Jared Crozier: Thoughts with Karlsson; Sens lay an egg; Do Melnyk's arguments hold water

Condolences to Erik and his wife. Sad news for any expecting parents.

Very good read Jared.

That sums up a lot of Senators fans feelings I think. Like it or lump it, it’s Melnyk’s team and he may do with it as he pleases.

Condolences to Erik and his wife. Sad news for any expecting parents.
- landros 2

And grandparents and other family members.

Grief is hard for everyone. Having to deal with grief in the forefront of the publc eye is even more difficult. i am certain and proud of the respect that the Ottawa community will show the Karlsson family at this time.

I hope the fans complain so much that they move the team. Sens have had a much better run the past decade compared to the leafs, and you dont see us calling for new owners.

I hope the fans complain so much that they move the team. Sens have had a much better run the past decade compared to the leafs, and you dont see us calling for new owners.
- Holy_Makinaw99

Because your owners spend money and don't constantly and purposefully antagonize the fan base.

Not an apt comparison

I hope the fans complain so much that they move the team. Sens have had a much better run the past decade compared to the leafs, and you dont see us calling for new owners.
- Holy_Makinaw99

you obviously aren't old enough to remember Harold Ballard, are you?

That is almost the level Sens fans are at now.

I hope the fans complain so much that they move the team. Sens have had a much better run the past decade compared to the leafs, and you dont see us calling for new owners.
- Holy_Makinaw99

Oh and don't forget you don't actually have to go to games. It's easy to sit behind your keyboard and talk down to other teams when you don't actually have to pay any money. Corporate Canada sells out your building and you Leaf fans act all superior.

"top 10 (or just outside) in attendance and at or near 100% capacity between the 2005-06 and 2012-13 seasons, before the Alfredsson fiasco turned a few fans off and started the current downward trend."
I think the issue here is that when the team is good fans come to watch, but are complete no shows when the team struggles. I get that ppl don't want to pay to see their team lose, but there are other smaller markets that still give good attendance numbers, even if the product is not that great.

Look at the Sabres as a great example, the on ice product for the last 4-5 years has been pretty awful but Buffalo does no worse than 15th in attendance since 2009, that includes two tank seasons.

Whatever the reason is, Ottawa fans are fair-weather, they only care when the team is doing good. I agree Melnyk has done lots of wrong in being cheap, but the fans need to support the team continuously, not just when they are making a playoff run.

Also condolences to the Karlsson family, terrible news to hear.

"top 10 (or just outside) in attendance and at or near 100% capacity between the 2005-06 and 2012-13 seasons, before the Alfredsson fiasco turned a few fans off and started the current downward trend."
I think the issue here is that when the team is good fans come to watch, but are complete no shows when the team struggles. I get that ppl don't want to pay to see their team lose, but there are other smaller markets that still give good attendance numbers, even if the product is not that great.

Look at the Sabres as a great example, the on ice product for the last 4-5 years has been pretty awful but Buffalo does no worse than 15th in attendance since 2009, that includes two tank seasons.

Whatever the reason is, Ottawa fans are fair-weather, they only care when the team is doing good. I agree Melnyk has done lots of wrong in being cheap, but the fans need to support the team continuously, not just when they are making a playoff run.

Also condolences to the Karlsson family, terrible news to hear.
- Sabres1523

I wouldn't call them fairweather - their just fickle at times (they care but can be upset or panic easily. Be this time their right non the money - owner took it too far)

I hope the fans complain so much that they move the team. Sens have had a much better run the past decade compared to the leafs, and you dont see us calling for new owners.
- Holy_Makinaw99

Leaf fans did for years.

The difference was that even when you guys sucked, ownership was still spending the money and actually putting in a effort.

Melnyk doesn't care about winning, he cares abut money. That's not how you run a team.

Leaf fans did for years.

The difference was that even when you guys sucked, ownership was still spending the money and actually putting in a effort.

Melnyk doesn't care about winning, he cares abut money. That's not how you run a team.
- Maverick1818

This point cant really be argued, spot on.

This point cant really be argued, spot on.
- Sabres1523

Not even just a team, any business. If you alienate your customers, they wont support you. It's that simple.

"Look at the Sabres as a great example, the on ice product for the last 4-5 years has been pretty awful but Buffalo does no worse than 15th in attendance since 2009, that includes two tank seasons.

Whatever the reason is, Ottawa fans are fair-weather, they only care when the team is doing good. I agree Melnyk has done lots of wrong in being cheap, but the fans need to support the team continuously, not just when they are making a playoff run."


You provided a great example in Buffalo....a great example that proves what Ottawa fans are trying to say.

Buffalo sells out because tickets are cheaper than in Ottawa. The owner in Buffalo wants the stadium full. This results in an operating income loss of 10-20 million per year. Pegula pays off the loss and funds the player budget because what is important to him is a full stadium and a winning team. He's a great owner and you are lucky to have him.

The owner in Ottawa's first priority is making money. An operating income loss is not an option because he doesn't have the cash to cover the loss.


The fact is that Ottawa PAID attendance hasn't actually changed over the years. What changed is Melnyk deciding a few years ago that no tickets should be given away free to the community to fill the stadium. He wanted to increase ticket prices and stop the giveaways to make more money. The result is going from a top 10 attendance to a bottom 10 attendance even though revenues have steadily increased. Yes, that part is very under-reported. This would happen in any market. It's simple supply and demand.

Look at the Bill Wirtz era in Chicago. Melnyk is making pretty much all the same moves.

well on the plus side tonight is a win win for Ottawa, either Buffalo and Arizona are getting points lol

Hopefully it goes to a shootout

Melnyk isnt the only responsible for the mess with the Sens.

Ottawa is a weird market, because the arena is far away from the downtown and you need to drive maybe 20 min. on the highway to go to the arena. By the bus, its maybe 1 hour to get there. It could be more longer in the rushhour.

Sens fans are weird too, because when the team is in the playoffs or is very competitive like last year, the arena is never sellout and you can see a lot of empty seats in some sections. With the possibility of important changes on the roster this summer, the fans are now more concerned by the situation of their team than they were last year. So, before paying for billboards asking for Melnyk out, Sens fans should instead support the team to help the owner. Im sure the situation would be better than the mess they are living with right now.

Melnyk isnt the only responsible for the mess with the Sens. Ottawa is a weird market, because the arena is far away from the downtown and you need to drive maybe 20 min. on the highway to go to the arena. By the bus, its maybe 1 hour to get there. It could be more longer in the rushhour. Sens fans are weird too, because when the team is in the playoffs or is very competitive like last year, the arena is never sellout and you can see a lot of empty seats in some sections. With the possibility of important changes on the roster this summer, the fans are now more concerned by the situation of their team than they were last year. So, before paying for billboards asking for Melnyk out, Sens fans should instead go to the games and support the team to help the owner. Im sure the situation would be better than the mess they are living with right now.
- batman8990

Soooo the arena is in a weird location and hard to get to for a lot of people but they should go to the games.

There's plenty of support for this team. People are tired of the owner screaming poor to average Joes. Bryden did it when he was owner and Melnyk is doing the same thing, but cutting into organization staff too. I've never seen a ownership call out fans as much as the ones the Sens have had. It's pathetic to see billionaires rip on thousandaires.

The billboard thing won't accomplish squat. The push to get the new downtown arena built should be the focus. Easier location to get to and opportunity for extra non-hockey revenue.