Murray - Let's make a deal!!

By Bruce Garrioch

Senators GM Bryan Murray is selling. This week he's going hunting for buyers ... for a player or two.

Murray said today he's going to start working the phones to try and move a couple of players he feels are underperforming this fall. In part, his motivation is to open up a spot for centre Peter Regin, who is having a strong training camp. Another factor is to lighten the team's contract load, which is currently very close to the league's salary cap.
Ideally, the Senators would like to find new homes for defenceman Christoph Schubert and possibly centre Chris Kelly.

"It's a hard time of year because a lot of organizations have lots of young players that are going to be looked at," said Murray. "Very definitely it's going to be worth my while to make some calls and find out if there's anybody that wants to give someone a chance."

The Senators gave most of their players the day off after returning from their 3-1 win over Tampa on Monday night in Regina. The Senators have only one exhibition game remaining, against the Boston Bruins on Friday. Only seven players were on the ice this morning.
Murray said he's not sure when the club will cut down its roster to 21 or 22 players.

He also noted that rookie defenceman Erik Karlsson is still fighting for a spot.

"We know he's a very talented young man, but there's a few things we'd like him to do better on the power play," said Murray.

Interesting...nothing that we didn't already know though.

This is clearly to make way for Regin. There is no way that we can send him down after the effort he has put into the pre-season. This kid is ready and ready NOW.

ship Kelly and Schubert out of here, combine the two of them to maximize the return (whatever that would turn out to be) and get it done, Regin must play this year with the Fish.

Do you suppose a team with needs would give a 3rd rounder for both of them as a package?

beedub wrote:Do you suppose a team with needs would give a 3rd rounder for both of them as a package?

we could only hope, or better, but we can't take any roster players/salary back for these two.

I would imagine you could get a 3rd or 4th for Kelly, but maybe not for a couple of months. Schubert will probably need to be waived.

beedub wrote:Do you suppose a team with needs would give a 3rd rounder for both of them as a package?

That sounds pretty fair to me, I don't see why not...

RobbyJ wrote:I would imagine you could get a 3rd or 4th for Kelly, but maybe not for a couple of months. Schubert will probably need to be waived.

Absolutely. We couldn't get any pick or anything for him. He has ZERO trade value. Unless as Beedub said, you ship him and Kelly off for a 3rd. I just don't know which team would need a guy like Schuby when everyone has prospects in the system that are probably already better than him. Poor guy, his career is over.

If Murray can get a team to trade for Schubert, even if it's a 7th, that will be nothing short of a miracle.

That said, you look at a team like SJ or NJ who could use a big body that can skate on the back end for a minimal cap hit. There could, with a lot of luck, be some takers.

Regin is on this team though, 100%. How many years does he have left on his contract at the entry level?

N4L wrote:Regin is on this team though, 100%. How many years does he have left on his contract at the entry level?

Regin's on the second year of a two-year entry level contract due to his age. So he's an RFA after this season.

Hmmm...

Regin is an RFA next summer.

Regin, Foligno, Winchester, Lee, Picard and Campoli are all RFA's after this season.

shabbs wrote:

N4L wrote:Regin is on this team though, 100%. How many years does he have left on his contract at the entry level?

Regin's on the second year of a two-year entry level contract due to his age. So he's an RFA after this season.

Hmmm...

If he shows his worth the first 3 months of the season, 5 years, 8-10 mil. Have to do it. That contract will pay off huge.

Damn, I wonder how much we'll give him. Especially if he puts up 50+ points this year, which he will if the chemistry stays as is and gets better.