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Ottawa Senators: New Arena in Jeopardy After Mediation Fails

By Hunter Eitel

OTTAWA, ON - OCTOBER 07: General view of the Canadian Tire Centre before the NHL game between the Ottawa Senators and the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 7, 2017 at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Steven Kingsman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - OCTOBER 07: General view of the Canadian Tire Centre before the NHL game between the Ottawa Senators and the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 7, 2017 at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Steven Kingsman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Knowing how Eugene Melnyk operates, this should not come as a surprise to anyone associated with the Ottawa Senators.

What a horrible week it has been for the Ottawa Senators. Trading Matt Duchene, Ryan Dzingel and, heartbreakingly, Mark Stone, losing to the Calgary Flames, getting murdered by the Washington Capitals, and listening to Pierre Dorion ramble on about patience. What else could go wrong?

Well the universe seems to believe in karma, and it is time for Eugene Melnyk to pay his due.

The new arena situation in Lebreton Flats looks to be on its last breath. Judge Warren Winkler (Yes, that’s a real name), has told the National Capital Commission that mediation had not produced a settlement between the two parties involved in the negotiations. This announcement comes just 24 hours before the deadline set by the NCC to reach a settlement.

No Surprise

Not saying we could see this coming from a mile away, but we could see this coming from a mile away. The talks have been at a standstill, escalating to the point where Capital Sports Management Inc. (Melnyk’s firm) sued his partners (Trinity Developments) in the venture for $700 million; Trinity then launched a $1 billion countersuit.

This entire debacle is one large circus. At one point, Melnyk said Trinity should pay $500 million to build the new arena, with the Ottawa Senators paying rent at a rate of $1 per year. Yes, one dollar per year. Apparently, trying to build a multi-million dollar sports arena with a well-known cheap skate has its downsides.

That’s A Wrap

Melnyk’s “genius” has undone any progress Trinity and the Senators had made towards a new arena, maybe for good. Why would the NCC want to deal with Melnyk’s greed again, they’re better off getting their funds for the project elsewhere. The redevelopment of LeBreton Flats will have to go on without the Sens.

dark. Next. Worst Game in Franchise History?

The owner of the Ottawa Senators has once again screwed the pooch on the new arena deal. Melnyk’s drive to build a new arena could stem from him wanting to raise the value of the Senators organization so he can sell it for a higher cost. His drive for financial gain has bitten him on the back-side in the past, and this time it may cost the Sens a downtown arena.

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