Things Just Keep Getting Worse In Ottawa As Senators Owner Eugene Melnyk Is Being Sued For Casual $1 Billion

TSN – OTTAWA — The battle between Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk and business partner John Ruddy over a proposed new downtown arena has escalated.

Ruddy and Trinity Development Group Inc., are seeking more than $1 billion in damages from Melnyk and Capital Sports Management Inc., after filing a counterclaim on Tuesday.

Last month, Melnyk filed a $700-million lawsuit against Ruddy, Trinity and others after the two sides couldn’t come to terms on a plan to redevelop land at LeBreton Flats, which was slated to include a new NHL arena as well as other developments.

In the counterclaim, Trinity calls Melnyk’s lawsuit “meritless” and says “the claim against John Ruddy is especially scandalous.” 

It goes on to say “CSMI’s and Melnyk’s true aim is to have the City of Ottawa or Trinity fund and build the $500 million Event Centre for the Ottawa Senators hockey team, with the Senators getting 30 years’ free rent. CSMI also wants the valuable naming rights and an unreasonable degree of control over the LeBreton project.”

Yikes. This has to be the worst year an owner/franchise has ever had in the NHL. The Ottawa Senators and Eugene Melnyk just can’t catch a break. The Sens owner is allegedly being sued for $1 Billion by his former business partner.

What a terrible way to wake up in the morning. I’m not sure how I would react to being told I am being sued for a casual billion. I probably start throwing punches or start hysterically crying…not really sure, but i’d without a doubt be an emotional wreck.

“Good morning Mr. Melnyk, would you like some orange juice with you breakfast? Oh by the way, you are being sued for $1 Billion. Have a great day!”

The worst part is Melnyk sued the guy first for $700 million. John Ruddy basically said “I’ll call your $700 million and raise you $1 billion”.

On the up side, Brady Tkachuk is lighting it up this year. 18 points (10g, 8a) through 24 games and Thomas Chabot looks like a franchise defenseman, so I guess life could be worse in Ottawa. Are we at the point where Melnyk just says fuck it and sells the team though? And where would they go? I guess that’s a blog for another day.