Kevin Francis: Upcoming Sens games/Eugene Melnyk/Alex Formenton issues/Contest Ideas

I agree why ya benching Formenton for his mistake which I think he’s doing great to giving Zaitsev free range is terrible 🤦‍♂️
One thing I’d tell The Owner is stop going to Toronto and talk about what the Sens has to do 🤨 do that poop in Ottawa where the team is not your Toronto radio show 🤦‍♂️

It's too early to tell butI hope Formenton hasn't gotten into Smith's bad books because if he has his time in Ottawa could well be done. That would be a shame because I think he's got a bright future in the NHL

As far as attendance goes I don't know how you solve the problem of how dangerous it is for people to gather in such large groups. Is it worth you or your entire family dying horrible deaths just to watch a hockey game?

I have a couple of ideas to help reduce the risk for those who insist on putting the entire city in danger.

Everyone knows that if you're sitting down and eating like in a restaurant or on a plane you're perfectly safe so Melnyk should see to it that there's a hot dog and a slice of pizza in every seat.

The problem then remains of what to do when you get up out of your seat but you can greatly reduce the risk there by wearing a Depend so you won't need to get up to use the bathroom.

I'm sure if we all work together we can minimize the deadly threat to the community that these events represent.

Back in the day when the wings were struggling. They use to give a car away every home game at the Joe Louis. It really bumped up the crowd numbers.
They need enticements to gets butts in the seat here. Get the excitement going. Until they become a regular powerhouse again.
Cash in on the Tkachuk love. Get his mug on every billboard possible within 100km

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.

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

Great info. Hope he gets bought out and bring in Sanderson Thompson and Bernard docker. Can't wait for the young D to florish.

I think that would be a great idea to write a letter to melnyk with fans opinions so he can address some issues. Would defintely like to hear what he would say.

I, like most folks here, am a huge hockey fan. I am especially a fan of all things Senators.

But, I also have a particular knowledge and skill set that causes me to see things in a particular way. This is true for just about everyone. How we see and interpret events is influenced by what we already know and have experienced. So, for example, a person with an interest in public relations and communications shudders at the sheer stupidity of Melnyk going on a media tour of Toronto broadcast outlets and talking about the state of hockey affairs in Ottawa.

People with a passion for community service judge Melnyk around his decisions on the Sens foundation. Builders, the construction trades as well as financial, legal and municipal leaders judge Melnyk by the irrational inconsistency of multiple conflicting decisions on Lebretton.

My background is in insolvency and debt financing.

You do not need to stand in the midst of the flames to measure the scope or full heat of a forest fire. Indeed, it is better to stand, watch and measure the magnitude of the burn from a distance and from multiple vantage points.

Melnyk needs help. But I don't think he knows how to ask.

The community desperately wants to love and support this team. Melnyk keeps putting himself in the middle and making it far more messy than it ever needs to be.

Contest idea: first person to comment on the blog post wins the tickets!!

Good job on the blogs of late. You're keeping them engaging. Multiple blogs a day is tough to keep up with though.

If I had a chance to speak with Melnyk, I'd like to ask why he plays the poor card and compares this market to Toronto at times? What is his long-term plan for the arena? The team's popularity is arguably lower than it was before he became owner and that is with a Cup run under his belt. Why does he think that is the case?

But alas, he would never allow anyone from Ottawa or greater Ottawa area ask him questions. But if you are from Toronto....

In terms of ideas:

-Every third game you attend, each fan gets a free food voucher.
-Free or half price parking for fans/families who carpool to the game.
-Bring back the pizza promotion (every time fans attend a game where the Sens score 5 or more, you got yourself a Gabriel's slice there good buddy).
-Make the 50/50 digital/online like what the Blue Jays did this year, allow everyone watching at home to get in on the action.
-Prize draws and incentives to prevent people from leaving the game. Wait until the final buzzer/end of OT to announce winners by random seat draw, where you can get a signed jersey or game sticks or w/e if your seat is selected. Will stop or nip in the bud the whole tendency of fans leaving with 10 mins left in the 3rd to beat traffic.
-Cheaper popcorn. What do people think this is? A movie?
-More random pop up concerts and performances around the stadium pre and post-game. Give more opportunity and exposure to local artists and musicians from the Valley who have had a hard time and no one to perform for live during the pandemic.
-I actually really like the Tkachuk intro segment at the home opener. The players who are healthy scratches each game should be doing more of that Stone Cold style shenanigans and liaising with the crowd each game. More fans would love MDZ if he were leading the cheering section of the crowd on day's they are scratched. They're there, they're being paid, may as well get them to hype up the crowd rather than just sitting in the press box drinking coffee and looking annoyed.
-Free coffee for designated drivers for those long (45+minute) drives home after the game
-Watch the documentary Red Penguins and do everything that PR guy did in terms of promotional nights and business partnerships. Make people wanna watch the diversions on the ice during intermission rather than just staring at their phones the whole time.
-Offer insane prizes everytime the game sells out (e.g. all expenses paid trips to Whistler, cruises, new cars, a $35K mortgage down payment in partnership with Mortgage Brokers Ottawa) during the commercial break fodder/trivia games, instead of $20 Tims Cards or the like.

In terms of ideas:

-Every third game you attend, each fan gets a free food voucher.
-Free or half price parking for fans/families who carpool to the game.
-Bring back the pizza promotion (every time fans attend a game where the Sens score 5 or more, you got yourself a Gabriel's slice there good buddy).
-Make the 50/50 digital/online like what the Blue Jays did this year, allow everyone watching at home to get in on the action.
-Prize draws and incentives to prevent people from leaving the game. Wait until the final buzzer/end of OT to announce winners by random seat draw, where you can get a signed jersey or game sticks or w/e if your seat is selected. Will stop or nip in the bud the whole tendency of fans leaving with 10 mins left in the 3rd to beat traffic.
-Cheaper popcorn. What do people think this is? A movie?
-More random pop up concerts and performances around the stadium pre and post-game. Give more opportunity and exposure to local artists and musicians from the Valley who have had a hard time and no one to perform for live during the pandemic.
-I actually really like the Tkachuk intro segment at the home opener. The players who are healthy scratches each game should be doing more of that Stone Cold style shenanigans and liaising with the crowd each game. More fans would love MDZ if he were leading the cheering section of the crowd on day's they are scratched. They're there, they're being paid, may as well get them to hype up the crowd rather than just sitting in the press box drinking coffee and looking annoyed.
-Free coffee for designated drivers for those long (45+minute) drives home after the game
-Watch the documentary Red Penguins and do everything that PR guy did in terms of promotional nights and business partnerships. Make people wanna watch the diversions on the ice during intermission rather than just staring at their phones the whole time.
-Offer insane prizes everytime the game sells out (e.g. all expenses paid trips to Whistler, cruises, new cars, a $35K mortgage down payment in partnership with Mortgage Brokers Ottawa) during the commercial break fodder/trivia games, instead of $20 Tims Cards or the like.
- ahjnkn

Healthy scratches are never gonna do anything except drink coffee and look mad... sorry 😆

I, like most folks here, am a huge hockey fan. I am especially a fan of all things Senators.

But, I also have a particular knowledge and skill set that causes me to see things in a particular way. This is true for just about everyone. How we see and interpret events is influenced by what we already know and have experienced. So, for example, a person with an interest in public relations and communications shudders at the sheer stupidity of Melnyk going on a media tour of Toronto broadcast outlets and talking about the state of hockey affairs in Ottawa.

People with a passion for community service judge Melnyk around his decisions on the Sens foundation. Builders, the construction trades as well as financial, legal and municipal leaders judge Melnyk by the irrational inconsistency of multiple conflicting decisions on Lebretton.

My background is in insolvency and debt financing.

You do not need to stand in the midst of the flames to measure the scope or full heat of a forest fire. Indeed, it is better to stand, watch and measure the magnitude of the burn from a distance and from multiple vantage points.

Melnyk needs help. But I don't think he knows how to ask.

The community desperately wants to love and support this team. Melnyk keeps putting himself in the middle and making it far more messy than it ever needs to be.
- spatso

Settle down there "Taken"!!

Contest idea: first person to comment on the blog post wins the tickets!!
- rebekahkeefe

Unless the tickets are for an OCD seminar, I would tend to disagree with rewarding that kind of thing.

In terms of ideas:

-Every third game you attend, each fan gets a free food voucher.
-Free or half price parking for fans/families who carpool to the game.
-Bring back the pizza promotion (every time fans attend a game where the Sens score 5 or more, you got yourself a Gabriel's slice there good buddy).
-Make the 50/50 digital/online like what the Blue Jays did this year, allow everyone watching at home to get in on the action.
-Prize draws and incentives to prevent people from leaving the game. Wait until the final buzzer/end of OT to announce winners by random seat draw, where you can get a signed jersey or game sticks or w/e if your seat is selected. Will stop or nip in the bud the whole tendency of fans leaving with 10 mins left in the 3rd to beat traffic.
-Cheaper popcorn. What do people think this is? A movie?
-More random pop up concerts and performances around the stadium pre and post-game. Give more opportunity and exposure to local artists and musicians from the Valley who have had a hard time and no one to perform for live during the pandemic.
-I actually really like the Tkachuk intro segment at the home opener. The players who are healthy scratches each game should be doing more of that Stone Cold style shenanigans and liaising with the crowd each game. More fans would love MDZ if he were leading the cheering section of the crowd on day's they are scratched. They're there, they're being paid, may as well get them to hype up the crowd rather than just sitting in the press box drinking coffee and looking annoyed.
-Free coffee for designated drivers for those long (45+minute) drives home after the game
-Watch the documentary Red Penguins and do everything that PR guy did in terms of promotional nights and business partnerships. Make people wanna watch the diversions on the ice during intermission rather than just staring at their phones the whole time.
-Offer insane prizes everytime the game sells out (e.g. all expenses paid trips to Whistler, cruises, new cars, a $35K mortgage down payment in partnership with Mortgage Brokers Ottawa) during the commercial break fodder/trivia games, instead of $20 Tims Cards or the like.
- ahjnkn

Many good ideas.
I think correct me if im wrong 50 50 has been online for a few seasons , everyone can buy in.

Really happy to see line combos at practice today:

Norris with Batherson and Tkachuk
Pinto with Brown and Paul
Tierney with Steutzel and Formenton
the best of the rest

Love that third line. I want to see Stuetzle and Formenton play together. Tierney may surprise. He may not keep up but he could do a great job in getting the puck to two of the top burners in the league,

Really happy to see line combos at practice today:

Norris with Batherson and Tkachuk
Pinto with Brown and Paul
Tierney with Steutzel and Formenton
the best of the rest

Love that third line. I want to see Stuetzle and Formenton play together. Tierney may surprise. He may not keep up but he could do a great job in getting the puck to two of the top burners in the league,
- spatso

The centre position could really use some insulation. Norris is ok for the top 6 right now but Pinto and Tierney are 3, 4 options. Pinto may move up, but not anytime soon. Some may say “White is out of the lineup” but I am not sure he would add much.

Dorion’s season goal should be adding a quality centre and a legitimate bottom 4 d-man.

The team’s wingers are coming together alright, especially if some can play on off wings.

I feel for Sens fans with their owner

I'm no PR guy, but it seems to me that if Melnyk really wants the fill the stands he should consider:
- stop being $1M away from having the 2nd lowest payroll in the entire NHL
- not making empty promises about improving the roster
- if marketing a young/dynamic team, make sure that's your on-ice product

Ottawa is a relatively educated hockey market that can tolerate watching exciting young talent making some mistakes... not so much watching a team that's congested with cheapskate 3rd pairing D-men/4th line forwards that take away development opportunities from promising young players (e.g. Formenton, White, Balcers, Chlapik, Brannstrom, etc.).

Melnyk should probably also consider keeping his damn mouth shut.

Keep the ideas and comments coming!!!

Many good ideas.
I think correct me if im wrong 50 50 has been online for a few seasons , everyone can buy in.
- spazzbot

Hope it's true but havent seen it promoted much on broadcasts of Sens games..so far. The size of the jackpots for the Blue Jays pools got crazy by the end of the season, over $1 million for some series by the end of the season.

Trade Rumor: Chicago Blackhawks Reject Ottawa Senators Offer

There are reports of dorion wanting to trade for Dylan Strome for Chris Tierney but blackhawks wanted more.🤔🤔🤔

Trade Rumor: Chicago Blackhawks Reject Ottawa Senators Offer

There are reports of dorion wanting to trade for Dylan Strome for Chris Tierney but blackhawks wanted more.🤔🤔🤔
- SENS-sational

Throw in Sanford, Zaitsev, and Murray.

Throw in Sanford, Zaitsev, and Murray.
- khawk

Lol seems legit 🤣

Trade Rumor: Chicago Blackhawks Reject Ottawa Senators Offer

There are reports of dorion wanting to trade for Dylan Strome for Chris Tierney but blackhawks wanted more.🤔🤔🤔
- SENS-sational

I truly cant see Dorion offering something so ridiculous for Strome! He needs another center, not trade one for another one.