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Senators about to enter re-building mode
Mark Easson
Roy MacGregor of the Globe and Mail: In many minds, the Ottawa Senators season is a write off, and it’s time to look towards next season. The fans will likely accept a complete rebuild. Bryan Murray is rumored to be moving to a Senior Adviser role with the club. Eugene Melnyk has said the Cory Clouston will finish the year out as the teams coach, Murray will finish the year before handing the team off to someone else. Pierre McGuire has already been interviewed for the GM job, and there will be more interviews to take place. Coaching replacements could be Kirk Muller, Craig MacTavish and Kevin Dineen. Whoever is hired as the next coach will be chosen by the next GM. Murray will continue to look to unload his ‘assets’. Under-achieving Alex Kovalev could be moved, as well as defenseman Sergei Gonchar. Daniel Alfredsson and Chris Phillips may be asked to waive their no-trade clauses.
Wayne Scanlan of the Ottawa Citizen: Bryan Murray will continue to attempt to find new homes for Chris Phillips, Jarkko Ruutu, and Alex Kovalev, and bring in prospects and draft picks. Owner Melnyk said the team needs a ‘game changer’ but that will likely have to wait until the draft where they’ll likely pick in the top 5. They will look to build the team from within, and not go after any expensive free agents this off-season.
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Garrioch lists Jarrko Ruutu, Filip Kuba, Alex Kovalev, Sergei Gonchar and Chris Phillips as players that could be traded.