Gildenpolitik » ave been hampered by a recurring injury to one of his fi

OTTAWA - Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk is looking for consistency. Like many, the Senators owner had high hopes for the team this season, and he admits to being disappointed at the teams current state. After overcoming key injuries and making a playoff run last season, the Senators look like they have taken a step back. They currently sit sixth in the Atlantic Division with a 13-15-6 record. "I think we could always improve," Melnyk said. "Theres no question. I just spoke to (general manager Bryan Murray) and the coach and were looking for improvement from certain players. They have to step up and show us what they can actually do." Melnyk said he has faith in the current players on his team, but added theres a sense of urgency for the team to show signs of improvement. A lack of consistency has been an issue for the Senators and Melnyk said the team is in need of a lengthy winning streak. Ottawa has not won more than three straight games this season. "I mean we are 32, 33 games into the season. Its about time that we start getting into some streaks," he said. "Nothing beats a nice six, seven or eight game winning streak. Give me six out of eight and Ill be happy." Melnyk also discussed Murrays future. The general manager is in the final year of his contract and its widely expected that he will get an extension. "Weve had some preliminary talks, me and Bryan," Melnyk said. "I would love to see Bryan here next year and he would like to finish off with a Stanley Cup and I would like to see him leave with a Stanley Cup. Those are still preliminary so well just continue talking and let things work out where they work out." Melnyk said re-signing Murray is not a priority at this time. He also said that he gave his full support in allowing assistant general manager Tim Murray to speak with the Buffalo Sabres regarding their general manager opening. Melnyk said he sees no reason to hold individuals back if the right situation arises. As well as struggling on the ice, the Senators have also been a bit of a disappointment at the box office. Ottawa had struggled to fill the Canadian Tire Centre this year with just four sellouts after 18 home games. Despite the empty seats, Melnyk says the team is actually generating better revenue than when they offered reduced ticket incentives. "These are the real numbers," Melnyk said. "Theres no more gimmicks. This is what it is. This is the only way we can accomplish really getting a solid number out there for everyone to understand where we are." Melnyk believes much of the Senators attendance issues have had to do with a "wonky" schedule that has seen Ottawa play a number of matinee games as well as numerous Monday night games. "Weve had a very strange schedule this year that made it difficult to sell the walk-up tickets, but our season tickets are up 2,000 seats and our revenue is up," Melnyk said. Melnyk also knows hes likely to make money on the Senators upcoming contract for regional television rights. The Senators current agreement with Sportsnet expires at the end of the season and Melnyk said the team already has competing bids for next seasons broadcasts. "Here in the Ottawa market we are a good market for television and I think people will pay accordingly," he said. Melnyk was on hand at the Canadian Tire Centre to present Senators jerseys, helmets and skates to over 100 local children as part of the 10th annual Eugene Melnyk Skate for Kids. Over the past decade Melnyk has purchased equipment for over 1,000 kids. Deion Sanders Jersey . The 40-year-old midfielder was put in charge on Tuesday when David Moyes reign ended after 10 months with the defending champions in seventh place in the English Premier League. Chipper Jones Braves Jersey . Their 9-19 record remains identical to the crosstown rivals in Brooklyn and trails both Toronto and Boston in the Atlantic Division. Raymond Felton, their declining point guard, is back on the sideline nursing his third injury of the season. http://www.baseballbravesproshop.com/brian-mccann-braves-jersey/ . Gomes drove in all three runs, including a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning, and Cleveland rallied for a 3-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. Freddie Freeman Braves Jersey . Thats what he did over the past 2 1/2 years with the Washington Wizards. Wittmans approach helped turn the Wizards from pushover to playoff winners. Dansby Swanson Braves Jersey . In the opener of the World Group first-round series, world No. 18 Kei Nishikori defeated Peter Polansky of Thornhill, Ont.KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe was suspended for the season opener against Tennessee on Friday for violating the NFLs substance-abuse policy. Bowe was pulled over for speeding in a Kansas City suburb on Nov. 10, and was arrested after police found a black bag containing his wallet, drivers license and two container of suspected marijuana. He later pleaded guilty to amended charges of defective equipment and littering, and his attorney said there was no admission of guilt for the marijuana charge, which was dismissed. Bowe, who signed a $56 million, five-year deal last off-season, issued a statement through the NFL Players Association shortly after the suspension was announced. "I made an error in judgment. I take responsibility for my mistake and it will not happen again," he said. "I will be supporting my teammates in Week 1, and I cannot wait to get back on the field to help us win in Week 2 and beyond as we work toward our goal of winning the Super Bowl." The one-game suspension is in line with punishments that have been handed down by the league in similar cases. Bowe will still be eligible to participate in preseason practices and games. The loss of Bowe, even for one game, is significant for the Chiefs, who have struggled to find reliable wide receivers for years. They have several young players trying to earn a job in training camp, but Donnie Avery provides the only other veteran presence in the entire corps. "We are disappointed in the situation and will miss him on the field," the Chiefs said in a statement, "but we support the leagues decision. The club will have no further comment." This isnt the first time that the 30-year-oldd Bowe has proven to be a distraction.dddddddddddd He was suspended four games in 2009 for violating the NFLs policy on performance-enhancing drugs after taking what his agent called an unapproved weight-loss supplement. He also made questionable comments to a magazine a few years ago about womanizing that allegedly occurred at team hotels, and then misstated the name of Chiefs ownership family in his apology. Bowe struggled to adjust to new coach Andy Reids offence last season, catching just 57 passes for 673 yards and five touchdowns. But he showed up to training camp in better shape this fall, and Reid has expressed confidence that his top wide receiver will be able to bounce back. Those efforts have been hampered by a recurring injury to one of his fingers. Bowe caught just one pass for 10 yards in the Chiefs preseason opener against Cincinnati. "His finger is shot. Its been thrown out of place about 15 times," Reid said, "so now hes not catching the ball but hes getting his work done. You can practice with that kind of thing." Bowe is second in franchise history with 472 receptions, and last season he became the fastest to surpass 6,000 yards receiving for his career. He capped the year by catching eight passes for a franchise-record 150 yards in the Chiefs wild-card loss to Indianapolis. ""Hes in the best shape hes been in," Chiefs wide receivers coach David Culley said this week. "I know from last year this is completely different. When he came back from the off-season, he was in great shape. At 30, thats a mindset kind of thing. There are old 30s and there are young 30s -- which do you want to be? Right now, when he came back, he came back as a young 30." ' ' '