So I originally thought that Bryan as Gm was going to be interesting. I never thought it would be for what seems like all the wrong reasons. Let’s recap what has happened since he has taken over the reigns:

• He lost Tom Preissing - Not a huge loss but we’ve not replaced him.
• He hasn’t resigned Emery, Schubert or Kelly who are likely to seek arbitration
• John Muckler is seriously thinking about joining the Maple Leafs
• He didn’t sign anyone of note during the beginging of the UFA period
• He hasn’t signed anyone of importance yet
• He hired his nephew into a sweet job
• He didn’t trade Redden
• He let Mike Comrie walk when he couldn’t get Guerin to the same team!

It seems to me that most teams in the Eastern conference have been getting better with their trades (Islanders, Flyers) with the notable exception of Buffalo (suckers). But let’s look at the big picture. Murray needs to keep money free for next year for our big UFAs then. Heatley especially. No problem.

But are we expected to put out a competitive team when we are now less of what we were this past season and that wasn’t enough to get the job done? Has Melnyk goen the way of the Darkside and decided profits are better than not? (I expect not, he really is a fan.)

I would be happier if Murray was able to sign at least two of the arbitration trio before they enter into that process. Otherwise all of our cap room might be eaten up before the season begins and we’ll not be able to fill out our roster, let alone have any room to resign Heater at the end of next season (unless the cap rises again…)

It seems pretty likely¹ that Muckler is no longer GM in Ottawa. Expect an announcement in the next few days.So why is this happening on the heels of what can be argued as the most sucessful playoff run in modern Senator’s history? Quite simply the will to win isn’t there yet.

Yeah, it hurts to say it…

Muckler has for the past few seasons only been willing to minorly tinker with the roster, merely adding one or two ‘fixes’, and seemingly only when people were calling for his head. Usually these fixes haven’t worked out. Notably this year’s fixes have done much better, Corvo, Preissing et al.

However his much greater folly has never been to mess with the core of the team since the much hyped Heatley for Hossa trade. In not touching the core of the team he has shown his faith on the ability of that group to step up when needed. That group utterly failed him during the final round of the playoffs.

Spezza and Heatley were non factors. Totally shut down. Redden, Muck’s pick over Chara (of which I agree) while produced somewhat, he was a very large liability on the ice during most defensive plays. Not to mention of his non-play all season long.

Perhaps the final straw was Muckler’s unwillingness to trade Redden this off season?

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Small Consolation Ain’t It?

Congrats to Finny¹ who wins The Scores’ Stanley Cup Final Blogger Pool²!

Here are the official results as compiled by Bob Coatsworth:

Ben from SensArmyBlog was the heavy favorie after getting two thirds of the big line in Spezza and Heatley by way of the snake draft. Who knew they’d be such non-factors? (sigh)

My secondary victory was propped up by a mean combination of secondary scoring anchored by the mighty captain Alfredsson and Fisher. Amazingly only Priessing didn’t notch a point. Here are my final stats:

Oh well, no prizes for me! Same time, same place next year peeps?

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