Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk says disgruntled fans who stay away from Scotiabank Place because of the NHL lockout will be missing out.

Melnyk said the fans will want to be part of the Senators' shortened 48-game season that begins next Saturday. The Senators will play the Jets in Winnipeg and will have their home opener Jan. 21 against the Florida Panthers.

"My message to the fans to come out and support the team, you're going to want to be part of this because this is going to be a great, great team for the coming years if not immediately and you don't want to be left out in the cold," Melnyk said at a news conference before the Senators opened training camp Sunday.

"As a die-hard fan, you are part of this organization. I just want you guys back."

Winning some fans back could prove difficult. Some showed anger or indifference the 113-day lockout, which officially ended Saturday when the players ratified the new CBA.

Some teams around the league are offering incentives to try and bring paying customers back into the arenas, and the Senators are no different.