Silver Nuggets: Bryan Murray looking to add at the deadline
Pierre LeBrun had a series of quotes after speaking to Bryan Murray this morning. Here is what Murray said about adding players at the deadline:
"Yes, if we continue to get wins over the next month or so, you want to give your players the best chance you can. I'd be wrong if I didn't think that some of these older guys on our team didn't deserve a chance to be helped going into the playoffs, if that's where we end up."
"We'd probably be looking for a forward."
So assuming Bryan Murray isn't trading our first round pick for a rental such as Shane Doan, what kind of move would Murray be looking to make? Personally, I don't think the Senators need a forward as much as a bottom pairing defenceman or a backup goaltender (I had a whole rant on this which I now had to delete). Who could be on the move? Also worth mentioning, while Murray wasn't quoted as saying this, LeBrun did mention that Murray's overall plan is still building through the youth.
Trade candidates
- Filip Kuba, Matt Carkner, Brian Lee: These are all defenceman on expiring contracts. Kuba is a bit different as he is an important player so far, but he could be available for the right price as well, especially if the Senators get a player instead of a draft pick. Given Murray's comments though, I would be shocked if Kuba is traded.
- Zenon Konopka, Jesse Winchester: Both players are unrestricted free agents and could fetch a lower draft pick. They can easily be replaced by others in the organisation.
- Stéphane Da Costa, Nick Foligno, Bobby Butler: Da Costa has done well in the AHL with 15 points in 18 games. But what does the acquisition of Kyle Turris mean for him? Could Da Costa, Foligno or Butler be part of a bigger trade? Could Murray's
- Jason Spezza: Just kidding, he is not going any where.
Here are the links:
- Game recap from last night. (Silver Seven, PensBurgh, Ottawa Sun, Senators Extra)
- Erik Karlsson was not at practise today, though Paul MacLean did say last night that he should be okay for Thursday night. (Allen Panzeri)
- Daniel Alfredsson was not at practise either. The lines were Greening-Spezza-Michalek, Foligno-Smith-Neil, Daugavins-Konopka-Butler. Condra and Turris were sadly practising without a third linemate. (Sylvain St-Laurent)
- Derek Zona picks his midseason awards with Paul MacLean as his pick for the Jack Adams. (SB Nation)
- Would you trade Erik Karlsson for Jonas Hiller? (Anaheim Calling)
- Bruce Garrioch would like to trade Matt Puempel or Stefan Noesen for "scoring depth". Granted, if for some absurd reason that gets Bobby Ryan, awesome. But that isn't going to happen. (Ottawa Sun)
- Norm Maciver feels Erik Karlsson's performance is more impressive than his own back in 1992-1993. It was a much more higher scoring league, where Maciver's 63 points were the 12th most by a defenceman. (Ottawa Citizen)
- The Sens playoff chances are now at 72.4% at SportsClubStats and 67% at PlayoffStatus.