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http://www.ottawasun.com/sports/columnists/bruce_garrioch/2009/09/21/11039076.html
REGINA — Senators GM Bryan Murray is willing to give some underachieving veterans the benefit of the doubt before final cuts are made.
But not for long.
The Senators intend to carry 21 players once the regular season begins, but Murray said yesterday he hopes some experienced players who are struggling in camp will be ready for opening night on Oct. 3 vs. the Rangers.
“Sometimes a veteran player has earned the right to be on your team even though he hasn’t had a great training camp,” said Murray. “What you do, is you allow the year to start, watch and then if that veteran doesn’t upgrade his play to a point that helps you win, then you have to cut the ties.
“That’s what happening in our league generally because the ties got cut and some young guys came along and beat them out. We’re at that point, but we are handicapped a little by the contracts.”
After facing the Lightning last night at the Brandt Centre, the Senators have only one pre-season game left — Friday against Boston. Prospects Peter Regin, Erik Karlsson and Matt Carkner are pushing for jobs, but Murray can’t afford to keep everybody and stay under the $56.7-million (all terms US) salary cap.
Murray could have decisions to make on defencemen Christoph Schubert and Alex Picard. Centre Chris Kelly has to step it up.
“It’s a balance. I hope we don’t have to make many guys wait if they’re absolutely ready,” said Murray. “We have some two-way contracts that we can play with a little bit. We’ve got a commitment to some players and to this point in time they’ve been outplayed. There are a couple of guys that I would really like to open the door for."
Looks like he has his eyes on Schubert, Picard, and Kelly as expected. Just hope that benefit of the doubt doesn't last too long.
REGINA — Senators GM Bryan Murray is willing to give some underachieving veterans the benefit of the doubt before final cuts are made.
But not for long.
The Senators intend to carry 21 players once the regular season begins, but Murray said yesterday he hopes some experienced players who are struggling in camp will be ready for opening night on Oct. 3 vs. the Rangers.
“Sometimes a veteran player has earned the right to be on your team even though he hasn’t had a great training camp,” said Murray. “What you do, is you allow the year to start, watch and then if that veteran doesn’t upgrade his play to a point that helps you win, then you have to cut the ties.
“That’s what happening in our league generally because the ties got cut and some young guys came along and beat them out. We’re at that point, but we are handicapped a little by the contracts.”
After facing the Lightning last night at the Brandt Centre, the Senators have only one pre-season game left — Friday against Boston. Prospects Peter Regin, Erik Karlsson and Matt Carkner are pushing for jobs, but Murray can’t afford to keep everybody and stay under the $56.7-million (all terms US) salary cap.
Murray could have decisions to make on defencemen Christoph Schubert and Alex Picard. Centre Chris Kelly has to step it up.
“It’s a balance. I hope we don’t have to make many guys wait if they’re absolutely ready,” said Murray. “We have some two-way contracts that we can play with a little bit. We’ve got a commitment to some players and to this point in time they’ve been outplayed. There are a couple of guys that I would really like to open the door for."
Looks like he has his eyes on Schubert, Picard, and Kelly as expected. Just hope that benefit of the doubt doesn't last too long.
