Major development in the sale of the Ottawa Senators.

Fans of the Ottawa Senators can't rejoice just yet, but we are getting awfully close to that point.

Although the Ottawa Senators have not as of yet been officially sold to prospective owner Michael Andlauer, a report from Ottawa Senators insider Bruce Garrioch on Saturday has now revealed that Andlauer is one step closer to finalizing that purchase.

According to the report, Andlauer met with the National Hockey League's executive committee, a committee led by Gary Bettman himself which also features deputy commissioner Bill Daly, Winnipeg Jets owner Mark Chipman, Montreal Canadiens owner Geoff Molson, Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs, Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leopold, Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, Anaheim Ducks owner Henry Samueli, Maple Leafs owner Larry Tanenbaum and Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik, and has received approval to move forward with his purchase of the Senators.

There was never any doubt that this approval would go through given that Andlauer already has extensive ties to the National Hockey League through his association with the Montreal Canadiens as a minority owner, and it would seem that all that remains now is the crossing of a few Ts and the dotting of a few Is.

In recent history fans in the Ottawa region have had a contentious relationship with ownership, with former owner Eugene Melnyk often finding himself at odds with his own fan base, and no doubt many are looking forward to the fresh start that Andlauer and his coalition will bring with them when they take over.