Wow anyone else read this?

Guess we see where the new GM stands..nothing like giving your players the finger in the last paragraph of the article. WOW. :shakehead

Sunday, February 22, 2009
Ducks GM Murray keeping options open
He is listening to a lot of offers as the trade deadline nears.
By DAN WOOD
The Orange County Register
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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ducks general manager Bob Murray is doing more listening than talking these days.

With the team on the bubble in terms of Stanley Cup playoff aspirations, Murray is fielding inquiries from other clubs as the March 4 NHL trade deadline approaches.

"There are some interesting talks," Murray said. "Our guys are good playoff players."

While many veterans remain from the 2007 Stanley Cup championship team, the Ducks have fallen out of the top eight in the Western Conference. Still, Saturday's 5-2 victory at Columbus that snapped a three-game losing streak kept the Ducks (29-27-5) in the hunt, at least long enough to enjoy an off day before heading to Buffalo today in preparation for Tuesday's game against the Sabres.

"No matter what, I have to listen to anything that gives us a chance to be a better team next year," Murray said. "I'm not about just getting in the playoffs and then losing in the first round. It's about getting in and being capable of winning."

Even if the Ducks were to sneak into the playoffs, they would appear likely to be seeded seventh or eighth and face a daunting opening-round challenge against a powerhouse foe such as Detroit or San Jose. The idea of making a deep postseason run, then, appears dubious at best.

"I'm losing thoughts of that," Murray said. "I thought some spark might come, some passion, some chemistry. It hasn't happened. It hasn't happened, yet."

While most trade speculation involving the Ducks has focused on defenseman Chris Pronger, there is considerable interest in captain Scott Niedermayer. A key difference between the former Norris Trophy winners is that Pronger has another year remaining on his contract, at $6.25 million next season, while Niedermayer stands to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

"I'm getting a load of calls on Chris and Scotty," Murray said.

Parting with Niedermayer or Pronger would provide the best opportunity to retool the Ducks quickly, perhaps netting multiple quality younger players in return. Depending on the take, and response in the locker room, any such move might not only improve the team for the future but also for the remainder of this season.

Defensemen Steve Montador and Bret Hedican, centers Todd Marchant and Brendan Morrison, and wingers Travis Moen and Rob Niedermayer are among 10 other Ducks set for unrestricted free agency who might have value as rental players for playoff-bound teams. Defenseman Kent Huskins and particularly center Samuel Pahlsson might also fit into that group, although their status is complicated by current injury and illness, respectively.

While the makeup of the team's roster could very well change significantly in the next 10 days, media speculation that this season's struggles might result in Coach Randy Carlyle being replaced evidently is without foundation.

"This is like duck-hunting season — we have coach-hunting season going on around the league," Murray said. "Our players better not be using that as an excuse, because a lot of them will be gone before he's gone. He's a good coach. It's not an issue."

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/murray-ducks-team-2315512-season-players

Yeah he said that during the intermission of the last game. I don't really know what else to add. 'I don't like him very much haha'

Yeah, Murray certainly has his Burkisms down pat.

Guess we see where the new GM stands..nothing like giving your players the finger in the last paragraph of the article. WOW. :shakehead

Good.

Good for him. Athough i wouldn't be too upset to see RC gone, firing the coach always seems like such a bailout. It's the on-ice personnel that is at fault.

well, ive reserved judgment on Murray until next season, so I'm interested to see what he does here at the deadline and in the offseeason. I hope we sell at the deadline and sell big.

How would the lose of Pronger impact the future development of Getzlaf and Perry?

Could you see both players taking a step back in terms of point production if they lack the veteran support on defense?

How would the lose of Pronger impact the future development of Getzlaf and Perry?

Could you see both players taking a step back in terms of point production if they lack the veteran support on defense?

I wouldve agreed with you last year but Getz and Perry have seemed to have grown into their new role as the team leaders and with not all of our Veterans goin to be traded they will still have some heart and soul left after the deadline. Trading Pronger is a smart idea and trading Nied's is only smart if he doesnt want to play next year. we could sign Scotty to an extension before the deadline and ship off pronger for some young sloid player's i.e.(Alzner, Wideman, Coburn,).

What's wrong with that? Players who think getting rid of RC will make things better just got a bucket of cold water thrown at them.

To me Murray has already decided that Ducks will be sellers come deadline, barring a 4 game winning streak on the road.

I know negativity wins the day on pretty much any internet forum, but are folks here actually souring on Bob Murray already? What could one possibly find objectionable with the job he's done so far? Unless you're upset about the lack of moves, but look around the league...trades don't happen very often anymore.

it definitely sounds like he will be a seller unless we have a miracle road trip

As soon as he started talking about how another first round exit would be pointless, I knew in his mind that he had already decided to be a seller.

I know you can come up with dozens of excuses, but the Ducks just haven't been right all year. It's hard to take a team seriously when they lose to the Islanders (who were on an 8-game losing streak going into the game), the Lightning and the Thrashers (the hapless team that annihilated the Ducks, 8-4 at the Pond). I can't remember them going on any significant winning streaks for a while.

Pronger and Nieds both have high trade value. Pronger should bring a 1st, a first-rate youngster (either in the NHL or on the verge of being there) and a solid journeyman and/or lower pick. Maybe we can jam in another pick if the team we traded him to won either this year or next year (a la what Edmonton did with us).

Nieds may or may not play another year or so. If he retires this year, we've lost out. If he plays another year elsewhere, it'll free up some cap space.

I know trading both of them sounds crazy, but what's the worst that can happen? The team tanks and we move up even higher in a talent-rich draft.

I know what happened in 2003, but realistically speaking the best this team could do is finish 7th or 8th and there'll be no miracle playoff rounds against the Sharks or the Wings (who can't wait to avenge that 4-game sweep). I doubt that we'll trade them both. We may not trade either. But frankly, I think we could have a pretty bright future if we played our cards right and traded them both.

P.S.: Randall: In another thread, I saw that you wanted to include Tangredi in a Jordan Staahl deal. It sounds enticing, but I think Tangredi is going to be a star at the NHL level. I'd be inclined to hang on to him.

Calling out the players, those responsible for the current situation, seems fine to me.

Good to know he won't be a buyer at the deadline just to sneak into the playoffs.

Better to sell and rebuild into a contender again than sneak into the playoffs and get swept by San Jose or Detroit.

Unless he Niedermayer is willing to commit to another season with the ducks (not necessarily sign the extension), I'd sell him regardless of where we are by March 4th if people are giving the proper value for him.

I like Murray's idea of getting roster players and picks/prospects. We don't need a major rebuild, we just need ot add more players of the same age as our forwards.

I'm less willing to deal Pronger as well as I don't think we'll be able to land 2 stud deals. I think its better to move Niedermayer now and try to move Pronger in the offseason or next season's deadline if he's not willing to sign a reasonable extension.

I like it. The players need to be called out.

The way I read it, it doesn't sound like he's going to buy or sell. Maybe I'm just being cynical.

ps: heehee at Mark Whicker talking about how we wouldn't get Brandon Keith from Chicago to fill Pronger's spot. http://www.ocregister.com/articles/ducks-pronger-trade-2316448-niedermayer-playoff

the problem with doing nothing is we get no return on assets we won't need, i'd like to get some extra picks in what's considered a good draft AND capspace, rather than just capspace

Good to know he won't be a buyer at the deadline just to sneak into the playoffs.

Better to sell and rebuild into a contender again than sneak into the playoffs and get swept by San Jose or Detroit.

I'd rather make the playoffs--A chance is is better than no chance.

So everyone here is ok with the Ducks lackadasical play this season. Sell off our only solid defensive players and get a younger, less experienced defense so we can lose by even more next season. We hear about how the players don't like RC so the answer is to get rid of the all those players right? The Penguins had it right, when the players stop respecting the coach, they stop playing for him. We all know what kind of talent this Ducks team is capable of but for some strange reason, they haven't been playing to that level. I'll wait to see what Murrary does, but selling off our veterans who don't agree with his coaching choice isn't the answer.

Eklund claims the Senators are trying to grab Pronger

The Senators are talking trade with a few teams right now and as I reported on Saturday one of those deals is pretty big

from a source, "We are hearing that there is a deal on the table that would land an All-Star D-man from the Western Conference in Ottawa"

Looking into who that could be, and while my source would not confirm or deny the exact name, I have continually heard that Pronger is on the Senators radar....http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Eklund/Rumor-Sens-Getting-an-All-Star-D-man-from-the-West--and-More-Apple-Torts/1/19583

All star D from the west that could move?

Jovo, Pronger and Niedermayer are the only logical ones.

Sens could be good trading Partners, maybe we could snag Volchenkov or Spezza(who would have to be part of a larger deal)

So everyone here is ok with the Ducks lackadasical play this season. Sell off our only solid defensive players and get a younger, less experienced defense so we can lose by even more next season. We hear about how the players don't like RC so the answer is to get rid of the all those players right? The Penguins had it right, when the players stop respecting the coach, they stop playing for him. We all know what kind of talent this Ducks team is capable of but for some strange reason, they haven't been playing to that level. I'll wait to see what Murrary does, but selling off our veterans who don't agree with his coaching choice isn't the answer.
I don't think any of us are "ok" with this season, only that we can deal with the hand dealt us, our vets are the ones mainly not delivering, thus it's logical to get rid of some/most/all of them

Unless he Niedermayer is willing to commit to another season with the ducks (not necessarily sign the extension), I'd sell him regardless of where we are by March 4th if people are giving the proper value for him.

I like Murray's idea of getting roster players and picks/prospects. We don't need a major rebuild, we just need ot add more players of the same age as our forwards.

I'm less willing to deal Pronger as well as I don't think we'll be able to land 2 stud deals. I think its better to move Niedermayer now and try to move Pronger in the offseason or next season's deadline if he's not willing to sign a reasonable extension.

Agreed. Take it one at a time whichever one comes first. Obviously Murray's already getting phone calls from teams in need of Scott's services so why not go for it? Let's get as many picks/prospects and assets as possible in return.

the problem with doing nothing is we get no return on assets we won't need, i'd like to get some extra picks in what's considered a good draft AND capspace, rather than just capspace
That's exactly why I said it was me being cynical. As in Murray would do that and it'd hurt us because we got nothing back.

So everyone here is ok with the Ducks lackadasical play this season. Sell off our only solid defensive players and get a younger, less experienced defense so we can lose by even more next season. We hear about how the players don't like RC so the answer is to get rid of the all those players right? The Penguins had it right, when the players stop respecting the coach, they stop playing for him. We all know what kind of talent this Ducks team is capable of but for some strange reason, they haven't been playing to that level. I'll wait to see what Murrary does, but selling off our veterans who don't agree with his coaching choice isn't the answer.
Might have been a bit of hyperbole by him, eh?

That's exactly why I said it was me being cynical. As in Murray would do that and it'd hurt us because we got nothing back.
I am cynical as well because he doesn't really have a track record I think he's trying to motivate the team through the media, and if we epic fail this trip he will blow it up to a degree.

So everyone here is ok with the Ducks lackadasical play this season. Sell off our only solid defensive players and get a younger, less experienced defense so we can lose by even more next season. We hear about how the players don't like RC so the answer is to get rid of the all those players right? The Penguins had it right, when the players stop respecting the coach, they stop playing for him. We all know what kind of talent this Ducks team is capable of but for some strange reason, they haven't been playing to that level. I'll wait to see what Murrary does, but selling off our veterans who don't agree with his coaching choice isn't the answer.

Lets see if I can break it down. Others have touched on some of these points, but each sentence seems to have a gem...

a) No one is OK with their play this season. Because someone disagrees with your solution, doesn't mean they don't agree that there is a problem.

b) It's selling off older, experienced players who may have lost the drive needed to win, and bringing in younger players who may have that burning fire. And younger doesn't necessarily mean more losses, or worse losses, if they're the right younger players. It also means acquiring pieces that fill holes on d and in the pipeline. I'm not crazy about it either, but if done right it can ensure this team is competitive for a number of years to come.

c) I've never heard that the players don't like RC, besides a few vague mentions of it on this board.

d) Unless it is a systematic revolt with good reason behind it, then yes, problem players should be shipped out before the coach. Now, I don't think that's whats happening here at all, but the inmates can't run the asylum.

e) Respecting and "liking" are two different things. Very few players love their coach. Many respect the hell out of him.

f) Plenty of talent, but clear holes in the lineup and in performance at some of the most important places. It shouldn't be a real mystery that the team is struggling. Depth on D was an issue heading into the season, and it still is.

g) As Spankatola said, he's using hyperbole to make a point. He isn't REALLY suggesting that players are consciously waiting for the coach to be fired before they start playing. Sometimes players look outside of themselves for the sort of spark that should be coming from within. Happened last season with them "waiting for Niedermayer and Selanne". Murray's point is that, the little and temporary spark that often comes when a coaching change is made, isn't coming. He isn't being canned. So he's letting the players know they can look elsewhere for the spark. Not saying that the players don't like or respect him.

c) I've never heard that the players don't like RC, besides a few vague mentions of it on this board.

A poster on Allducks claims RC lost the room a while back and heard it directly from someone close to the team (maybe even a player?).

http://www.allducks.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=20792&view=findpost&p=499480

In later posts in other topics he claims he completely trusts his source. Take it for what it's worth.

A poster on Allducks claims RC lost the room a while back and heard it directly from someone close to the team (maybe even a player?).

http://www.allducks.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=20792&view=findpost&p=499480

In later posts in other topics he claims he completely trusts his source. Take it for what it's worth.

Interesting to see where this still originates.

Couple of things...

Murray is, obviously, far more "connected" to the room than the Allducks poster. If Carlyle had indeed "lost the room", I would think a change would have been made. The team was playing poorly and dropping in the standings. Murray had every opportunity to pull the trigger, but didn't.

Now, the poster could have indeed gotten this from a player. There was a player on the Moose roster I knew who was unhappy with Carlyle, and said similar things. I actually heard out of his mouth "Randy is the worst coach in the AHL". Problem was, Carlyle hadn't "lost the room", he was probably the best coach in the AHL, he had just lost that player. That player found his way elsewhere (now in Europe I believe), and Carlyle and "the room" mosied right along.

"Inside sources", even if they're inside and very well connected, often aren't right. I tend to be very skeptical of a player who bad-mouths teammates or coaches to fans.