The future of the Ottawa Senators

[Tuna99]

Also, don’t think the FYOUS are guaranteed anymore and you wonder about Dorion and Smith future with new ownership.

Could be a whole new crew by the draft

 

[PoutineSp00nZ]

Also, don’t think the FYOUS are guaranteed anymore and you wonder about Dorion and Smith future with new ownership.

Could be a whole new crew by the draft

Its a pivotal year for the team too. Contract talks for Norris. Zub needs an extension. Decisions to be made with zaitsev,white and Murray.

No clue how any of this is going to play out with ownership a question mark.

Whatever happens needs to happen quickly

 

[Tuna99]

Its a pivotal year for the team too. Contract talks for Norris. Zub needs an extension. Decisions to be made with zaitsev,white and Murray.

No clue how any of this is going to play out with ownership a question mark.

Whatever happens needs to happen quickly

Relaunching ticket sales and just bringing focus to a franchise without an owner. It’s sudden news so stability for this franchise at this time is critical

 

[Tuna99]

NHL will bring in a partner who has money for a new arena

 

[SpezDispenser]

Sold quickly I imagine. By Easter should have a new owner. NHL will act quickly, they know who’s interested and who has the money.

NCC, City, Province will all fall in line and respectfully so.

You would think this could get done really quickly.

 

[Joeyjoejoe]

I just hope that there is new ownership that brings in experienced hockey people before the draft and free agency. This will be a pivotal off season for the team and Dorion is not the man for it.

Hopefully it’s Alfie and Philips as presidents.

 

[Icelevel]

I dunno I think it's pretty disrespectful to start this thread right after the man died but that's just me.

Definitely disrespectful.

 

[Sun God Nika]

don't think this thread is a insult to euge, the businessman side of him is probably proud of us to get to this discussion so quickly.

Devcore has publicly said they are interested in buying the team in the past, they have also been over the NCC lebreton flats bids, its a group of wealthy individuals.

Obviously there is that piece from Bruce that says Melnyk has set this team up to be in his family for generations, but Im sure the NHL will want stability in ownership and not two early 20 year olds making management decisions for a NHL club.

Obviously I hope the NHL forces a sale for maximum value of the team and has proceeds alloced to Eugues beneficiaries, as I think thats best for everyone here.

 

[Tuna99]

You would think this could get done really quickly.

It’s just money and the people who build a new arenas have lots of that so don’t think it will be hard for the NHL to find someone who is ready

 

[Tap on the Ankle]

From a quick google: guys in the mix for the Penguins GM job that didn't get it

• Jason Botterill
• Chris Drury
• Mark Hunter
• Tom Fitzgerald
• Peter Chiarelli
• Scott Mellanby
• Mike Gillis
• Laurence Gilman
• John Ferguson Jr
• Mike Futa

and for the Habs

• Patrick Roy
• Emilie Castonguay
• Daniele Sauvageau
• Daniel Briere
• Mathieu Darche
• Marc Denis
• Stephane Quintal

Our next GM could very well be one of these guys

 

[Demon Eyes]

I can't imagine they could afford it. Inheritance taxes could mean a huge bill for them. Plus there's the whole Lebreton lawsuit.

When was the last time a major league sports owner in North America passed away without an obvious heir to take over?

Assen na yo.

there are no inheritance taxes in canada. his estate will have to pay some disposition taxes and file a final return. then everything that's canadian at least will be handed off to the heirs tax free

 

[TheDebater]

I just hope the franchise and fans can put this chapter behind us and be blessed with new ownership with deep pockets and no drama. Ideally you want an ownership group rather than a sole owner who might make things personal and get too involved in hockey decisions again.

We need a buyer that is going to come in and set this franchise up MLSE style where you have a proper hierarchy with presidents, VP's, down to the G.M and assistants etc.

I would like to go back to actually worrying about the salary cap rather than worrying about an "internal budget", I want to feel confident that we can sign all of our young players and not worry that they might get lowballed for example....heck I want the team to hire a "cap manager" at some point.

 

[Sun God Nika]

NHL wants a high value paid for the team, but I think Freidman leaking that sale attempt means its not staying in the family.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

Jets fan coming in peace.

I have this question too. Wonder if it goes to Melnyk's kids. Or some businessman steps up and buys the team considering there were talks of a new owner for quite some time now. But also that whole arena fiasco was something that made things difficult. But if his daughter(s) run the team I see them selling them in 2-5 seasons.

But what I do see is the potential that Dorion is out of a job in 1-2 seasons from now. I think their chief of scouting gets promoted as he did a great job or they go with someone experienced.

 

[Philadelphia Collins]

Would be cool if the new owner fired the Pierres asap and hired smart hockey people as president and GM and just let them build their front office with competent staff (and a pro scouting department lol.) I wouldn’t even care if they overhauled the amateur scouting department tbh, the 2021 draft they went off the board on what seemed like every pick and it’s blown up in their faces. It doesn’t hurt to go bpa once in a while.

 

[Fenway]

Here is the problem

A new owner will need roughly $600M USD to buy the team and then a similar amount for a new arena - that is massive debt service.

Quebec City can overpay for the franchise because they have an arena in place. The existing Bell Media TV contract can be ported to Quebec City at the same value and that would make RDS stronger in the francophone universe.

The team will not move to the US, it either stays in Ottawa or moves to either Quebec City or the Toronto area.

Renovating CTC is unlikely only because of the location. Could a new arena in Gatineau be viable

I wouldn't be surprised if the majority - or even vast majority - of his networth was tied into this team. I would suspect his daughters would be highly motivated to sell for top dollar and that he's probably got financial advisors setup to handle the money post sale.

The one thing we can be assured of is that Quebec City will overpay as it is probably their last shot at Nords 2.0.

 

[DaveMatthew]

Here is the problem

A new owner will need roughly $600M USD to buy the team and then a similar amount for a new arena - that is massive debt service.

Quebec City can overpay for the franchise because they have an arena in place. The existing Bell Media TV contract can be ported to Quebec City at the same value and that would make RDS stronger in the francophone universe.

The team will not move to the US, it either stays in Ottawa or moves to either Quebec City or the Toronto area.

Renovating CTC is unlikely only because of the location. Could a new arena in Gatineau be viable



The one thing we can be assured of is that Quebec City will overpay as it is probably their last shot at Nords 2.0.


View attachment 523304

Quebec City is slow-growing, smaller than Winnipeg, and primarily French speaking. I don’t think the NHL has any interest in that market.

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

Also, don’t think the FYOUS are guaranteed anymore and you wonder about Dorion and Smith future with new ownership.

Could be a whole new crew by the draft

If anything, it's reinforced. Team's potential now is at ridiculous high. Also coming off a few solid attendance showings. They'll use that as a marketing tool to entice new owner to come in and buy the team quick and leave imprint which could result in contender for next decade + with massive revenue.

A new owner comes in before draft, Alfie as president, they bring in new GM which allows us to get Fiala, Giroux, extend Brown, Zub.

Without an internal budget, this team is a legit contender with solid structure in place in 2 years time. Being legit playoff contenders as soon as next year.

Like someone alluded to, it's best if a few team up to make it all happen. Remember the hype with Buffalo's new owner and how that brutally waned.

 

[Fenway]

Quebec City is slow-growing, smaller than Winnipeg, and primarily French speaking. I don’t think the NHL has any interest in that market.

The wild card is Francophone television.

Keep in mind the Nords had very good TV ratings in Montreal going back to the WHA years.

 

[DrEasy]

Would it be possible for the daughters to sell a majority share of the Sens to a group that would then make all the decisions, such as investing in a new arena, setting up a professional front office, etc? This would cost less for those outside investors, the investors might be people who would know how to get the LeBreton project going again, and might include hockey lifers who would know how to run the sporting side as well. The daughters could just then pocket the money of the sale, sit back and enjoy the return on the rest of their investment into the team... win/win/win (the fans being the third party that wins)

 

[Fenway]

Would it be possible for the daughters to sell a majority share of the Sens to a group that would then make all the decisions, such as investing in a new arena, setting up a professional front office, etc? This would cost less for those outside investors, the investors might be people who would know how to get the LeBreton project going again, and might include hockey lifers who would know how to run the sporting side as well. The daughters could just then pocket the money of the sale, sit back and enjoy the return on the rest of their investment into the team... win/win/win (the fans being the third party that wins)

The family accountants will call the shots as NONE of us are privy to Melnyk's financials.

In the end, Bettman and the BoG will sign off on whatever deal is the highest for franchise value. Keep in mind what Bettman told the Quebec government back in January - 'nothing is available at this time'.

All 7 Candian teams were hammered by COVID restrictions this season but Ottawa's cash flow was decimated

16	Vancouver	32​	539,944​	16,873​	89.2​	36​	15,461​	85.2​	68​	16,125​	87.2​
17	NY Rangers	31​	516,930​	16,675​	92.6​	35​	16,218​	88.9​	66​	16,433​	90.6​
18	Philadelphia	34​	562,724​	16,550​	84.7​	32​	15,397​	84.9​	66​	15,991​	84.8​
19	Columbus	34​	545,473​	16,043​	88.4​	32​	14,184​	77.5​	66​	15,142​	83.1​
20	Toronto	33​	492,469​	14,923​	79.3​	32​	15,863​	89.5​	65​	15,386​	84.2​
21	Los Angeles	36​	524,674​	14,574​	79.9​	32​	15,713​	87.0​	68​	15,110​	83.3​
22	Florida	32​	459,241​	14,351​	84.2​	33​	15,244​	83.1​	65​	14,804​	83.7​
23	Edmonton	33​	472,905​	14,330​	76.9​	34​	14,690​	81.0​	67​	14,512​	78.9​
24	Montreal	33​	467,753​	14,174​	66.6​	33​	15,673​	86.5​	66​	14,923​	75.8​
25	Calgary	33​	451,183​	13,672​	70.9​	32​	15,548​	84.8​	65​	14,595​	77.6​
26	Anaheim	34​	436,040​	12,824​	74.7​	33​	14,627​	80.2​	67​	13,712​	77.5​
27	New Jersey	33​	421,681​	12,778​	77.4​	33​	15,364​	83.7​	66​	14,071​	80.7​
28	Winnipeg	34​	423,435​	12,453​	83.0​	33​	15,717​	87.0​	67​	14,061​	85.2​
29	San Jose	34​	423,070​	12,443​	70.9​	31​	15,730​	86.3​	65​	14,011​	78.4​
30	Arizona	32​	371,460​	11,608​	67.8​	34​	15,195​	83.9​	66​	13,456​	76.3​
31	Buffalo	33​	309,941​	9,392​	50.8​	34​	14,880​	81.5​	67​	12,177​	66.3​
32	Ottawa	34​	266,388​	7,834​	40.9​	31​	14,995​	82.6​	65​	11,250​	60.2​

Here is the harsh reality. After the mourning period and Melnyk's will is probated, the family heirs have to digest everything and the accountants will call the shots.

The 1977 movie Slap Shot dealt with this - WARNING LANGUAGE

 

[Yak]

Oh man, the madness has begun! I prefer to avoid this thread till reality steps in. Rumors are going to fill our heads and make us all anxious .

 

[Fenway]

Oh man, the madness has begun! I prefer to avoid this thread till reality steps in. Rumors are going to fill our heads and make us all anxious .

@Yak

Until his will is probated we can only sit back and wait. His will could well be probated in Barbados

If Melnyk knew his death was imminent he may have put a plan in place BUT WE DO NOT KNOW.

 

[Johnny Hanson]

@Yak

Until his will is probated we can only sit back and wait. His will could well be probated in Barbados

If Melnyk knew his death was imminent he may have put a plan in place BUT WE DO NOT KNOW.

I would have to think the writing has been on the wall for awhile now when it came to his health. It would absolutely shock me if he didn’t have all his ducks in a row. But we’ll wait to see

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

I would have to think the writing has been on the wall for awhile now when it came to his health. It would absolutely shock me if he didn’t have all his ducks in a row. But we’ll wait to see

Erin Crowe being signed when she did shows they already have the next few steps figured out, imo. Looks like things were dire for a while unfortunately.