Eugene Melnyk Pledges to spend near salary cap: FYOUS Edition

[Upgrayedd]

I've never defended Melnyk, but I can spell his name correctly.

I you believe that he "has the money" to spend to the cap in two or three seasons from now, you're welcome to do so.

I don't.

Do you have a source for this?

 

[foggyvisor]

Eugene Melnyk and partner John Ruddy of the Trinity Development Group, were already in Toronto, for several days of meetings, that started Monday in an attempt to try to the save RendezVous LeBreton’s deal with the National Capital Commission.

Then there was the Scheduled Corporate Sponsorship event, on Tuesday, at the Hockey Hall of Fame, where he made this commitment to those in attendance.

The Senators then released the Commitment, to the public the next day (Wednesday).

I didn't ask for his schedule this week.

I'm questioning his communications strategy.

 

[Alex1234]

I've never defended Melnyk, but I can spell his name correctly.

I you believe that he "has the money" to spend to the cap in two or three seasons from now, you're welcome to do so.

I don't.

LOL
At least you can spell the owner name correctly

 

[bert]

The one thing I’d like to check into is the ‘Donations’ part of his statement. He says the Senators have contributed $105 million - is that money directly from the Senators or is this money donated by the community through things like Sens House that is redistributed through the Sens.

I find that statement misleading and attributes generosity to the team and not the community. Just arrogant and disingenuous, it sums up Melnycks attitude

Its pathetic and falls in line with everything he has done.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Great, now I have that annoying Two Princes song stuck in my head.

 

[Samboni]

LOL, his pledge reminds of a sign I once saw in a bar: “Free beer... tomorrow!”

 

[CDN24]

With apologies to Peyton Manning,

We're talking about our idiot owner who got liquored up and ran his mouth off.

 

[BondraTime]

Honestly, whoever brought up the Michael Scott 30 days 30 points speech, I'm in tears about everything.

Watch that episode and just insert Melnyk in for Michael and Pierre in for Oscar.

My gf thought I was was mental I was laughing so much last night.

The twirl, the face of surprise when everyone isn't happy, the sudden realization that nobody has a plan, the idea that Oscar (Pierre) has a plan, but when asked about it just sheepishly agrees that everyone is doing a good job.

Unbelievable parallels.

Crossovers episode of that and Scott's Tott's

Died at the Sandals, Jamaica and Eugenes Africa calander as well.

 

[BonkTastic]

Bonk def rocked this tape in his walkman in the 90's while wearing a fisherman's hat, Oakley's and flinging devil sticks in the park.

Replace Oakley's with dollar-store square-frames, and replace devil sticks with a frisbee, and pretty much, yeah.

 

[Senscore]

I've never defended Melnyk

 

[swiftwin]

Honestly, whoever brought up the Michael Scott 30 days 30 points speech, I'm in tears about everything.

Watch that episode and just insert Melnyk in for Michael and Pierre in for Oscar.

My gf thought I was was mental I was laughing so much last night.

The twirl, the face of surprise when everyone isn't happy, the sudden realization that nobody has a plan, the idea that Oscar (Pierre) has a plan, but when asked about it just sheepishly agrees that everyone is doing a good job.

Unbelievable parallels.

Died at the Sandals, Jamaica and Eugenes Africa calander as well.

Welp... I guess I know what I'm doing today...

 

[Artanis]

This part REALLY goes unnoticed here in his "statement". He doesn't even agree to spend money.
"but when his general manager confirms that the Senators have all the pieces of the foundation in place"

 

[Xspyrit]

OK it got me curious to look at the situation in 2020-21

So let's say Lebreton is underway and the team will move downtown in the near future, which should result in a significant increase of revenues (ticket price and quantity, popularity gain so more merchandises sales, corporate sales increase (?), other venues, more revenues from parking and concessions, etc) that would stabilize the financial situation of the team. So let's assume Melnyk follows through and does open a much bigger budget.

Let's also say that hockey Gods allow the Sens to retain Stone and Duchene and sign them long-term. A lot of what happens will depend on that, but let's say that in that case, and with all the youth coming (and future picks), you wouldn't need and couldn't keep everyone. If Stone and Duchene stay, then maybe Dzingel and Ceci should be traded. Keep in mind that according to that plan, it's not important where the team finishes this year and next but the goal would be to contend for the playoffs in 2020-21. Here's who I think should be traded before that 2020-21 season :

- Cody Ceci (TD 2019)
- Ryan Dzingel (TD 2019)
- Magnus Paajarvi (TD 2019)

- Mikkel Boedker (TD 2020 or before)
- Craig Anderson (TD 2020 or before)
- Ben Harpur (TD 2020 or before)
- Mark Borowiecki (TD 2020 or before)

- Chris Tierney (they could trade Pageau instead but I'd rather trade CT because he should have a bit more value and is not a huge fan favorite like Pageau, which is good for marketing reasons in Gatineau. Plus one of the best defensive player on the team and very likeable character)
- Zack Smith (retain on salary if necessary but 20-21 is his last year)

With those assets (and picks if necessary), they should target the best young D-man available, preferably on the right side for more balance. Ideally, Melnyk would sell before July and EK would sign as a UFA but it doesn't look like it's Melnyk plan. So, for example, target someone like Dougie Hamilton, as I suggested in another thread.

What it would take to get him? Would Dzingel + Ceci suffice? Add a 2nd and/or 3rd? So let's assume I'm able to get Hamilton for Dzingel (which the Canes extend 5 years), Ceci and Columbus 3rd in 2020*

So according to that plan, the line-up in 20-21 would be :

20-21 - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

Rūdolfs Balcers ($1,500,000) - Matt Duchene ($9,000,000) - Drake Batherson ($736,666)
Brady Tkachuk ($925,000) - Colin White ($2,000,000) - Mark Stone ($9,000,000)
Alex Formenton ($753,333) - Logan Brown ($863,333) - Bobby Ryan ($7,250,000)
Josh Norris ($925,000) - Jean-Gabriel Pageau ($3,500,000) - Filip Chlapik ($1,200,000)

Thomas Chabot ($8,000,000) - Dougie Hamilton ($5,750,000)
Christian Wolanin ($1,500,000) - Christian Jaros ($1,500,000)
Maxime Lajoie ($710,000) - Jacob Bernard-Docker ($925,000)
Dylan DeMelo ($1,500,000)

Anders Nilsson ($2,000,000) - Filip Gustavsson ($761,666)

RETAINED SALARY TRANSACTIONS (1)
Dion Phaneuf ($1,750,000)

DETAILS
Roster Size: 21
Salary Cap: $85,000,000
Cap Hit: $62,049,998
Cap Space: $22,950,002

Salaries to RFAs and UFAs are roughly estimated because very hard to predict at this point in time, I gave Stone and Duchene 9 M$ each. Chabot 8 M$

Even with those big contracts, the Sens still have like 18 M$ of cap space (counted the MacArthur's cap hit and estimated the salary cap at 85 M$ for that season) and more money coming off the books soon in Ryan and MacArthur, so it will be very easy to afford raises to some young players and Hamilton extension.

All that being said, what I would like to see the most, is a major investment in coaching, get someone of Quenneville stature or the very best available. If you don't have proper coaching in the NHL, you could have the best roster possible and spend to the cap, but you won't succeed. It has been proved countless times.


* Here was what Hamilton was traded for when he was 22 and after posting 42 pts in 72 games :

Calgary Flames acquire	Date	Boston Bruins acquire
Dougie Hamilton [TBODY] [/TBODY]	June 26, 2015	2015 1st round pick 2015 2nd round pick 2015 2nd round pick [TBODY] [/TBODY]

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

That's why I think Dzingel + Ceci + 3rd is realistic.

 

[GrantLemons]

Eugene Melnyk's plan for Senators brings cynicism and doubt - Sportsnet.ca

Maybe Melnyk will sell the team before it hits this supposed winning window of 2021-25, and his promise to spend will be carried out by new ownership.

Now, that is the kind of news that would get people dancing in the streets of Ottawa.

Wayne Scanlan gets it.

 

[Joeyjoejoe]

I've never defended Melnyk,

 

[Sensung]

This part REALLY goes unnoticed here in his "statement". He doesn't even agree to spend money.
"but when his general manager confirms that the Senators have all the pieces of the foundation in place"

Good point.

Not that following his promises has ever mattered to this "pathological" liar.

 

[coladin]

This is what I see too.

I don't get how people think this means he won't pay Duchene/Stone.. Like if he says he's going to spend to the cap in 2 years he's not going to go out and spend from the cap minimum to the cap maximum in one summer 2 years from now.. Thats just unrealistic.

If Melnyk wants to win this fanbase back (I know some are just never going to be on his side again..), but if he wants to get alot of the fanbase back, it starts now with a financial commitment to our 2 best players. So for me its put up or shut up time. But I think he knows if wants to keep owning a team, he has to pay out to get a championship.

Exactly, like they can all of a sudden go from floor to ceiling. These guys are the start of the pieces to get to the ceiling. He is going to have to pay and the fans may come back if there is hope. If you can't keep your stars, you will not keep your fans.

 

[coladin]

At this point he’s pretty much killed all my interest in this team and the NHL. It’s pretty incredible what he’s done. I still record the games out of habit but as soon as I saw his statement yesterday, I just stopped the game and deleted it because what’s the point really?

There’s literally NOTHING to look forward to. No hope, no excitement on the ice. I really don’t understand how he can destroy his own franchise the way he has.

You missed a pretty good game.

I think there is a lot to look forward to, but no one seems to have any patience. It is something that I have always felt about this city. They were all on board for the rebuild, but not for the pain and frustration behind it.

 

[Tap on the Ankle]

For me, if Stone and Duchene walk, the first big sign will be Chabot. Do we give him 7-8 years at 7-8 million in the summer of 2019 or 2020?

Most likely they trade Chabot to save money and then Melnyk uses the savings to launch a lawsuit against the league for not letting him spend below the floor.

 

[albator71]

Melnyk should just shut-up and go away far far away.

 

[Upgrayedd]

His handlers if there are any left on board must absolutely die when he goes off script like this and torpedoes himself a la Trump.

 

[Sensung]

You missed a pretty good game.

I think there is a lot to look forward to, but no one seems to have any patience. It is something that I have always felt about this city. They were all on board for the rebuild, but not for the pain and frustration behind it.

Do you base your faith on our slightly above average prospect pool or our 27th place AHL squad?

 

[GrantLemons]

You missed a pretty good game.

I think there is a lot to look forward to, but no one seems to have any patience. It is something that I have always felt about this city. They were all on board for the rebuild, but not for the pain and frustration behind it.

No one has faith in this management team, my dude. That's where the frustration comes from. How can we? It's been nothing but horrible value in trades from a GM in way over his head, and a way too overly involved owner who won't step back and hire a proper front office.

Put a respected GM/President in place and you'll have fan buy-in in a nanosecond.

Fans aren't not buying into a rebuild. They're not buying into a rebuild led by two guys that are completely and utterly unqualified to lead us into a rebuild.

 

[Sensung]

No one has faith in this management team, my dude. That's where the frustration comes from. How can we? It's been nothing but horrible value in trades from a GM in way over his head, and a way too overly involved owner who won't step back and hire a proper front office.

Put a respected GM/President in place and you'll have fan buy-in in a nanosecond.

Fans aren't not buying into a rebuild. They're not buying into a rebuild led by two guys that are completely and utterly unqualified to lead us into a rebuild.

They aren't buying the "rebuild" because they know that is a lie. This is a FMF and the fans know it.

 

[Senscore]

Fundamentally, if he actually cares about being a "near cap team" beginning in 2021, then money needs to be spent now on the front office and hockey operations.

We need the proper resources to be able to go out and find guys worth spending on, and develop the talent we do have. Realistically it's much more efficient to spend on management and see results than it is to just dump money on free agents. At the very least just so you can assess free agents that will actually help the team and walk away from those that won't.


And yet, nothing. There is absolutely no commitment from him whatsoever.