Rumor: NHL Owner may have forced his GM to make a major trade.

A very interesting comment from a well-connected reporter has gone relatively unoticed, but it may provide some clues as to why one of the biggest trade of the National Hockey League season finally materialized. 

The Ottawa Senators recently shocked the hockey world when the finally got the Colorado Avalanche to pull the trigger on a trade for star forward Matt Duchene, but they also shocked many when people realized how much they gave up to do it. While many have pointed the finger at general manager Pierre Dorion, however that may not be entirely fair.

In a recent article for the Ottawa Sun, Ottawa Senators reporter Don Brennan touched on the possibility that Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk may have played a role in this deal getting done. From Brennan:

If the persistence to acquire Duchene was in any way ownership driven, it wouldn’t come as a surprise. He should be able to create a stir and boost attendance in a market that appears to be lazily waiting for the playoffs.

[pub]

Melnyk has often been critical regarding the lack of local support for his team, and furthermore has earned himself a reputation as one of the NHL's most notoriously cheap owners. Brennan is correct in his assertion that no one would be surprise that this deal was driven both by Melnyk and by his desire to increase profits. 

What do you think of Brennan's comments? Do you believe Melnyk was the guiding hand behind the deal for Matt Duchene.