[sureLoss]

http://ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/n...he-team-period

There’s no “For sale” sign on the Ottawa Senators.

Team owner Eugene Melynk told Postmedia in an email on Wednesday night he wanted to set the record straight about reports his team had been sold, rumours captain Erik Karlsson is being traded and to respond to comments by former Ottawa centre Kyle Turris.

“I am NOT selling the team — period,” said Melnyk in the email. “My kids (had) first call on the franchise long ago.”

Melnyk, 58, said the source of the talk he’s selling may be the result of a routine refinancing of the team’s debt he’s working on right now.

“Let me set the record straight. I have no idea how a reporter fabricated a fiction about my selling the team,” Melnyk said. “These stories pop up out of nowhere probably from someone ‘hearing something’.

“(The) only thing I can think of is our routine refinancing of our debt involves a financial ‘roadshow’. Virtually every major Canadian, international and American bank have attended one of over 20 presentations in Toronto, Ottawa and New York.

“This involves accountants, bankers and lawyers. I am not directly involved in this process except for the occasional visit and greetings. Hence, where the sale story must have come from.”

Melnyk said part of the reason the Senators had to request Karlsson’s 10-team “no-trade” list was because of the refinancing.

“This is where the (Karlsson) contract request emanated from,” Melnyk added. “ALL material contracts are reviewed in a process called due diligence — from snow removal to food and beverage to players.”

Melnyk added, jokingly: “I assure you (Karlsson) is ‘material’. ”