- James Gordon of the Ottawa Citizen: Senators GM Bryan Murray, part of transcript from yesterday on deadline and Chris Phillips.
On deadline approach:
“Well, no question. If we lose that game and a couple of other teams in the race win, we’re in a difficult position, but I don’t know whether it makes a big, big difference. But very definitely, it keeps us in the race, and as that is the case, you have to react accordingly and that’s what we will do. We will again review where we are, what we’re hoping to do, what we want to achieve by the end of the year, as well as going forward in this organization and hopefully make the right decision.”
On Chris Phillips talks:
“Not really, no. I’ve talked to Chris, I planned to talk to him again today and then have to make a decision. I’ve made a proposal to him, he’s made a proposal to me, I’ve come back to him, we had a conversation after the game last night. It’s the norm, I think, as you try to play out a scenario with a player and, again, you want to make the right decision not for today only, but for the future.”
On if he’ll trade Phillips if they don’t reach a contract extension:
“Not necessarily. I think that, what my role in all of this is, at this time of year, is to show the players in the group that, if they’re in the race, that we’re going to try to help them stay in the race. So if you deal a good player, it makes it more difficult for them to believe it, so that’s all. I’m just going to, as I say, we’ll play it out, but we’ll go to the limit. As I say, we’ll talk to Chris again, we’ll try to see where we are. A draft pick at this moment doesn’t help this group, this year, so I’m obviously taking that into consideration.”
On if they will be active at the deadline:
“I don’t think overly so, but you know, obviously you’re on the phone and you talk to a variety of managers around the league, and we have a couple of names that we’re interested in talking about, and we will continue to do that until they disappear off the marketplace.”
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Senators and Phillips spoke again yesterday. Sources saying Phillips turned down a one-year deal with just more than $2 million. Sources saying he wants a two-year deal. GM Bryan Murray:
“My role is, in all of this, at this time of year is to show the players and the group that if they are in the race, we’re going to try to help them stay in the race,” said Murray before the club’s flight here Monday afternoon.
“If you deal a good player, it makes it more difficult for them to believe that’s all. I’m just going to, as I say, play it out. We’ll go to the limit. I’m going to talk to Chris again and see where are. A draft pick at this moment doesn’t help this group this year so I’m obviously taking that into consideration as well.”
Sources say the Bruins and Red Wings have shown some interest in Phillips.
The Senators emailed teams last week to let them know that Joe Corvo is available. They will continue to gauge the interest in Milan Michalek and Phillips. The asking price for Chris Stewart remains high. Ales Hemsky could be an option. Don’t expect any big moves.
“I don’t think I’ll be overly (active) but (he’s) on the phone and you talk to a variety of managers around the league and we have a couple of names that we’re interested in talking about and we’ll continue to do that until they disappear off the marketplace,” said Murray.
- James Gordon: Chris Phillips and the Senators have exchanged offers. Both sides spoke after the game on Sunday. Bruce Garrioch: Phillips knows he can get more on the open market, so Garrioch is not sure a deal will get done.
- Todd Cordell: Bob McKenzie said that trade talks are very cool between the Senators and Sabres regarding Chris Stewart.
