Things go from bad to worse for Sens
The Ottawa Senators were one shot from playing for the Stanley Cup last May. Next to nothing has gone right since.
On and off the ice, the Senators have been an unmitigated disaster in the wake of their 3-2 double overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 7 of the 2017 Eastern Conference final.
The team stumbled its way to a forgettable 30th-place finish this season, but that doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of what has been an epic faceplant.
Apart from the long losing streaks and abysmal performances, the past year has seen a former player lash out, owner Eugene Melnyk threaten to move the franchise on the eve of his showcase outdoor game, the uncertain future of captain Erik Karlsson, a minor fan revolt, and assistant general manager Randy Lee being charged with harassment.
The most popular player in team history, Daniel Alfredsson, was also quoted saying he hopes the Senators are sold to ensure their future in the nation’s capital, the club’s plan for a new downtown arena remains very much up in the in the air, and a baby garment featuring the Senators logo was recalled because of a potential choking hazard.
But things hit a stunning new low this week when it emerged Karlsson’s wife has filed an order of protection against the spouse of one of his teammates, alleging harassment and cyberbullying.
Melinda Karlsson alleges that Monika Caryk, the longtime partner of Senators forward Mike Hoffman, posted hundreds of derogatory online messages aimed at her and her husband.
“Monika Caryk has uttered numerous statements wishing my unborn child dead,” Melinda Karlsson said in the sworn statement. The Karlssons’ first child, a son named Axel, was stillborn in March.
It’s hard to envision a worse 12-month span for a team.
It’s also important to ask, especially with the NHL draft, free agency and what could be a franchise-altering summer just around the corner, ‘How did the Senators get to this point?’
While the last year has been especially bad, the relationship between Melnyk, who saved the club out of bankruptcy in 2003, and fans has been volatile for some time.
On the eve of December’s outdoor game, Melnyk mused that he might have to move the team if ticket sales didn’t improve.
The #MelnykOut hashtag was launched on Twitter the same month, and while the owner eventually backtracked on the relocation talk, some fans decided to vent their frustration by raising money to fund a series of billboards featuring the slogan.
Ottawa can offer Karlsson a contract extension when free agency opens July 1, however it remains to be seen if the dollar figure or his general feeling on the direction of the franchise will make him want to stay.
Then there’s Hoffman, who has two years left on his deal, but has been rumoured to be on the trade block since the winter.