Given that you claim Ottawa's demands are ridiculous, please tell me what they are. We're all dying to know. Thank you in advance.
By all reputable accounts, Melnyk's insistence of adding Ryan's albatross contract to any Karlsson trade are ridiculous demands.
Let's think logically here. These are two separate issues that Melnyk, in his infinite wisdom, is blurring together at the detriment of his own franchise.
The Senators signed Ryan to a horrific deal by their own free will. They didn't "take on" that contract. They were foolish enough to overpay Ryan by a lot, for way too many years, and now they need to own it. They made their bed. Instead, they're trying to burden other teams with their awful contract while still demanding a premium for a great player. Any logical person can see why these demands are, indeed, ridiculous.
Melnyk is the sole reason why his franchise is in shambles right now. And, instead of stepping aside and letting his "hockey people" make solid decisions to help the Senators, he's going to preside over the mishandling and departure of his team's all-time greatest player.
Again, according to reputable accounts, Dorion has worked out a very solid deal with Yzerman for Karlsson, but the deal has reportedly fell apart due to Melnyk's sabotage (insistence on Ryan being added). This is a clear deal-breaker for Tampa, which is offering the best return because Karlsson is willing to extend with them.
If Melnyk really cared about his team, his fans, his captain, he would sign off on a deal that is best for everyone. Of course, this would mean sacrificing his own ego and owning a poor contract that he previously blessed.
And fans wonder why Karlsson wants out and no longer wants to play for this lunatic. Even Turris said that management wanted him but the owner did not. A good owner let's his people do their job - Melnyk is a crum. If I were a Sens fan, I'd be furious.
And, before anyone says, "who are these reputable sources?", they are Pierre Mcguire and Doug Maclean. Both men said that they know of the type of pieces Yzerman is willing to pay for a Karlsson, and the pieces are better than any other offer, because Karlsson wants to be in Tampa. MacLean said today that the ownership in Ottawa is "out of control" and Melnyk is stubbornly destroying his own franchise from within. Both men said that Dorion can not afford to "mess this deal up" and that Yzerman has extended the Sens a lifeline by offering multiple players who could immediately help the team (and according to Pierre, "in a significant way.") But Melnyk is crippling the deal by demanding Tampa clean up his mess and swallow Ryan's cap hit.
Melnyk is an idiot. You think the situation is bad now, wait until Karlsson is pissed about Melnyk's refusal to make a reasonable trade, and he's going to insist on going to market, and walking for nothing next summer. If Karlsson sticks to his guns about testing the market, no team is going to pay a premium for him at the deadline. And, it will just be an ugly situation all year.
