Coming into this year, many experts were asking, can Erik Karlsson live up to the ridiculous standard he set last season?

If Saturday afternoon's opener in Winnipeg is any indication, the defending Norris Trophy Champ is going to be just fine. Karlsson racked up a goal and two assists, leading the Sens to a convincing 4-1 win in their first game of the abbreviated 2013 season.

After more than 260 days without Ottawa Senators hockey, the day has finally arrived.

The Sens open up their season in Winnipeg this afternoon in a game that will help officially raise the curtain on the 2013 National Hockey League season. The Ottawa/Winnipeg contest is one of 13 games on the schedule on opening day.

(UPDATE 2:08 PM)- The Sens are on the ice in Winnipeg and here is how MacLean has the forwards lined up, Michalek-Spezza-Silfverberg, Latendresse-Turris-Alfredsson, Greening-Smith-Neil, Regin-O'Brien-Condra.  The defence pairings are as follows, Methot-Karlsson, Phillips-Gonchar, Wiercioch-Benoit

(UPDATE 5:46 PM)- While they both still remain on the roster with the big club, Andre Benoit and Robin Lehner have just been named to the AHL All Star Game.  A total of 48 players were selected to take part in All Star weekend, which is scheduled for January 27th and 28th in Providence, Rhode Island.

With Monday’s revelation that the Senators may go with as many as 23 players to start the season, some of the drama has been taken out of the abbreviated training camp.

Cody Ceci and Stefan Noesen are both here for the experience and will eventually head back to their respective Junior clubs, leaving the Sens with just 24 guys in camp. 

Based on the discussion in the last post, it's pretty clear that the Rangers pending buyout of Wade Redden has caught the attention of Senators fans.

With the recent ruling by the NHL, the New York Rangers are now permitted to buy out Redden. What does that mean for Wade Redden? It means he'll be an unrestricted free agent. What does it mean for the Ottawa Senators? Well, not a whole lot based on what I've been told.

Bryan Murray spoke to the media after day 2 of camp and as you’d expect, there were a few questions about the team’s search for blueline help.

According to Murray, there aren’t really many defenceman available around the league.  It further complicates matters when you consider a number of teams looking for defensive help early in training camp.  The Sens GM suggested that there is certainly nothing imminent on that front right now.

(UPDATE 12:26 PM)- The Senators are on the ice for today's training camp session and Head Coach Paul MacLean has gone with the same line combinations as he did on Sunday.  This has to be a good sign for Mike Hoffman, as he continues to skate with Peter Regin and Chris Neil.  You can watch the online stream of the practice here.

(UPDATE 1:15 PM)- The Sens are on the ice for the first time at training camp. Here is how MacLean has the forwards lined up on Day 1. Michalek-Spezza-Silfverberg, Latendresse-Turris-Alfredsson, Greening-Smith-Condra, Hoffman-Regin-Neil, Daugavins-O'Brien-Noesen. The defence pairings are Methot-Karlsson. Phillips-Ceci. Wiercioch-Gonchar. and Borowiecki-Benoit

With the results of the NHLPA vote expected to be made official this morning, the beginning of the NHL season is now so close fans can taste it.

In Ottawa, the players are expected to take part on voluntary physicals today to help get the mini training camp underway.  With that task out of the way, Paul MacLean and the rest of the coaching staff will be set to officially begin training camp on Sunday afternoon.