Is it a reasonable conclusion to think that losing would actually help attendance though? Yes, attendance has declined but selling off the most marketable asset for $.50 on the dollar isn't good economics. You feed the fan concern about owners commitment to building a winning team. Attendance will surely decline further if we trade Karlsson and don't show signs of a plan for the future. We have fans saying "why would I invest in the team if the owner won't?" and an owner saying "why would I invest in the team if the fans won't?". Call it the Ottawa standoff... but the city & team need a paradigm shift. Something else to focus on, whether it be a rebuild with exciting youth or we keep EK and build around him. Melnyk needs to be less Harold Ballard and more Eddie deBartolo - work WITH the fans, not against them. But a plan needs to be developed and marketed to the fans so we can stop the acrimony with the owner.
PD is in a tough spot, if he can get his price it won't be a "win" but he might be able to move on and the team could still thrive under a different approach. He, seemingly, has to move his franchise player because of his owner, he has the fewest resources in the NHL for pro scouting, he has little to no leverage in negotiations and had to think about what the trade would mean to Stone, Duchene, Dzingle and other players coming into a UFA year. He's clearly not the best poker player at the table, but he's been dealt 2-7 offsuit in this one. At least, so far, he's played his hand well. Dorion's game is draft and develop, I think he'll prove to be a decent player at it - but he's handcuffed by some unfortunate shit off ice. It's a scary situation for us fans.
Edit: that was a reply to mysens, who seems to have deleted his post.