Murray ready to shake up struggling Senators
If a bag skate at the end of practice Wednesday morning didn’t wake up the Ottawa Senators, their general manager openly musing about trading players should.
If a bag skate at the end of practice Wednesday morning didn’t wake up the Ottawa Senators, their general manager openly musing about trading players should.
Bryan Murray announced the team sent centre Zack Smith down to AHL Binghamton and called up David Hale to stabilize a jittery defence corps, adding he’s in talks with other managers about possible deals.
“It’s up to all of us (to improve things) — this is a team,” Murray said. “It’s not the coaches or players only, it’s me doing anything I can.
“I’ve talked to a number of people, as I said,” he went on. “I talked to (Minnesota Wild general manager) Chuck Fletcher for a long time yesterday and said, ‘can I help you, you help me’ type of thing, so we’re talking to management of other teams, trying to find if there is a need and a possibility of making a move.
“That’s not always the solution, but I think it’s something that maybe sends a little message to our players, so we will continue to pursue something.”
The Senators, touted by Murray as an Eastern Conference contender in the preseason, have limped out to a 1-4-1 start this season and currently sit 30th in the National Hockey League standings. They’ve also played more games than most of the teams ahead of them in the standings.
Losses alone aren’t the only reason for the disappointment surrounding this squad — it’s how the Senators are losing. They simply aren’t competitive most nights and only seem to put in a full effort when the games are already out of reach.
Maybe that’s why coach Cory Clouston closed practice by skating his players to exhaustion.
Murray said the biggest disappointment has been the team’s play on defence.
“I just think we turn the puck over in our own end and we haven’t battled defensively the way we should, the way we’re capable of doing in my opinion, and the result is we’re scrambling for the puck too often,” he explained.
Asked if it was a personnel issue or a work ethic issue, he chalked it up to a combination of both factors.
“I can’t say that one of our (defencemen) has played to where I thought they were going to be,” he said, calling on Chris Phillips to be better and pointing out youngster Erik Karlsson has struggled “big time.”
Murray also called the notion that his team is too old “bull,” despite the fact many of his key players are over 30 years of age.
Hmmm.
Well, to be honest from my standpoint, trading a Brian Lee for a Marek Zidlicky (for example), probably won’t cut it. If Murray REALLY wants to grab the players’ attention, one of the long-term guys would have to go.
Sadly, given Murray’s trade record, he really loves those cagey vets…which isn’t really what the team needs right now. If he can move a vet for a young (21-26) guy with a futre and maybe a pick, that would be swell…
“Murray also called the notion that his team is too old “bull.” ”
Chuckled at this, but it’s true.
Alfredsson 37, Kovalev 37, Fisher 30, Neil 30ish Kelly 30ish, Spezza 27ish, GOnchat 37, Kuba 33, Phillips 30ish…
Making the playoffs and playing until June is a lot to ask of this group; when you look at recent Cup finalists/champs…trend is young, younger and younger still, for the energy and low cap hits.
the only players they should trade are Kovalev and Lee…we won’t get much in return for Lee (if any other team is willing to take him) and good luck with trading Kovalev…unless we’re willing to take a fellow overpaid under achiever in return?
A shakeup is needed. I get tired of listening to post game interviews where the same thing is said over and over again. Trade Spezza and Kovalev. Spezza has never been the same since Heatley left and well…. Float a Lot… What can I say. If a trade is made, let’e hope that we get more than a bag of pucks in return. Perhaps a few games in the press box or down in the minors might wake them up.
It’s about time there was a shake down!!We have so much talent here, but not being used. It’s like a screen door on a submarine. I took a peek at the rosters of the top contenders, & came up with these stats.
sens..(5) players over 35
pens..(2) ” 33yrs none over
caps..(1) ” 38 (1) 33
hawks.(1) ” 38 (1) 34
sharks(2) ” 36 (2) 34
It is good to have a few veteran players to help the young guys along, but for some reason we keep taking on other team’s has beens. Where are we going to find them next, the retirement homes!!!
Gonchar is great, but we don’t even let him play where he has been producing for the last 6 yrs on the right side. instead, we make him cater to Karlsson, who is doing nothing but making turnovers. He should either play hockey or work in a bakery, where turnovers are popular. Fisher, Michalek, Neil, & Lehner are the only ones playing with some heart. Hopefully, if we do go looking for a goalie, we won’t take Theodore from the Wild. He is almost a member of the 35 & older club. Let’s give Lehner a chance to prove himself. Yes he is young, & that is what we need. We need to stop trying to nurse a 2 goal lead. Every goal must be the 1st goal. put in 60 mins of hockey. Stop signing players to big price contracts for 2 + yrs.1yr maximum & see if they earn it. Kovelev & Leclaire are 2 good examples of that. Maybe it’s me, but i don’t think we got 9 mil worth of play from them, & we’re stuck with them for another yr. Stop justifying where we are by comparing where we have been. If we have to compare, lets look at where we should be from where we are. If trades are necessary, for God’s sake, let’s do some research 1st.