Ottawa hockey fans, the long summer wait is nearly done. September marks the return of the Ottawa Senators, with training camp set to open and preseason action kicking off across the city and beyond, giving Sens Nation its first real look at the roster that will chase a playoff spot this season.
Training Camp Kicks Off
September is when the Senators organization gets back to business. Veterans and prospects alike report to camp, and it's the first chance for the coaching staff to evaluate who's earned a spot on the opening night roster. For Ottawa supporters, camp is also a rare opportunity to catch a glimpse of the team up close before the games start to count, whether that's through open practices or local media coverage tracking every line combination.
Preseason Play Begins
Once camp wraps its first week, the preseason schedule takes over. These exhibition games matter more than casual fans might think: they're where fringe roster spots get decided, where young prospects try to force their way onto the big club, and where the coaching staff experiments with line combinations before the games start to matter. For a team looking to build on recent momentum, every preseason rep counts.
What Ottawa Should Watch For
The Senators enter this season with expectations that have shifted noticeably compared to a few years ago. After clawing back into playoff contention, the pressure is on to prove last season wasn't a one-off. September will offer early clues: how the young core looks after an offseason of development, whether new additions mesh with the returning group, and which depth players separate themselves during camp battles.
Why It Matters For The Capital
Few things unite Ottawa quite like Senators hockey in the fall. Canadian Tire Centre will soon be packed again, downtown bars will start filling up on game nights, and the city's sports conversation will shift firmly back to puck. For a fan base that has weathered its share of rebuilding years, this September carries a different kind of energy: genuine anticipation instead of just hope.
As camp battles play out and the preseason slate unfolds, Ottawa will get its clearest picture yet of what to expect when the puck drops for real. The wait is almost over, and for Senators fans across the capital, that's reason enough to start paying attention.
Source: The Hockey News, via Google News.
