They won’t say it in so many words, but the Senators would rather pass on the opportunity to host an outdoor game in 2017 than to play it anywhere but Parliament Hill.

And time is running out on that idea, which never made a lot of sense to me in the first place.

Sure, it would be iconic to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the NHL in the nation’s capital, with a showdown between Ottawa and Montreal, two of the original four (not six) teams. And it would make for one pretty TV picture to have it on the Hill, with the Peace Tower as part of the backdrop.

But it’s just not logical.

How much would it cost to put the arena in place, even with already constructed “pop-up” stands? And what about the price of the dressing rooms, washrooms, concession stands, etc. etc. and etc.? Millions, and most likely the majority would be asked from the tax payers, because the Senators aren’t about to fork it over.

And how many seats could the proposed arena accommodate, anyway? The Senators say 30,000-40,000. Maybe half that is more realistic.

Of course, the obvious solution sits less than 5 km from the Hill: TD Place. Everything will be there already, including makeshift stands for the 2017 Grey Cup game that will bump capacity to 36,000. The facility itself already hosted a crowd of that size for a an AC/DC concert that was pulled off without a significant hitch.

But no, TD Place is not being considered an option for an affair the Senators want to be special, and not just one of 22 such events that will have been held by the end of the 2017-18 season.

“We’ve considered many sites, and we believe that Parliament Hill is the best site to do it on,” Senators owner Eugene Melnyk said earlier this week in Belleville, where he was on hand to announce the relocation of his AHL team. “It’s all we are focused on at this time.”

The NHL, which has held numerous talks with the federal government already, wants to get this settled ASAP as it plans its celebration schedule for Year 100. The Senators also wanted the matter resolved soon because they want to sell the outdoor game in their season-ticket package.

But if it’s Parliament Hill or bust, bet on the bust.

OFF THE BAT

This does not feel like it could be the Redblacks’ season at all. They may finish first in the weakling CFL East, but they are nothing close to championship calibre. If they get William Powell and Sir Vincent Rogers back, add an offensive lineman and some help on D, they could have a good shot at playing in the Grey Cup game at TD Place in 2017. But right now they are no better than the fifth best team in the CFL and after last season, did you see that coming? … So now the Blue Jays are cranking up the music when media enters their locker room for interviews, making it harder for people to do their jobs. How unprofessional. How juvenile. How Redblacks. OK, that’s not exactly fair. Ottawa’s footballers stopped doing that — when they were told … Wishing much luck to Senators veteran Clarke MacArthur, whose recovery is going better than expected. After his most recent concussion last Sunday, the team wanted him to retire.

NOOKS AND CRANNIES

Troy Tulowitzki stole 20 bases for Colorado in 2009, but his speed disappeared well before he turned his current 31 years of age. In fact, the Blue Jays shortstop has become Tooslowitzki, as this should be the fourth consecutive season he records just one SB. Still, there’s no excuse for what happened Thursday, when Toronto was in need of a rally with nine outs left against Baltimore. Leading off the seventh, Tooslow grounded back to pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez then started trotting to first. Lo and behold, Jimenez fumbled the ball through his legs, but still managed to recover and make the out (on a call that was overturned). With a $20-million salary, Tooslow has made about $40,000 per at bat this season. The least he could do is give every one of them his full effort, from start to finish … Even Jimmy Dugan would have shed a tear witnessing Dee Gordon’s first homer of the season, the day after the tragic death of his friend and teammate, Jose Fernandez.

CALL OF THE WILD

They aren’t old or married, but the couple that is Dean Brown and Gord Wilson are embarking on their 25th season together as the Senators broadcasting team. And they’re so cute … What is the more famous expression, Jerry Howarth’s “The Blue Jays are in flight” or Fergie Olver’s “How about those Blue Jays?” … It has finally dawned on me why I like TSN’s week day morning Sports Centre even more than I should. Natasha Staniszewski and Kate Beirness remind me of Ginger and Mary Ann. I loved Gilligan’s Island … Wait, Dawn Wells (Mary Ann) turns 78 next month? How is that even possible? … For the record, my answer to the question is always Ginger.

THINGS I THINK I THUNK

Ticats head coach Kent Austin didn’t think he would be suspended or fined for “accidentally” slapping an official’s hand while disputing a penalty call? Really? He got off lightly with one game and forking over 10 grand. I’m with Duron Carter, It would have been a much stiffer penalty for a player. Meanwhile, we haven’t heard any of the media people in the league Austin has disrespected over the years argue in his defence … Apparently, not all of us have to try and muster some excitement for the Ryder Cup. Have you checked out the size of the crowd and the atmosphere at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota?

SLIDING HOME

Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan has reportedly purchased full ownership of the prestigious Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto. How long before he threatens to move his team north of the border? … Remember last season’s feel-good story of Blue Jays’ Marcus Stroman, who battled back from a serious knee injury (while earning his degree) to miraculously become their playoff Game 1 starter? Twelve months later, Stroman is coming off an 0-5 September, and the stories we hear about him make him sound like a lippy punk … Guy Boucher is a reporter’s dream with his insight, detailed explanations and pleasant demeanour. Dave Cameron was too, before he started to think the media was out to get him and started answering questions with a “yes” or a “no” or a “coach’s decision.” Don’t become that guy, Guy.

LET'S HEAR WHAT SIELOFF HAS TO SAY

We can only assume that Patrick Sieloff is as sympathetic to serious injuries as anyone, because the 22-year-old defenceman has had more than his fair share.

We can only assume, because for some reason the Senators have decided to put a muzzle on him.

What happened, from Sieloff’s point of view, on his high hit that left Clarke MacArthur concussed for the fourth time in less than two years? As Bobby Ryan angrily asked immediately afterwards, what was Sieloff thinking? Did MacArthur unexpectedly turn into him? Did he stumble or miscalculate the check? Was he trying to hit him shoulder on shoulder?

Did he even know it was MacArthur, or about MacArthur’s history of head injuries? Has he reached out to MacArthur since?

These and other questions remain unanswered because the Senators have kept Sieloff away from the media. Hence, he has not been allowed to tell Ottawa his side of the story.

Surely, Sieloff is remorseful.

After being drafted with the second (42nd overall) of two early picks the Calgary Flames acquired from the Buffalo Sabres in 2012, the 6-foot-1, 205-pounder from Superior, Mich., ran into a rash of misfortune.

As an 18-year old OHL rookie with the Windsor Spitfires, he suffered a serious hip issue that ended his season after only 45 games.

He broke his cheekbone the next year, in a pre-season game with the Colorado Avalanche.

The Avalanche sent him to the Abbotsford Heat of the AHL for his first pro season. There, he developed a life-threatening staph infection that shelved him for all but two games.

During those three key developmental seasons, Sieloff missed almost 100 games.

In four years with the Flames organization, he played just one NHL game, last April against Minnesota. Sieloff scored the winning goal.

The Senators had hopes he would become one of their top defenceman in Binghamton when they obtained him in an off-season trade for Alex Chiasson.

They saw Sieloff as a physical blue-liner who, in time, could help them in Ottawa.

But now, after a moment in time he would certainly like to take back, he’ll be assigned to the minors without so much as a pre-season game against another NHL team.

And, unless the muzzle is removed, without so much as a peep.

TOP FIVE SURPRISES OF SENATORS CAMP

1. Derick Brassard

The Senators knew he was good, just not this good. Brassard will be an upgrade from the inconsistent Mika Zibanejad and should give Ottawa two solid scoring lines. The former New York Ranger should also boost linemate Bobby Ryan back over the 30-goal mark.

2. Thomas Chabot

Don’t look now, but the 18th overall pick of the 2015 entry draft is playing his way on to the team, if not making the decision to send him back to junior (Saint John Sea Dogs, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League) a very difficult one. If the season started today, the defenceman wouldn’t be going anywhere.

3. Chris Driedger

After 93 games in the minors, the team’s third-round pick in 2012 is currently ahead of Matt O’Connor and Marcus Hogberg on the organization’s depth chart and right now appears to be the Senators’ goaltender of the future.

4. Phil Varone

When the Senators acquired Varone in a multi-player deal of minor-leaguers with the Buffalo Sabres last February just before the trade deadline, nobody paid much attention. But the 25-year old winger, who is already with his third National Hockey League organization, is starting to look like he could be more than a minor leaguer.

5. Andreas Englund

Ottawa’s first pick (40th overall) in 2014 will start the season in the American Hockey League with Binghamton, but at this camp he is reminding the team of what he will provide with some North American seasoning. That is, a big, strong blueline presence who could turn into one of the top shut down defencemen in the league.