NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told this newspaper following the general managers meetings here Tuesday that several groups have expressed interest in buying the Senators, either through New York-based sports banker Galatioti Sports Partners or by calling the league.Sign up to receive daily headline news from Ottawa Citizen, a division of Postmedia Network Inc.By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
The indications are the Senators could sell for anywhere from $800 million-to-$1 billion. The Pittsburgh Penguins recently sold for $900 million and the Nashville Predators are on the verge of $775 million sale. Farmboy executive Jeff York has put together a local group of business people and is willing to partner with whoever purchases the team. Oshawa Generals owner Rocco Tullio is believed to have a made for the Senators before Melnyk passed away and may also be in the mix.Article contentThe owner of the OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs also has a 20 per cent share in the Montreal Canadiens, and is said to covet controlling interest in his own NHL team.