The SBP Archives - Your less than frequent dose of SBP!

Not too many NHL GMs have the distinction of getting their walking papers when their team makes the Conference finals and Stanley Cup finals in the course of four seasons. But Melnyk had no choice in letting John Muckler go and promoting Bryan Murray to GM of the Senators before he would get picked up by another club.

One of the advantages of being a fan of a team owned by a billionaire with an ego is that they will not hesitate to make moves if they feel it will give their club a championship. If you look at the Sens' Ontario rivals the Toronto Maple Leafs, they are owned by a teacher's pension fund not terribly fueled by a desire for victory, but rather just a good return on their investment. There's a chance the Leafs may not make the playoffs again if they don't shake their lineup up before the season starts.

John Muckler had one year left on his contract and would have likely retired after next season. I'd argue that most of his trades haven't worked out, and he doesn't seem to know when the time comes to sacrifice the future for a present championship...wouldn't have Gary Roberts been a valuable addition playing against the physical style of the Ducks? Seeing that he had little time remaining on his present contract, Melnyk bought him out to make room for Murray.

I like Bryan Murray. His GM skills are proven, having previously led the Florida Panthers and Anaheim Ducks to the Stanley Cup finals, and many of the players who got their names on the Cup this season as members of Anaheim were drafted by Murray when he was GM. He seems to have a knack for knowing how to fine tune a club to get the desired results: winning. The players respect him, and have flourished under his tutelage. Actually coaching the players will benefit the club when trades/drafting choice have to be made.

Some interesting options are opening up for the coaching position. Randy Cunneyworth, Pat Burns and even Pat Quinn have been rumoured to be candidates for the position. Regardless of who's chosen, I have all the faith in the world Murray will make the right decision.

I'm glad he's the new GM of the Ottawa Senators.