Michael Andlauer's first year as Ottawa Senators owner has been full of challenges. But a step forward in the plans for a downtown arena is a long-awaited positive sign.

The NHL's Ottawa Senators have an agreement to build a new arena downtown in Canada's capital. The team and the National Capital Commission announced it at a news conference Friday to beat the deadline to make a deal.

The Ottawa Senators and the National Capital Commission (NCC) have reached an agreement in principle regarding the sale of a 10-acre parcel of land in Ottawa on Friday, the next step toward building a new downtown arena for the team in the LeBreton Flats district.