(SEAN KILPATRICK / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Dear Mr. Melynk,

My name is Nick Dunne. You do not know me, but I am a lifelong fan of the Senators. I am part of the young cohort of the Sens Army that was born soon after the birth of this team, and have known no other to be so close to my heart. I am also one of the thousands of anonymous fans you have belittled and berated over the past year in response to ticket sales. We have endured many ups and downs with your tenure as owner, but this particular incident on the eve of the NHL 100 Winter Classic has compelled me to write this letter. Just as you have more or less expressed an abandonment of hope in the people of this city, I wish to speak on behalf of the fans to say that the feeling is mutual — we have wholly abandoned hope in your ability to own and manage this team.

This city owes it to you for keeping the franchise afloat after you had purchased it in 2003, but that goodwill has long since run out. I have never witnessed an owner of a major sports franchise with such contempt for his own team’s fan base. An owner who, after receiving a life-saving liver transplant from a fan less than three years ago, has the audacity to flippantly threaten relocation. An owner who staffs one of the smallest front offices in the league and allegedly asked them to take out the garbage themselves in an effort to cut costs, but claims he has ponied up the funds for a successful team. An owner who receives persistent and universal criticism by fans, media and players alike for his outbursts, short temper, stingy budgets and notorious difficulty to work with, who makes a public spectacle of himself and regularly embarrasses the entire organization, and who allegedly forced out Kyle Turris, one of the most beloved, compassionate and active members of this community. An owner who blasts the fanbase for not showing up to games after one of the worst losing skids in recent memory. An owner who has driven out Daniel Alfredsson, the best player this franchise has ever seen, not just once, but twice. I could call you names, I could give you my exact thoughts on your utter buffoonery, but merely listing your actions has done multitudes more than my words ever could express.

Your petulance has worn razor-thin on us, Mr. Melnyk. Your stubbornness would have you leave this city rather than cut your losses, which you seem to lament and whinge about over and over again. It kills me to say it, but it appears we have reached a boiling point with your latest public stunt: on behalf of the loyal fans of this city, I ask you to leave this team or leave this city. Based on your lack of success in this market due to your fumbling half-measures, I would care to guess that simply moving the team will only be a drain on your wallet, and it will only be inevitable that the new market will grow tired of you. That, or your continued mismanagement will result in another failure — a team that keeps reaching the cusp of success, but gets tied down by your conditions and demands on management.

Hockey writers and analysts cannot expressly denigrate you, for they must retain a relationship with the organization. But you have torched your relationship with the fans, and so I will speak to you in the same manner that you have spoken to us. On behalf of the city I love and call my home, we implore you to move on from this team, or continue to relocate until you realize that you are your own biggest problem. For my sake and yours, I hope you consider the former.

Sincerely,

-Nick

P.S.

#MelnykOut