Trade Deadline : Ottawa Senators Bryan Murray Press Conference
The Ottawa Senators did not make any moves at the trade deadline. This fact is highlighted in a recent article by Trevor Shackles. I can not see many fans being pleased with such an occurrence. The Senators sit seven points out of the final Eastern Conference playoff spot but are too high in the standing to get a top 5 draft pick. The Senators are carrying eight defenceman, old 3rd and 4th line veterans, and some RFA’s with uncertain futures. Many expected a defenceman to be moved during the Trade Deadline. Bryan Murray took to the podium and answered questions from reporters.
Murray attempted to do one or two things during the deadline and received many phone calls. He received inquiries on players he did not want to move. It makes sense that Murray would not want to move one of the Senators younger players. The youth on the team has been one of the few bright spots this season.
He has eight defeneman and was not able to move one. Murray spoke about the defenceman situation on the Senators.
"“A little bit of ah.. what would I say.. A Veteran situation that going into the summer we will try to do something with just because of budget. Beyond that I didn’t go in looking for anything today. I was looking to move a player or two but that didn’t happen. It seems to be the way the league is right now if your a cap team you have to trade money for money and I didn’t want to do that in the one case in particular.”"
A reporter asked if getting a defenceman moved was a priority and Murray said it would probably happen later on. He says people analyze the trade deadline intensely but that the Senators may make the move during the draft or during the summer.
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Murray says Fredrik Claesson will get a chance. Matt Puempel has had a chance with the Senators on the current road trip and played extra games because Dave Cameron likes how he plays. He will most likely be sent down and Buddy Robinson will get a chance to play for the Senators in the near future.
Murray has been pleased with the Senators play and character lately. Murray receives calls on Erik Condra but felt he was too valuable to move. Murray says Condra has a ton of character and is good in the room. The Senators will have to make a decision on him in the summer.
When asked on getting veterans back into the line up Murray had an interesting answer.
"“Well I don’t think we will keep Clarke MacArthur out or Chris Neil out or Chris Phillips out very long. They may not play every game that will be up to the coach but we’ll get them back in however the kids have played very well and we don’t want to put them aside. We have a little extra number here that we don’t normally carry but I think it will work well with twenty games left and we can give enough opportunity to everybody.”"
When asked if it was strange not making a move at the trade deadline Murray said it was. He said the deadline was full of lateral moves and that’s not what he wanted to do. Murray then spoke about MacArthurs’ injuries as well as Robin Lehner‘s. Phillips and Neil’s injuries were also discussed.
Murray said he is not surprised the Senators are pushing for the playoffs. He believes in the young talent on the team. He says Zibanejad is getting more comfortable being a top guy on the team. Murray says he is surprised by how great Hoffman is playing. Says Hoffman usually takes a year in whatever league he is in too flourish so he is excited for next year. Murray believes the guys are playing harder for Andrew Hammond since they know he may need a bit more protection since he is not a veteran NHL goalie.
Murray says he is not in a big rush to address contracts with RFAs. It will all be addressed over the summer. Murray would not answer the question about whether or not he will come back next year. He needs to talk to his wife, the owner, his doctors. Murray is excited about the young players in the organization. Murray believes being around the young competitors is good for his health. He loves being emotionally involved with hockey and keeping his mind occupied. He is hoping everything works out and will make the right decision at the end of the year.
It is disappointing that the Senators did not make a move at the trade deadline. I would have liked to have seen players not in the long term future dealt. It would have been nice to see Neil, Legwand or Phillips moved. The Senators did not move one of their plethora of defenceman. Bryan Murray appears to have loyalty to the Senators veterans. I am not in his position so I do not know what it is like dealing with veteran players. As an observer and analyst I am disappointed the Senators did not make a single move at the trade deadline.