Alright, I know the NHL regular season is still more than two months away but I already find myself looking forward to the upcoming season.  With a new coach and a number of young players poised to make the jump, it's an exciting time to be a fan of the Ottawa Senators.

With that in mind, here are the Top 5 games to look forward to on the 2011/2012 schedule.

(UPDATE 7:18 PM)- Another hit to the Calder Cup Champion Binghamton Senators.  Kaspars Daugavins will try out with his hometown team back in Latvia.  He has apparently not ruled out a return to the Sens organization.

By all accounts, last year was an up and down year for top prospect Robin Lehner.

The NHL off season is officially upon us.

Aside from the recent departure of AHL goaltender Barry Brust, Sens news is pretty hard to come by these days.  From now until the end of August, there obviously won't be a whole lot for fans of the Ottawa Senators to discuss but I suppose the good news is it's only a couple months till training camp!

Apologies for being a little late getting this up but as I'm sure you all know by now, the Sens have locked up RFA forward Bobby Butler.

It is a two year, one way contract that will pay Butler $950,000 in year one, and $1,200,000 in year two.

(UPDATE 6:28 PM)- Another Binghamton Senator is moving on.  The Calgary Flames have signed defenceman Derek Smith.  Smith had 44 points with the BSens last year and appeared in nine games with the big club. Another tough loss for the organization.

(UPDATE 2:35 PM)- As I discussed in the blog below, the Sens have signed 6th overall pick Mika Zibanejad to a three year entry level deal.  Doesn't necessarily mean Mika will be in the Sens line up next season but he will certainly have a chance to crack the line up out of training camp.

(UPDATE 6:42 PM)- Another key player with the Binghamton Senators has found work elsewhere. Cody Bass has signed a one year, two way contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Bass was well liked by his teammates in Binghamton and he will certainly be missed. Good luck in Columbus, Cody!

(UPDATE 3:49 PM)- Busy day for the Sens as they have now signed defenceman Tim Conboy.  Conboy spent last season with the Portland Pirates of the AHL and has 59 games of NHL experience with the Carolina Hurricanes.

(UPDATE 10:37 AM)- The Ottawa Senators have signed forward Mark Parrish to a one year/two way contract. With all the changes in Binghamton, this move should provide some veteran depth for the AHL team.

The Ottawa Senators have taken care of some of their RFA business, signing forward Erik Condra to a two year deal. The contract is a one way deal meaning that the club expects Condra to be a regular with the big club next season.

(UPDATE 1:03 PM)- Sens GM Bryan Murray has made a minor splash in the free agent market, signing tough guy and former Ottawa 67 Zenon Konopka to a one year, one way deal. The contract pays Konopka $700,000 next season.  He is a hard working guy that was great on faceoffs last year.  Make the Sens bottom six a little more crowded but a solid pick up.