Owner Melnyk refutes rumors of Senators' coaching change

Jan 8, 2009 - 2:15 AM OTTAWA (Ticker) -- Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk released a statement Wednesday, hoping to squash any rumors of the team possibly changing the coaching staff and management.

"Contrary to what is being reported today by the media, I have made no decisions with respect to any personnel changes within the Senators organization," he said. "Winning remains our No. 1 priority and there is a collective focus by our management, our coaching staff and our players to deliver this to our fans."

The statement was in response to a report from Le Journal De Montreal early Wednesday that said Melnyk was getting ready to fire coach Craig Hartsburg and general manager Bryan Murray and replace them with Pat Quinn and Bob Nicholson.

A two-time Jack Adams Trophy winner, Quinn just led Team Canada to its fifth consecutive gold medal at the IIHF World Junior hockey championship in Ottawa.

The Senators, on the other hand, have been a major disappointment this season. Ottawa (12-19-6) sits in last place in the Northeast Division, 13 points back of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

"I, along with our fans, will do nothing but continue to remain fully committed to our Senators and enthusiastically cheer them on to a successful second half of the season," Melnyk said.

"This is crunch time. Now, more than ever, is the time to rally behind our team. We don't surrender halfway though the season. Every victory from here on in matters. We know it and the fans know it. Period."