Fold the team and move it to Quebec City!!!!!!
- Doppleganger

I don't think they'd jump to that conclusion too quickly, but hey, if it can happen to Quebec City years ago, and Winnipeg, I see no reason why anyone would think it's impossible. And of all Canadian teams, I certainly think that Ottawa would be the first to go. Too many problems. 1) Financial. 2) Attendance (bad fan support). 3) VERY bad team, looking to be getting worse in coming years (bad team, that it's own players, even captains, don't want to play for, along with meh prospects). 4) Embarrassment to the league (things like "forensic investigators" looking at injuries/suspensions). 5) bad arena location (which has caused so many issues in Phoenix).

Teams like Phoenix have certain benefits to the league, that I would say Ottawa falls much higher on the list of teams to move than one might think. I think Bettman would love it, as it would save him a few headaches. I would say there are probably a couple of American cities that would go first though.

it makes me so happy.
- prock

Yeah you are ass for being happy about another canadian team getting the shaft

Yeah you are ass for being happy about another canadian team getting the shaft

- top shelf 15

okay. I'm an ass then. Still happy to see the utter and complete mess the Sens are. And still getting worse. How many teams do you think will leapfrog the Sens in terms of prospect rankings, because they had first round picks?

Do you still think Bobby Ryan extends with the Sens? If two consecutive captains ask to get out because they don't feel the team can win, do you honestly still think they can?

PS - I actually don't mind you, you're just getting caught in the crossfire that Dopps and Spatso earned as Sens fans.

okay. I'm an ass then. Still happy to see the utter and complete mess the Sens are. And still getting worse.

Do you still think Bobby Ryan extends with the Sens? If two consecutive captains ask to get out because they don't feel the team can win, do you honestly still think they can?
- prock

The team makes money the fans and city support the team ,its the owner that needs to be given the boot .How can he sign a long term pretty rich tv contract one month then the next month claim to be broke

The team makes money the fans and city support the team ,its the owner that needs to be given the boot .How can he sign a long term pretty rich tv contract one month then the next month claim to be broke
- top shelf 15

You can't force him to sell the team.

You can't force him to sell the team.
- prock

No but iam sure the league can .They own the franchise in the end,the board decides whether he is doing right by league standards.

No but iam sure the league can .They own the franchise in the end,the board decides whether he is doing right by league standards.
- top shelf 15

No, they don't own it, he does. They could pretty much force him to sell if they wanted to, like the NBA did with Sterling. That I believe would be the franchise agreement though, not an ownership thing.

But why would they do that? Because he won't spend what Sens fans want him to on his team?

I doubt the league is overly high on Melnyk as an owner, because he’s an idiot. But teams not spending huge on players would not be a big concern to them. There are lots of owners that don’t spend to the cap, or even what they’re capable of. They’re not concerned with what he spends on his roster. I think they’d rather he spend at the floor and turn a small profit than spend to the cap and lose money, regardless of the long-term impact that may have on the Sens. So I don’t think that’s something you should be hopeful of, because if the league steps in, I think that probably means Melnyk has run the team so far into the ground, that they can no longer turn a profit while icing a league min payroll.

No, they don't own it, he does. They could pretty much force him to sell if they wanted to, like the NBA did with Sterling. That I believe would be the franchise agreement though, not an ownership thing.

But why would they do that? Because he won't spend what Sens fans want him to on his team?

I doubt the league is overly high on Melnyk as an owner, because he’s an idiot. But teams not spending huge on players would not be a big concern to them. There are lots of owners that don’t spend to the cap, or even what they’re capable of. They’re not concerned with what he spends on his roster. I think they’d rather he spend at the floor and turn a small profit than spend to the cap and lose money, regardless of the long-term impact that may have on the Sens. So I don’t think that’s something you should be hopeful of, because if the league steps in, I think that probably means Melnyk has run the team so far into the ground, that they can no longer turn a profit while icing a league min payroll.
- prock

The league wont sit there and watch him turn a money making franchise into a money losing one

The league wont sit there and watch him turn a money making franchise into a money losing one

- top shelf 15

Oh? You don't think so? I strongly disagree. There are several of teams that were once financially strong, that have gone through difficulties, in large part because of poor management. They won't step in until there are financial difficulties that the team can no longer manage. Can you think of one instance, in any of the four major pro sports, where the league has stepped in because they didn't feel the team was icing the best roster they could?

Oh? You don't think so? I strongly disagree. There are several of teams that were once financially strong, that have gone through difficulties, in large part because of poor management. They won't step in until there are financial difficulties that the team can no longer manage. Can you think of one instance, in any of the four major pro sports, where the league has stepped in because they didn't feel the team was icing the best roster they could?
- prock

Yep iam sure the would love another team milking the revenue sharing stream when it doesnt need to come on .

Yep iam sure the would love another team milking the revenue sharing stream when it doesnt need to come on .
- top shelf 15

Can you name another team that the league stepped in and forced them to spend more on their players?

I think you guys are getting about as delusional as you were about a Jason Spezza trade returning a bunch of good young players. The league will not step in and tell Melnyk to up his player budget. Not a chance. They won't step in unless the Sens hit bankruptcy.

Don't respond again unless you can come up with an example of that happening. Or I'll just ask you again and again.

Can you name another team that the league stepped in and forced them to spend more on their players?

I think you guys are getting about as delusional as you were about a Jason Spezza trade returning a bunch of good young players. The league will not step in and tell Melnyk to up his player budget. Not a chance. They won't step in unless the Sens hit bankruptcy.

Don't respond again unless you can come up with an example of that happening. Or I'll just ask you again and again.
- prock

Thank you for pointing out the utter futility of whining about the Senator's owner and his choice to have an internal budget.

I've had this conversion a few times, and it just brings to mind a line I remember from Shakespeare, way way way back in high-school " Go, sir, rub your chain with crumbs."

the Habs are going to be an easy team for anyone in a 7 game series. Small and soft. Grind them down and it's an easy win.
- prock

lol

Habs will never win a round.

The cannon fodder for the east idea is silly. The point differential is misleading. Half of the difference is a result of the teams in the west in a playoff spot having Far more three point games. Look at the stats.......
- prock

lol

And now I hear Prust is done for the season. They may end up being the easiest draw in the opening round.
- Doppleganger

lol

Interesting. I think the habs may be the easiest draw in the east. Small, soft teams are generally easy pickings in a 7 game series. Its why the Sens had such an easy time with them last year. Not much has changed.

Not to mention, drawing the habs sets a team up quite nicely for the second round. You'd end up moving on, being nice and fresh, while the team you face is potentially a little worn down from playing a team like the Pens, Bruins, hell even the jackets. A team with a little more of a physical edge to them.
- prock

lol

lol

lol
- Shutdown

Meh. They're still small and soft.

Meh. They're still small and soft.
- prock

lol

Drafted #2 overall 1998 NHL Entry Draft

lol
- Shutdown

I thought about bringing this up but they will never give the habs any credit

In 2011-12 Spezza scored 30 goals and he had 50 assists for 84 points. I was of the very strong opinion that he should have been traded that summer. He had a good year. He had 3 years left on his contract and teams were sniffing around (including Columbus) on reports that Spezza might be available.

I have advocated the need to trade Spezza since that time. Even though his value deteriorated over the next few years I am more than happy with the return and the subsequent decisions made.

Next year, Ottawa will roll 4 strong lines with a deep core of good centers. I think another trade is coming that might further impact their depth chart. But as of now we are looking at.

Turris
Zibanejad
Legwand
Smith
Lazar
Hoffman
Pageau
Grant

Some guys, like Lazar, might be shifted to the wing. I have believed for a long time Ottawa will be a much harder team to play against with Jason Spezza no longer in the line up. We are going to see soon enough.

If a trade costs Melnyk a dime more it ain't happening.

In 2011-12 Spezza scored 30 goals and he had 50 assists for 84 points. I was of the very strong opinion that he should have been traded that summer. He had a good year. He had 3 years left on his contract and teams were sniffing around (including Columbus) on reports that Spezza might be available.

I have advocated the need to trade Spezza since that time. Even though his value deteriorated over the next few years I am more than happy with the return and the subsequent decisions made.

Next year, Ottawa will roll 4 strong lines with a deep core of good centers. I think another trade is coming that might further impact their depth chart. But as of now we are looking at.

Turris
Zibanejad
Legwand
Smith
Lazar
Hoffman
Pageau
Grant

Some guys, like Lazar, might be shifted to the wing. I have believed for a long time Ottawa will be a much harder team to play against with Jason Spezza no longer in the line up. We are going to see soon enough.
- spatso

You missed pencilling in Stone, to that proposed line up, other than that it was pretty close.

sens get outshot 37-30 again
and get 2 points

a very leafy season so far for them