Attendance thorny issue for Melnyk
Sept. 7, 2017: “The attendance shifts have been dramatic over a period of two decades. The whole trend now is less seats and more (in-house sections), and frankly, smaller stadiums. When you look at things like a new downtown stadium, we’re not going to build a 20,000-seat stadium. It will be probably be closer to 15,000-17,000 there.” — Melnyk talking about the decision to put tarps over 1,500 seats for the 2017-18 season. Earlier this week, Melnyk acknowledged it was a mistake and the tarps will be removed for the 2018-19 season. Sept. 7, 2017: “We have decreased in the last four or five years. I don’t know what happened, but we have decreased by about 25 per cent.” — Melnyk on declining season ticket sales. The Senators averaged 15,289 fans per game in 2017-18, 24th in the NHL, down from 16,744 in 2016-17 (21st), 18,084 in 2015-16 (17th) and 18,246 in 2014-15 (16th). Dec. 15, 2017: “I’m not suggesting that right now. What I’m saying is, I would never sell the team. (Moving) is always the possibility, with any franchise. If you open a grocery store and nobody comes, but one opens two blocks down and there’s a line outside, where are you going to have your store? Here, we’re fighting every day to sell a ticket. Honest to God. And when you get to the third round of the playoffs and you’re begging people to buy a ticket, something ’s wrong with that picture. We’re just hoping that changes, that’s all.” — Melnyk saying he would move the franchise before he sells the franchise. At town halls earlier this week, Melnyk said his words were “mischaracterized” by the media, but also said he would be “smarter and wiser” in his answers in the future. Jan. 25, 2018: “I am thrilled to be one step closer to bringing Ottawa Senators fans a more enjoyable experience. Though there are many hurdles to overcome, today we have moved closer to realizing a vision for LeBreton Flats — creating a place of pride for Ottawa residents, the Ottawa Senators hockey team and visitors.” — Melnyk in a video statement about the latest stage in the LeBreton Flats arena development process. Feb. 28, 2018: “Enduring a tough year has given us a chance for clear-eyed evaluation. This is an ongoing process, but I can tell you one thing: we are not looking to just tweak our lineup nor mortgage our future for stopgap solutions. I have every intention of rebuilding the Senators to become the finest team in the NHL.” — Melnyk in a statement to Senators season-ticket holders. During the town halls this week, Melnyk and Dorion referred to a “three-to-five year” plan for the Senators to compete for the Stanley Cup. April 10, 2018: “You can only go as far as you can go and we will go as far as we can.” — Melnyk, at Tuesday’s town hall, referring to the contract extension the Senators offer captain Erik Karlsson on July 1.