Wednesday practice lines from Calgary.
(Stützle + Gaudette not on the ice)

Tkachuk Norris Batherson
Formenton Paul CBrown
Sanford Gambrell Watson
Ennis Tierney Sabourin
Bishop

Chabot JBD
Holden Zub
Brannstrom JBrown
Heatherington Mete

Wednesday practice lines from Calgary.
(Stützle + Gaudette not on the ice)

Tkachuk Norris Batherson
Formenton Paul CBrown
Sanford Gambrell Watson
Ennis Tierney Sabourin
Bishop

Chabot JBD
Holden Zub
Brannstrom JBrown
Heatherington Mete
- Kevin Francis

They elevated Paul to center on the 2nd line with Stutzle out now. But man, that 4th line is......yikes! To think the Sens 3rd line on many other teams would have a hard time being their 4th line.

They elevated Paul to center on the 2nd line with Stutzle out now. But man, that 4th line is......yikes! To think the Sens 3rd line on many other teams would have a hard time being their 4th line.
- Kevin Francis

Wasn't Ennis a C once upon a time? I'd rather try him at 2C than anybody lower on that list. Paul's play has been abysmal, but his deployment suggests he's playing his way into a 1.1*3 or 4 years scenario, which I'm not averse to, I just wish they'd try shoehorning players other than Tierney, Paul, and Sanford on the 2 line slots that pop up on occasion. Took them forever to try Formenton, tried it once, now he's the defacto 2LW. Took them forever to try it with Stutzle, tried it once, now he's the defacto 2C. This management's inability to learn from lessons they themselves are living through is perplexing.

Wasn't Ennis a C once upon a time? I'd rather try him at 2C than anybody lower on that list. Paul's play has been abysmal, but his deployment suggests he's playing his way into a 1.1*3 or 4 years scenario, which I'm not averse to, I just wish they'd try shoehorning players other than Tierney, Paul, and Sanford on the 2 line slots that pop up on occasion. Took them forever to try Formenton, tried it once, now he's the defacto 2LW. Took them forever to try it with Stutzle, tried it once, now he's the defacto 2C. This management's inability to learn from lessons they themselves are living through is perplexing.
- Bartacus

First chance Smith gets Stutzle goes back to LW and Formenton gets moved down to the fourth line. Book it.

Wasn't Ennis a C once upon a time? I'd rather try him at 2C than anybody lower on that list. Paul's play has been abysmal, but his deployment suggests he's playing his way into a 1.1*3 or 4 years scenario, which I'm not averse to, I just wish they'd try shoehorning players other than Tierney, Paul, and Sanford on the 2 line slots that pop up on occasion. Took them forever to try Formenton, tried it once, now he's the defacto 2LW. Took them forever to try it with Stutzle, tried it once, now he's the defacto 2C. This management's inability to learn from lessons they themselves are living through is perplexing.
- Bartacus

Ennis has played center before and I actually mentioned it before saying how the guy battles and has the exp. Like you said Paul has been dreadful, but I can't see Ottawa giving him 3 or 4 years at this point unless the last 2/3 of his season changes dramatically. You nailed it though, between this coaching staff and management, they truly don't learn lessons.....its mind boggling! Common sense doesn't prevail in their world!

First chance Smith gets Stutzle goes back to LW and Formenton gets moved down to the fourth line. Book it.
- Whatisavailable

DJ flipped back him back to wing after the west coast trip for a few games after PD said DJ told him he wanted to try Stutzle for a full season at center after he got 80-100 games of NHL exp. So the guy flip flops his message and lies to fans as does PD. We're all just sick of it!

From TSN1200 JR -
Having Watson play makes dressing Sabourin redundant. This is reactive, not proactive. Off a road faceoff anytime Sabourins line is on, out comes the Gaudreau line

On DJ's quote this afternoon - Sabourin will play tomorrow. Calgary is a big, hard team and a physical game is kinda his thing.

To take it a step further, he's dressing JBrown on defense too. But Clarke Bishop to have some sort of skill on that 4th line when you are dressing Watson and JBrown for muscle.

This coach clearly is soooo lost! Fans are unloading on DJ and I don't blame them!

From TSN1200 JR -
Having Watson play makes dressing Sabourin redundant. This is reactive, not proactive. Off a road faceoff anytime Sabourins line is on, out comes the Gaudreau line

On DJ's quote this afternoon - Sabourin will play tomorrow. Calgary is a big, hard team and a physical game is kinda his thing.

To take it a step further, he's dressing JBrown on defense too. But Clarke Bishop to have some sort of skill on that 4th line when you are dressing Watson and JBrown for muscle.

This coach clearly is soooo lost! Fans are unloading on DJ and I don't blame them!
- Kevin Francis

the honeymoon with fans is over for DJ, they now see him as what he is, barely a AHL coach yet alone a NHL one, i think only way he gets fired before his contract is over is with a new owner. Sens are stuck with him for 2 more years, that means 2 more years of ruining OTTs prospects.

the honeymoon with fans is over for DJ, they now see him as what he is, barely a AHL coach yet alone a NHL one, i think only way he gets fired before his contract is over is with a new owner. Sens are stuck with him for 2 more years, that means 2 more years of ruining OTTs prospects.
- Mithos

I've said it here many times, just because you were the HC of a junior team then an NHL Asst. for 3 years doesn't mean you're ready to be an HC. No coach that Ottawa has had since Bryan Murray has gone on to coach another NHL team and that speaks volumes! I would rather an AHL HC then that coach gets NHL exp. as an NHL asst before getting a head coaching job at the NHL. Heck DJ never even was HC of Team Canada at the World Juniors or Spengler Cup or World Championships and it shows with how handles prospects, youth and his vets. But you're right, only a new owner will get rid of this coach before his contract is up!

From TSN1200 JR -
Having Watson play makes dressing Sabourin redundant. This is reactive, not proactive. Off a road faceoff anytime Sabourins line is on, out comes the Gaudreau line
On DJ's quote this afternoon - Sabourin will play tomorrow. Calgary is a big, hard team and a physical game is kinda his thing.
- Kevin Francis

The apparent "big body" compulsion that both Dorion/Smith have really is becoming a serious problem. Being a tough hockey team doesn't just mean having statistically large people on the ice for the majority of the game. Someone should probably let them know that being "hard to play against" can also mean scoring more goals than the other team once in a while. And to do that means at least trying to play your best skill players together so they can produce some offense.

The apparent "big body" compulsion that both Dorion/Smith have really is becoming a serious problem. Being a tough hockey team doesn't just mean having statistically large people on the ice for the majority of the game. Someone should probably let them know that being "hard to play against" can also mean scoring more goals than the other team once in a while. And to do that means at least trying to play your best skill players together so they can produce some offense.
- khawk

I couldn't agree more! JR and Simmer on the morning show with TSN1200 requested on numerous occasion to have PD come on with them, instead PD does the show after them, knowing full well he wont get hit with REAL hockey questions. This would've been one of the things they addressed with PD, so now they just post it on Twitter, but every fan sees this issue, yet management, ownership, nobody holds this damn coach accountable.....its really getting sickening to listen to his narrative.

As I mentioned earlier, Bruce Firestone followed me and liked 2 of my tweets regarding EM.

Dr Bruce M Firestone
liked 2 of your Tweets
Thanks for the shout out Bruce! You would be a shot in the arm for the Sens franchise when a new owner is in place. You're the type of person this fan base would relate to & trust if you could ever be a part of the team in any role associated with the team you brought back here

Dr Bruce M Firestone
liked your reply
EM is getting closer to doing it, more than people think, plus the league is watching him like a hawk! But you're 100% correct on what you said! Lebreton is another reason why he's watching it closely. He tried to buy the Sens 2 years ago! Cheers, @ian_mendes

Dr Bruce M Firestone
liked your reply
EM is getting closer to doing it, more than people think, plus the league is watching him like a hawk! But you're 100% correct on what you said! Lebreton is another reason why he's watching it closely. He tried to buy the Sens 2 years ago! Cheers, @ian_mendes
- Kevin Francis

So this is Devcore, Desmarais with Laliberté

So this is Devcore, Desmarais with Laliberté
- Crosside

Nope not a chance! Plus like I'm telling anyone who it is, but it definitely isn't any of them that Im talking about.

Heard some team gossip yesterday. I have no confirmation of what I was told is true. But, the information swirling around this team does trigger some obvious simple questions that are directly tied to the current speculation and gossip?

Is Melnyk out of cash?

Will he miss making front office payroll at the end of this month?

Has the NHL refused to extend the guarantee of his credit line?

Have other team owners and Bettman formally advised Melnyk... "enough, no more!"

Are Melnyk's lenders refusing any renegotiations of the team debt?

Have not heard anyone talk specially about a debt restructuring under the Company Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAC). This would allow for the simultaneous sale of the team and the restructing of the debt. CCAC is the mechanism that would make the most sense to get this mess finally settled.

No confirmation on any of these rumours but there is a wicked amount of smoke filled chatter blowing around the Canadian Tire Centre.
- spatso

I will focus on your 4 questions for now....
1 - Eugene is operating on fumes when it comes to cash....he's sooo done!
2 - As I've stated here before, he missed payroll 3 times prior to covid, so he had no choice but to go to the league for help to bail him out! I know from one of the Sens accountants at the time, saw it with my own eyes what went on!
3 - The Billionaire that I know who's serious about buying the team has talked with other owners, which is why he's pushing to buy the Sens as he knows from his talks with other owners how deep in the red Eugene is and how this handful of owners want him out, but have wanted him out for a while now, but they now more ammo and fuel to push him out due to what he's doing behind closed doors. A few of them are surprised Eugene has hung on this long!
4 - If owners want him out, you can assume lenders have talked to the league and these owners are done with him.....he's not elite Mr. Melnyk but wants everyone to think he is.....owning a team is an elite status and he's beyond at the bottom of the barrel....they know getting him out strengthens the league as the Sens would become more stable and down the road more lucrative, therefore increasing the value of the franchise and driving other franchise's worth up!

I will focus on your 4 questions for now....
1 - Eugene is operating on fumes when it comes to cash....he's sooo done!
2 - As I've stated here before, he missed payroll 3 times prior to covid, so he had no choice but to go to the league for help to bail him out! I know from one of the Sens accountants at the time, saw it with my own eyes what went on!
3 - The Billionaire that I know who's serious about buying the team has talked with other owners, which is why he's pushing to buy the Sens as he knows from his talks with other owners how deep in the red Eugene is and how this handful of owners want him out, but have wanted him out for a while now, but they now more ammo and fuel to push him out due to what he's doing behind closed doors. A few of them are surprised Eugene has hung on this long!
4 - If owners want him out, you can assume lenders have talked to the league and these owners are done with him.....he's not elite Mr. Melnyk but wants everyone to think he is.....owning a team is an elite status and he's beyond at the bottom of the barrel....they know getting him out strengthens the league as the Sens would become more stable and down the road more lucrative, therefore increasing the value of the franchise and driving other franchise's worth up!
- Kevin Francis

when your hockey team is almost half of your net worth, you cannot and should not be owning a small market hockey team....Teams like the sens are break even or lose a few million/year team (les than 5M a year in loses), they do not have the market or fan base to support the easy 125M+/year is costs to run a team, small market teams are for multi-billionaires who want bragging rights that
1. they own a sports franchise
2. said team wins/won championships.

when your hockey team is almost half of your net worth, you cannot and should not be owning a small market hockey team....Teams like the sens are break even or lose a few million/year team (les than 5M a year in loses), they do not have the market or fan base to support the easy 125M+/year is costs to run a team, small market teams are for multi-billionaires who want bragging rights that
1. they own a sports franchise
2. said team wins/won championships.
- Mithos

Well said my friend!!! Sooooo true!!!!

The new blog will be up at lunch today!

when your hockey team is almost half of your net worth, you cannot and should not be owning a small market hockey team....Teams like the sens are break even or lose a few million/year team (les than 5M a year in loses), they do not have the market or fan base to support the easy 125M+/year is costs to run a team, small market teams are for multi-billionaires who want bragging rights that
1. they own a sports franchise
2. said team wins/won championships.
- Mithos

I read somewhere that after his problems with the SEC and Biovail stocks going in the crapper Melnyck sold his shares for 350mil. Later he got divorced so another huge hit to the wallet. So this man is a multi millionaire and not a billionaire. Everything he has in his name he does not own it's all mortgaged to the hilts. Last I checked net worth was what your worth is after debts.

I read somewhere that after his problems with the SEC and Biovail stocks going in the crapper Melnyck sold his shares for 350mil. Later he got divorced so another huge hit to the wallet. So this man is a multi millionaire and not a billionaire. Everything he has in his name he does not own it's all mortgaged to the hilts. Last I checked net worth was what your worth is after debts.
- granpa

His net worth is 1.15-1.2 Billion, the sens make up 450M of that the rest of the ~600M is in

2 Bars, one is Ottawa and the other in Barbados
Winding Oaks Farm (Florida, USA)
Clean Beauty Collective Inc. (Cosmetics & Fragrances) (8m in revenue, 43 employees)
Olivann (Fragrance)
2 private schools in Barbados
Neurolign Tech (2.8M$ in revenue, 26 employees)
Bellville Sens
Winding Oaks Ocala Real Estate Development Co
CTC (if not included in the teams value, IDK if it included cannot find info)

none of these bring in big bucks so help support owning a small market sports team

His net worth is 1.15-1.2 Billion, the sens make up 450M of that the rest of the ~600M is in

2 Bars, one is Ottawa and the other in Barbados
Winding Oaks Farm (Florida, USA)
Clean Beauty Collective Inc. (Cosmetics & Fragrances) (8m in revenue, 43 employees)
Olivann (Fragrance)
2 private schools in Barbados
Neurolign Tech (2.8M$ in revenue, 26 employees)
Bellville Sens
Winding Oaks Ocala Real Estate Development Co
CTC (if not included in the teams value, IDK if it included cannot find info)

none of these bring in big bucks so help support owning a small market sports team
- Mithos

Personally the man's net worth to me is maybe 100-200mil. so he's not suffering. All these holdings that you listed are all liabilities, not assets. They're not generating enough revenue to keep themselves afloat and you can't keep borrowing indefinitely to keep things going. Lenders are going to call in debts soon because everything on the list has been used as security for loans and are now worth less than the debts. Melnyck is not cheap, all his companies(holdings) are broke. Only governments can operate like Melnyck.

He no longer has any property or investment on the Island of Barbados.
He no longer has a horse, or farm or "horse farm" of any kind.

I had never heard of those two companies mentioned in your list.
I'll do some digging.

He no longer has any property or investment on the Island of Barbados.
He no longer has a horse, or farm or "horse farm" of any kind.

I had never heard of those two companies mentioned in your list.
I'll do some digging.
- Octavarium

Good stuff guys! New blog is up, continue this chat in the new blog!