coladin
Registered User
- Sep 18, 2009
- 11,815
- 4,503
It's quite possible, but I meant on the local front. Assuming things are even reconcilable, what's the end game?
Franchise is toast here and it is just a matter of time. He ain't selling. He will move it rather than sell . If he digs in, it will just be an NHL farm team for ever and ever Amen. They will play in front of sparse diehards, but nothing that they do will change the fact that people are done with the owner. Being Ottawans, they will cling to that aspect, while constantly harping on the organization not being run "properly". They can correct everything, but nothing will change the fact that Ottawa fans are smart and frugal.
Smart and frugal are the two worst qualities for a sports franchise to succeed. You need dumb neanderthals (like myself), to rah rah when things are a disaster and look for positives. They need dummies to go to games and support their team, and they have to oblivious to the fact that TV contracts have made in person attendance less critical (or so the smart and frugal think).
In the event that he sells because he simply can't survive with COVID, that may be Ottawa's only hope. But the NHL will not want to prop up Ottawa when there are other markets. COVID will make finances even more critical moving forward. They will point to dwindling attendance, meager support fan and corporate wise, unfair media, blame the city for not helping the Senators move downtown, and they will get the required support from the 24 other penny pinchers, who could give two shits about Ottawa, to find a location that makes the owners money, and costs the NHL owners less money.
Unless fans give the hate a rest, this will only get worse. And, honestly, the team and franchise are on the cusp of great things. Two huge pieces are going to join this team. Exciting pieces. They will be wearing the uniforms that we all want. Melnyk has all but retreated into a bunker and now wears a muzzle. The Belleville gang looks fantastic. Prices are cheap to cheer these guys on, and you can still hate the owner while doing so . Like I do.