Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson yesterday in a TSN 1200 radio interview said that the "wheels could already be in motion" to play a Canadiens-Senators outdoor game "on the grounds in front of Parliament Hill" in '17, according to Ian Mendes of TSN.ca. Watson said, "There's been a number of discussions that have gone on between the federal government and the NHL about having it on the Hill. And it's not a far-fetched idea -- it's physically possible. You probably wouldn't be able to have as many spectators because you wouldn't have the space and there are obviously security concerns, but my understanding is that the federal groups that are responsible have said it is a possibility." Mendes noted the "logical choice for an outdoor game in Ottawa would be the newly renovated football stadium TD Place, which is expected to host the Grey Cup" in November '17. The CFL's title game "would likely take place just a couple of weeks before the proposed outdoor NHL game in Ottawa, meaning some of the logistical hurdles ... could already be in place for a potential Senators-Canadiens game." Watson said that the "obvious concern with hosting a game on Parliament Hill ... is the lack of space to set up an NHL arena and seating for tens of thousands of spectators." But he "is convinced this idea could still work within the tight confines of the Parliament Hill lawn" (TSN.ca, 9/15). In Ottawa, Bruce Garrioch writes holding the outdoor game in '17 "makes sense because it's the 25th anniversary of the Senators, it's the 100th the anniversary of the league and it's Canada's 150th birthday." The Senators "are working hard with NHL officials to make sure they secure the game because of the history involved." The first NHL game "was played outdoors in Ottawa on Dec. 19, 1917 between the Senators and the Canadiens." Leeder said, "We'd like to play that game outdoors. There's a lot of history there and it'd be a really good backdrop for an outdoor game" (OTTAWA SUN, 9/16).
TIRE MARKS: In Ottawa, Wayne Scanlan reports the Senators "pumped more than [C]$15 million into their off-season upgrade" of the Canadian Tire Centre. The vantage point from the 100-level club "is fabulous." The Senators "removed 18 suites, and eight rows of seats in front of them." The "so-called ‘Victory’ suites are already sold out," while the loges, with their "affixed table tops sold quickly, and now more have been added." Seats "start at $10,000 and loges and suites go up from there" and include food and parking. The arena's overall capacity "drops to 18,694 from 19,153" (OTTAWA CITIZEN, 9/16). The SUN's Garrioch notes the Senators "are continuing their bid for a new arena at Lebreton Flats." Leeder said that they are "working with several groups and will file in time for the Dec. 15 deadline set" by the National Capital Commission. He added, "We can't just plan on [a] downtown arena. We've got to continue to make investments and upgrades here" (OTTAWA SUN, 9/16).
