OTTAWA - Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk says he has no reason to feel embarrassed about his teams lack of spending. Pittsburgh Pirates Store .Ottawas payroll of US$55,804,597 is the lowest in the NHL leaving them plenty of room to spend, but dont expect Melnyk to open his wallet any time soon.Im not the least embarrassed about us spending at the bottom, Melnyk said Monday afternoon at his 11th annual charity skate for kids. Im happy about it because well be able to spend more in the future and some cant. Some are stuck.That being said, Melnyk is in no rush to increase his teams payroll despite his teams current position outside the playoff picture.The Senators are 11th in the Eastern Conference at 12-12-5 and would need to make some significant improvements to move into the top eight.Melnyk said he and general manager Bryan Murray spoke as recently as Monday morning.Were not in any way restricted, said Melnyk. (Murray) has not come back to me and he said theres nothing out there that he could actually spend money on.Thats not to say the Senators arent prepared to increase their payroll. With a number of players facing restricted free agency this summer Melnyk says they wont have any choice but to spend.For now, however, it appears the Senators will wait and see if its recent coaching change has any impact on the teams fortunes.The Senators fired head coach Paul MacLean last week and promoted Dave Cameron, who had been an assistant, to take over the coaching duties.Many assumed Cameron was Melnyks choice seeing as the two share a long history.Lets get this straight once and for all, Melnyk said. (Murray) makes the decisions. I stay out of the hockey operations, because otherwise if I get myself involved in that then I cant come out and point the finger at anybody.Melnyk said he was consulted on the decision to fire MacLean, but left the final decision up to Murray.I just let him do his thing, Melnyk said.Melnyk and Cameron have known each other since 2001, when Melnyk purchased the OHLs Toronto St. Michaels Majors while Cameron was the teams head coach.I think hes going to do great otherwise I dont think he would have been selected as being the next coach, Melnyk said. Hes patient, hes a hard worker, not to say Paul wasnt a hard worker — he was. If you add together hard work and I think a great attitude and the respect of the dressing room all together I think hell do well.Melnyk also addressed the possibility of building a new arena closer to Ottawas downtown core.The National Capital Commission launched a request for proposals to redevelop as much as 21.4 hectares of land at LeBreton Flats, a few blocks west of Parliament Hill.One criteria for the redevelopment proposal is the inclusion of an attraction of a regional, national or international significance that is also a world-class capital destination.Its very premature even to talk about this as we havent even decided were going to do this, said Melnyk. Theres a request for qualification and we havent submitted one yet, we have until Jan. 7, but if were going to do it we want to do it right. We want to be organized, we want to make sure that this has been very carefully thought through.Melnyk says should the organization decide to submit a proposal it would likely happen before Christmas.We want to do whats right for the city, for the fans, for the organization long term, said Melnyk. Thats the way I think, long term. Its not what happens this year, the year after, its what happens over the next 20 years from now.Melnyk also commented on the outbreak of mumps across the league.Its bizarre, he said. It could be serious if it gets through a dressing room and you could get five, six guys sitting on the sidelines so I think every team should be taking it seriously and we certainly do. Pittsburgh Pirates Pro Shop .5 million contract, according to a person familiar with the deal. Hatcher agreed to terms Thursday, according to a person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract had not been signed. Cheap Pirates Jerseys . Keenum will make his first appearance in a regular-season game against the rugged defence of the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, where the fans just set a Guinness record as the noisiest outdoor stadium in the world. https://www.cheappiratesjerseys.us/ . - After a back-and-forth battle throughout the season, Alex Guenette has earned the 2013 rookie of the year award for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 by just one point over Ryley Seibert.TAMPA, Fla. -- Alex Rodriguez says he feels great and his relationship with the New York Yankees is fine. Rodriguez didnt indicate when he will start a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment or rejoin the big league team, saying Saturday he "cant wait to get back." "So far, no issues," Rodriguez said. "Im just working really hard. Im having fun. Its exciting to be back on the field." The All-Star third baseman is taking at-bats at the Yankees minor league complex as he comes back from hip surgery in January. He also is fielding grounders, running the bases and doing sliding drills. "I feel like my swing is definitely getting back to form," Rodriguez said. "(Defensively) moving better the last few days. Everything is coming along." His rehabilitation became a point of contention in the past week. Rodrigguez posted Tuesday evening on Twitter that his hip surgeon had cleared him to play in rehab games, an announcement that angered general manager Brian Cashman because Rodriguez has not been given the go-ahead by team doctors. Pittsburgh Pirates Gear. . When asked if everything is OK with the Yankees, Rodriguez said "absolutely." "Ready to get back on the field," Rodriguez said. "All good." Yankees captain Derek Jeter took five simulated at-bats, which included a swinging strikeout and line drive single to right off 20-year old Cuban left-hander Omar Luis. The shortstop ran four times first to third and four times from third to first on the grass just behind the infield dirt. Eduardo Nunez, who strained a muscle on his left side while filling in for Jeter, is set to play in his third minor league game Sunday with Class A Tampa. ' ' '