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OTTAWA - Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk is looking for consistency. Like many, the Senators owner had high hopes for the team this season, and he admits to being disappointed at the teams current state. After overcoming key injuries and making a playoff run last season, the Senators look like they have taken a step back. They currently sit sixth in the Atlantic Division with a 13-15-6 record. "I think we could always improve," Melnyk said. "Theres no question. I just spoke to (general manager Bryan Murray) and the coach and were looking for improvement from certain players. They have to step up and show us what they can actually do." Melnyk said he has faith in the current players on his team, but added theres a sense of urgency for the team to show signs of improvement. A lack of consistency has been an issue for the Senators and Melnyk said the team is in need of a lengthy winning streak. Ottawa has not won more than three straight games this season. "I mean we are 32, 33 games into the season. Its about time that we start getting into some streaks," he said. "Nothing beats a nice six, seven or eight game winning streak. Give me six out of eight and Ill be happy." Melnyk also discussed Murrays future. The general manager is in the final year of his contract and its widely expected that he will get an extension. "Weve had some preliminary talks, me and Bryan," Melnyk said. "I would love to see Bryan here next year and he would like to finish off with a Stanley Cup and I would like to see him leave with a Stanley Cup. Those are still preliminary so well just continue talking and let things work out where they work out." Melnyk said re-signing Murray is not a priority at this time. He also said that he gave his full support in allowing assistant general manager Tim Murray to speak with the Buffalo Sabres regarding their general manager opening. Melnyk said he sees no reason to hold individuals back if the right situation arises. As well as struggling on the ice, the Senators have also been a bit of a disappointment at the box office. Ottawa had struggled to fill the Canadian Tire Centre this year with just four sellouts after 18 home games. Despite the empty seats, Melnyk says the team is actually generating better revenue than when they offered reduced ticket incentives. "These are the real numbers," Melnyk said. "Theres no more gimmicks. This is what it is. This is the only way we can accomplish really getting a solid number out there for everyone to understand where we are." Melnyk believes much of the Senators attendance issues have had to do with a "wonky" schedule that has seen Ottawa play a number of matinee games as well as numerous Monday night games. "Weve had a very strange schedule this year that made it difficult to sell the walk-up tickets, but our season tickets are up 2,000 seats and our revenue is up," Melnyk said. Melnyk also knows hes likely to make money on the Senators upcoming contract for regional television rights. The Senators current agreement with Sportsnet expires at the end of the season and Melnyk said the team already has competing bids for next seasons broadcasts. "Here in the Ottawa market we are a good market for television and I think people will pay accordingly," he said. Melnyk was on hand at the Canadian Tire Centre to present Senators jerseys, helmets and skates to over 100 local children as part of the 10th annual Eugene Melnyk Skate for Kids. Over the past decade Melnyk has purchased equipment for over 1,000 kids. Miami Dolphins Jerseys . Hes even holding a bat on one of his 2014 baseball cards. So far, hes playing like his picture. Cameron Wake Jersey .cas NHL Play of the Year showdown continues today with a man whos spent most of his career on highlight reels and a goalie actually "reaching back" for a save. http://www.authenticdolphinspro.com/Larr...olphins-jersey/. Top-seeded Djokovic swept to a 6-1, 6-3 win over 51st-ranked Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain in just 57 minutes, but fourth-seeded Federer had to see off a serious challenge from 48th-ranked Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic before coming through 6-2, 6-7 (4), 6-3. Minkah Fitzpatrick Jersey . With Washington teammate Nene drawing double-teams coming off his big game against the Lakers, Gortat scored 25 points on 11-of-12 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Wizards to a 100-92 win in overtime over Milwaukee on Wednesday night. Mark Duper Jersey .Y. -- Defenceman Ryan Murphy had a goal and an assist and Drew MacIntyre made 24 saves to help the Carolina Hurricanes beat the New York Islanders 4-2 in an exhibition game Wednesday night.Jason Pottinger chose his words carefully, because this was the first time he could speak for himself, on the record. And the Ottawa Redblacks linebacker wanted to be sure his words delivered their full effect. "Its an insult," he said over the phone Wednesday after the CFL Players Association lifted its media ban, giving its members the ability to speak openly about stalling collective bargaining talks. For Pottinger — 30 years old and an eight-year CFL veteran taken by Ottawa in Decembers expansion draft— "It," is an all-composing term, referring to the CFLs reluctance to explore any revenue-sharing model, and the publication of the leagues newest offer Wednesday, which includes a "ratification bonus" ($1,000 for rookies and $3,000 for veterans) if the players agree to the leagues terms by June 2. "Its a slap in the face." "It" ultimately alludes to a negotiation process that has made no progress for months. Like most players, Pottinger has not directly been part of the talks. There is now a week left before the current CBA expires on May 29. Last week the CFLPA began mailing out strike ballots to its members. Pottinger has received his, and he has voted Yes. "Im hopeful," he said. "But the league has to start taking us seriously." For the most part, players have kept quiet over the last few months. The CFL made certain no one representing the league or any team spoke, threatening hefty fines for any league or team official willing to share any thoughts on the negotiations. And then today - after TSN initially reported the leagues latest offer to the players - CFL commissioner Mark Cohon released the offer on the leagues website along with an open letter to players and fans. The leagues offer includes an initial nine per cent increase on the salary cap — from the existing $4.4 million to $4.8 million — in the first year of a new CBA, and a yearly $50,000 increase over the life of a new five-year deal (putting the cap at $5,050,000). The league minimum salary would also be raised from $45,000 to $50,000. And the CFL would maintain a $450,000 annual payment to the CFLPA for "Player marketing and other rights." The proposal also includes larger active rosters, plans for limited amounts of contact practices, and the continuation of player pension, medical, and life insurance benefits. "The CFL offer strikes an appropriate balance of, on the one hand, providing significant compensation increases and health and safety improvements to the Players while, on the other hand, creating an environment in which the League and its teams can continue to build for a strong and stable future," Cohon wrote in his letter to the players. "I was surprised [the league went public]," Pottinger said. "This must have been their plan. We had an understanding that neither side would approach the media for 24 hours. [The players] gave that notice [Tuesday afternoon] and the league broke that understanding. They came in [to the proposed Toronto meeting place Wednesday] handedd their proposal and walked out.dddddddddddd Now is that bargaining?" Four hours later, CFLPA executives held a press conference and released their counterproposal. The crucial component of the players offer is $6.24 million salary cap partly determined by a revenue-sharing model, which would allocate 55 per cent of gross revenue from TV, internet and radio rights, 45 per cent of gross sponsorship revenue, and 40 per cent of gross ticket revenue to the players. "We advised the CFLPA in no uncertain terms that their proposal was not realistic, and would not form the basis for any financial settlement," Cohon said in his letter. "In fact, it would threaten the very existence of the CFL." "The league has only recently been upfront with us about their finances," Pottinger said. "This isnt just about the players now. This is about the players who are coming into the league, and who will come into the league. In five years, I will likely be out of the league. I want players coming to the CFL then to say Thanks for putting up a fight. CFLPA president Scott Flory also issued a letter to CFL fans Wednesday afternoon. "We are in not interested in destroying the game that has given us all so much. We put our bodies, hearts and souls on the line and seek nothing more than to be fairly paid for what we do," Flory wrote. Sources - players both close to the negotiations and outside of the meetings - have told TSN over the past few months that some kind of revenue-sharing scheme must be an integral part of any new CBA. But are the percentages in the CFLPAs recent proposal fixed, immutable numbers? Or a starting point that hasnt yet been properly considered? Pottinger, a businessman himself working toward his Master of Business Administration, paused when considering the questions. The terms "whats fair" and "fair share" were constantly repeated principles when players were advised to say little or nothing. The message wont change now. "In the end - and I know youve heard this enough times already - but we want whats fair," he said. "I want you to write this: Back in 2010 [when the soon-to-be-expired CBA was being negotiated] revenue sharing for the players was around 56 per cent. The league approached us and said they couldnt operate with a revenue sharing model. They told us the league wouldnt be healthy. They told us to be partners. We understood. We thought we were partners." "Now it just feels like take, take, take." Players used social media to air frustration and show their filled-in strike ballots. Ones with NO crossed have yet to be seen. "In writing this letter, we the Executive, are still here where our negotiations were scheduled to be, working towards furthering talks. We need two sides," Flory wrote in his open letter. What is the timetable now? Does Pottinger expect to miss the first week of training camp? The first preseason game? The first week of the regular season? Is he ready to strike? 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