Here's the latest Bruce Garrioch article that details what Bryan Murray is looking for on the trade market. My comments will appear in bold.

ATLANTA — Senators GM Bryan Murray is looking to add a centre to help get the team out of its scoring doldrums.

Hhhhhwhat?

As the Senators continue their five-game road trip tonight against the Thrashers and struggle to hang onto a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, two league executives told the Sun yesterday that Murray is trying to deal for a centre.

Malkin to the Senators!

With top centre Jason Spezza sidelined the past three weeks, Mike Fisher struggling and Peter Regin miscast as the No. 1 pivot at the moment, the indications are Murray would like somebody who can play in a top-six role and possibly move to the wing once the team is healthy.

I said this yesterday, but I'll say it again. Mike Fisher is struggling because teams have shifted their focus on him and Kovalev. It's the reason why Clouston moved Regin between Shannon and Kovalev. Again, I mentioned this yesterday, should there be legitimate concern that Murray is reportedly interested in a quick fix center when that blueline is softer than the typical goal scored against an Ottawa netminder?

The most consistent centre for the Senators this season has been Chris Kelly, who has looked quite comfortable in his third-line role.

Up until the last ten games, I would have said it was Mike Fisher. I guess Kelly is the most consistent because of lowered expectations. Whatever. As an armchair GM, Kelly would be on my shortlist of guys who I'd be marketing at the deadline to capitalize on his strong play.

Making a deal is tough with the salary cap, but talk has started to heat up.

This is best thing I've read in this article. I can't even begin to explain why. For some reason, I keep re-reading this sentence and it makes me laugh.

“That’s easier said than done,” said one NHL executive. “There’s just not a lot out there right now. Not enough teams are eliminated.”

Murray is in Florida wrapping up meetings with his pro scouts before heading out to watch a few teams himself. The only teams actively selling — with the deadline set for March 3 — are the Oilers and Hurricanes.

Edmonton? Sweet. Get ready for Mike Comrie version 3.0 .

It’s not known if there are any hard feelings with the Oilers after the Dany Heatley fiasco last summer, but it seems doubtful there would be.

Why would there be hard feelings between these two organizations? Ottawa tried to strong arm Heatley into going there. Bryan Murray was doing Edmonton a favour.

The names being bandied about from Edmonton are centres Andrew Cogliano (4 goals and 6 assists in 44 games) and Robert Nilsson (6 goals and 8 assists in 29 games) and winger Ethan Moreau (4 goals and 4 assists in 43 games). All are affordable, but it would depend on what the Oilers want in return.

This is so weird. I just had a conversation with Tim the other night about how Robert Nilsson is the guy who could put the Senators over the top. Oh, and here's a true story to put things in perspective -- Jonathan Cheechoo has more points than Cogliano right now. Buy low!

As for the Hurricanes, the best option for Ottawa might be veteran centre Matt Cullen (8 goals, 19 assists in 44 games), who can become an unrestricted free agent this summer. A lot of teams are interested in veteran winger Ray Whitney (13 goals, 18 assists in 43 games), but he has a no-movement clause and he’s going to be able to pick his destination, likely to a contender.

Translation: Guys with no-movement clauses like Ray Whitney will not waive their right to come here. So I ask, if guys won't waive to come here and Ottawa has to overpay to bring guys in via free agency, why isn't this team focusing all their efforts on building a successful team through the draft?

Comments (6)

...
written by GelatinousMutantcoconut , January 12, 2010

Exactly. I think management and fans need to re-shift their focus from "we're only a couple of pieces away from a contender again!" to "we have a middle of the road team, trades and free agency can't solve all of our issues, so let's be patient and draft well".

I'm not advocating giving up, selling all of our assets and tanking. This team may be caught in that death-knell of "not good enough to get past the first round or even make the play-offs, but not bad enough for the draft lottery". However, it isn't about where you draft, it's how you draft. You can build around mid-first round draft picks. It's not as easy, and there's a much lesser chance at a superstar, but we already have some good pieces to build around (A normally elite first-line centre, a speedy goal scorer, a gritty heart and soul second line centre, two premier shut down defenseman, three solid defense prospects, a goalie of the future). The organization just needs to continue drafting the way it has, and in a few years our team will be deep in solid talent. the key is investing in our scouting and development departments, rather than in trades/free agency.

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

...
written by Oman , January 12, 2010

Has anyone noticed that the Sens have, and have had, a lot of injuries this season?

This may have something to do with the fact that they have sucked lately.

Just sayin...

Now is not the time to blow things up. With everyone healthy I think it is still possible to become a contender again in a year or two with a few good moves and some more solid drafting.

Calm down folks.

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

B Murray is a Jedi Warrior
written by Isaac , January 12, 2010

The only way to feel good about that article is to assume B Murray is playing the ol’ Reverse Psychology switcheroo. Here’s how it works:

•Murray dispatches a “source” to let Garrioch in on a hot tip*

•The Hot Tip is exactly the opposite of what the the Sens actually need

•This leads unsuspecting GMs around the league to offer their small, their underperforming, their overpayed and old to the once mighty beasts of the regular season

•Then when they’re not looking, Bryan and, up to and including, 6 other Murray’s will sneak into rinks around North America and steal some good young defencemen that GMs around the league have foolishly left unguarded

*added bonus, Boo Boo gets to keep his title as a the least accurate Gossip Guy in the MainstreamMedia

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

...
written by Nichols , January 12, 2010

@ Oman

Blame the injuries all you want but you can't ignore the facts that:

A) This team can't win on the road.
B) The goaltending has been subpar.
C) The blue line is atrocious.

I never said that the organization should blow it up. I'm saying that at best, Ottawa's in the middle of the pack team and their two most dynamic offensive players who make the players around them better (Alfie, Kovalev) are 36 and 37 years of age.

Personally, I feel like the only way this Senators team can improve is through the draft. (You can blame the salary cap era and Murray's spotty trade record for .) So, considering Ottawa doesn't have the depth of prospects to afford to be able to move prospects/picks and doesn't have the luxury of being able to land free agents without having to overpay, I think Bryan Murray has to put himself in a position to listen to offers and maximize value on guys instead of cutting and pasting with band-aid solution. Every move he makes should have an eye on the future and can't afford to be shortsighted.

I want to see the team go status quo and give the in-house guys an opportunity to earn their keep, develop and fight for a playoff spot. That being said, if Murray gets blown away with an offer, he should listen and move on it. (And yes, this includes Volchenkov.)

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

The tales of yester year
written by Kluke , January 12, 2010

Making a deal is tough with the salary cap, but talk has started to heat up.

This is best thing I've read in this article. I can't even begin to explain why. For some reason, I keep re-reading this sentence and it makes me laugh.

“That’s easier said than done,” said one NHL executive. “There’s just not a lot out there right now. Not enough teams are eliminated.”

I know why this is so funny. IT IS WRITTEN EVERY YEAR! Jabba couldn't pen something original if he collabed with Timbaland...The only thing heating up are the 2 seats under his fat arse.

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

Ok then...
written by Oman , January 12, 2010

Ok Nichols. I think I agree on most points. The road record has sucked and so has to PP.

I'm just concerned with the mass hysteria that is developing...

And I think when they've been healthy, the D and goal tending has managed reasonably well. Assuming Special K and Cowen develop shortly, the D may be ok.

Despite the obvious shortcomings, they have been in the thick of the playoff race through the first half. No small accomplishment.

This team is out of gas now and mentally broken. They are certainly at rock bottom. Tonight was painful in the extreme.

If they can get healthy and step on the gas down the stretch. Playoff are still possible. If not, let the rebuild continue, but don't do anything desperate or hasty.

Fully agreed on developing young talent and building through the draft. If Volch won't sign, then I suppose a trade may be in order too...

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

Write comment

Name

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

Add Comment Preview