Scanlan critical of Bryan Murray

[loki604]

As far as Gonch goes, there was an adjustment period for him that took an entire season in Pittsburgh. Still he's lost a step and there weren't many Pens fans who wanted him to return. Ottawa is a bad fit, no doubt though. He would have been better used to give an already-playoff team another weapon; he's not going to take a crappy-below average team and turn them into contenders.

 

[Urkie]

This has been the catch phrase for Gonchar for going on ten years.

They shouldn't fire Clouston, he's a good coach. But then again, they should have never fired Hartsburg, You would hope they'd look at who is available to coach before making the decision. Who? Melrose? Milbury? Hasn't this franchise failed enough?

The future in Goal and on D looks solid. I think they need to make a serious effort to keep Phillips and give him someone to play alongside. My dream would be to trade Gonchar for Volchenkov, but even the Devs aren't that stupid.

Fisher is gone. The instant he got married his days were numbered. That is going to leave a HUGE hole at center (and in heart) that I don't think you can wait to fill with a draft pick. They are going to have to spend for a center. Then pick up a veteran winger or two who can teach the kids. The talent is there. The problem is no one gives a shit.

Well, with Gonchar there is no other choice. They pretty much have to hope that he is better next year because I can't imagine anyone taking on that contract after the year he's had so far.

As for Fisher...It certainly looks like he's checked out. He doesn't have the same drive in his game anymore, that's for sure and he's definitely become one of the problems with the team though. One of the infamous clock punchers you talk about on a regular basis. All he's doing now, and I'd hate to say it, is finishing out this contract. That's definitely what it looks like to me.

Phillips is garbage now. He's part of the problem too, mainly because of his on ice play. He's just been horrible and I don't know if I honestly want him around if he's going to suck that badly. He either misses Volchenkov dearly or he's suffering a Redden-esque decline.

 

[Urkie]

Now Kevin Allen is saying that numerous people around the league have said that the Sens dressing room is in turmoil.

Profile - USATODAY.com

Usually you hear the drum beat around the NHL before a coach is fired and you can clearly hear the drums beating steadily about Cory Clouston's future in Ottawa. In today's NHL, there are no secrets. Too many players have ties with players on other teams. Too many coaches know each other. Too many general managers are friendly with other general managers. Word travels quickly when there isn't harmony in the dressing room. There is always going to be tension between a coach and players, but what you hear about the Senators is that the tension between players and Clouston exceeds normal limits.

If this is the case then Murray is in a pretty tough spot. If he fires him then it will look like the inmates are running the asylum once again.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Now Kevin Allen is saying that numerous people around the league have said that the Sens dressing room is in turmoil.

Profile - USATODAY.com

Usually you hear the drum beat around the NHL before a coach is fired and you can clearly hear the drums beating steadily about Cory Clouston's future in Ottawa. In today's NHL, there are no secrets. Too many players have ties with players on other teams. Too many coaches know each other. Too many general managers are friendly with other general managers. Word travels quickly when there isn't harmony in the dressing room. There is always going to be tension between a coach and players, but what you hear about the Senators is that the tension between players and Clouston exceeds normal limits.

If this is the case then Murray is in a pretty tough spot. If he fires him then it will look like the inmates are running the asylum once again.

Do you think the reason Clouston hasn't been fired is because Murray's been told by ownership if he fires Clouston he's fired as well?

 

[Urkie]

Do you think the reason Clouston hasn't been fired is because Murray's been told by ownership if he fires Clouston he's fired as well?

I think that's exactly what has happened. If it wasn't then I think Clouston would have been fired long ago.

Something has got to give though because the fans need to know what direction the team is going in.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

I think that's exactly what has happened. If it wasn't then I think Clouston would have been fired long ago.

Something has got to give though because the fans need to know what direction the team is going in.

I think it's obvious. They're going to try to do a quick rebuild. Ottawa has some very good defense prospects. They will try to trade Phillips, Ruutu, Kovalev (Good Luck) & a few others.

I expect them to have a rookie make the lineup every year for the next few years. Guys like Runblad & Cowen aren't far away. What the Sens need is OFFENSE.

 

[Urkie]

I think it's obvious. They're going to try to do a quick rebuild. Ottawa has some very good defense prospects. They will try to trade Phillips, Ruutu, Kovalev (Good Luck) & a few others.

I expect them to have a rookie make the lineup every year for the next few years. Guys like Runblad & Cowen aren't far away. What the Sens need is OFFENSE.

Yeah, pretty much. This is the way I hope it's done but then again...we're talking about Bryan Murray in charge of it and as I've said in the past, I just don't really trust the guy.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Here are all the moves Murray has made as GM. Ken Warren, from the Ottawa Citizen, rates them. It shows, overall, that Murray has been below average. Not the worst but definitely not excelling in his job as GM. As expected his drafting has been his strength.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/pdf/murraymoves.pdf

 

[Urkie]

Here are all the moves Murray has made as GM. Ken Warren, from the Ottawa Citizen, rates them. It shows, overall, that Murray has been below average. Not the worst but definitely not excelling in his job as GM. As expected his drafting has been his strength.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/pdf/murraymoves.pdf

That's a pretty good breakdown. Some of it seems harsh but I think Murray deserves to be judged that way. Pretty much any GM of a Canadian team would be.

Honestly, I am of the opinion that Bryan Murray failed and I don't buy into the notion that he's done poorly because the previous GM didn't leave him all that much. Do I feel like it had an impact? Sure but Murray made a lot of his own moves too and a lot of them backfired on him.

Overall, I just think it would be a good PR move to replace Murray with a new GM at the end of the year. Most casual fans view him as the guy who ruined the team so to keep him around would not be smart. Give the new GM the task of rebuilding the team and I think the fans would be more patient and more fans would go to the games if there is a sense of direction.