What should Murray do?

Well, after attempting to calm down from last night's loss to the so-called powerhouse of the East, a.k.a. The Habs, I couldn't help but pose myself the following question: What should Murray do now?

Granted, I saw his Q & A piece in the Citizen a few days ago where he hinted that he still feels he has time to allow the teams issues to be addressed internally; but after last night, and I have to agree with The 6th Sens take, that keeping an unhappy, unstable #1 who's $3.7M salary is chocking our cap doesn't seem to be making things or their lives any easier or better. Should Murray take a chance on Elliott and put Auld as the back up and waive Gerbage? Should he attempt a move for PMD and address the Gerber issue at a later time, say in the new year? Is Vermette really working out on the 1st line?

All the questions I'm sure have answers, the problem lies with how to get the answers and put them in place so this team can move forward and KEEP their momentum going.
We've all seen that this team CAN compete for a full 60 mins, it's just that their past 2 efforts (the ones to immediately come to mind) have fallen short of a full-out 3 period competition.

I don't blame Hartsburg...yet, as it seems like his defensive-first philosophy is slowly being bought by the team; but for it to be successfull, you need to score goals and THEN clamp down to maintain the lead and choke off the opposition.

We need answers, and fast as the Sens are at the bottom of the Eastern standings and more importantly, I know they are capable of being a strong and competitive team.

Trade Vermette and Neil for Seabrook. Send down Foligno and call up Zubov. Finally sign Shanny, but do it now, cause he won't be in game shape. Put the top line back together and there you go.

THis team is simply not good enough and at this point I really don't see them making the playoffs. I'm so close to calling this a rebuilding year.

Are they really capable with the current roster? The one dominant game they had was against Philly; a team that was reaching pretty deep into their depth for Defensive help and that has also been struggling to keep pucks out of their own net.

I think that we need to be patient and see if the issues CAN be resolved from within but the clock is tickin'. As far as Gerber is concerned I think it's a matter of Melnyk not wanting to shell out the money for Gerber to ride the buses so, I see it happening closer to the deadline. With the oodles of cap money we'll have to spend at the deadline you have to figure if it's not spent then Murray has written off this season IMO.

I don't think Jam's suggestion is that far-fetched.
I don't think we're quite a rebuilding just yet, but if they continue to sink and sink, then it's NOT that far off I'm afraid.

My god this hurts. I don't know WHY they can't get pissed off collectively and just compete... what about Pride and glory guys! WAKE THE FRANK UP!!!

Poor Foligno.

I think he's going to be the guy who suffers the most from this. Look for him to be demoted, and Bass/Z. Smith to be called up in his place, possibly even before next game.

Anyone keeping an eye on Lee in Bingo? How's he doing?

A few minor tweaks (internally and by trade) seems to be all we need. We've seen glimmers of brilliance from everyone on this roster (except for one unnamed Swiss player), but the pieces need to come together.

rooneypoo wrote:Poor Foligno.

I think he's going to be the guy who suffers the most from this. Look for him to be demoted, and Bass/Z. Smith to be called up in his place, possibly even before next game.

Anyone keeping an eye on Lee in Bingo? How's he doing?

The powerplay is TEARING right now. Something like 50%, and Lee is on the first PP unit with Bell. He's not scoring many goals, but I think he's picking up assists like a machine.

rooneypoo wrote:Poor Foligno.

I think he's going to be the guy who suffers the most from this. Look for him to be demoted, and Bass/Z. Smith to be called up in his place, possibly even before next game.

Anyone keeping an eye on Lee in Bingo? How's he doing?

Last I heard he's doing OK. Not racking up a tonne of points but his plus minus is much better than last season. It's the Zubov, Shannon, Z. Smith and Bell show on Offense and the Elliot show in goal.

Actually Matt's Morning Mashup has some Bingo updates. You should have a look.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:

rooneypoo wrote:Poor Foligno.

I think he's going to be the guy who suffers the most from this. Look for him to be demoted, and Bass/Z. Smith to be called up in his place, possibly even before next game.

Anyone keeping an eye on Lee in Bingo? How's he doing?

Last I heard he's doing OK. Not racking up a tonne of points but his plus minus is much better than last season. It's the Zubov, Shannon, Z. Smith and Bell show on Offense and the Elliot show in goal.

Actually Matt's Morning Mashup has some Bingo updates. You should have a look.

Yeah we don't hear too much about Shannon ever coming up... Will we ever see him in the big lineup? How far is he on the depth chart?

He's on that line with Smith and Zubov, and he's holding his own. Still, his size is a bit of a concern. He's probably behind the other two on the depth chart as far as callups are concerned.

Put the franking top line together and never touch it again. What a wonderful dream world we live in to think we can split up these three guys and still win. It begins and ends with the top line.

The rest of the plugs (with the exception of Fisher) had better start playing for their jobs. Kelly and Vermette would open up 5 million dollars and can be replaced with a)a good to great puck mover or b)someone who can put the franking puck in the net.

Franking joke. Even pinhead Mguire was wondering what was wrong with Hartsburg - and how he couldn't see to put the top line together to start period 2. Everyone knew it...but Hartsburg.

504Heater wrote:Put the franking top line together and never touch it again. What a wonderful dream world we live in to think we can split up these three guys and still win. It begins and ends with the top line.

The rest of the plugs (with the exception of Fisher) had better start playing for their jobs. Kelly and Vermette would open up 5 million dollars and can be replaced with a)a good to great puck mover or b)someone who can put the franking puck in the net.

Franking joke. Even pinhead Mguire was wondering what was wrong with Hartsburg - and how he couldn't see to put the top line together to start period 2. Everyone knew it...but Hartsburg.

Especially too since that line has been a Hab-killer for the past few years..

smash88 wrote:
Especially too since that line has been a Hab-killer for the past few years..

They've been an every team killer. If we had some dude on the 2nd line capable on potting 40 that would be another story entirely, but sadly, we have 3 offensive guys - true offensive guys. They need to be playing together.

I'd rather lose by the other team shutting them down instead of losing because the other team focuses on Spezza and Heatley and hopes that Fisher will miss.

1.4 million. What is that number significant for? That's the amount of $$ that separates Chris Franking Kelly from Cory Stillman. Hmm. Who would I rather have....

I think I love Jam's idea posted above.

504Heater wrote:

smash88 wrote:
Especially too since that line has been a Hab-killer for the past few years..

They've been an every team killer. If we had some dude on the 2nd line capable on potting 40 that would be another story entirely, but sadly, we have 3 offensive guys - true offensive guys. They need to be playing together.

I'd rather lose by the other team shutting them down instead of losing because the other team focuses on Spezza and Heatley and hopes that Fisher will miss.

1.4 million. What is that number significant for? That's the amount of $$ that separates Chris Franking Kelly from Cory Stillman. Hmm. Who would I rather have....

and I thought I was the only one.... Chris Kelly too me is by far the most over rated player on the Senators...