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Just last week, Senators captain Erik Karlsson called the Senators a “budget team” that has to learn how to grind out victories because it can’t afford as much high-end talent as some other NHL teams.

The Senators have a payroll of $65.357 million, 21st in the league – $6 million below the NHL salary cap of $71.4 million. Like all teams in Canada, the Senators have also been affected by the drop in the value of the Canadian dollar.

If the DCDLS group was able to buy the team, those financial worries would vanish, the source said. “These are people who live in Canada and have very deep pockets and want to ensure the long-term viability of the team.”

For his part, Melnyk suggested last week that fans would see a stronger, more successful Senators team if his RendezVous LeBreton group’s bid is successful.

In an interview with Postmedia, he said the revenue streams from a new arena could add as much as $10 million to the payroll – a figure that would allow the Senators to compete with the league’s big spenders.

“Imagine if we were able to bring in, and pay for, two power forwards or a forward or a defenceman with an extra $10 million,” Melnyk said. “We can add that (now) and we have cap space, but the team cannot afford it. It’s simple.”

The DCDLS source dismissed concerns that the group’s partners might move the team out of Ottawa – perhaps to Quebec City, which has already built a new arena in hopes of securing an NHL franchise.

“This is about building the arena on the LeBreton Flats footprint for the Senators,” the source said. “They’re committed to that.”

dbutler@postmedia.com

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