Jared Crozier: Game Day: Florida @ Ottawa

I like the signing on Arron Luchuck He's looking like he could be a very good natural goal scorer and a guy who could be paired with White in the future.

Hopefully Gus comes in soon and develops well.

As for the billboards, I like them for the reason of it shows how passionate of a hockey market we have here in Ottawa.

Going to be at the game tonight. Should I bring my "(frank) Melnyk" sign?

Going to be at the game tonight. Should I bring my "(frank) Melnyk" sign?
- AdamFrench

That’s risky, but you seem like a man who doesn’t shy away from danger.

It seems to me that the defence core has played better since Phaneuf was traded. I think that Harpur is more than capable of replacing him on the second pairing - the guy just needs to become more consistent.

With Montreal, Detroit and Vancouver in free fall, Ottawa looks destined for a finish outside the bottom five this year.

I like the signing on Arron Luchuck He's looking like he could be a very good natural goal scorer and a guy who could be paired with White in the future.

Hopefully Gus comes in soon and develops well.

As for the billboards, I like them for the reason of it shows how passionate of a hockey market we have here in Ottawa.
- Maverick1818

You know what would really show you have a passionate hockey market? If you sold out playoff games or you didn't have to close down a bunch of seats in the arena.

I know this sounds horribly troll-ish and I apologize for that. The thing is the team is not being terribly well supported, for whatever reason (accessibility? Parking?). I definitely agree that you guys need a new owner, but I also think he is not wrong about the lack of support.

It seems to me that the defence core has played better since Phaneuf was traded. I think that Harpur is more than capable of replacing him on the second pairing - the guy just needs to become more consistent.

With Montreal, Detroit and Vancouver in free fall, Ottawa looks destined for a finish outside the bottom five this year.
- SensFan25

Ottawa seems to be actually trying the last few weeks.

The other teams are in full-on tank mode.

That’s risky, but you seem like a man who doesn’t shy away from danger.
- Makesnosens

Probably less risky than bringing my "I love Eugene" sign.

You know what would really show you have a passionate hockey market? If you sold out playoff games or you didn't have to close down a bunch of seats in the arena.

I know this sounds horribly troll-ish and I apologize for that. The thing is the team is not being terribly well supported, for whatever reason (accessibility? Parking?). I definitely agree that you guys need a new owner, but I also think he is not wrong about the lack of support.
- Aetherial

Here is the thing.
#1. The Pens didn't sell out in that series in Pittsburgh either, but no one seems to mention that.
#2. The reason they Sens didn't sell out had nothing to do with support and everything to do with ownership trying to get every cent out of fans as possible while not making a significant investment into the team winning and fans are just getting sick of it.

I actually kind of go the other way. I would much rather no one show up to games until Melnyk sells. Imagine a game being played with not a single fan in attendance.

He can't move the team, Gary Bettman has already said that Ottawa will be sold to a group in Ottawa who plans on keeping it in Ottawa before ever even considering allowing them to move.

Do I think these billboards will actually help get him gone.... No.

I do think they are proof that fans are fed up and he should see that he either needs to sell and move on or start doing things properly

I like the signing on Arron Luchuck He's looking like he could be a very good natural goal scorer and a guy who could be paired with White in the future.

Hopefully Gus comes in soon and develops well.

As for the billboards, I like them for the reason of it shows how passionate of a hockey market we have here in Ottawa.
- Maverick1818

agree

You know what would really show you have a passionate hockey market? If you sold out playoff games or you didn't have to close down a bunch of seats in the arena.

I know this sounds horribly troll-ish and I apologize for that. The thing is the team is not being terribly well supported, for whatever reason (accessibility? Parking?). I definitely agree that you guys need a new owner, but I also think he is not wrong about the lack of support.
- Aetherial

I was about to blast you but I can agree somewhat with your last point, it comes from a good place.

That said, I'd rather have a fan base that is careful about how they spend their money and don't just blindly support a team when their making stupid decisions on the ice.

That said, fans can be fickle and have knee jerk reactions in Ottawa, but their also knowledgeable, passionate, and loyal fans

You know what would really show you have a passionate hockey market? If you sold out playoff games or you didn't have to close down a bunch of seats in the arena.

I know this sounds horribly troll-ish and I apologize for that. The thing is the team is not being terribly well supported, for whatever reason (accessibility? Parking?). I definitely agree that you guys need a new owner, but I also think he is not wrong about the lack of support.
- Aetherial

I don’t take that as trolling, it’s true. There are fans in this city who support this team with whatever they have, and a lot more fair weather fans who only care about the Senators when they’re better than the Leafs/Habs.
A downtown arena would help a lot with accessibility, because getting out to Kanata is a voyage and a half. I hope that with a new arena and major light rail coming, it could make getting to games easier for everyone in the city and expand its in-person fan base to more than just Stittsville, Barrhaven, and Kanata.

Well, I hope it works for you guys, or at least something changes.

The arena and ownership situation are just no good.

I don’t take that as trolling, it’s true. There are fans in this city who support this team with whatever they have, and a lot more fair weather fans who only care about the Senators when they’re better than the Leafs/Habs.
A downtown arena would help a lot with accessibility, because getting out to Kanata is a voyage and a half. I hope that with a new arena and major light rail coming, it could make getting to games easier for everyone in the city and expand its in-person fan base to more than just Stittsville, Barrhaven, and Kanata.
- Makesnosens

I've never found getting to Kanata that bad. I live in Barrhaven/Nepean and drive out there a few days a week.... It's not bad at all. I actually think accessibility will be worse when they move. I'm also willing to bet that since there will be no parking, ticket prices will be way higher.

Where I have an issue is that I work a ton so outside of the money, making it games is hard to book around work. But when you expect to pay so much for a ticket and food etc, and then all the sudden there is added parking and extra's it does get expensive. I have no problem paying but a lot of others simply can't afford it, especially with how crappy our economy is these days and all the new taxes going in.

On top of that pair it with how expensive it is and the team doesn't spend on much scouting, management or spend to the cap on players. That's where I have a problem. It actively shows fans that ownership doesn't care about winning a cup.

Probably less risky than bringing my "I love Eugene" sign.
- AdamFrench

I think if you tote that sign, there’s a good chance you get invited up to the Owners Box. Melnyk might make you pay for your beers when you’re up there though.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/ca...ter-loss-of-son-1.4584574

Prayers for the family.....

My sincerest condolences to Erik Karlson and family on their loss. Some things are bigger than hockey.

You know what would really show you have a passionate hockey market? If you sold out playoff games or you didn't have to close down a bunch of seats in the arena.

I know this sounds horribly troll-ish and I apologize for that. The thing is the team is not being terribly well supported, for whatever reason (accessibility? Parking?). I definitely agree that you guys need a new owner, but I also think he is not wrong about the lack of support.
- Aetherial

Ottawa was right up near the top of the league in attendance just 3 or 4 years ago. The fans passionately supported this team as well as any fan base in the league.

The fans started getting discouraged when fan favorite players started getting chased out of town for financial reasons. Melnyk started blaming fan support for poor profits (despite selling out most games) even though he raised prices on everything (tickets, parking, concessions, etc) and reducing costs (mostly at the expense of player salaries and fan experience)

When an owner is blaming fans for his poor decisions, it gets pretty taxing on the fans

Ottawa was right up near the top of the league in attendance just 3 or 4 years ago. The fans passionately supported this team as well as any fan base in the league.

The fans started getting discouraged when fan favorite players started getting chased out of town for financial reasons. Melnyk started blaming fan support for poor profits (despite selling out most games) even though he raised prices on everything (tickets, parking, concessions, etc) and reducing costs (mostly at the expense of player salaries and fan experience)

When an owner is blaming fans for his poor decisions, it gets pretty taxing on the fans
- sensarmy_11

2011-13 they were 6th in the league back to back seasons. After that they declined to the lower half in the league in attendance

Alfie retired in 2014.....Just doing the math

Poor Eric. .. ..unbelievably sad

2011-13 they were 6th in the league back to back seasons. After that they declined to the lower half in the league in attendance

Alfie retired in 2014.....Just doing the math
- DDM-Coga

Alfie retired in 14 after playing 1 or 2 years in Detroit

Alfie retired in 14 after playing 1 or 2 years in Detroit
- sensarmy_11

He played 1 season in Detroit and it was 2013-14

2012-13 season they were 6th in league attendance while Alfie still played there, 2013-14 they drop to 13th after he leaves bc Eugene wouldnt pay him, and then its been lower half ever since.

just saying its quiet the coincidence or maybe a lot of people shunned the team with how the face of the franchise was treated and peoples dont forget

He played 1 season in Detroit and it was 2013-14

2012-13 season they were 6th in league attendance while Alfie still played there, 2013-14 they drop to 13th after he leaves bc Eugene wouldnt pay him, and then its been lower half ever since.

just saying its quiet the coincidence or maybe a lot of people shunned the team with how the face of the franchise was treated and peoples dont forget
- DDM-Coga

That was my point.....i think we're saying the same thing.

Fans were invested when the owner was invested. When he started playing the "I'm poor" card and blamed the fans for it, while also chasing plates away, that's when fans started staying away

That was my point.....i think we're saying the same thing.

Fans were invested when the owner was invested. When he started playing the "I'm poor" card and blamed the fans for it, while also chasing plates away, that's when fans started staying away
- sensarmy_11

oh I thought you were saying my timeline off...yeah Sens ownership have shot themselves in the foot time and time again, and now cant threaten their fans now with show up t the games or else....what have they done for the fans to show commitment?

Run Alfie out of town bc of money....1 goal from a cup final and what do you do this offseason? Sign Johnny Oduya & Nate Thompson ....They werent willing to compete just find cheap fillers. Not great optics

Wow. This is just the worst news possible.

I hope Karlsson calls it a season and goes to spend time with his wife and family.