"I am trying to [buy the Senators]," Reynolds told host Jimmy Fallon. "It's very expensive, so I need a partner with really deep pockets. It's called a consortium, when you form a group together to buy an entity and it's such a fancy way of saying 'I need a sugar mommy or a sugar daddy,' and if that doesn't work out, I'll buy a US senator which anyone can afford."
Speaking in Winnipeg on Tuesday, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was asked about the idea of Reynolds buying the Senators.
"He was quite articulate on the 'Tonight Show' last night with Jimmy Fallon that he would be very interested and that he needs either a Sugar Mommy or a Sugar Daddy with a lot of money to help him. I think those were his exact words that I'm quoting," Bettman said during a press conference in Winnipeg. "Listen, anything that engages the fan base, that brings a lot of attention to the franchise or the team is a plus. He's a very popular and well-respected person."
The Senators announced Nov. 5 that the process of selling the team has begun.
Eugene Melnyk had owned the Senators since 2003 but died from an illness March 28 at age 62. His daughters, Anna, 23, and Olivia, 20, have been part of a group overseeing the team.
NHL.com Independent Correspondent Darrin Bauming contributed to this report.