The organization had already been in damage-control mode for most of the week. Senators president Cyril Leeder appeared on TSN 1200 to assuage the fan base, while Ian Mendes, their vice president of communications, selflessly took to social media to encourage fans to reach out to him directly to express their discontent.

Andlauer says he didn't realize how much "scar tissue" had been left with the fan base because of relocation talk in previous years.

Michael Andlauer meant no harm to fans of the Ottawa Senators.

All that was missing was a fireplace and a warm cup of hot chocolate. Michael Andlauer sat down with a select group of media before the club’s 5-4 overtime victory over the Washington Capitals on Thursday because it was important to “clear the air” after an announcement of pre-season games in Quebec City turned into a referendum on the club’s future in Ottawa.

It was supposed to be a relatively quiet start to the week for the Ottawa Senators, and they had certainly earned it. The Senators are in third place in the Atlantic Division and finally had a day off after playing 10 games in 16 days.