HockeyLeaks.com says Murray, Harsburg Fired

Dreger just shot down the rumor on tsn

Bramlet07 wrote:Dreger just shot down the rumor on tsn

Really? Too bad. I want Murray to stay, but Quinn behind the bench intrigues me.

Not surprising. A lot of outlets are reporting this, but again there's only one actual source.

Also, Quinn wants to return for a shot at a Cup. We're not going to win one while he's still of coaching age, I don't think.

And I've read stuff saying that Yzerman will move on, but not until after the 2010 Olympics.

My goodness though, you'd think that for a story like that they would like to try to make an update or confirm as quickly as possible.

It's like saying "sources say Heatley, Spezza, Alfredsson, Volchenkov, Karlsson and the Sens next two first round picks may have all been traded in one enormous package."

The suspense is killer.

Ah, here we are.

Melnyk denies rumours.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2009/01/07/senators_melnyk/

It just seems a little strnge that everyone is reporting it and yet tsn is saying that it is wrong. Are all the other media outlets using the same bad source? I don't think so. I think there will be a big headline this week.

"Contrary to what is being reported today by the media, I have made no
decisions with respect to any personnel changes within the Senators
organization," said Melnyk in a statement.

Does this mean that he is thinking about it since he says that he has not made decisions? Sounds suspicious.

Bob McCowan mentioned this on the Fan 590 today as well. No mention of Stevie Y though - only Quinn and Nicholson.

I smell a planted rumour...

ElliottRules wrote:"Contrary to what is being reported today by the media, I have made no
decisions with respect to any personnel changes within the Senators
organization," said Melnyk in a statement.

Does this mean that he is thinking about it since he says that he has not made decisions? Sounds suspicious.

Meh. Standard response...

I agree. Standard response. He doesn't want to add to this rumour by denying specifics being mentioned. I think it would have been worse had he said I don't plan to fire Murray and Hartsburg and replace them with Nicholson and Quinn.

shabbs wrote:Bob McCowan mentioned this on the Fan 590 today as well. No mention of Stevie Y though - only Quinn and Nicholson.

I smell a planted rumour...

Could very well be a planted rumour...
What this does is it effectively diminishes Murray's bargaining position in any trade discussions. It was bad enough that other GMs could speculate about Murray's lack of job security; now, they actually have a rumour and an owner's vague denial of that rumour to embolden them in any trade discussions. It may not worsen Murray's already weak position, but it certainly doesn't help it...

cash wrote:

shabbs wrote:Bob McCowan mentioned this on the Fan 590 today as well. No mention of Stevie Y though - only Quinn and Nicholson.

I smell a planted rumour...

Could very well be a planted rumour...
What this does is it effectively diminishes Murray's bargaining position in any trade discussions. It was bad enough that other GMs could speculate about Murray's lack of job security; now, they actually have a rumour and an owner's vague denial of that rumour to embolden them in any trade discussions. It may not worsen Murray's already weak position, but it certainly doesn't help it...

Good point by you. Perhaps it was even one of the GMs he was working that may have planted it? I love a good conspiracy theory...

cash wrote:

shabbs wrote:Bob McCowan mentioned this on the Fan 590 today as well. No mention of Stevie Y though - only Quinn and Nicholson.

I smell a planted rumour...

Could very well be a planted rumour...
What this does is it effectively diminishes Murray's bargaining position in any trade discussions. It was bad enough that other GMs could speculate about Murray's lack of job security; now, they actually have a rumour and an owner's vague denial of that rumour to embolden them in any trade discussions. It may not worsen Murray's already weak position, but it certainly doesn't help it...

I'm thinking something to distract the media from the on-ice play... have them focus on something else for a while.

I guess...but Melnyk states that now is the time for the fans to support their team. That statement does nothing but put the focus back on the team and the players. I am not saying that there is any validitiy in the rumours going around but Melnyk had the opportunity to crush the rumour and instead he just added some fuel to it by giving a vague response. If the rumour is true, I just hope that management is not the only thing to be affected. All it does is show the players is that they can continue their lazy play and the coach will pay for it. I am not saying that Hartburg has been the perfect coach but weren't a lot of players feeling bad because they felt they let Paddock down. Well here we go again, same team, diffrerent coach. If Hartsburg is fired, I wonder how many heart felt apologies, a la Paddock, will be given out. This is getting tired.

ElliottRules wrote:I guess...but Melnyk states that now is the time for the fans to support their team. That statement does nothing but put the focus back on the team and the players.

What it really does is tell fans that have supported the team with their wallets to keep flushing their money down the toilet.

Any astute, paying fan will take this as a slap in the face.

And what do you say about Leaf fans? They continually support their team win or lose, and as we all know its been more lose than win for them. Are you saying Ottawa fans are spoiled, stubborn and less supportive? I had a feeling Ottawa fans would bail on the team the minute they start losing. You cannot stop supporting the team when they are struggling. You know Gary Bettman is just waiting for the team to lose money and fans so he can pack them up and move them to Kansas City or some other uncharted American city.

DashRiprock wrote:And what do you say about Leaf fans? They continually support their team win or lose, and as we all know its been more lose than win for them. Are you saying Ottawa fans are spoiled, stubborn and less supportive? I had a feeling Ottawa fans would bail on the team the minute they start losing. You cannot stop supporting the team when they are struggling. You know Gary Bettman is just waiting for the team to lose money and fans so he can pack them up and move them to Kansas City or some other uncharted American city.

I'm saying Melnyk should have just kept his mouth shut instead of breaking out the pom-poms in a veiled attempt to encourage ticket sales despite doing nothing to try and change this protracted spell of mediocrity.