Bettman: Senators aren't for sale

Put away your checkbooks, prospective owners. The Ottawa Senators aren't for sale.

That was the indication from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who addressed the issue as part of his "state of the game" press conference on Monday prior to Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and Washington Capitals.

"(Current owner) Eugene Melnyk is committed to the Senators and he's passionate about them," Bettman told reporters, per Sporting News Canada.

The question came after a report stated that former Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson and Ottawa mayor Jim Watson both hope to see a change in team ownership.

It was a hectic 2017-18 season for Melnyk and the Senators, as the outspoken owner floated the possibility of the franchise relocating if crowds stopped turning out. He later walked back his comments, stating that it's "his privilege" to own the Senators.

Related - Look: #MelnykOut billboards appear across Ottawa

Alfredsson is the Senators' all-time leading scorer who later served as a senior advisor with the club for two seasons.

Copyright (C) 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.