Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray is pleased with his team’s performance this season, but he isn’t done tinkering yet.
“We have to make a tweak if we can,” Murray said Monday before heading to Toronto, where the National Hockey League’s 30 general managers are meeting this week to discuss head shots, rule changes, equipment standards and maybe a deal or two.
“Very definitely, we have to find a way to get at least one more player here,” he said, acknowledging that player would probably be another forward. “I’m certainly going to investigate as we go forward here to see if there’s anything more we can do, and at some point we’ll figure out if we need to make a change.”
The Senators are 7-5-2 this season, which places them in the playoff mix, but a few rungs below the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference. While it’s an okay record, Ottawa started the season 6-2-2 and has struggled with inconsistency ever since.
While they’re scoring an average of three goals per game — good enough for 11th in the NHL — another timely tally here or there would make a big difference.
Alex Kovalev, RW
2010/09/02: Alexei Kovalev will enter this coming season with 990 career NHL points. He should reach the 1,000-point milestone at some point and he will be looking to rebound from a disappointing 2009-10 campaign, where he posted 49 points in 77 games, at the same time. Kovalev will need a much better effort this year and the fact that he will become an unrestricted free agent next summer should serve as motivation for improvement. Kovalev's teammate, Daniel Alfredsson, is also poised to surpass 1,000 points this season as he will have 992 heading into opening night. (Source: Ottawa Sun)
Alex Kovalev, RW
2010/08/31: Alexei Kovalev (knee) should be fine for the start of Ottawa's training camp. Kovalev underwent surgery in April to repair a torn ACL in his left knee. After scoring just 18 goals and 49 points in 77 games last season, the Senators are hoping that Kovalev bounces back in 2010-11. (Source: Ottawa Sun)
Daniel Alfredsson, RW
2010/08/25: Daniel Alfredsson is fully recovered from sports hernia surgery. The Ottawa captain has been skating for two and a half weeks in preparation for the upcoming season. "I started earlier this year than I normally do, just to try it out and get on the ice a little bit more," said Alfredsson. "I'm feeling pretty good actually. Looking forward to coming back to Ottawa in a week and getting ready for the season." (Source: Ottawa Sun)
Chris Phillips, D
2010/08/15: Chris Phillips is the only defenseman on the Senators roster that was present for the team`s 2007 run to the Stanley Cup final. The team has undergone a major overhaul of its blue line over the past few years and the recent addition of Sergei Gonchar to an emerging young corps headlined by Erik Karlsson is now more mobile and offensively skilled. While the team does have its weaknesses, this group of defenders should provide some excitement in 2010-11. (Source: Ottawa Citizen)
Sergei Gonchar, D
2010/08/14: The Ottawa Senators will need a big season from their veterans in order to rebound from a mediocre 2009-10 season. Veterans such as Sergei Gonchar and Alex Kovalev will need to step up and help mentor some of the younger players on the team. The team is relying on healthy seasons, meaning less grind for the team's prospects. (Source: Faceoff)
Daniel Alfredsson, RW
2010/08/14: Ottawa Senators broadcaster, and ex-NHLer, Gerry Galley is heading to HNIC. Galley is leaving his spot on Rogers Sportsnet with the Ottawa Senators in order to be closer to home. He will work on Canada's famous Hockey Night in Canada. He will be working at least 35 broadcasts this upcoming season. (Source: Toronto Sun)
Chris Phillips, D
2010/08/12: The Ottawa Senators have begun contract talks with Chris Phillips. He will earn $3.5 million in the final year of his current deal with the Senators this season and would like to remain with the team. Phillips has played his entire career with Ottawa since being taken first overall in the 1996 draft. (Source: Ottawa Sun)
Daniel Alfredsson, RW
2010/08/07: The Senators have named Kurt Kleinendorst the new coach of the Binghamton Senators of the AHL. The two-year contract will ensure Kleinendorst has a shot to develop players in the Ottawa system. Items on his resume include head coach of the USA Hockey national team development program's under-18 team and coach of the AHL's Lowell Devils. (Source: Faceoff)
Andre Benoit, D
2010/08/07: The Senators have signed minor-leaguer Andre Benoit to a contract. Benoit spent last season playing for Montreal's AHL affiliate in Hamilton. He had six goals and 30 assists in 78 games. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. (Source: Toronto Sun)
Milan Michalek, LW/RW
2010/08/07: Milan Michalek says he "feels strong" after off-season surgery. Michalek had surgery to repair an ACL injury. Michalek has begun training again,. Working out with Martin Havlat. "Milan's recovery and rehab from knee surgery has been on schedule and without any complications or setbacks," said agent Allan Walsh. "He is in tremendous shape, training hard in Montreal with a group of other NHL players. We expect him to be ready to go by the start of training camp." (Source: Toronto Sun)
