Mayor Jim Watson has been skeptical about Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk's seriousness of moving the team downtown after his remarks at the NHL 100 Classic.

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson is doubtful Capital Sports Management and Trinity Development Group can resolve their issues through mediation, in order to move forward with the redevelopment of LeBreton Flats.

"My heart hopes they're successful, but my brain says, 'If you have to go to mediation at the very last minute after suing each other, it's going to be highly unlikely you're going to come back with some comprehensive series of agreements,'" Watson told The Rick Gibbons Show on 1310 NEWS.

Listen to the full conversation:

"Its really been a shame the parties have not been able to reconcile their differences and start building this important city-building project," the mayor added.

Watson has been skeptical about Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk's seriousness of moving the team downtown after his remarks at the NHL 100 Classic at TD Place in December of 2017.

"What really set me back on my heels was, first, when Eugene Melynk mused about not even wanting to move downtown," he said. "I thought that sent a very mix signal."

For Watson to be satisfied with an agreement, he would have to see something of substance and legally binding for him to believe there wouldn't be any dysfunction if the group decides to move forward.