^^^100% agree^^^

...but really it's not that surprising is it? He has no money to advertise. And nobody is giving him anything for free in this city anymore.


Also. Ugh....my pics. I got smoked on Monday, and did "ok" on Tuesday. Congrats to whomever won.
- Octavarium

Think mine were smoked as well. Tough man, tough.

There is a serious lack of innovation with advertising. In today's social media age where advertising pops up for products and services you merely just thinking about, my feed should be littered with advertising for tickets to Sens games. I only get merchandise ads that I assume are fuelled by the NHL and not the organization.

You walk around Ottawa and surrounding areas and you'd be hard pressed to know this team has an NHL team.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Yes. Very true. They could target local isp for adverts. Not the generic nhl ones. I cant even remember seeing 1 senator advert on my devices.
Yes they have to include a 100 km radius and tap into another million? people. Every small town/city in that radius should have at least 1 billboard. And do more localized giveaways.

A big ticket advert could be hiring will ferrell. Do a 2 min
bit with tkachuk. Have a contest for a fan to appear as a background cameo.Run it on national televised games and plaster it on the internet.

Cheaper and more local is the billboard across the region. They are effective. I dont eat at mcdonalds or tim hortons but i do know their special offerings. Alot of times i am thinking i have to try that.

Yeah he should just go do that you know... go get assets that literally no team in the league is willing to part with without receiving a King's ransom that the Sens cannot offer.

The assets that the Sens do have are the very defense prospects that will fill the void you are looking for him to solve via a trade... And as far as the Centre position is concerned you are never going to be able to get a team to part with someone better than Pinto or Norris right now and have it be worthwhile. Last time Ottawa went to get a major centreman they got burned badly.
- TDBSenatoR

I agree 100 percent. At some point they will very likely need to add but this year I would want to see how Norris, Pinto, JBD, LT, etc. progress so that you at least have a realistic idea of what you really need.

I'm going to make an early prediction right now that Zaitsev will be bought out next summer, with 2yrs left on his contract.

Rationale:
- Zaitsev will turn 30 later this month, and has already shown that he's not really capable of the top-4 role being asked of him
- Bernard-Docker and Thomson are RHD who are probably already NHL-ready, and they'll be wasting low-cost ELC years if they don't make room for them
- Senators have never paid any signing bonus $$$ for Zaitsev, as they even waited until July 1st to complete the Ceci trade so that the Leafs would pay his $3M signing bonus in 2019/20
- the last 2 years of Zaitsev's contract have a $2.0M signing bonus vs. $2.5M salary payment structure
- a buyout would only cost them $0.8M x4yrs, and save them $1.7M/yr of cap space in the first 2yrs vs. costing them $0.8M/yr of cap space in the last 2yrs
- most important of all, it saves them ~$5.8M in actual paid dollars, including a total of $4.0M in signing bonus $$$,of which $2.0M would have to be paid just a couple of weeks after the June 2022 buyout window

Now, I think you'll see them try to shop Zaitsev at the trade deadline, but I can't see that going anywhere. After which, I really have trouble believing that Melnyk would prefer the option of paying Zaitsev $9M to play another 2 years of bad 2nd pairing defence, especially with so many high-quality and affordable young D-man options developing in the system.
- khawk

This is a fantastic breakdown khawk - cheers, makes me feel better about next season lol

I agree 100 percent. At some point they will very likely need to add but this year I would want to see how Norris, Pinto, JBD, LT, etc. progress so that you at least have a realistic idea of what you really need.
- Whatisavailable

It's all about smart deals. I am in no way advocating overpaying and giving up key pieces to address one need but creating other needs.

It's true that quality players are acquire for a kings ransom sometimes but there are instances where quality players can be quite affordable. The Panthers acquired Sam Bennet and a 6th for a 2nd and a prospect taken in the 2nd round and Bennet appears to have thrived off the fresh start. It's deals like those that can help put teams over the top.

Important not to overvalue picks after the 1st round and prospects struggling to crack the lineup, which this organization tends to do.

The Strome family is so overrated. I seriously hope they don't go down that road.

It's all about smart deals. I am in no way advocating overpaying and giving up key pieces to address one need but creating other needs.

It's true that quality players are acquire for a kings ransom sometimes but there are instances where quality players can be quite affordable. The Panthers acquired Sam Bennet and a 6th for a 2nd and a prospect taken in the 2nd round and Bennet appears to have thrived off the fresh start. It's deals like those that can help put teams over the top.

Important not to overvalue picks after the 1st round and prospects struggling to crack the lineup, which this organization tends to do.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

The way I look at it is this. No one is giving you a true number one C so the best you can do via trade is a number two C. We already have a number two C. We may very well have two number two Cs. Why would I want another one? If Norris and Pinto can provide two good number two Cs that's fine.

Same with the D. No one is giving you a top pairing RD. You've got Chabot and Sanderson on the left side. Zub works for me as a legitimate second pairing RD. Will JBD or LT be another top four RD. If so you don't need a top four D either.

With the guys they've got coming they're going to have great quality depth and if their goal tending sorts itself out and it certainly looks like it will this team will be taking a serious run at the cup the second season after this one.

What I would do is use some of that cap space to try and pick up an unprotected first round pick in 2022.

The Strome family is so overrated. I seriously hope they don't go down that road.
- Octavarium

Way too many trades advocate for medicore centers who would barely improve this team, strome being one of them.

It's all about smart deals. I am in no way advocating overpaying and giving up key pieces to address one need but creating other needs.

It's true that quality players are acquire for a kings ransom sometimes but there are instances where quality players can be quite affordable. The Panthers acquired Sam Bennet and a 6th for a 2nd and a prospect taken in the 2nd round and Bennet appears to have thrived off the fresh start. It's deals like those that can help put teams over the top.

Important not to overvalue picks after the 1st round and prospects struggling to crack the lineup, which this organization tends to do.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

How far has the asking price for Eichel really fallen.

I was pretty opposed to this before, and am VERY nervous regarding his surgery, one has to ask.

The way I look at it is this. No one is giving you a true number one C so the best you can do via trade is a number two C. We already have a number two C. We may very well have two number two Cs. Why would I want another one? If Norris and Pinto can provide two good number two Cs that's fine.

Same with the D. No one is giving you a top pairing RD. You've got Chabot and Sanderson on the left side. Zub works for me as a legitimate second pairing RD. Will JBD or LT be another top four RD. If so you don't need a top four D either.

With the guys they've got coming they're going to have great quality depth and if their goal tending sorts itself out and it certainly looks like it will this team will be taking a serious run at the cup the second season after this one.

What I would do is use some of that cap space to try and pick up an unprotected first round pick in 2022.
- Whatisavailable

I get the centre argument. Doesn't hurt to remain patient and see if something pops up on the market.

In terms of defence, I think Chabot and Zub are a fine top pairing. It's the bottom 4 I have next to zero faith in. I'd like to see a quality player added rather than just saying Sanderson and JBD will slot in there one day. We've been down that road with other defensive prospects and Branstrom is the latest one to slowly be replaced by other prospects to sit and wait for. You can bring in a guy now and still slot Sanderson and JBD in down the road.

In terms of acquiring a 1st with cap space, I assume you are alluding to a Marleau type deal where the pick is thrown in to take the cap hit and salary. Hard pressed to happen with Eugene at the helm, but would be nice. But then you'd also have a player way out of their prime taking ice from a younger player which is what everyone hated last year with the likes of Gudbranson, Stepan, etc.

I get the centre argument. Doesn't hurt to remain patient and see if something pops up on the market.

In terms of defence, I think Chabot and Zub are a fine top pairing. It's the bottom 4 I have next to zero faith in. I'd like to see a quality player added rather than just saying Sanderson and JBD will slot in there one day. We've been down that road with other defensive prospects and Branstrom is the latest one to slowly be replaced by other prospects to sit and wait for. You can bring in a guy now and still slot Sanderson and JBD in down the road.

In terms of acquiring a 1st with cap space, I assume you are alluding to a Marleau type deal where the pick is thrown in to take the cap hit and salary. Hard pressed to happen with Eugene at the helm, but would be nice. But then you'd also have a player way out of their prime taking ice from a younger player which is what everyone hated last year with the likes of Gudbranson, Stepan, etc.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I for one never thought Brannstrom was going to be a player. I'm not sure about JBD which is why I think it's a good idea to watch his progress this year. Sanderson seems to be by all accounts a safe bet for at least a second pairing LD behind Chabot.

If a solid RD came along at a fair price I'd certainly want Dorion to give it a look but at this point there's no urgency and I don't trust Dorion's acumen when it comes to making wise trades.

Unfortunately I have to agree that don't think the cap space move is going to happen but if it did you could just buy the guy out. Oh yeah I forgot! Melnyk!

Hey Francis what is the info on wolanin the one the sabres claimed?

Hey Francis what is the info on wolanin the one the sabres claimed?
- Rsh

He separated his shoulder before camp 2 years ago, then when he played at the end of the season, he was shying away from contact due to the shoulder. Great skater, moves puck well, but defensive coverage and physical play was an issue. Great guy though off the ice, very well-liked here by fans and teammates. I was told it was a numbers game in LA, they didn't want to put him on waivers but he was their 6/7th D. So they took a chance on putting him on waivers.

What are you guys hearing down in Buffalo about him?

Great job on the breakdown khawk!!!!!

'm going to make an early prediction right now that Zaitsev will be bought out next summer, with 2yrs left on his contract.

Rationale:
- Zaitsev will turn 30 later this month, and has already shown that he's not really capable of the top-4 role being asked of him
- Bernard-Docker and Thomson are RHD who are probably already NHL-ready, and they'll be wasting low-cost ELC years if they don't make room for them
- Senators have never paid any signing bonus $$$ for Zaitsev, as they even waited until July 1st to complete the Ceci trade so that the Leafs would pay his $3M signing bonus in 2019/20
- the last 2 years of Zaitsev's contract have a $2.0M signing bonus vs. $2.5M salary payment structure
- a buyout would only cost them $0.8M x4yrs, and save them $1.7M/yr of cap space in the first 2yrs vs. costing them $0.8M/yr of cap space in the last 2yrs
- most important of all, it saves them ~$5.8M in actual paid dollars, including a total of $4.0M in signing bonus $$$,of which $2.0M would have to be paid just a couple of weeks after the June 2022 buyout window

Now, I think you'll see them try to shop Zaitsev at the trade deadline, but I can't see that going anywhere. After which, I really have trouble believing that Melnyk would prefer the option of paying Zaitsev $9M to play another 2 years of bad 2nd pairing defence, especially with so many high-quality and affordable young D-man options developing in the system.
- khawk

This is a fantastic breakdown khawk - cheers, makes me feel better about next season lol
- Bartacus

Thanks to everyone for their comments, ideas and suggestions in general. I have been taking them all in. Sorry haven't been able to comment much today. I am going to put together a letter, but going to take some time due to what I got on here and on twitter. Keep the comments coming! Thanks!

I know I am extremely late on this (don't visit this site too often anymore), but here is what it will take for me to consider spending on the Sens again.

Most of my points have nothing to do with the fan 'experience' but how Melnyk is as a person. So here goes, in no particular order:

-He needs to apologize (with NO qualifiers) for letting Daniel Alfredsson finish his career in Detroit and not Ottawa. He needs to man up and say it is HIS fault and he regrets that mistake. And it has to be heartfelt. He needs to explain that he KNOWS Alfie took hometown discounts for the majority of his career, and even offered to defer salary at one point (with the previous owner, but still). He needs to explain that he should have given Alfie whatever he wanted in his final season, and letting money get in the way of this was HIS mistake and HIS mistake alone.

-He needs to apologize (with NO qualifiers) for wasting the city's time and money on his pitch for Lebreton flats. He needs to admit that the city was VERY clear that they were not going to pitch in money to get this done. He needs to admit that it's his fault that we are not attending games in a downtown setting. He needs to tell, not just hockey fans, but the city of Ottawa, that he is going to try to rekindle the process and move the team to where it needs to be.

-As others have said, he needs to apologize (with NO qualifiers) for spewing crap on Toronto radio. He needs to tell everyone that it was passive aggressive (almost like talking behind someone's back) and it was a mistake. And in the future, he will take interviews from Ottawa media even if there are hard questions to be answered.

-My only fan experience point is that he needs to find a way to have hot water on the 2nd level of the building. It's an insult to everyone who is in VERY expensive seats in the 2nd deck and first few rows of the 3rd deck, not to be able to wash their hands with hot water in January. I know this one isn't his 'fault' as that is how the building was built back in the day, but he's had a long time to remedy it.

I know these will never happen.. mainly the 2nd point.. and that's why many fans will never return, or will return, but not as often as they would otherwise. The problem with Melnyk, in my opinion, is that his ego is more important to him than doing the right thing. Not only that but his ego is more important to him than making the right business decisions. If he apologizes for these things, and it seems heartfelt, I think many WOULD return.

Oh and Bonus point:

-tell fans that you will have the appropriate amount of security and staff for OTHER events at the CTC. No more having 2 gates open for concerts, forcing people to wait in line for 30+ mins in the freezing cold, sometimes with kids, for a show like Disney on Ice or some other concert. Explain to fans that you know it was a problem and you are going to step up and have enough staff to make entry smooth during the other events the CTC hosts.

I know I am extremely late on this (don't visit this site too often anymore), but here is what it will take for me to consider spending on the Sens again.

Most of my points have nothing to do with the fan 'experience' but how Melnyk is as a person. So here goes, in no particular order:

-He needs to apologize (with NO qualifiers) for letting Daniel Alfredsson finish his career in Detroit and not Ottawa. He needs to man up and say it is HIS fault and he regrets that mistake. And it has to be heartfelt. He needs to explain that he KNOWS Alfie took hometown discounts for the majority of his career, and even offered to defer salary at one point (with the previous owner, but still). He needs to explain that he should have given Alfie whatever he wanted in his final season, and letting money get in the way of this was HIS mistake and HIS mistake alone.

-He needs to apologize (with NO qualifiers) for wasting the city's time and money on his pitch for Lebreton flats. He needs to admit that the city was VERY clear that they were not going to pitch in money to get this done. He needs to admit that it's his fault that we are not attending games in a downtown setting. He needs to tell, not just hockey fans, but the city of Ottawa, that he is going to try to rekindle the process and move the team to where it needs to be.

-As others have said, he needs to apologize (with NO qualifiers) for spewing crap on Toronto radio. He needs to tell everyone that it was passive aggressive (almost like talking behind someone's back) and it was a mistake. And in the future, he will take interviews from Ottawa media even if there are hard questions to be answered.

-My only fan experience point is that he needs to find a way to have hot water on the 2nd level of the building. It's an insult to everyone who is in VERY expensive seats in the 2nd deck and first few rows of the 3rd deck, not to be able to wash their hands with hot water in January. I know this one isn't his 'fault' as that is how the building was built back in the day, but he's had a long time to remedy it.

I know these will never happen.. mainly the 2nd point.. and that's why many fans will never return, or will return, but not as often as they would otherwise. The problem with Melnyk, in my opinion, is that his ego is more important to him than doing the right thing. Not only that but his ego is more important to him than making the right business decisions. If he apologizes for these things, and it seems heartfelt, I think many WOULD return.

Oh and Bonus point:

-tell fans that you will have the appropriate amount of security and staff for OTHER events at the CTC. No more having 2 gates open for concerts, forcing people to wait in line for 30+ mins in the freezing cold, sometimes with kids, for a show like Disney on Ice or some other concert. Explain to fans that you know it was a problem and you are going to step up and have enough staff to make entry smooth during the other events the CTC hosts.
- Charliebox

Imo no one needs to apologize. Just move forward in positive motion. Otherwise fans will have to start looking in the mirror when serious rumblings of relocation start. Point being its not all one or the others fault. Attendance is down across Canada .its up in the USA. Toronto is at 98% ....if only but to them thats unheard of

Imo no one needs to apologize. Just move forward in positive motion. Otherwise fans will have to start looking in the mirror when serious rumblings of relocation start. Point being its not all one or the others fault. Attendance is down across Canada .its up in the USA. Toronto is at 98% ....if only but to them thats unheard of
- spazzbot

Not ALL one person's fault? Sorry but Alfie and Lebreton were 100% Melnyk's fault.

Lebreton specifically: The city said, 'we are not putting ANY money into this. Please make a proposal to develop the land, including an arena'.

Then there were two bids. One from Melnyk and one from Hydro Quebec with the Cirque de Solei guy.

Melnyk wins, then tries to say 'But, I thought the city was going to pump money into this'.

Now that the dust has settled on this, I am almost fully convinced he never intended on doing a damn thing there. He just made a proposal to block the other group from winning, developing it and eventually wrestling the team from him.

Not ALL one person's fault? Sorry but Alfie and Lebreton were 100% Melnyk's fault.

Lebreton specifically: The city said, 'we are not putting ANY money into this. Please make a proposal to develop the land, including an arena'.

Then there were two bids. One from Melnyk and one from Hydro Quebec with the Cirque de Solei guy.

Melnyk wins, then tries to say 'But, I thought the city was going to pump money into this'.

Now that the dust has settled on this, I am almost fully convinced he never intended on doing a damn thing there. He just made a proposal to block the other group from winning, developing it and eventually wrestling the team from him.
- Charliebox

Imo i loved Allfy way back when. but that was so long ago. I dont care anymore about his departure to be honest. Loads of unsubstantiated ideas why lebreton didnt work that time.to each his own. PS show me that quote source.. So when attendance is worst in the league . Its Melnyks fault? I dont buy it. Lets just hope attendance perks up.

Not ALL one person's fault? Sorry but Alfie and Lebreton were 100% Melnyk's fault.

Lebreton specifically: The city said, 'we are not putting ANY money into this. Please make a proposal to develop the land, including an arena'.

Then there were two bids. One from Melnyk and one from Hydro Quebec with the Cirque de Solei guy.

Melnyk wins, then tries to say 'But, I thought the city was going to pump money into this'.

Now that the dust has settled on this, I am almost fully convinced he never intended on doing a damn thing there. He just made a proposal to block the other group from winning, developing it and eventually wrestling the team from him.
- Charliebox

I tend to agree. I am not totally up to date on what actually happened with Lebreton but the only reason Melnyk got the bid was because he had the hockey team to place in a building. The city and Melnyk have never gotten along, so I don’t know why he is shocked that there wasn’t going to be city money. His plan also involved hundreds if not thousands of condos surrounding the arena. Guess where they money from sales would go to?

However, the city giving a tax break on an unnecessary Porsche dealership that affects few citizens while never doing anything for a hockey team that should affect more citizens would be frustrating. It’s minor thing in the grand scheme of things though. Melynk blew that more out of proportion to try and get people on his side.

Melnyk deserves credit for buying the team when they were in bankruptcy but he has done little to win over folks during his tenure. You can’t just forget about major errors. They are just warning signs of things to come.

I know I am extremely late on this (don't visit this site too often anymore), but here is what it will take for me to consider spending on the Sens again.

Most of my points have nothing to do with the fan 'experience' but how Melnyk is as a person. So here goes, in no particular order:

-He needs to apologize (with NO qualifiers) for letting Daniel Alfredsson finish his career in Detroit and not Ottawa. He needs to man up and say it is HIS fault and he regrets that mistake. And it has to be heartfelt. He needs to explain that he KNOWS Alfie took hometown discounts for the majority of his career, and even offered to defer salary at one point (with the previous owner, but still). He needs to explain that he should have given Alfie whatever he wanted in his final season, and letting money get in the way of this was HIS mistake and HIS mistake alone.

-He needs to apologize (with NO qualifiers) for wasting the city's time and money on his pitch for Lebreton flats. He needs to admit that the city was VERY clear that they were not going to pitch in money to get this done. He needs to admit that it's his fault that we are not attending games in a downtown setting. He needs to tell, not just hockey fans, but the city of Ottawa, that he is going to try to rekindle the process and move the team to where it needs to be.

-As others have said, he needs to apologize (with NO qualifiers) for spewing crap on Toronto radio. He needs to tell everyone that it was passive aggressive (almost like talking behind someone's back) and it was a mistake. And in the future, he will take interviews from Ottawa media even if there are hard questions to be answered.

-My only fan experience point is that he needs to find a way to have hot water on the 2nd level of the building. It's an insult to everyone who is in VERY expensive seats in the 2nd deck and first few rows of the 3rd deck, not to be able to wash their hands with hot water in January. I know this one isn't his 'fault' as that is how the building was built back in the day, but he's had a long time to remedy it.

I know these will never happen.. mainly the 2nd point.. and that's why many fans will never return, or will return, but not as often as they would otherwise. The problem with Melnyk, in my opinion, is that his ego is more important to him than doing the right thing. Not only that but his ego is more important to him than making the right business decisions. If he apologizes for these things, and it seems heartfelt, I think many WOULD return.

Oh and Bonus point:

-tell fans that you will have the appropriate amount of security and staff for OTHER events at the CTC. No more having 2 gates open for concerts, forcing people to wait in line for 30+ mins in the freezing cold, sometimes with kids, for a show like Disney on Ice or some other concert. Explain to fans that you know it was a problem and you are going to step up and have enough staff to make entry smooth during the other events the CTC hosts.
- Charliebox

Great stuff and accurate info!!!

I tend to agree. I am not totally up to date on what actually happened with Lebreton but the only reason Melnyk got the bid was because he had the hockey team to place in a building. The city and Melnyk have never gotten along, so I don’t know why he is shocked that there wasn’t going to be city money. His plan also involved hundreds if not thousands of condos surrounding the arena. Guess where they money from sales would go to?

However, the city giving a tax break on an unnecessary Porsche dealership that affects few citizens while never doing anything for a hockey team that should affect more citizens would be frustrating. It’s minor thing in the grand scheme of things though. Melynk blew that more out of proportion to try and get people on his side.

Melnyk deserves credit for buying the team when they were in bankruptcy but he has done little to win over folks during his tenure. You can’t just forget about major errors. They are just warning signs of things to come.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Yes accurate opinions. However if you remove emotion and look at things logically . It would present better especially if planning on having serious discussions on how to improve. Melnyk wont give you any time if you appproach him emotionally and without sound logic. I would not blame him either if he ignored it.