There was little official reaction to the Ottawa Senators' failure to meet their player payroll on Wednesday, although a statement released by the National Hockey League yesterday implied the players will be paid soon.
"We continue to monitor the developments in Ottawa and remain committed to a course of action that ultimately will resolve the Senators' financial issues," the statement said.
However, there was no information whether that means the Senators will receive another loan from the league to cover the $3.7-million needed to meet the missed payroll. The club already owes the NHL about $14.7-million.
Instead of their paycheques on Wednesday, the Senators received a letter from majority owner Rod Bryden that assured them they will be paid.
Officials from the NHL Players' Association could not be reached for comment.
Radek Bonk, one of the Senators' NHLPA player representatives, was supposed to meet with NHLPA associate counsel Ian Pulver to discuss the situation.
According to the collective agreement between the players and management, if a club misses two consecutive salary payments, the players can become unrestricted free agents or could be distributed by the league to other teams through a dispersal draft. The next payroll deadline for the Senators is Jan. 14.
Outwardly at least, there was calm in the Senators' locker room yesterday, even with the turmoil in the boardroom that caused the to miss a payroll.
The Senators said they were more concerned about staying in first place in the Eastern Conference than with the missing pay cheques.
"It's a big issue, but things are going well on the ice, so we try not to think about it too much," forward Steve Martins, an Ottawa native, said before last night's home game against the Atlanta Thrashers, which the Senators, led by Marian Hossa with four goals, won 8-1. "I'm sure it will be straightened out in a couple of days."
"Mr. Bryden told us he was getting additional funds together, and we all believe that's the case," defenceman Curtis Leschyshyn said. "We're just ready to play hockey."
Still, news that the players hadn't been paid in the wake of a failed deal to refinance the debt-ridden club was greeted with alarm and dismay by fans and media.
The front page of The Ottawa Sun said Sens Hit By Late Cheque, while the Ottawa Citizen said Bryden To Players: I'll Pay Soon.
Many feared Bryden would have no choice but to sell the franchise and perhaps see it moved to another city. Others speculated they may have to trade star players to save money.
Fans filing into the Corel Centre last night were fearful of losing their team.
"Absolutely, I'm worried," Kyle Mulvey said. "I think everybody in town is.
"I don't know what other entertainment there is on this scale."
Joel Bernard of Aylmer, Que., said that losing the Senators may be inevitable.
"It's a matter of time, in my opinion," Bernard said. "It's one of the smallest centres in the NHL.
"There's a reason the building isn't full for every game. People can't afford $100 tickets. It's too bad, because it's a good club, but maybe Ottawa's just too small."
The NHL's statement said the league was monitoring the situation and remains "committed to a course of action that will resolve the Senators' financial issues."
Bryden, who has not met with the media since the deal collapsed, was reported to be looking for short-term financing to keep the club afloat.
While the players spoke of focusing only on what they can control -- their play on the ice -- members of the visiting Atlanta Thrashers said there is cause for league-wide concern.
"As a player, you don't like to see any franchise in jeopardy because that means jobs are in jeopardy," said Thrashers goaltender Byron Dafoe, who added that the Senators' financial woes had been the hot topic at breakfast yesterday morning.
"This is a team that is in first place and doesn't have an excessive payroll, so to see this happen is scary," Dafoe said. "Imagine if they were in last place?
"It is troubling. Each team has its issues, and who knows what the real problem is? You can't comment if you don't see the books, but it's definitely a sign when cheques aren't being paid on time."