from the CP at TSN,

Gary Bettman isn't concerned the development deal that would have included a new downtown arena for the Ottawa Senators is falling apart.

The NHL commissioner is, however, lamenting the plan as it stands now appears to be dead.

"I would say I'm more disappointed with how this played out," Bettman said Monday at the NHL board of governors meetings. "But these are complicated matters."...

The team has seen attendance dip drastically in recent years, including being unable to sell out the arena during 2017 Eastern Conference final.

The Senators played in front of less than 11,000 fans at a recent home game against the New York Rangers.

"For a whole host of reasons it would be nice (to have the team move downtown)," Bettman said. "But Mr. Melnyk has said if he has to make Canadian Tire Centre work, he can do that.

"Let's not draw any conclusions yet. This is a complicated situation, although in its original form, for a lot of reasons, some of which you've read in the complaint that's been filed, the project as originally envisioned unfortunately isn't viable."

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