Ottawa Senators hockey is back on 88.1 myFM for another season, and who better to help set the table than a voice that has been there since Day 1.
TSN 1200’s Dean Brown will once again call Senators games alongside Gord Wilson, with every home and away game airing locally on 88.1.
Brown says having myFM as part of the radio network helps bring Senators hockey into more homes, cars and communities throughout the region.
This season, however, begins with a very different-looking Senators team.
The departure of former captain Brady Tkachuk dominated much of the off-season conversation, but Brown says the players themselves have had considerably more time to process the change than fans and media.
Brown says Ottawa cannot simply replace what Tkachuk brought as one of the NHL’s few true power forwards. Instead, the team will have to evolve and build a new identity around the players who remain.
One of the biggest pieces of Ottawa’s season could once again be goaltender Linus Ullmark.
Brown says there is a noticeable difference in Ullmark entering this season compared with where he was a year ago.
Brown believes strong, consistent goaltending could put Ottawa in a much better position earlier in the season instead of forcing another late scramble.
There is a question mark on defence, though.
Brown says Artem Zub’s recovery is taking longer than initially expected. The injury dates back to last season’s playoffs, and Brown says head coach Travis Green has indicated Zub is not expected to be ready for the beginning of the regular season.
Another major question is who takes over the captaincy.
Brown expects the Senators to name a captain before the season begins, and there are no shortage of candidates.
When pushed for his own choice, Brown landed on Jake Sanderson, pointing to his importance to the team now and in the years ahead.
And as for the question every Senators fan ultimately wants answered?
Brown sees meaningful hockey continuing beyond the regular season.
Brown believes the Senators’ core is another year older, more experienced and more comfortable with Green’s system.
The personalities may change and new leaders will emerge, but the goal remains the same.
And once again, fans throughout the region can follow every step of it.
Dean Brown and Gord Wilson will have the call all season long, with Ottawa Senators hockey back where it belongs on 88.1 myFM.
Listen to Bob’s full chat with Dean below.
