap last season.
Throughout his tenure as GM, Staios has consistently sought to add players through trades and free agency.
“I think that now we`re striving for more,” he said.
Andlauer emphasized the importance of drafting and developing players as a way for the Senators to acquire talent at a lower cost. Historically, owners in Ottawa have been hesitant to fully invest when the team approached the salary cap ceiling. While Andlauer has shown a willingness to spend so far, the extent of future spending remains to be seen.
There has been ongoing discussion around the league about the financial “advantage” enjoyed by teams in low-tax jurisdictions like Florida and Dallas.
Andlauer proposed a potential solution he has discussed with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman that could benefit Canadian teams. His idea is to allow players to be paid in either Canadian or U.S. currency based on where they play. This would help Canadian teams manage their finances more predictably by mitigating the impact of daily fluctuations in the exchange rate between the Canadian and U.S. dollars.
Andlauer shared an 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 said. `New York taxes are just as high.` So, it`s hard,” said Andlauer. “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.).”
In addition to advocating for changes in player compensation currency, Andlauer is still working to reclaim the Senators` 2026 first-round draft pick, which was forfeited as a penalty stemming from the mishandled Evgenii Dadonov trade in 2021.
“I was going to go on my knees and plead for forgiveness,” Andlauer said, “even though it was never on my watch, and I’ll keep on reiterating that.”
Moving from the owner to the general manager, Staios, known for being reserved, did address a significant current topic in Ottawa: the future of veteran forward Claude Giroux.
“It takes two sides,” Staios commented. “There’s good dialogue between both sides and I think we want to find some common ground.”
Should they reach an agreement, speculation arises about the potential use of bonuses or deferred money to manage Giroux`s impact on the salary cap.
