"We invite the Ottawa Senators to come to the podium to make their next selection, please."
All eyes turn to the Senators' table ... which no longer exists. All electronic devices, stationery, refreshments, and furniture have been removed. The Senators' logo board is likewise nowhere to be seen.
Gary Bettman stands up on his Lil'Helper stool, a scowl growing on his face.
"Where the HELL has Melnyk gone to NOW!" he thunders into the microphone.
"We saw him and the rest of his team standing outside the arena early this morning," reports Marc Bergevin. "They had a pile of boxes around them. I thought that cheapskate was just taking home their remaining materials."
"They took our cell phones!" yells Kevin Cheveldayoff from the Winnipeg table.
"And our pens," blurts out Ken Holland.
"Every one of them had their parking validated," adds a stunned Stan Bowman. "They didn't even have a vehicle here."
"Hey, there's something stapled to the Maple Leafs logo," reports Bill Daly. "It's an envelope, addressed to you, Mr. Bettman."
A furious Gary Bettman grabs the envelope from Daly's hand, tears it open and begins reading.
Dear Gary and all.
Thanks for the free stuff. We checked out early since we didn't have a pick until the 6th Round. When our turn comes around, just pick someone decent. Take Michael Karow, defenseman from the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL, if he's still around. He's going to Boston College, so I won't have to be forking out any cash to him in the near future.
Eugene,
P.S. You might want to send Bill over to the Motel 6 with the company credit card. We booked under your name, cleared out the room furniture, and the boys got a little crazy at the restaurant waffle house this morning!
P.P.S. Thanks for the Jumbotron, Rocky.
All attention snaps upward to see an unobstructed view to the arena ceiling.
Bettman puts his head in his hands. "Eugene, you penny-pinching son of a ..."
select Zach Sawchenko
select Cameron Crotty.
select Griffen Outhouse.
is up next.
select from Frölunda 
