Notoriously cheap team continues to drag out negotiations with highly skilled defenseman.

The Ottawa Senators' fan base has long suffered under the leadership of owner Eugene Melnik who has time and time again made decisions based entirely on his bottom line rather than what's best for his organization on the ice.

While it's certainly well within Melnik's rights to do so, it has been a major source of frustration at times for fans of the team and it appears that this time around it's putting a strain on the relationship between the Senators and one of the team's most important players.

Despite the fact that many thought a long-term deal with defenseman Cody Ceci would have long ago already been worked out, there are still no signs of a contract getting done, and in fact now there are rumors that the Senators may not be able to secure him for the long-term and instead would have to settle on a bridge deal.

The latest comments from Senators general manager Pierre Dorion reported byTSN's Ian Mendes have even indicated that there is at least a question in Dorion's mind about getting the deal done prior to the start of the season.

“I think JP’s trying to test me as a first time GM, even though I’ve done quite bit of contracts before,” Dorion said jokingly. “I think he’ll be playing for us October 12th. I think within the next few weeks we’ll get something done.”

Ceci is a player the Senators must sign, and the longer this drags on the more ire the Senators will draw from their fan base.

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