Bettman on Senators’ situation: ‘It’s more sensationalized than anything else’
LAS VEGAS — Despite a rash of recent negative headlines suggesting otherwise, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman says there is “no issue” with the Ottawa Senators.
Speaking after the league’s board of governors met ahead of the NHL’s annual awards show in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Bettman told reporters he isn’t concerned with the direction of the franchise.
This comes after a three-week stretch that saw the club’s assistant general manager charged with harassment and the wife of Ottawa captain Erik Karlsson allege she and her husband were the victims of cyberbullying by the fiancee of a now-former teammate.
Owner Eugene Melnyk also threatened in December to move the Senators if ticket sales didn’t improve before eventually backing down, the plan to build a new downtown arena remains very much up in the air and a club icon was quoted saying he hopes the team is sold.