Senators President Cyril Leeder and President of Hockey Operations & GM Bryan Murray are running the team "with complete autonomy" in lieu of Owner Eugene Melnyk, who is "critically ill in a Toronto hospital, hoping for a liver transplant that might save his life," according to Hugh Adami of the OTTAWA CITIZEN. Melnyk has "withdrawn from all Senators business and has told Leeder and Murray that they are in charge of running the club -- Murray on the hockey side and Leeder on the business side of Senators Sports and Entertainment." The Senators owner was "diagnosed with liver disease in mid-January and his absence from games during that time, including the playoffs, seemed very unusual." Leeder said that Melnyk is "no longer providing any input on club matters because he is too sick." Adami notes Leeder "will be in complete charge, at least for now, on the club’s proposal to build a new arena at LeBreton Flats." Leeder said that the NHL has "been informed of Melnyk’s condition" and is "not concerned about the ownership issue" (OTTAWA CITIZEN, 5/15). In Ottawa, Bruce Garrioch reports NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman "has been in constant contact with Leeder." Leeder said, "I've spoken to (Bettman) a number of times and he's been very concerned just with Eugene's health. That's been the only question he's asked, 'How's he doing and what can we do to help?' He's been in touch and very concerned" (OTTAWA SUN, 5/15). Also in Ottawa, Wayne Scanlan notes the Senators have "invited potential donors between the ages of 18 to 55 to contact the hockey club immediately." Leeder said, "Time is of the essence." He added that Melnyk is in the hospital, and the team "only became aware of the true gravity of the situation on Wednesday" (OTTAWA CITIZEN, 5/15).
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF HIS CELEBRITY? In Ottawa, Elizabeth Payne in a front-page piece notes the "unusual plea by the hockey team on behalf of its owner has the potential to be controversial, particularly among others who are also waiting for liver transplants but lack the same platform to seek donors." Leeder agreed that not everyone "would have the same platform as Melnyk, who he said was reluctant to go public." Leeder added that he "hopes the plea will help others waiting for donations." He said, "Our concern was for Eugene and his health, but hopefully we will be able to shed some light on organ donation as part of this process" (OTTAWA CITIZEN, 5/15). In Toronto, Tara Deschamps notes some medical experts "questioned the use of clout to mass solicit organ donations." NYU Langone Medical Center professor Arthur Caplan said, "It creates a double standard. The celebrity figure or the hockey team figure has a big advantage because people see them in a magazine and they want to help, but if I was an ordinary person who needs a liver in Thunder Bay, I don’t know that people would be pouring out to help me" (TORONTO STAR, 5/15). In Ottawa, Tim Baines writes there is "certainly going to be some head-scratching and questions" regarding Melnyk's appeal for an organ donor. Baines: "Why Eugene Melnyk? Why the rich guy? Why does he jump to the front of the line? What about others who need liver transplants?" But the Senators' appeal is "certainly about urgency," as it has "gotten to the point where there aren't many options." Baines: "Find a liver quick or die" (OTTAWA SUN, 5/15).
