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Game Day: NYR @ Ottawa; Melnyk to become CEO

February 17, 2018, 7:09 AM ET [29 Comments]
Jared Crozier
Ottawa Senators Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Senators fans are either waking up to their worst nightmare, or fell asleep having read the news and are waking up hoping that it was just a nightmare and not reality.

But, if the rumors that surfaced late Friday afternoon are true, Eugene Melnyk is about to become more hands-on than than he has been in the past, and instead of replacing recently departed President and CEO Tom Anselmi he is taking over the role himself, including setting up an Ottawa office.

For those, including yours truly, who feel a certain level of embarrassment almost every time Melnyk opens his yap, this is a concerning turn of events and I am not sure what good could possibly come of this decision.

Yes, Melnyk rescued the franchise from bankruptcy years ago and has to be credited with that, but has used up that goodwill and in the years since he took ownership it has been largely a case of one bad decision after another, both on and off the ice. That includes numerous occasions where he made himself and the franchise a laughingstock (forensic investigation anyone?) or served to alienate his own fan base (December's threats to move the team if he didn't get more fan support)

Just when you think things can't get any worse this season as a Sens' fan, Melnyk jumps off his couch and says "hold my beer."

That is a worry for the future, but this afternoon there is a game to be played and Ottawa will host a similarly struggling Rangers squad. The Rangers have lost their last 2 games and nine of their last 12, sinking to the bottom of the Metropolitan Divison, and with the Islanders winning back to back games over the Rangers and Canes on Thursday and Friday, the Rangers are five points back.

There are trade rumours surrounding a number of Rangers' players, most notably Rick Nash, Ryan McDonagh, Michael Grabner and Nick Holden, who are all on TSN's Tradebait list.

The Rangers have been hit hard by the injury bug, with Chris Kreider, Marc Staal, and Kevin Shattenkirk out and McDonagh and Pavel Buchnevich questionable for this afternoon's matchup.

Ottawa made some roster moves of their own, sending Colin White to Belleville and recalling Max McCormick. The move makes since if White was going to be on the 4th line playing less than 10 minutes like he did on Thursday, he will get ample playing time in the AHL and develop better.

Craig Anderson will start for the Senators, facing Henrik Lundqvist in the Rangers net. Anderson stopped 23 of 25 shots in the OT win on Thursday night against the Sabres.
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