Senators Trade Rumors

" The top candidate to be Senators' coach next season may already have the job. While GM Bryan Murray has insisted he has no plans to return behind the bench next season, two league executives told the Sun yesterday they believe Murray has been asked to "at least consider the possibility" of doing both jobs by owner Eugene Melnyk. "

"But Emery, who turns 26 in the fall, has done little to build up goodwill around the league. He's only played 134 NHL games and he's coming off a pedestrian 12-13-4 record with a 3.13 average and .890 save percentage. Here's the usual trade suspects: Tampa, Los Angeles, St. Louis."

"Pat Quinn, Ottawa Senators coach. Admit it, it does have a nice ring. If he was to lead the Senators to the Stanley Cup championship in a year or two, Quinn could run for mayor in hockey country and win."

"In short, he pretty much has all the credentials Senators general manager Bryan Murray says he's looking for in a coach to take over his dysfunctional club. That makes Tortorella perhaps the most colourful possibility among a group of candidates that also includes fellow veteran coaches Bob Hartley, Pat Burns, Pat Quinn, and Terry Murray, Bryan's brother."

" Senators GM Bryan Murray doesn't want to return as coach after his team was swept out of the first round of the playoffs. He wants a disciplinarian behind the bench who will clamp down on the club's young players and make them accountable. Sources say Murray plans to speak with Quinn, former Atlanta coach Bob Hartley, -- a Hawkesbury native -- former New Jersey coach Pat Burns and Kitchener coach Peter DeBoer about the coaching job. If Tampa Bay's John Tortorella becomes available, he will also be on the list. "

"You can put Bob Hartley's name on the list of candidates for the Senators' coaching job. It is expected within the next couple of weeks the Senators will ask permission of the Thrashers -- with whom Hartley is still under contract -- to speak to the Hawkesbury native, who won the Stanley Cup behind the bench of the Avalanche in 2001. Hartley was let go as coach by Thrashers GM Don Waddell after the club opened the season with six straight losses. "

"That list begins with San Jose Sharks defenceman Brian Campbell, whom Murray tried to acquire from the Buffalo Sabres at the trade deadline. Campbell, a former junior star with the Ottawa 67's, scored a combined eight goals and 54 assists in 83 games with Buffalo and San Jose during the regular season."

"It's easy to toss out names of possible unrestricted free agents the Ottawa Senators could sign in the summer, as if the National Hockey League was a fantasy league. Who couldn't use forwards such as Marian Hossa, Brendan Shanahan and Markus Naslund, and defencemen with the talents that Rob Blake, Brian Campbell or Mattias Norstrom possess?"

"Unless the Los Angeles Kings, who are always in the market for goalies, want to take a shot at Ray Emery, I don't see many trade partners for Ottawa bench boss Bryan Murray. Emery's contract ($6.75 million US over two years) isn't as big an impediment as his laissez-faire attitude to rules and practice schedules."

"Bryan Murray's ray of hope for a fresh start next season will be to get Ray Emery out of town. The goaltender will have to take his act elsewhere after the Ottawa Senators GM/coach said yesterday one of his top priorities will be to trade the 25-year-old or buy him out of the final two years of his $6.75-million contract. "

"Ray Emery wore out his welcome as an Ottawa Senator because of, among other things, his unprofessional approach to being a pro athlete, arriving late for many practices and then not bothering to break a sweat. He also tested the patience of the team when stories reached general manager and coach Bryan Murray of partying in various Ottawa nightspots."

" Bryan Murray's got ex-Ray vision. Senators goaltender Ray Emery will almost certainly have to take his act elsewhere next season. Murray confirmed yesterday one of his top priorities is trading the 25-year-old troublemaker or buying out the final two years of his $6.75-million (all terms US) contract. "

" So what is next for the Ottawa Senators? The obvious has now been confirmed, and goaltender Ray Emery will not be back next season. But that is the easy answer. And applying all blame to Emery for all that went wrong with the Senators is wrong. "

"Goaltender Ray Emery, pack up your gear. The King of Distraction will, surely, be gone come fall. Murray will first seek a trade for the goaltender who has been accused of everything from sucking the work ethic out of the once-dominant Senators to causing the potholes on the way to Scotiabank Place with his white Hummer."

" The Senators are looking to bring back Wade Redden -- if the price is right. Senators GM Bryan Murray revealed yesterday that he's spoken with Redden's agent, Don Meehan, about signing the veteran defenceman before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in July. "

"Let the search begin. Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray says his busy summer of trying to re-sign existing players, bringing in new ones and dumping others will begin with a quest to find the ideal coach for the underachieving club."

"Ottawa Senators coach and general manager Bryan Murray said Friday he'll do whatever he can to move goaltender Ray Emery to another team this summer. Speaking at a press conference alongside team owner Eugene Melnyk and president Roy Mlaker at Scotiabank Place, Murray stopped short of saying he'll buy out the troubled netminder if he can't find a trade partner. He acknowledged the team is moving on, however, adding he felt comfortable with Martin Gerber as the No. 1 goaltender next season. "

"Among the many rumours making the rounds yesterday was the possibility of a blockbuster deal sending centre Jason Spezza to the Vancouver Canucks for goaltender Roberto Luongo. Anything is possible, of course, but veteran defenceman Chris Phillips was throwing up a caution sign yesterday. As upset as he was with the team's shocking second-half dive and playoff no-show, he says a total overhaul of the roster is unnecessary. "Big changes, no," Phillips said, when asked whether general manager Bryan Murray needs to rip apart the roster to start anew."

"Less than a day after the Senators were swept from the NHL playoffs by the Penguins, Spezza reiterated he signed a seven-year, $49-million US contract with the Senators because he wants to remain in Ottawa. While Spezza agrees he needs to contribute more than the one assist he had in four playoff games against the Penguins, he scoffed at the notion of being dealt this summer, although a rumour has surfaced that has him headed to Vancouver for goaltender Roberto Luongo. "

" It's hard to foresee any scenario that would see the 30-year-old, an unrestricted free agent July 1, return to the Senators. It has been clear since Redden exercised his no-trade clause when Senators GM Bryan Murray tried to trade him last summer to the Edmonton Oilers -- and sought his permission to talk trade with the San Jose Sharks at the trade deadline this season -- that this day would arrive. That means his 12 years here in Ottawa, in which he grew from a teenaged kid with the blush high in his cheeks into a stubbled veteran, have ended. "

" Then, facing the reality he'll likely be bought out for only $2.25 million (all terms US) of the two years and $6.75 million left on his contract, Emery made it known he'd like to return to the capital next season. "That's the team's decision," said Emery. "I'd like to stay here. I like the guys on this team." "

"Commodore is one of the seven Senators (not including five more on the farm in Binghamton) who are currently eligible to become unrestricted free agents July 1. It's expected Wade Redden and Randy Robitaille won't be offered contracts. GM Bryan Murray and his staff are now left to decide whether they want to bring back Commodore, Cory Stillman, Chris Kelly, Shean Donovan and Martin Lapointe."

" Bryan Murray is staying with the Senators, at least as GM. Murray said he's got the green light from owner Eugene Melnyk to try to improve the team this summer. Speaking before Game 4 last night, Murray also revealed he was "reluctant" to fire coach John Paddock in February and go behind the bench himself. "No (I'm not worried about my job). Everybody around here knew I was reluctant to do what had to be done (firing Paddock)," said Murray. "

" It's almost a guarantee Redden will not be offered a new deal before he becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1 -- or if he is, it will be nowhere near what he'll be able to get from another team. He admitted thinking about the fact his 11-year association with the team and this city was coming to an end. "Looking back at the big picture, it's been a great time," he said, choosing to pass on the question of whether he even wanted to come back next year."

" Murray feels good about the Senators' talent, but knows he has holes to fill. Pending unrestricted free agents Wade Redden, Cory Stillman, Mike Commodore and Chris Kelly will likely be left to walk away. "You have to have a combination of a lot of things," said Murray. "You have to have talent and you have to have skill guys. You get frustrated with them when you don't score. "

"Tonight's game at Scotiabank Place between Ottawa and the Pittsburgh Penguins could very well be Wade Redden's last as a Senator."

" While Wade Redden knew this day would be upon him, he just didn't think it would be so soon. With Ottawa facing elimination from the playoffs tonight, there might be a few anxious moments for the Senators defenceman as he pulls on his No. 6 sweater for what could be the final time. "

"If the Senators lose this game, it will almost certainly have been Wade Redden's last as a Senator. He made $6.5 million U.S. this year and will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The Senators don't figure to be bidding for his services."

"The Hawks plan to target puck-moving defensemen, and there could be four good ones available in San Jose's Brian Campbell, Ottawa's Wade Redden, Colorado's John-Michael Liles and Montreal's Mark Streit. It's no secret that the Hawks would love to come out of the summer with either Campbell or Redden."

"The offense would be boosted by a defenseman who can play quarterback on the power play and Sharks free agent Brian Campbell fits the bill perfectly. The veteran scored eight goals and added 54 assists splitting time with the Sabres and Sharks but is rumored to want up to $8 million per season. The Hawks are well below the salary cap. Other defensemen the Hawks could be interested in are Ottawa's Wade Redden and Colorado's John-Michael Liles."

" That's why the Senators could sit down with Alfredsson this summer to see if they can get him signed to a long-term contract extension or risk losing him next summer as an unrestricted free agent."

"If Tortorella gets bounced in the off-season, and that's a strong possibility with Tampa's ownership changing hands, he won't be out of work long. It's believed the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders and the Ottawa Senators are ready to at least speak to Tortorella if he becomes available."

"Luke Richardson ($500,000 this year), Wade Redden ($6.5 million), and Mike Commodore ($1.3 million) will be unrestricted free agents, while Andrej Meszaros ($984,000) will be restricted."

"There are several coaches on the hotseat as the regular season winds down; as many as 15 could be looking for work if their teams don't make the playoffs or underachieve in the post-season... There have been no contract talks between the Senators and Wade Redden, but that doesn't mean there won't be before he's set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1."

"On the speculation out of Ottawa last weekend he would be a candidate for the Senators job, Babcock said: "I want to be here and (general manager) Kenny (Holland ) wants me to be here." Babcock can option out of his contract at the end of this season. Holland has had brief talks with Babcock's agent and said he'll have more in the near future. "

" Could Mike Babcock be the next coach of the Senators? The Detroit Red Wings bench boss could become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and while he has had contract talks with the Wings, there is a possibility he could be on the open market this summer... Chicago's Martin Havlat had shoulder surgery earlier this week. He will be ready for training camp next September, but don't be surprised if he's no longer with the Hawks. With one year left at $6 million US on his contract, many observers believe he will be traded in the off-season. "

" If the Senators have soured on Ray Emery, it won't cost much to get rid of him. While the Senators goalie has two years left on his contract (at $6.75 million), the Sun has confirmed through sources the club has the option of buying Emery out at only one-third of his deal. "

"Before the Senators faced off against the Boston Bruins, Melnyk said he had faith in coach and general manager Bryan Murray, and he believes his players are professionals who know they are getting paid to perform."

" The Senators won't like to hear that D Brian Campbell is speaking positively about his experience in San Jose. If he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, Campbell is a guy the Senators will target to try to replace Wade Redden, who can also become a UFA July 1."

"The Ottawa Senators remain in the thick of the bidding to receive Marian Hossa from the Atlanta Thrashers before the National Hockey League trade deadline at 3 p.m. today. It's believed the Senators' chief competition for Hossa will come from two Northeast Division rivals, the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins."

"Heading toward the trade deadline at 3 p.m. today, the most talk is surrounding Atlanta winger Marian Hossa, who has rebuffed several attempts by the Thrashers to sign him to a new contract. The Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators were listed as the frontrunners as the talk heated up yesterday."

" Kings D Rob Blake could be dealt to the Avs, although he has refused to waive his no-trade clause ... There has been talk in NHL circles that the Senators may again ask D Wade Redden if he's interested in moving. Listening to Murray lately, that seems highly doubtful. Redden killed a deal to the Sharks for D Matt Carle and a draft pick earlier this month ... The Sabres have to make a decision on D Brian Campbell, who's also set to become an unrestricted free agent. "

"With Sundin staying his course in Toronto and Peter Forsberg signing with the Colorado Avalanche yesterday, Murray continues his search. Names like Marian Hossa (Atlanta Thrashers), Sergei Fedorov (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Martin Lapointe (Chicago Blackhawks) have been bandied about."

"Los Angeles Kings defenceman Rob Blake could be dealt to the Colorado Avalanche, although he has refused to waive his no-trade clause ... There has been talk in NHL circles that the Senators may again ask defenceman Wade Redden if he's interested in moving."

"Earlier lobbying for Richards by teams such as Columbus and Philadelphia might pay off (the Jackets could offer him a spot on a line with Rick Nash and Nikolai Zherdev), but expect stronger Cup contenders such as Anaheim to get involved by today. One or both of Ottawa and Montreal, which seemed set to face off over Hossa, could change gears and pursue Richards."

"Lapointe is believed to be coveted by two teams (Ottawa and Detroit) needing more of a physical presence... According to reports, Columbus is very interested in Richards, perhaps offering goalie Pascal Leclaire. "

"Dany Heatley would have no problem with the Senators bringing back Thrashers winger Marian Hossa for a run to the Stanley Cup final."

"Calgary Flames forward Alex Tanguay's name has popped back up on the market with five days left before the trade deadline. Tanguay would have to waive his no-trade clause, but there's talk he could be sent to the Habs for Montreal winger Michael Ryder. It's believed the Panthers have also talked to the Flames about Tanguay... The Atlanta Thrashers would like a player and No. 1 pick for right winger Marian Hossa. The players being offered by numerous teams have been well publicized, but some wondered yesterday if Ottawa GM Bryan Murray might be willing to move defenceman Andrej Meszaros."

"A week ago, the Rangers and every other interested party seemed to be out of the running for Dan Boyle, who at the time appeared poised to sign a long-term deal with Tampa Bay. Now, however, the impending free-agent defenseman may be available, for The Post has learned that despite the Lightning's desire to lock up Boyle, little if any progress has been made toward that end... The Post has learned that in addition to the Rangers, the Flyers and Sharks have been closely monitoring the situation, with the Penguins and Senators recently joining the queue."

"The Bruins, Rangers, Senators, Ducks, Sharks and Flyers have all made a pitch for D Brian Campbell, who the Sabres would prefer to keep... Devils D Karel Rachunek is about to be dealt. He was a healthy scratch yesterday vs. the Hurricanes."