Hockey Trade Rumors

The once mighty Ottawa Senators follow up a blown 3 goal lead against the Caps with not one, but two blown 2 goal leads against the Thrashers last night, sending them on their first 5 game losing streak since 1996, the last season Ottawans didn’t get heartbroken in the playoffs (for lack of getting into the playoffs). Owner Eugene Melnyk can’t be happy, so look for changes to come if the Sens don’t turn it around by the end of this road trip.Much blame has been placed (and rightfully so) on certain players lack of production, such as Alfie, whom has picked it up somewhat of late, and that-guy-we-signed-instead-of-Chara. However, firing your players is not a viable solution and trading them leads to so much complications in the salary cap era that it is higly unlikely this route will be taken either.

A much more likely scenario would be a management shake up, seing Bryan Murray and/or John Muckler hitting the free management market in the not so distant future. These are mostly UNSOURCED, UNFOUNDED SUGGESTIONS and OPINIONS as to whom their replacements, would be. Please feel free to offer your own ideas.

For Coach

Mike Keenan: Iron Mike is one of the most controversial, yet succesfull coaches in NHL history and would do wonders for this team. Keenan’s track reccord developing young players is amazing: see Belfour in Chicago, Pronger in St Louis, Jokinen and Bouwmeester in Florida… he could take our youngsters (Spezza, Vermette, Eaves, Meszaros and Emery) to the next level.

Ken Hitch*****: Don’t really think this would happen, but he is a great coach and is available. I wouldn’t mind having a proven winner here.

Larry Robinson: Is a proven winner as a player and coach, would do wonders working with a defense which has been horrendus this season. Ottawa would be a perfect situation for him to get back on the coaching horse after his debacle in New Jersey.

Mario Tremblay or Jacques Demers: For no reason other then it seems that everyone hires ex Canadian coaches (Vignealt-Van, Lemaire-Min, Julien-NJ, Therrien-Pit)

For GM:

Mike Keenan: But only if he is coach, it would be hard for GM Keenan to get into a power struggle with Coach Keenan, though I would not put it above him. Has been responsible for many good deals, the Pronger deal in St Louis and the Bertuzzi-McCabe deal for Linden in Vancouver comes to mind.

Bryan Murray: Could possibly move up to the front office, as he did in Anaheim, but the money is on him being fired befored Muckler is.

Neil Smith: Is a good hockey man who has built a winner in the past, altough I don’t know if he is really in touch with the new NHL.

John Davidson: Could be a great GM, but post in St Louis would stop him from getting position.

Kelley Hrudey: Why not? Ok, maybe not, but he does know his hocker and could develop into one of those old hockey players making the jump to management a succesful one, a la Kevin Lowe

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