Could Murray be an honest GM on the Redden file?
Posted 8:33 PM ET | Comments 6
I was wondering to myself why Brian Murray would come out and admit that he had an agreement to trade Wade Redden. There are several possibilites:
- Murray could be trying to light a fire under Redden in the hopes to encourage him to get back to his former self. This doesn't seem like the smartest move as it is not the GM's job to motivate players and if that was what he was trying to accomplish, why move away from behind the bench?
- Murray could legitimitely be trying to trade Redden but if he did that, why not warn him in advance? Redden has always talked about liking Ottawa so it must have come out of the blue for him to have been asked to suddenly waive his NTC. IF that is the case, publicly embarassing him would quite probably make him think about his future with the organization. If Murray doesn't like him then he has to consider options and where he wants to go. This again however doesn't seem to make a lot of sense either for if Murray didn't like him, why would he have played him so much all through last season? If he actually wanted to trade Redden it would make far more sense to sit him down and discuss future plans. Redden has been a classy guy in Ottawa for a long time and would deserve that. Murray isn't dumb either so you would have to think that he would anticipate Redden turning down the NTC if he came at him out of the blue and would have tried to coax him into it before it came to fruition.
- The third scenario would seem the most likely. Edmonton came with a legitimate offer that Murray thought would help the Sens (Smith and Lupul or more?) deal with the impending UFA status of Redden following the year, ensuring return, as well as freeing cap space to attack priorities such as resigning Fisher, Heatley, Speza etc. THere have been rumours that Redden has turned down multiple chances to move and this could still fit into this scenario. Is it improbable that other teams found out Murray was willing to move him and made offers of their own? ONce Murray had accepted one, he would have already been at the point where he was willing to deal Redden and the rationalizing and debating would be pretty much settled.
Murray has since come out saying he expects Redden to stay with the Senators (mysteriously adding "at this point."
He has also discussed re-signing Redden, although you'd have to think his dollar figure would have to come down. Currently, Redden is the highest paid Sen. This isn't a great thing considering he proved himself to be expendable last year. Redden seems to like the city and has a chance to win so you would have to think that Redden will consider re-upping at some point. Everyone knows Redden had a bad year with theories ranging from nagging injuries to being psychologically drained following family illness and other such difficulties. Whatever the issue was, it would be Redden's right to reveal it. Murray might have made a gaffe in upsetting Redden, but I actually believe that he didn't plan on it and would like to keep him for this year and possibly beyond.
(Of course if I believe a GM's newspaper quotes, perhaps I should be seeking therapy.)
- Murray could be trying to light a fire under Redden in the hopes to encourage him to get back to his former self. This doesn't seem like the smartest move as it is not the GM's job to motivate players and if that was what he was trying to accomplish, why move away from behind the bench?
- Murray could legitimitely be trying to trade Redden but if he did that, why not warn him in advance? Redden has always talked about liking Ottawa so it must have come out of the blue for him to have been asked to suddenly waive his NTC. IF that is the case, publicly embarassing him would quite probably make him think about his future with the organization. If Murray doesn't like him then he has to consider options and where he wants to go. This again however doesn't seem to make a lot of sense either for if Murray didn't like him, why would he have played him so much all through last season? If he actually wanted to trade Redden it would make far more sense to sit him down and discuss future plans. Redden has been a classy guy in Ottawa for a long time and would deserve that. Murray isn't dumb either so you would have to think that he would anticipate Redden turning down the NTC if he came at him out of the blue and would have tried to coax him into it before it came to fruition.
- The third scenario would seem the most likely. Edmonton came with a legitimate offer that Murray thought would help the Sens (Smith and Lupul or more?) deal with the impending UFA status of Redden following the year, ensuring return, as well as freeing cap space to attack priorities such as resigning Fisher, Heatley, Speza etc. THere have been rumours that Redden has turned down multiple chances to move and this could still fit into this scenario. Is it improbable that other teams found out Murray was willing to move him and made offers of their own? ONce Murray had accepted one, he would have already been at the point where he was willing to deal Redden and the rationalizing and debating would be pretty much settled.
Murray has since come out saying he expects Redden to stay with the Senators (mysteriously adding "at this point."
He has also discussed re-signing Redden, although you'd have to think his dollar figure would have to come down. Currently, Redden is the highest paid Sen. This isn't a great thing considering he proved himself to be expendable last year. Redden seems to like the city and has a chance to win so you would have to think that Redden will consider re-upping at some point. Everyone knows Redden had a bad year with theories ranging from nagging injuries to being psychologically drained following family illness and other such difficulties. Whatever the issue was, it would be Redden's right to reveal it. Murray might have made a gaffe in upsetting Redden, but I actually believe that he didn't plan on it and would like to keep him for this year and possibly beyond. (Of course if I believe a GM's newspaper quotes, perhaps I should be seeking therapy.)
I agree, Murray's a shrewd GM. So much more so than Muckler, it's not even funny. There was a reason for going public - and I'm sure we'll soon see if it was indeed to light a fire under what was supposed to be his best D-man (currently settled in the number 3 slot).
Although Redden has his NTC I don't understand why any employee would wish to stay in an organization that has clearly shown that they no longer value your services. It is going to be a difficult year for Redden if he stars the season out poorly, both from a finacial standpoint for his next contract as well as hearing it from the fans at Scotiabank Place. If he is PO'd at Murray for going public, perhaps his intention is to play well to win a Cup help his next contract and leave Ottawa with nothing except cap space. After hearing both radio interviews from Murray and Redden there seemc to be some animosity between the two IMO.
At this point now, Muckler should have let BOTH chara and redden walk. Would have had 6.5 in Sens pocket for Heat/Fish/Spez
I think most fans would have been really pissed if Redden AND Chara walked. Nobody could have predicted his collapse. I'm not sure if Redden is truly unwanted, or if it was just a matter of an option presenting itself and asking Redden. You're right about the fans if he struggles though, hopefully he won't.
I think most fans would have been really pissed if Redden AND Chara walked. Nobody could have predicted his collapse. I'm not sure if Redden is truly unwanted, or if it was just a matter of an option presenting itself and asking Redden. You're right about the fans if he struggles though, hopefully he won't.
In my humble opinion, I think Murray making that comment was an underhanded signal to GMs that he is in fact shopping him around. I think Murray is trying to encourage teams to give him phone calls and talk about offers. See what he's worth around the NHL, and get a feel for who's interested. After the Lowe events, I think he's just trying to save his ass and prepare himself for what will happen when he goes UFA. I don't think his intentions are to trade him, I think he's taking Redden to the appraisal office and discover his perceived value from the league.