With the NHL trade deadline now just eleven days away, the talk around the league has picked up significantly.
The Flyers made a move for Stars defenceman Niklas Grossman, the Sharks picked up a forward in Dominic Moore and the entire NHL continues to speculate about the future of Rick Nash. In the midst of all the madness, it's clear that Murray is in no hurry to get something done.
Pierre LeBrun from ESPN and TSN posted an article this evening that matches what we have heard from the Sens time and time again this year. They are not about to move any of the club's top prospects in order to obtain a quick fix that could help the team this season.
Here is an excerpt from an article LeBrun posted tonight.
The Senators have looked around the league and made calls regarding a forward, but the asking price is more often than not one of Ottawa’s top prospects. And that’s a no-go.
"I’m not doing that, I can tell you that," Sens GM Bryan Murray told ESPN.com Thursday. "I’m not looking for a short-term fix."
The Senators still have their eye on the big picture which is to continue with their plan of developing a young and talented team. No short-cuts.
Still, if a top-six winger with an expiring contract is available without having to give up the farm, Murray will look at it.
"I’d be OK with a rental if it was the right price," said Murray.
I think this should tell Sens fans all they need to know leading up to the February 27th deadline. If Murray makes a move, it will likely be a minor one and at a reasonable price. Murray is in the enviable spot where he doesn't NEED to make a move and it's clear he would be content to stand pat if the prices are too high.
Murray will continue to talk to other GMs to see if that affordable top six forward option becomes available but he will not deviate from the team's long term plans to make a move.
