Can things get any worse in Ottawa?
We’re not talking about Parliament Hill; the government has its own issues. We’re talking about the NHL’s Ottawa Senators.
Their owner, Eugene Melnyk, seemingly has more detractors than the Prime Minister as the Senators continue purging their roster. After trading away all-star defenceman Erik Karlsson the Senators have released 10-year veteran Zack Smith, their longest-tenured player. One teammate called it a “kick in the balls.” The head coach tried to be gracious before laying the decision at the feet of general manager Pierre Dorion, who was ridiculed last week for struggling to find positive things to say about his team.
Although Melnyk has threatened to move the franchise, he participated in a silly video insisting he was committed to rebuilding his team in Ottawa. It’s a complete schmozzle in Canada’s capital, where late, great general manager Bryan Murray had constructed a respectable franchise before succumbing to cancer. The hockey world misses Murray, no more so than in Ottawa.