This thread got out of hand fast. If you are a billionaire, there is certainly a chance that you have done something a little crooked. It's just how it works, whether its actual illegal stuff or screwing over other people. You don't normally get super rich by being nice and honest. you've probably made a few enemies along the way. It's just the way it is.

Personally, my biggest beef about Melnyk is his mouth. I don't think anyone can disagree with that. I fear if he looses the bid today, we might be having weeks of ridiculous quotes from the man and how the city is crazy.

I'd like to have an owner who just sits behind the scenes and pay the bills. Sure they can have an input, but not to the extent Melnyk goes to. Owners should not be making on ice decisions.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

You can't prove that.

You can't prove that.
- TheCalSen

i'm assuming he meant roster decisions and decisions on coaches....not actual lineup decisions.

You can't prove that.
- TheCalSen

Signing Kovalev, Gerber, etc? Being cheap with Alfie? The well documented disappointed that we never had Gary Roberts in a Sens uni? Going to Dollarama for coaches? Complaining about starting a back up goalies months after the fact?

I didn't mean line per line decisions. Decisions on the roster that is iced. He should trust his GM and coaches to make those moves.

you mean you never thought about melnyk when you had to watch alfredsson in a red wings jersey because the owner low balled him on a deal?
- sensarmy_11[/quote[]
NO

you never thought about melnyk when you see chiasson on the ice instead of spezza because he wanted out of ottawa because the team wasn't willing to spend to win?

NO

you never think about melnyk when ottawa has to give up extra draft picks in trades so that other teams will eat salary (hemsky trade)

NO

you never think about melnyk when he goes in front of a camera and blasts decisions made by people that he forced management to hire.......or pretty much anytime he goes in front of hte camera, because he comes off looking like an idiot pretty much every time.

If you go over what I wrote, I clearly said that this was basically the only time I think of him.

if the fact that you're entertained on most nights and that the team isn't on the verge of bankruptcy (even though melnyk seems to imply they are pretty regularly) is enough to make you happy.....fine, good for you man. most fans probably want a little more, especially when we're paying (for a family of 4) about 300$-400$ a game to go watch this team........if we want to sit in the nosebleeds.

Overall, yes, I am happy to sit back and enjoy watching them play. Would I like to see them go farther and win a cup? Absolutely. Can I control or contribute to any part of the teams success, or do anything to stifle Eugene's remarks or involvement? NO
You have the option of saving your money and showing your disapproval of Melnyk by refusing to shell out $300-$400 to attend a game. Maybe if you focused more on things you can control and obsess less about Melnyk, you'd enjoy the game a whole lot more. Oh yeah... even if Eugene went on a spending spree, fans would still want more... we always do.

[quote=sensarmy_11]you mean you never thought about melnyk when you had to watch alfredsson in a red wings jersey because the owner low balled him on a deal?
- legs37[/quote[]
NO


NO


NO


If you go over what I wrote, I clearly said that this was basically the only time I think of him.


Overall, yes, I am happy to sit back and enjoy watching them play. Would I like to see them go farther and win a cup? Absolutely. Can I control or contribute to any part of the teams success, or do anything to stifle Eugene's remarks or involvement? NO
You have the option of saving your money and showing your disapproval of Melnyk by refusing to shell out $300-$400 to attend a game. Maybe if you focused more on things you can control and obsess less about Melnyk, you'd enjoy the game a whole lot more. Oh yeah... even if Eugene went on a spending spree, fans would still want more... we always do.

(frank) man......i wish i lived in your little dream world where everything was perfect.

(frank) man......i wish i lived in your little dream world where everything was perfect.
- sensarmy_11

yeah me too! I'm too much of a fan I guess...But that's what owners want as we are the ones that spend thousands and thousands of $$$ every year!

yeah me too! I'm too much of a fan I guess...But that's what owners want as we are the ones that spends thousands and thousands of $$$ every year!
- Raven33

i only hit games a couple of times a year now when i come home for the holidays........i'd probably be 10 times more pissed if i was still a STH.

i'm fairly certain that most melnyk lovers here watches games from their living rooms and never actually spend any money on this team

[quote=sensarmy_11]you mean you never thought about melnyk when you had to watch alfredsson in a red wings jersey because the owner low balled him on a deal?
- legs37[/quote[]
NO


NO


NO


If you go over what I wrote, I clearly said that this was basically the only time I think of him.


Overall, yes, I am happy to sit back and enjoy watching them play. Would I like to see them go farther and win a cup? Absolutely. Can I control or contribute to any part of the teams success, or do anything to stifle Eugene's remarks or involvement? NO
You have the option of saving your money and showing your disapproval of Melnyk by refusing to shell out $300-$400 to attend a game. Maybe if you focused more on things you can control and obsess less about Melnyk, you'd enjoy the game a whole lot more. Oh yeah... even if Eugene went on a spending spree, fans would still want more... we always do.

I think you can still enjoy the on-ice product and be skeptical about ownership. I remember back in the bankruptcy days with Bryden, people were still enjoying the games. Granted, our team was in a better place roster-wise, but even so.

Most people here are hardcore fans. We look into more things than the average fan, that includes ownership. As a hardcore fan, you can't ignore the fact it's directly caused some of the moves made over the years.

For me, the ownership stuff doesn't make me enjoy the games any less. It does create a bit of uncertainly and "what if" scenarios, but for the most part, the budget stuff is ok in my mind. It's the stuff that is said publicly that most people have a problem with. Complaining about coaches decisions and team performance year after year without making significant financial contributions to the existing roster is problematic.

All-in-all, if you don't like the ownership situation, that's fine and acceptable. There is evidence to back that up. If you do like the ownership situation, that's fine and acceptable. There is also evidence to back that up. However, even with differing opinions on this matter, fans can still enjoy the actual on ice product or throw their beer bottles at their TV every time Chaisson flubs up. That's why we are fans, the other stuff is just stuff to talk about while we kill time at work/school or hide from wives/girlfriends/kids.

They just announced that the Rendez-Vous (Melnyk) bid won the recommendation...

Sens say they are planning to play the 2021 season in Lebreton Flatts!

The Senators and Melnyk's bid has won the recommendation by the committee and will have sole negotiation rights with the NCC ahead of final approval.

The Senators and Melnyk's bid has won the recommendation by the committee and will have sole negotiation rights with the NCC ahead of final approval.
- JaredCrozier

Guess Melnyk is here to stay!

Guess Melnyk is here to stay!
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Looks like it...I hope he stops being afraid to pony $$$ now or accepts to take partners if needed...or else, the next 5 years until they move, he'll be so cash-strap that we'll lose all our top players! #Karlsson

Any word on if any public money will be used on this arena?

Looks like it...I hope he stops being afraid to pony $$$ now or accepts to take partners if needed...or else, the next 5 years until they move, he'll be so cash-strap that we'll lose all our top players! #Karlsson
- Raven33

It will be interesting. Karlsson needs a new contract come the 2019/2020 season. Would certainly be a downer to play in a new stadium a season removed from loosing your franchise players. However, the roster in general will be looking very different by 2020 anyway one way or another.

It will be interesting. Karlsson needs a new contract come the 2019/2020 season. Would certainly be a downer to play in a new stadium a season removed from loosing your franchise players. However, the roster in general will be looking very different by 2020 anyway one way or another.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

indeed, as you say, my biggest concern roster-wise is Karlsson...We can't afford to lose him; especially if they are planning that big unveil a year or so later...

Why, WHY!!!!!!! are we stuck with Eugene Mc Cheapo!

He's going to slowly bleed this franchise to death. He's a child that cries to mommy when he doesn't get his way. I bet you if his bid hadn't gone through he would be in front of a bank of TV cameras crying foul on it all.

He's nothing but a cheap crook who mismanaged his Pharma company and refuses to give the team the tools it needs to win. The fans are basically stuck watching a one legged team in an A$$ kicking contest every season.

I was so hopeful that DEVCORE was going to win and some guys with real money were going to be able to pull the team from Melynk's dying grasp.

Well fans, buckle in for another several years of mediocrity.

Oh man this is going to be painful.

Lucrative TV deal and guarantee (pretty much) of a new arena. Better never hear the (frank)ing word budget come out of his mouth again

You keep saying "legitimately" like somehow your take on the issue is more valid than someone else's. Being linked to an investigation does not equal being guilty. Look up our justice system sometime, there's something called the presumption of innocence that seems to be important or something...

Yes, I legitimately think he has been a good owner for Ottawa. He did better than the previous owners and has done a lot for the community since coming here. If that's an insane take, then guilty as charged Mr. Bitterman.
- jaz258

Ya the way he treated Aflie was just top notch. Same goes with hurdling his coach under the bus with 2 weeks left in the season.

The guy is Jerry Jones without the money. Loudmouth owner who constanstly makes excuses to spend then complains when the team doesn't play well. His end goal each season is that Ottawa finishes 8th in the conference so he gets a couple playoff gates.

The team will forever be in mediocrity with him at the helm. Saddened to hear he won the bid today but I have faith that his former business will continue to fail and he will eventually be forced to sell.

Told you Melnyk would win. No 1 in the right mind was going to award a bid to a group that didn't have the major tenant. This building was to house the Senators & Melnyk has made his position clear. He owns the Senators & isn't selling.

Melnyk saved the Senators & has had to live with the mistakes made by previous ownership & all levels of government.

I wish you all had to own & operate your own business's & see how much you might like the concept of running a business at a loss which many of you think Melnyk should be prepared to do. Melnyk refuses to & good on him. Hockey operations should be funded from hockey operations.

Anaheim & Nashville both have lower payrolls than Ott this season. NYI & Flo nominally more. What ails Ottawa isn't just financially related. This team has been mismanaged & miscoached for years. Blame Melnyk if you like but if not for Melnyk you would be fans of a different team.

Told you Melnyk would win. No 1 in the right mind was going to award a bid to a group that didn't have the major tenant. This building was to house the Senators & Melnyk has made his position clear. He owns the Senators & isn't selling.

Melnyk saved the Senators & has had to live with the mistakes made by previous ownership & all levels of government.

I wish you all had to own & operate your own business's & see how much you might like the concept of running a business at a loss which many of you think Melnyk should be prepared to do. Melnyk refuses to & good on him. Hockey operations should be funded from hockey operations.

Anaheim & Nashville both have lower payrolls than Ott this season. NYI & Flo nominally more. What ails Ottawa isn't just financially related. This team has been mismanaged & miscoached for years. Blame Melnyk if you like but if not for Melnyk you would be fans of a different team.
- striker777

Owning a profesional sports team and owning a mom and pop shop are a bit different. Just because someone doesn't own a business or a sports team, doesn't mean they don't know how they work. You do sometimes have to put money into something in order for it to become better. Take a loss initially to become more successful in the long run.

The Nashville and Anaheim examples are fine, but do take a look at some of their players who are due for significant raises. I am in total agreement that you don't necessarily have to spend close to the cap to be a contender, but in certain instances, it certainly helps.

Personally, I didn't see a whole lot of difference between the bids. I felt the other bid was more exciting, but your point is right, having the Senators guaranteed (if all goes to plan) to play there, it's easy to give the Melnyk group the go ahead. I'm hopeful that the new set up will generate more revenue for the team, but just like any business, it's no guarantee until you actually see the money come in.

You mention the previous ownership and their mistakes. Obviously, Melnyk is doing better than the Bryden group. Is it naive to think another person/group could do even better than Melnyk? Just a thought. Important to be a little objective regarding this issue.

Today was a defining day for the Sens ownership for the foreseeable future. It started off great (saving the team from relocation) but has gone through a little bit of a bumpy patch of late (Alfie situation, Melnyks other ventures failing, crying poor, calling out coaches, etc). However, it certainly seems more positive of late. The summer should be interesting to see how it progresses or regresses.

Melnyk bought the Senators in 2003 when the dollar last sucked. Had he not stepped up The Senators would have be playing in the US now. No 1 else wanted to buy them in Ottawa or Canada nor would the NHL stepped in like in Arizona the 18th largest TV market in the US but to also screw out a potential rival bidder & former Blackberry owner buying them in receivership.

I own my own business, I have close to 25 full time employee's in 7 countries & at any given time 100's of contracted workers. We work in the petroleum industry & provide a variety of services, consulting, geological exploration, market research what have you. I have almost been forced into bankruptcy twice over the last 25 years & if not firmly established now this market cycle would have killed me. I'm not running my business at a loss for the benefit of my employee's, customers or the general public nor should anyone including Melnyk.

The Senators got stuck out in the middle of no where before Melnyk bought this team. No government support from the Federal, Provincial or Municipal governments was provided. The Feds & Provincial governments even forced the Senators back then to pay for their on off ramps. 10's of millions of dollars!

This new project is going to come with a ton of public funding in some way. The benefit to all levels of government is substantial & there is going to be a huge uproar when that happens but that's how it works. This creates local jobs & brings huge revenue to all levels of government through a multitude of sources. The new revenue streams will be significant but that's still 6 years away.

Melnyk is a smart man. I don't like him either but I don't female dog he should do this or that. It's his team, he owns it, if you don't like it stop supporting them & there by him. 18,084 people showed up on average this season. In 2014-15 having made the playoffs the Senators made over 14 million dollars. This year that # drops substantially. Probably by close to 10 due to the lost playoff gate revenue, the Canadian dollar & higher operating costs.

The Senators are a young team really & salaries are going up next season unless they jettison Hoffman. Hoffman & Ceci are both due huge raises & Ottawa needs to add 2 Dman for the 5 & 6 spots if they want any hope of making the playoffs next season.

Melnyk is a smart man. I don't like him either but I don't female dog he should do this or that. It's his team, he owns it, if you don't like it stop supporting them & there by him. 18,084 people showed up on average this season. In 2014-15 having made the playoffs the Senators made over 14 million dollars. This year that # drops substantially. Probably by close to 10 due to the lost playoff gate revenue, the Canadian dollar & higher operating costs.
- striker777

This is a democracy and it is our right to female dog all we want. We can still support the team too if we choose to do so.
Melnyk did put up the cash in the early 2000's to keep the team in Ottawa which is recognized and appreciated by most fans. However he has often been cheap, done and said stupid things which make us cringe. It is completely our right to call him out on that. If fans openly wish for a Terry Pegula type owner (Buffalo Sabres) for whom money is not an issue, it is understandable.
Personally, I've seen and heard enough from Melnyk and would be very happy to see a change in ownership. In the meantime, I'll hope that Dorion can pull off some miracles with the tight budget he is given.

Selke nominees....Kesler, bergeron, Kopitar.

Anyone else think it's a bit of a joke that stone isnt nominated for this? Led league in takeaways, double the 2nd place guy.

How hilarious would it be if we hire Boudreau, and he brings MacLean back as his assistant.


- TheCalSen

Selke nominees....Kesler, bergeron, Kopitar.

Anyone else think it's a bit of a joke that stone isnt nominated for this? Led league in takeaways, double the 2nd place guy.
- sensarmy_11

ya......but kinda hard to sell a guy when he's -4 on the season.

I see your point though