EDIT:
Updated statement from the Senators:
Sens issue updated statement on Randy Lee situation. pic.twitter.com/6ckNMyJYpu
— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) June 1, 2018
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I’ve been saying this for months, but everything involving the Ottawa Senators organization right now is an absolute circus. Which is ironic, because there was a rumour today about the Senators potentially being owned by a Cirque group in the near future:
1- Heavy Rumour Circulating in Financial Circle here in #Ottawa#Sens owner #MelnykOut and NHL worked on a bridge loan.
— X 🏒 - Mike Smith (@projectsmith) June 1, 2018
Payroll couldn’t be met. NHL bridges the loan based on Cirque ownership around the corner. @AlderLaneeggs
For fans that know who he is, I don’t think many of them are happy with the job that assistant GM Randy Lee has done. He has been the GM of the Belleville/Binghamton Senators since part-way through the 2013-14 season, and the only season they made the playoffs was his first half season. The former strength and conditioning coach is Pierre Dorion’s right-hand man, but he doesn’t seem very good at identifying talent.
Today’s news made Lee even more of a target, and for good reason. It was reported that Lee was arrested on harassment charges, with the maximum penalty being a ~$250 fine and 15 days in jail, although he is not expected to receive jail time. Here are the main points according to Ian Mendes:
Police investigated and arrested Lee at Westin Hotel.
— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) June 1, 2018
They were concerned he was a flight risk and took his passport.
He could face fine in area of $250. Not expecting jail time to come from this.
Alcohol not suspected to be a factor.
Hearing set for Monday.
Yes, if this is the extent of his harassment, then there are worse things that he could have done, but that doesn’t diminish his actions. In fact, Travis Yost is reporting that it might have actually been even worse than the initial reports are saying:
Believe the Randy Lee story, from witness accounts, are a little more foul than initially reported. Assuming more information will roll in to the public sphere over the next 24..
— Travis Yost (@travisyost) June 1, 2018
This next part is crucial to understand, so read everything before getting angry. I don’t want to accuse Lee of doing anything more than he is actually accused of, although Manny Perry brings up an interesting point regarding his relationship with prospects:
It bears mentioning that Lee has been working directly with Senators prospects for many years so I really hope this charge isn't indicative of a bigger pattern of inappropriate conduct.
— manny (@MannyElk) June 1, 2018
Shortly after the reports came out, the Senators released a statement on the matter and they are looking into it:
.@sportingnewsca #Sens issue a statement relating to AGM Randy Lee's alleged incident Thursday in Buffalo. pic.twitter.com/eISV5QrJ6K
— Murray Pam (@Pammerhockey) June 1, 2018
On the other hand, I hope that they pleasantly surprise me and let him go. He should have been fired for his job performance already, but if you really want to set an example for zero tolerance, then this would be a good place to start. I know that many people won’t see this as a big issue, but it is. NHL teams always talk about getting the right “character… guys, and Lee is second in command for measuring their character? That makes no sense.
I’m sorry, but if this story is true, then there is no reason why he should be with the team. It’s just another embarrassing day for the organization, for which there have been plenty since December.