I'm not disputing that a new owner can bring in a better operational structure to the organization, and replace current management, if they so determine, and set the franchise on what they see as the right path.
But improvements in the management will only go so far, as there are issues unrelated to management that have to be addressed. They'll also have to deal with the challenges of the marketplace, as have all previous owners have done.
A new owner is not going to come in with the mindset that they're going to lose money operating the franchise, as a business model. They'd be wanting to turn a profit at some point, and pay off any debt the franchise is carrying.
Personally i think this is flat out wrong.
We could have a perennial contender and this franchise won't generate enough revenue to pay above average salary, high end hockey ops and fund an arena.
New ownership would improve things and i REALLY hope we get that, but it isn't going to change this market place.
Again back to the "realities of the market", which is not the argument, I feel pretty reasonable as far as accepting a budget. I'm okay with not getting the most expensive coaches and gm's, although clearly some more budget needs to be alloted there. I'm okay with having to scout particular regions and leagues only because of budget restraint. I can accept we won't always keep our players, I'd just like to see much better personnel decisions there and start choosing the right ones and being way more pro active.
Considering there's at least one interested buyer, I'd rather take my chances with them trying a new thing, over the same shit show that blames fans and has fireside chats telling fans what they should think instead of internal reflection on all their poor decisions.
You guys are significantly underestimating the impact of competence, no meddling from an owner with no hockey knowledge, new people, new vision, new marketing, etc. I feel the team is an absolute embarassment in many of these aspects, that they have lynched their own product, and it is not about the "realities of the Ottawa market."