from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun,

Senators president Cyril Leeder confirmed the 12-year, $400 million broadcast agreeement the club signed with Bell Media Wednesday will allow the club to spend more money on its payroll.

While the Senators are among the lowest-spending teams at $56 million this season, the infusion of cash from the regional and national television agreements should help the club improve.

"It allows you to get in there and duke it out with the big guys," Leeder told the Sun. "When you have a strong base of revenues from your corporate partners and your fanbase, that makes you stronger.

"It allows you to compete with (teams like) Toronto, New York and Vancouver."

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from James Bagnall of the Ottawa Citizen,

“This puts us on a solid footing,” Melnyk said in reference to the broadcasting deals. “We are going to be competitive in spending on players. If I need to spend an extra $2 million to $3 million (on unrestricted free agents) to make the playoffs, it’s a no-brainer. I’ll do it.”

Yet Melnyk also made it clear that, despite the extra $20 million to $30 million in extra broadcasting revenues, he’s not about to open his vault.

“We’re still going to spend wisely,” he said, suggesting he does not intend to shell out the maximum permitted under salary cap rules.

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