Canadiens offer well wishes to Sens owner Eugene Melnyk

Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin took a moment from his season-ending news conference on Friday to send a message of encouragement for Ottawa Senators owners Eugene Melnyk.

On Thursday, Senators team doctor Don Chow said Melnyk needs an urgent liver transplant or he might die. His condition is now critical and Senators president Cyril Leeder said anyone considering donation needs to act quickly.

Team officials said Friday the response has been very good as they have received more than 1,000 calls and numerous applications sent to the Donor Transplant Team in Toronto.

Potential donors can call 613-599-0100 until Friday at 5 p.m. ET.

The team said Melnyk, who turns 56 on May 27, has battled major health issues since January and was admitted to hospital three weeks ago.

Potential donors can be anyone between the ages of 18-55 in good physical health. First steps include filling out forms followed by a screening process.

The transplant team will be reviewing and screening applications Friday and will continue screening through the weekend, the team said.

His family has actively reached out to his close friends and broader family with the hope of identifying someone who could be a "live liver donor," but so far nobody has been a match.

A living donor transplant is Melnyk's best option due to the fact he has a rare AB blood type.