from Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen,

Melnyk, who is believed to be facing cash crunches to keep the franchise afloat financially, has adopted a much-publicized less-is-more approach, dramatically streamlining the front office.

Dundon, who fired general manager Ron Francis this past week, has served notice of the need to expand his management team for a more specialized approach to pressing issues.

On Wednesday, moments after taking part in the Senators team photo, Senators general manager Pierre Dorion wheeled a heavy suitcase out of Canadian Tire Centre, beginning yet another scouting trip on what fans can only hope is a plan to help secure a brighter future for the organization.

No doubt during his plane rides and car trips to here, there and everywhere, Dorion is taking calls — we’re guessing many of them from Melnyk, now also serving as president and CEO of the Senators — considering any and all options about captain Erik Karlsson’s future....

Dundon, though, softened the blow by suggesting Francis had too much on his plate, telling The Athletic that “the GM job in hockey gets pretty big, their responsibilities tend to get far-reaching,” and that Francis had been weighed down by trying to do too much.

“It’s like everybody has the idea that the GM is just talking to other GMs and trying to make trades and looking for players in constructing your roster, but the truth is they have to do so much more,” Dundon said.

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