OTTAWA — It’s not often that an organization has its owner and general manager speaking to the media in early June, but that’s part of the Michael Andlauer experience. There is more visibility, engagement and accountability to the fans and media in the since he became the owner of a once second-tier franchise just under two years ago. Andlauer embodies a new enthusiasm, demonstrated when he clicked his heels as he walked over to talk to the media on Friday.

And if there's any similarity between Andlauer and the previous regime, it's a willingness to throw caution to the wind when speaking publicly, as he did when he accused the New York Rangers of tampering last December. After his one-of-a-kind entrance, Andlauer immediately took down a media report that the Ottawa Senators would entertain trading Drake Batherson. “Totally false,” said Andlauer.

“It's not right. There’s no truth to that.” The organization was displeased to say the least. Steve Staios, the general manager, said he spoke with Batherson about the trade rumours.

“Drake didn’t seem concerned at all. Talked to him mostly about his training and how he’s going to approach the summer," Staios said. What’s interesting is the position in which the owner put his general manager.

Staios is a firm believer of the mantra everything is on the table. It’s clear that if there were a trade available that included Batherson and Staios saw fit to make it, he would do just that. But now that the owner has said that any Batherson trade discussions are false, it will be interesting to see how it plays out.

On a bigger picture note, the Senators' ultimate decision-maker provided an update on if and when the Senators will be moving to LeBreton Flats with a new arena. Discussions “are moving forward not backward,” said Andlauer. In a recent development, the Sens owner recently sold his Andlauer Healthcare Group to UPS for a reported $1.6 billion.

That’s a lot of money to spend on a new arena, in addition to filling up the salary cap. Sportsnet.ca asked Andlauer if he expects to spend to the cap moving forward. “As it stands right now, our cash over cap is higher,” said Andlauer, meaning the Senators will spend more in real dollars than their cap number next season.

The Senators already have a bill of more than $83 million in player salary for the 2025-26 season. “So that's always tough. We’re a small market team,” said Andlauer.

“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 said the Senators would likely not spend all of their $15 million in cap space, according to PuckPedia.com. “I think I have an idea in mind that it's probably not going to be up there,” Staios said. Staios had less cap space last summer, and managed to acquire Linus Ullmark and Nick Jensen while signing David Perron, Michael Amadio and Nick Cousins.

However, the Senators spent to the upper echelons of the salary cap, which Staios reminded the media of on Friday. Staios has consistently added players, whether in free agency or via trade, in his short tenure as Senators GM. “I think that now we're striving for more,” he said.

Meanwhile, Andlauer spoke to the importance of drafting and development for the Senators to find players that will be cheaper in price. We’ve seen owners in Ottawa slither away when the bill came for a cap team. So far, Andlauer has backed up the Brinks truck, but it’s not clear if that will continue.

There’s been a lot of discussion around the league about the “advantage” teams like Florida and Dallas in low-tax areas get. Andlauer provided a potential solution that he says he’s spoken to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman about that could benefit the Canadian teams. The idea is to allow players to be paid in Canadian or U.S. currency depending on which country they play in.

This would allow Canadian teams to have a better grip of their earnings because they would not be affected by the day-to-day fluctuations of the Canadian dollar to U.S dollar exchange rate. Andlauer had an interesting tidbit about his conversation with a border patrol agent in Buffalo when he went to the NHL combine recently. "'(Brady) Tkachuk, he’s going to leave.

Taxes are pretty high there,'" the border agent 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.).” Along with Andlauer pushing Bettman to change the way NHL players are paid, he is also still trying to reclaim the 2026 first-round pick which was lost due to the penalty the botched Evgenii Dadonov trade in 2021. “I was going to go on my knees and plead for forgiveness”, said Andlauer, “even though it was never on my watch, and I'll keep on reiterating that.” From the man with the money to the man who spends it, Staios, who reveals little, did just that on Friday. The hot topic in Sensland has been the future of Claude Giroux.

“It takes two sides,” said Staios. “There’s good dialogue between both sides and I think we want to find some common ground.” If they find a solution, you have to wonder if bonuses and/or deferred money are involved to reduce the cap hit. Meanwhile, Staios disclosed that Nick Jensen had a hip injury which needed surgery.

Staios provided no timeline for his return but said he was optimistic. “Nick is an absolute warrior,” Staios said last month during the team's end-of-season availability. “To be able to continue to perform at the level he did with the injury he was dealing with, it’s the character of the individual.” If Jensen returns close to the beginning of the season, it would allow leeway for Staios to be more focused on acquiring another forward rather than a top-four defenceman.

Asked if he expected to be aggressive in free agency, he was coy. “It’s hard to tell. We may continue to work internally with our group.

You're always trying to improve your team.” Adams' Apples • The Senators signed Tyler Kleven to a two-year, $1.6 million (average annual value) contract earlier this week. “It was pretty smooth,” said Staios about the negotiations. “I think, to his own admission, I think (he’d say he had) a bit of a slow start from last year, but certainly picked it up and played well in the playoffs.” A prove-it, bridge deal for Kleven and the Senators.

If Kleven plays the way he did in the playoffs, he will be cashing in big time in two years. • Meanwhile, pending restricted free agent Fabian Zetterlund and his representative are engaged in dialogue over a contract, according to Staios. “These things do take time, and there is a process to it.” Staios wouldn’t divulge if he is trying to sign Zetterlund short- or long-term.

• Andlauer disclosed that he got a speeding ticket in Ottawa. “I didn't realize that Bronson Street had a speed camera, so I got caught speeding,” he said. “I've been going about 150 over the last little while.” I’m sure he can afford the ticket.

• Maybe the most poignant quote from Andlauer was a not-so subtle shot at Toronto.