All-star game headed Sens’ way?

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has a scheduled meeting with Ottawa Senators brass next week and he could be bringing a star attraction to the party.
Bettman could grant Ottawa the 2011-12 all-star game in cheap nfl jerseys
January 2012. The 2010-11 game has already been given to the Carolina Hurricanes.
If the announcement is made during Bettman's Sept. 15 luncheon at the Château Laurier with Senators owner Eugene Melnyk and general manager Bryan Murray, it won't come as a complete surprise. The Senators have been on the shortlist to play host to the three-day event for several seasons, after Bettman promised Melnyk that the NHL would accept Ottawa's bid once the league's previous commitments to other franchises had been fulfilled.
The one major roadblock that stood in the Senators way—a shortage of convention space—should be cleared up next year. The new Ottawa Convention Centre on Colonel By Drive, currently under construction, is scheduled to open next April.
The Senators submitted their plan to host the 2011-12 game last February and city council pledged $200,000 to help finance the bid.
"This is just as big as the Grey Cup," Orléans councillor Bob Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
Monette said at the time.
Senators president Cyril Leeder also suggested in Feburary that the Senators success with previous NHL events—a scaled-down entry draft in 2005 following the lockout and a full-scale draft in 2008 —also put the Senators at the top of list for the all-star game.
"The chances are excellent," Leeder said. "We've got a great bid. We've bid on different events and I've just got a good feeling about this one."
While the highlight of the weekend is the all-star game itself, the three-day event also includes fan festivals that are typically spread out around the host city.
"We think it would be a great event for the community, both from a hockey perspective with the fans and all the stars here," Leeder said in February.
"I've attended the last three and Montreal (in 2009) was the one I enjoyed the most. We're the only Canadian team that hasn't hosted an all-star game yet, so we think our time has come."
If the league awards the all-star game to Ottawa in 2012, it would represent a fitting 20th anniversary present. The Senators returned to the NHL for the 1992-93 season.
Phil Legault, the Senators vice-president of Indianapolis Colts jersey
communications, confirmed Monday night that Bettman will be in Ottawa for a hot stove-style luncheon with team sponsors, but said that any league announcements must come from the NHL.
When reached Monday, Frank Brown, the NHL's vice-president of media relations, had no comment.