A Swede feeling
Owner Eugene Melnyk feels great about his Senators and their trip to Stockholm
STOCKHOLM — Eugene Melnyk can’t hide his excitement.
Not only is the Ottawa Senators owner thrilled his team is set to face off against the Colorado Avalanche in this back-to-back regular season series that gets under way Friday at the Ericsson Globe, Melnyk’s also looking forward to seeing the debut of newly acquired forward Matt Duchene against his former team.
Melnyk has had this date circled on the calendar for months and the fact Duchene is now part of it just adds to what was already going to be something the franchise was pleased to participate in before GM Pierre Dorion made the deal Sunday.
“It’s been something we’ve looked forward to all summer,” Melnyk said in an interview Thursday before taking a city tour on a bus. “It’s especially exciting with Duchene coming on board and we’re now playing against his old team.
“We went to the players first because we wanted to make sure they were good with this. It’s a little extra work. They have to travel, they have to be away from their families for over a week and everybody was completely in — especially the Swedes. (Captain) Erik (Karlsson) was excited we were able to come here and show off his team. It’s a beautiful city, beautiful country and nice people.”
The decision to get Duchene just before the Senators arrived here has worked out well for the team and Melnyk backed the threeteam deal by Dorion that sent centre Kyle Turris to the Nashville Predators.
“I was very excited,” Melnyk said. “Matt could be the difference for us going into the playoffs and actually winning a few rounds. I really enjoyed (Turris). I welcomed on his very first day when he got off the plane from Arizona. To see him go is really kind of sad because I really liked him as a person.
“But you bring in Matt and he’s got more of the power forward look than Kyle. I really think he’s going to contribute and I think that’s really positive. He’s going to add some points for us.”
Of course, Melnyk is hopeful the fans in Ottawa can get behind this team as much as he does. He didn’t want to get into any discussion about the delicate matter of the club’s attendance because it’s something the organization is focused on and trying to improve.
The move to get Duchene was also made to let the fans know the Senators want to win.
“I hope the message gets out that it doesn’t get better than this,” Melnyk said. “If you think it’s just winning a Stanley Cup, it doesn’t go that deep. If this doesn’t get people to come see the team, nothing will. We’re going to keep trying (to raise attendance). We’re going to keep hammering away.
“I just hope people recognize that I’ve done my side of the deal. We’re giving you a great team and team some other teams would like to have. I feel we’re going to be a contender. What else could Pierre add that’s available? I feel like we’ve got some guys in Belleville who could blossom. I love where are.”
Melnyk already liked his team before the move was made because after getting to the East final last spring against the Pittsburgh Penguins, he feels this team can go further. He has been pleased with the job done by Dorion and coach Guy Boucher.
“Everybody is jinxed, so I don’t want to say it, but I am really excited,” he said. “Its a better team than last year. Fighting through all this series last year was brutal. As a spectator and owner, I was completely exhausted after that.
“Of course the players were (worn out) as well and everybody was hurt. It’s really a game of attrition when it comes down to the late second and third rounds. It’s still on the ice and who can still play. I’m just hoping we have the depth now and maintain the depth to maintain us through the playoffs. This is a playoff team. You’ve got to admit its playoff team and once the playoffs start anything can happen.”
The road to the playoffs will run through Stockholm this weekend.