Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk …
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Senators owner Eugene Melnyk on if he’d consider moving the Senators if their financial situation got worse.
“If it becomes a disaster? Yes. If you start not seeing crowds showing up, yes,” Melnyk said. “For now, we are on the cusp of doing okay.”
Melnyk when asked about Erik Karlsson’s future.
“My crystal ball is covered until (GM) Pierre (Dorion) comes to me with an offer,” said Melnyk. “Honestly, I’m the last guy that sees everything after everybody has kind of agreed around the table.”
Frank Seravalli of TSN: Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk had some strong words yesterday as the team prepares for today’s outdoor game.
“If it doesn’t look good here, it could look good somewhere else,” Melnyk said. “But I’m not suggesting that right now. That’s always the possibility with any franchise.”
Melnyk continued says it wasn’t posturing as the team is looking for a new downtown arena.
“I don’t bluff,” Melnyk said. “I won’t sell it. It just won’t happen. Imagine if you own a McDonalds franchise, but you can move it. Why would you sell it? It’s something that’s very difficult to buy. We’re doing OK here. We’re not doing great.”
Melnyk says he has the money to continue to float the team, but adds he won’t blow all the money he’s made in his lifetime to support a hockey team.
Melnyk denied the rumors that he’s missed payments for his front office and that didn’t reimburse scouting expenses.
He’s made financial cuts to most departments, and player payroll could be next.
“We are probably one of the thinnest management groups in the league,” Melnyk said. “The next thing you have to look at is players … It’s a direct relationship between revenue and how much you spend on players … We spend $68 million a year. Unlike everyone says, ‘You are cheap?’ Are you kidding me? … Even at $68 million, that’s way too much over a revenue base that we have.”
