(UPDATE 2:43 PM)- Donald Fehr has addressed the media and sounds optimistic about the proposal the NHLPA has presented, suggesting it should "lead to a new CBA".  It sounds like the deal includes some small changes to the current salary cap structure and revenue sharing models. Should be interesting to hear the league's reaction tomorrow.

It’s the middle of August but one of the most intriguing names in the NHL’s rumour mill remains very much available.

A 25 year old winger with four straight 30 goal seasons and just one game missed due to injury over the past three seasons? Yup, it's safe to assume teams will be lining up should the Ducks commit to moving Bobby Ryan this off season.

The first month or so of the off season seemed to fly by but now things have slowed to a snail's pace.

The excitement of the draft and free agency are in the rearview and have been replaced by the doom and gloom of the upcoming collective bargaining agreement negotiations.  As we hit another slow day in August, here are a few pieces of news and notes to get you through this rainy Friday.

As we crawl our way through another quiet day in August, I wanted to take the time to promote an exciting event set to take place next week.

On Wednesday, August 15 beginning at 7:30 PM, the annual boat cruise and fireworks spectacular will be held in support of Children’s Hospital of Eastern.  It promises to be one of Ottawa’s most unique and exciting events of the summer.

With a week already gone in the month of August, the start of NHL training camp is suddenly just a little over a month away.

Obviously that statement comes with a significant asterisk as CBA negotiations continue to loom over the start of the 2012/2013 season.  The NHLPA is expected to make a counter proposal in the next couple of days and the current feeling from both sides is that it will be tough to get something in place before September 15th when the old CBA expires.

The Captain is back! Like a true leader and man, Alfie has decided to lace ‘em up for another year by honouring the final year of his contract.

At $1 million, he can easily be considered one of the league’s best bargains when it comes to points per dollar. Add this to the veteran leadership and you’ve got a ridiculous deal that will benefit the young talent, the team and, most importantly, the Sens fans.

It was a move that came only a couple weeks after the season ended and at a time when other team's were still embroiled in a chase for Lord Stanley.

You'd be forgiven if you missed the fact that on May 4, the Sens resigned forward Peter Regin to a one year, one way contract. It was a move that was met with predictably limited fan fare but one that could pay dividends for the Senators this season.

After yesterday’s announcement from Daniel Alfredsson, the Ottawa Senators roster for next season is finally taking shape.

While the organization could still benefit from the addition of another top six forward, it’s clear the Sens owner is quite willing to continue leaning on younger players and go with the collection of players they have signed right now.