So if you're suggesting that the Ottawa market can't generate enough revenue to sustain a NHL Franchise, and the only way a NHL franchise can compete "in this environment of ever increasing salaries & cap" is with an owner "with much deeper pockets" AKA their own money... I kind of agree with you
And that's what makes last night statement, from the owner, about "spending close to the cap for 5 seasons" was so baffling.
Where is this extra money going to be coming from?
Does the NHL expect their piece of the action from legal sports betting is going to bring in more revenues?
Does the NHL expect to gain some concessions from the NHLPA, through a new CBA that closes some loopholes and allows smaller market teams to compete on the same level as the larger markets?
Bottom-line...whatever it is he is pulling it out of his a$$.
Sure, there could be something legitimate behind the statement, but nothing concrete. Lebreton is not done, no announcement of a minority owner, CBA still to be renegotiate, new TV/other revenue streams still to be determined...etc, etc.
1- I don't see how it could be Lebreton or a new minority Owner. Simply because, if this project is such a difficult negotiation over money, how does someone have an extra 100 mil that they are willing to dump into the player budget at the end of it all?
2- Has he been lying about the finances the whole time, and the team is profitable enough that we can spend to the cap?
3- He is just lying.
If it is not one of the above, then it is something outside of his control, and if it is then this is purely grasping at straws to appease players/sponsors, because whatever it is could totally fall apart.