Bryan Murray, Dave Cameron expect to return next season with Ottawa Senators
Sens will offer a contract to goalie Andrew 'Hamburglar' Hammond, Murray says
Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray says he expects to return next season, despite his battle with cancer, and he says head coach Dave Cameron has been offered a contract extension.
Murray held his year-end news conference at Canadian Tire Centre on Wednesday morning, which followed Cameron's year-end news conference.
Murray revealed several notes on the future of the Senators, just three days after they were eliminated by the Montreal Canadiens in six games.
Murray says the turnaround in the team was quite obvious after the coaching change was made. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbcott?src=hash">#cbcott</a>
—@SeguinSportsMurray presented Cameron with a contract extension on Monday just one day after the team was eliminated, he revealed. Cameron took over as the interim head coach in December 2014 when Paul MacLean was fired.
The CBC's Dan Séguin also said Cameron was given approval to find a new assistant coach to replace Mark Reeds, who passed away two weeks ago.
Murray says he will stay on as GM as long as his health allows. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbcott?src=hash">#cbcott</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sens?src=hash">#Sens</a>
—@SeguinSportsDecision to stay is a tough one, but this is the first time in a while that I haven't been run out of town. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbcott?src=hash">#cbcott</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sens?src=hash">#Sens</a>
—@SeguinSportsMurray will return if doctors allow
Murray also said he would return as the general manager if doctors allow because he prefers that work to sitting on the couch.
The general manager also revealed more information about his players' contract situations and potential trades.
He said a contract offer would be made to goalie Andrew Hammond. Hammond's surprise play helped spur the team's improbable playoff run, but he struggled in the playoffs and gave way to veteran Craig Anderson in the first round series with the Montreal Canadiens, which the Senators lost four games to two.
Murray also said there were a couple of players who have asked to be traded or moved — including Colin Greening — and that the team would try to accommodate them.
Murray said Ottawa would not spend up to the salary cap, which it has not done in recent years, but would try to add some more pieces.
No doubt that the team needs to add a few pieces. Strong part is age of key players. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbcott?src=hash">#cbcott</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sens?src=hash">#Sens</a>
—@SeguinSportsTeam dealing with injuries
On Tuesday, Senators players including Clarke MacArthur, Marc Methot, Mika Zibanejad and Mark Borowiecki revealed their own injury concerns.
Murray said Erik Karlsson had muscle damage to his back and had injections to deal with the pain.
He also explained the continuing concern with goaltender Robin Lehner and the concussion he suffered in February, saying Lehner was still having headaches, but that he hoped to start working out next week.
Jared Cowan also needs surgery to repair a sports hernia, Murray said.
Next year's version of the Ottawa Senators will be different than this year's, but it's still unclear how that will look.
Will decide on Chris Phillips when training camp begins in the fall. Same on Chris Neil. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbcott?src=hash">#cbcott</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sens?src=hash">#Sens</a>
—@SeguinSportsI expect the team to be better next year. Thinks they should be consistently competitive. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbcott?src=hash">#cbcott</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sens?src=hash">#Sens</a>
—@SeguinSportsOttawa's unrestricted free agents are Erik Condra and Hammond, while the teams' restricted free agents include Mike Hoffman, Mika Zibanejad, Mark Stone and Cody Ceci, among others.