Melnyk Speaks/Globe says Rebuild is coming

SpezDispenser wrote:

CockRoche wrote:
Most everybody in the organization want Murray behind the bench. I said that earlier.

I agree with you tho' SpezDispenser, Murray has too much on his plate already.

Just ride this wave to shore. There is a high draft pick and cap space waiting for us on the beach.

No more loser points and let's ride this in. The loss of Kovalev and Leclaire means more to me personally than anything else. Truly the definition of addition by subtraction - the bonus being the massive cap space saved. Can't wait until they're gone.

You and me both.

Kovalev has been good for the team; but two years at that price is long enough. Thanks for being so helpful with the young guys.

rooneypoo wrote:

Cap'n Clutch wrote:Sure would make for a boring forum if we all agreed.

It's one thing to talk about things and to have disagreements. It's another when posters on a fan forum think they're so much smarter than a guy like Bryan Murray -- who has about 30 years experience as an NHL coach and 20 years experience as an NHL GM.

Let's get a little perspective, is all I'm saying.

I don't think he's done a poor job personally, but times have changed a lot. There are young, sharp minds out there, Yzerman, Anothopolis from the Jays. The old guard needs to step aside from time to time to allow a fresh perspective, and as much as I like Murray, this easily applies to this franchise.

rooneypoo wrote:

Cap'n Clutch wrote:Sure would make for a boring forum if we all agreed.

It's one thing to talk about things and to have disagreements. It's another when posters on a fan forum think they're so much smarter than a guy like Bryan Murray -- who has about 30 years experience as an NHL coach and 20 years experience as an NHL GM.

Let's get a little perspective, is all I'm saying.

True but, most of what I'm seeing is people judging him on the team lack of success which usually falls to the GM and or coach. I haven't seen much of people saying If I was him I would have done this that and the next thing so much differently and we'd be way better off. Am I missing something? I'm also seeing him being defended and to me arguments have been made on both sides and with reasonable arguments for the most part.

SpezDispenser wrote:

rooneypoo wrote:

Cap'n Clutch wrote:Sure would make for a boring forum if we all agreed.

It's one thing to talk about things and to have disagreements. It's another when posters on a fan forum think they're so much smarter than a guy like Bryan Murray -- who has about 30 years experience as an NHL coach and 20 years experience as an NHL GM.

Let's get a little perspective, is all I'm saying.

I don't think he's done a poor job personally, but times have changed a lot. There are young, sharp minds out there, Yzerman, Anothopolis from the Jays. The old guard needs to step aside from time to time to allow a fresh perspective, and as much as I like Murray, this easily applies to this franchise.

You wouldn't happen to be talking about the speed of the game, the size of the players, the salary cap, young players being able to step in and play top-line minutes, etc, etc would you?

Not everything is like it was 25 years ago. A little perspective please.

SpezDispenser wrote:I don't think he's done a poor job personally, but times have changed a lot. There are young, sharp minds out there, Yzerman, Anothopolis from the Jays. The old guard needs to step aside from time to time to allow a fresh perspective, and as much as I like Murray, this easily applies to this franchise.

Murray is pretty "with it" for an old dude and has been pretty progressive in a lot of his moves in the past and even in the present. I don't have much negative to say about him and I sort of believe that not firing him supports the theory that some bad signings along the way were not entirely his doing.

In other words, The Gene probably forced his hand and is accepting responsibility for those bad moves. Just a guess, of course.

ddt wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:^ God yes, that's 1000X better.

Do you honestly believe we'll be getting not one, but two top-line wingers as UFAs after seeing what we were able to get in previous years, and seeing what's available this summer?

Do you honestly believe Melnyk will want to spend tons of cash chasing UFAs after the cluster f*ck he's seen this year?

Absolutely. The only UFA I even care about is B.Richards and he'll likely settle with Dallas.

I'm talking about waiting for the opportunity to arise where a team is near or over the cap or a young guy is pushing a vet for a job. You scour the earth for a trade to land a big time winger, that's what GMs get paid for, to manage to roster - and this roster is void of scoring talent and goaltending. You better believe the incoming GM will be judged based on the moves he makes in acquiring these players.

Tons of pressure comes with the GM job in Ottawa - especially this summer.

Question: when Murray/Melnyk hoped to turn it around in a year, were they referring to contending for a playoff spot in 11/12 or 12/13? To me it sounded like 12/13 but I'm curious to see what others think.

BTW - not making the playoffs next year.

SpezDispenser wrote:

ddt wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:^ God yes, that's 1000X better.

Do you honestly believe we'll be getting not one, but two top-line wingers as UFAs after seeing what we were able to get in previous years, and seeing what's available this summer?

Do you honestly believe Melnyk will want to spend tons of cash chasing UFAs after the cluster f*ck he's seen this year?

Absolutely. The only UFA I even care about is B.Richards and he'll likely settle with Dallas.

Yup. Like I said, better to go with some secondary players through UFA and try to (finally) support Spezza as he will be the offensive go-to guy for the long haul and likely a future letterman.

dennycrane wrote:Question: when Murray/Melnyk hoped to turn it around in a year, were they referring to contending for a playoff spot in 11/12 or 12/13? To me it sounded like 12/13 but I'm curious to see what others think.

BTW - not making the playoffs next year.

From all the conversations it appears as though it will be a lean year next season with the Sens running with what they have in the system and hope to be competitive. Maybe they pull a Carolina and fight for 8th? I think they'll hope for better the following season but I wouldn't be surprised if they just grow with this young group with no more FA quick fixes.

SeawaySensFan wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:

ddt wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:^ God yes, that's 1000X better.

Do you honestly believe we'll be getting not one, but two top-line wingers as UFAs after seeing what we were able to get in previous years, and seeing what's available this summer?

Do you honestly believe Melnyk will want to spend tons of cash chasing UFAs after the cluster f*ck he's seen this year?

Absolutely. The only UFA I even care about is B.Richards and he'll likely settle with Dallas.

Yup. Like I said, better to go with some secondary players through UFA and try to (finally) support Spezza as he will be the offensive go-to guy for the long haul and likely a future letterman.

Would you go so far as to say future Captain material?

dennycrane wrote:Question: when Murray/Melnyk hoped to turn it around in a year, were they referring to contending for a playoff spot in 11/12 or 12/13? To me it sounded like 12/13 but I'm curious to see what others think.

BTW - not making the playoffs next year.

Wait, there's more to it.

I was reading in...one of the papers where Murray said that he expected to be competitive next year and contend in "a few years".

SeawaySensFan wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:I don't think he's done a poor job personally, but times have changed a lot. There are young, sharp minds out there, Yzerman, Anothopolis from the Jays. The old guard needs to step aside from time to time to allow a fresh perspective, and as much as I like Murray, this easily applies to this franchise.

Murray is pretty "with it" for an old dude and has been pretty progressive in a lot of his moves in the past and even in the present. I don't have much negative to say about him and I sort of believe that not firing him supports the theory that some bad signings along the way were not entirely his doing.

In other words, The Gene probably forced his hand and is accepting responsibility for those bad moves. Just a guess, of course.

so you're saying he's made some Euge mistakes?

Cap'n Clutch wrote:Would you go so far as to say future Captain material?

I have before so I'm not gonna pretend I don't think so now.

SpezDispenser wrote:

dennycrane wrote:Question: when Murray/Melnyk hoped to turn it around in a year, were they referring to contending for a playoff spot in 11/12 or 12/13? To me it sounded like 12/13 but I'm curious to see what others think.

BTW - not making the playoffs next year.

Wait, there's more to it.

I was reading in...one of the papers where Murray said that he expected to be competitive next year and contend in "a few years".

So it's the 8 to 10 year plan Murray sold Eugene in the first place or is this a new 5 year plan being put in place?

Number Twenty Nine wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:I don't think he's done a poor job personally, but times have changed a lot. There are young, sharp minds out there, Yzerman, Anothopolis from the Jays. The old guard needs to step aside from time to time to allow a fresh perspective, and as much as I like Murray, this easily applies to this franchise.

Murray is pretty "with it" for an old dude and has been pretty progressive in a lot of his moves in the past and even in the present. I don't have much negative to say about him and I sort of believe that not firing him supports the theory that some bad signings along the way were not entirely his doing.

In other words, The Gene probably forced his hand and is accepting responsibility for those bad moves. Just a guess, of course.

so you're saying he's made some Euge mistakes?

Cap'n Clutch wrote:
So it's the 8 to 10 year plan Murray sold Eugene in the first place or is this a new 5 year plan being put in place?

Whatever 3 years from now makes it. We knew it would be 3 years...last year. This current season has pushed it back a bit mind you. Look at the Hurricanes as the Sens model, we might be pushing for a playoff spot next season...maybe. If we make it, it'll be on the final day in 8th IMO.

I think they can be 'competitive' most nights next year. The East is weak enough that anything is possible.

dennycrane wrote:I think they can be 'competitive' most nights next year. The East is weak enough that anything is possible.

Yeah, I think for the most part I agree. They need a new coach with a solid system, they need the young guys to produce and they need their new goalie to be awesome, but it can happen.