Bettman pushing downtown arena

New rink essential for Sens, NHL boss tells Bruce Garrioch

Gary Bettman was STOCKHOLM tight-lipped on negotiations between the Ottawa Senators and the National Capital Commission for a new arena at LeBreton Flats Friday night.

But he made it clear the dream needs to become reality.

Speaking before the Senators faced the Colorado Avalanche in Game 1 of the Global Series at the Ericsson Globe, Bettman indicated any update will have to come from Ottawa owner Eugene Melnyk, but noted a new rink is important for the future of the franchise in the city.

The club’s attendance has slipped at the Canadian Tire Centre and that’s an indication the club needs a new home.

“A new downtown arena is vitally important to the longterm future, stability and competitiveness of the Senators,” said Bettman Friday night.

OFF THE GLASS

Ryan Dzingel came to Stockholm with a youth hockey team 13 years ago and has kept in touch with the family that housed him at the time.

He had dinner on Tuesday night with the Hultman family and they were in the stands for the game.

HOMETOWN HERO

Swedish legend Peter Forsberg, who is an NHL ambassador this weekend with former Senators’ captain Daniel Alfredsson, got a thunderous standing ovation when he dropped the puck Friday night. You can expect the same kind of greeting for Alfredsson on Saturday before Ottawa’s “home” game.

AROUND THE BOARDS

This won’t be the last time the NHL ventures overseas. Ninetyseven per cent of the tickets sold were scanned as fans entered the 13,303-seat building on Friday.

THE LAST WORDS

Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, a Stockholm native, didn’t feel the demands on his time were over the top while he was here.

“I’m not really used to this much coverage . ... I’m sure this is just another day in the life of Erik Karlsson,” said a grinning Landeskog.

“I’m just trying to enjoy every moment.”