The sale of the Senators is “closing in on the finish line” nearly ten months after the team was put up for sale by the estate of the late Eugene Melnyk, as the NHL is “preparing to hand over the keys to the Canadian Tire Centre” to the group led by Toronto billionaire Michael Andlauer this week, according to Bruce Garrioch of the OTTAWA SUN. Sources said that Andlauer “informed his partners in the transaction last week to have their money in place and be prepared to close the deal as early as Monday.” However, Garrioch noted there “wasn’t a lot of optimism" yesterday that the sale would even close today. The sale is “on track," but there are "wrinkles to be ironed out before Andlauer can set up his office at the rink.” While the “ideal scenario” would see the NHL’s BOG confirm Andlauer as the new owner during a conference call today, that “may have to wait as well.” Andlauer needs two-thirds approval to take over the franchise. Postmedia reported 10 days ago that Andlauer has “already been approved by the NHL’s executive committee, but the vote will be unanimous.” Garrioch noted Andlauer is scheduled to be a guest of Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe at his monthly breakfast series Thursday at 7AM ET at city hall, but that will be “cancelled if this deal isn’t done by Wednesday" (OTTAWA SUN, 9/11).
