Travis Yost: This Organization is Draining

No doubt, Melnyk is a lousy drunk who's done damage to this team, for sure.

There are a few good pieces to build off of, but if they're not willing to spend to the cap, then as a Cdn team I find that shameful.

you can't help but feel for the fans in Ottawa as they deserve better than this. to see every other Canadian team with the cash and willingness to invest in players right up to the cap, and have to deal with their owner's self-imposed restrictions, not to mention his outright insulting insinuations about the team's finances. i wonder what the feeling is in Gary Bettman's office about this, and how deep their knowledge of Melnyk's and the team's finances is. would be interesting to see someone cash-rich step up and indicate an interest in buying the team and building from him. then you'd see a poop storm in Ottawa.

Eugene Melnyk has done exactly what he told everyone he was going to do last fall. Now that he is moments away from a full financial restructuring of the enterprise people are beginning to ask what is happening.

Even though this might seem painful to fans, the franchise never looked better in terms of a buyer, investor or creditor determining the scope for a comprehensive restructure.

This is not the end of the story, it is the beginning of a story. I was certain the team would be sold last fall. The books have been cleaned, they are ready for examination.

IF the Sens are in some sort of unplanned Phase II of a rebuild, then they should just come out and say it, rather than throwing their captain under the bus..... or perhaps that will be revealed if they do pull the trigger on a Spezza trade

I still think they can improve with the first line intact - they may not be a cup contender, but they could make the play-offs.

Murray is sure that he has a young core of defensemen that his is going to allow to mature on the fly ..... they should reach their potential in 2,3,4 years depending on the individual.....

meanwhile the forward ranks could use the insulation of that top line to mature (Turris, Zbad, Peumpel, Stone, Lazar, etc.) all need one, 2, 3 years of maturing themselves.

Can they convince Spezza to take a four year deal - personally I think so, but others disagree.

Singing Spezza to four years, Hemsky to 6-7 years and Michalek to 3 years falls in line with the rebuild.

If they can get Spezza signed to a reasonable contract, the other two pieces fall in place - if not.... I fear the team takes a big step back.

IF the Sens are in some sort of unplanned Phase II of a rebuild, then they should just come out and say it, rather than throwing their captain under the bus..... or perhaps that will be revealed if they do pull the trigger on a Spezza trade

I still think they can improve with the first line intact - they may not be a cup contender, but they could make the play-offs.

Murray is sure that he has a young core of defensemen that his is going to allow to mature on the fly ..... they should reach their potential in 2,3,4 years depending on the individual.....

meanwhile the forward ranks could use the insulation of that top line to mature (Turris, Zbad, Peumpel, Stone, Lazar, etc.) all need one, 2, 3 years of maturing themselves.

Can they convince Spezza to take a four year deal - personally I think so, but others disagree.

Singing Spezza to four years, Hemsky to 6-7 years and Michalek to 3 years falls in line with the rebuild.

If they can get Spezza signed to a reasonable contract, the other two pieces fall in place - if not.... I fear the team takes a big step back.
- GadesnSens

Signing Hemsky to a contract longer than 4 years is insanity. Solid player but a small sample outside of Edmonton and he's not exactly durable.

IF the Sens are in some sort of unplanned Phase II of a rebuild, then they should just come out and say it, rather than throwing their captain under the bus..... or perhaps that will be revealed if they do pull the trigger on a Spezza trade

I still think they can improve with the first line intact - they may not be a cup contender, but they could make the play-offs.

Murray is sure that he has a young core of defensemen that his is going to allow to mature on the fly ..... they should reach their potential in 2,3,4 years depending on the individual.....

meanwhile the forward ranks could use the insulation of that top line to mature (Turris, Zbad, Peumpel, Stone, Lazar, etc.) all need one, 2, 3 years of maturing themselves.

Can they convince Spezza to take a four year deal - personally I think so, but others disagree.

Singing Spezza to four years, Hemsky to 6-7 years and Michalek to 3 years falls in line with the rebuild.

If they can get Spezza signed to a reasonable contract, the other two pieces fall in place - if not.... I fear the team takes a big step back.
- GadesnSens

Take it from an Oiler fan. I would be incredibly hesitant to signing Hemsky long term like that. At the very most I would consider a 3-4 year term as well. Wait until he plays for you a full season to see what kind of player you have.

Take it from an Oiler fan. I would be incredibly hesitant to signing Hemsky long term like that. At the very most I would consider a 3-4 year term as well. Wait until he plays for you a full season to see what kind of player you have.
- freelancer

I agree. Better to trade the negotiation rights to the team wanting to trade for Spezza. Several people have suggested that Spezza and Hemsky is a nice fit for Anahiem as replacement for Koivu and Sellanne.

Melnyk sucks.

We will never win the cup with Melnyk

In fact, we will never make the playoffs again with Melnyk as owner.

Bottom 5 team coming up next season and for the years to come.

Travis Yost: This Organization is Draining
- Travis Yost

It's just complete incompetence, from Uncle Euge straight down to the PR stiffs.

Our social media presence is dull and predictable, our attempts at entrances/PR stunts are pathetic and embarassing, and the way they handled Alfredsson will be a black eye on the franchise for years.

I suppose you can't expect much better when you're hardly spending anything on staff (despite Melnyks protestations, when you're in the bottom third of the league in promotional/scouting/coaching/training staff, there's no way you're spending among the most), you're going to get poor results.

Look, if they really do want to save money right now, either because it is helping the franchise recover from Melnyk's own abuse of the finances, or because they plan to sell, that's fine.

Just come out and say look, we've spent a lot of money. We looked at our roster, and decided we don't yet have what it takes to contend until our young guys fully mature. What we're going to do is move out any expensive players who don't fit into the age group we feel is our core going forward, and that includes Alfie and Spezza.

That would still be a half-assed explanation, but it would be swallowable for most fans and understandable given the average age of the team without 19/25/4 would be about 22.

If Ootawa resigns Spezza and Hemsky they are likely putting an extra $13m on the books for this comi g year and searching for ways to resign Ryan, MacArthur, Methot and Anderson for next year.

Not a huge Melnyk fan. But totally support the apparant decision to shop Spezza. This is a very good young team and keeping Spezza just does not make any sense.

Tor: Spezza, Greening
Ott: Fred Gauthier, 8th overall

Tor: Spezza, Greening
Ott: Fred Gauthier, 8th overall
- tuna99

If Nonis makes a trade for Spezza I will be severely disappointed. Hopefully he's smart enough just to throw his hat in the ring when Spezza becomes a UFA.

I do hope the best for you guys going forward, rivalries are always better when teams are talented. We both may be looking at some dark years on the horizon.

If Nonis makes a trade for Spezza I will be severely disappointed. Hopefully he's smart enough just to throw his hat in the ring when Spezza becomes a UFA.

I do hope the best for you guys going forward, rivalries are always better when teams are talented. We both may be looking at some dark years on the horizon.
- BetterCallSaul

Spezza's injury history is a real issue.

If he wants to come here it should be via UFA.

Tor: Spezza, Greening
Ott: Fred Gauthier, 8th overall
- tuna99

That's just silly.

We'll give you Dion and Biggs and a conditional 1st next year if we make the playoffs.

Melnyk has told us what he wants. He says he has paper losses of $10m per year for 11 years. So, he is likely looking for $100m in his pocket (tax free). Don't know but the minutes probably records him as having $100m in shareholders loans outstanding. The remainder of the debt can be restructured by the new owner and the franchise is on a solid footing for a long time.

Had the Casino approval come through all of this (in some form) would already be resolved. But, we go through another summer where the issue is not the composition of the team. It is about making the books attractive to a prospective buyer.

Remember, Melnyk is the same guy who flew the Eagles into Ottawa for a free evening concert for Senator season ticket holders to celebrate his purchase of the team. The world loves a buyer. Everyone dislikes the seller. But, right now, Ottawa fans should invest their energy into encouraging Melnyk is able to find a good sale, quickly.

If Nonis makes a trade for Spezza I will be severely disappointed. Hopefully he's smart enough just to throw his hat in the ring when Spezza becomes a UFA.

I do hope the best for you guys going forward, rivalries are always better when teams are talented. We both may be looking at some dark years on the horizon.
- BetterCallSaul

I have seen Spezza as a negative for several years. Ottawa is a very good, young team. Spezza leaving will not be a negative on their performance.

If Ootawa resigns Spezza and Hemsky they are likely putting an extra $13m on the books for this comi g year and searching for ways to resign Ryan, MacArthur, Methot and Anderson for next year.

Not a huge Melnyk fan. But totally support the apparant decision to shop Spezza. This is a very good young team and keeping Spezza just does not make any sense.
- spatso

seriously?

seriously?
- DoubleDown

Seriously,Zbad,KT,Ryan,EK ,Cowen ,Lehner ,Lazar.etc .Seems like a pretty good young core to me

That's just silly.

We'll give you Dion and Biggs and a conditional 1st next year if we make the playoffs.
- AngryWhiteMale

not to mention Toronto can't just take on that salary without shedding any in return.

I have said many times that I want Spezza to be traded.

Thing is, his situation is being handled horribly. The guy deserves a more from management/ownership than to be ripped apart.

Not only that, but talking like this is only going to devalue him on the trade market.

I have said many times that I want Spezza to be traded.

Thing is, his situation is being handled horribly. The guy deserves a more from management/ownership than to be ripped apart.

Not only that, but talking like this is only going to devalue him on the trade market.
- Charliebox

To me its whats best for both player and team ,i still love the player so do many in ottawa .I would love to see him rip it up on another team

I have seen Spezza as a negative for several years. Ottawa is a very good, young team. Spezza leaving will not be a negative on their performance.
- spatso

What happens if you lose both Spezza and Ryan though? I like some of your prospects/young players but the Senators are in the same boat as the Leafs, there's nothing elite in the pipeline.

sens fans deserve better!

What happens if you lose both Spezza and Ryan though? I like some of your prospects/young players but the Senators are in the same boat as the Leafs, there's nothing elite in the pipeline.
- BetterCallSaul

Not happening ,Ryan has already stated he will be back in ottawa to get his contract done .As for elite prospects ,we have enough youth on the nhl roster .We need to get better veterans to surround them with