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Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk would like to see Bryan Murray raise the Stanley Cup as the clubs general manager. Brandon Meriweather Jersey . After extending Murrays contract through the 2015-16 season, Melnyk also extended that window and put something of a timer on that ultimate goal. "We think that we have all the core group in place," Melnyk said on a conference call Monday. "I think if we were on the same trajectory as we have been over the last few years, that its ultimately going to lead to a championship-type team." Murray, who was given the additional title of president of hockey operations, agreed to serve as an adviser for two seasons after his tenure as general manager is up. After building this group over the past six-plus seasons, he hopes not to have to wait too long for a title. "I think obviously the objective is to do it when Im here as a general manager," Murray said. "The core we have is a very good core, its young." And Murray knows that inexperience can lead to growing pains. The Senators struggled for much of the first half of this season, going 14-17-7 before a recent run put them within two points of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Success made working out an extension for Murray easier because Melnyk wanted to negotiate during an "upswing" and "ensure that nobody ever would think that this was some kind of knee-jerk reaction to what was not an optimal beginning to the season." The timing seemingly had more to do with the departure of assistant GM Tim Murray, Bryans nephew, who was hired as the Buffalo Sabres head man last week. In addition to extending Murray, the Senators promoted Pierre Dorion and Randy Lee to assistant general managers. Dorion, who was already in charge of scouting and drafting, takes on contract-negotiation duties, while Lee, who was in charge of player development, also becomes GM of Ottawas AHL affiliate in Binghamton. "Its a great day for all of us going forward," Murray said. More moves could be coming down the line to bolster the hockey operations department, though not on the management side. Murray said the Senators could perhaps use "another set of eyes" in the scouting department. "We lost a pretty good evaluator in Tim, so do we have enough?" Murray said. "I believe we do for now. If we have to do something in the future because of other coverage, then well address it at that time." For now, Murray can go about his job with some extra security. Hes considering moves before the trade deadline to bolster Ottawas playoff hopes, and he and his assistants will have some work to do on current contracts. "We understand that weve got about five players that are important parts of the present team that we have to make a decision on and do a contract for," he said. "Were kind of setting ourselves up to do that." Winger Milan Michalek and defenceman Chris Phillips are set to be unrestricted free agents this summer, while goaltender Robin Lehner will be a restricted free agent. Captain Jason Spezza, winger Bobby Ryan and defenceman Marc Methot are up in the summer of 2015. "As we go forward over the next few months well make contact with the agents and see in a couple cases if we can extend them," Murray said without naming names. "A couple of them we have to wait until July 1. But internally were making those decisions and well be in the best possible position, I believe to do (it), and then it will be up to the players agent to deal with us." Spezza and Ryans deals end a year before Murrays. Melnyk and Murray have discussed potential succession plans, but Monday wasnt the time they wanted to discuss that inevitability. "We just have to now kind of over the next little while evaluate people and decide what may happen," Murray said. "But thats a little ways down the road, and I hope we have a lot of success between now and that decision being made." Brandon Meriweather Redskins Jersey . This week, topics cover the Blue Jays rotation, the futures John Gibbons and Alex Anthopoulos, protecting pitchers and a bonus question on his predictions for the MLB playoffs. Jason Hatcher Jersey . So on Friday, they went to work. The two-time Eastern Conference runner-ups announced they had signed three free agents -- backup big man Lavoy Allen, swingman C.Wanted. CFL coaches. Several openings available. Send your resume to Scott Milanovich c/o Toronto Argonauts. Experience preferred. That may sound a bit extreme, but the Toronto Argonauts coaching staff has been decimated in the off-season. Former defensive coordinator Chris Jones is the new head coach in Edmonton, while former special teams coordinator Mike OShea was named as the Blue Bombers head coach in early December. The main difference between the two? Jones didnt leave on his own. On Tuesday, it was announced that Jones was bringing four members of last years Argo staff with him to Edmonton. Steve McAdoo was Torontos o-line coach for the past four seasons and becomes Edmontons new offensive coordinator. Ed Philions first year coaching in the CFL was last year with the Argos defensive line, the same group hell coach with the Eskies. Two young assistant coaches, Jason Shivers and Craig Davoren leave Ontario to become defensive backs coach and offensive assistant coach respectively. Scott Milanovich replaced Jones with former Winnipeg head coach Tim Burke, but now has a lot of vacancies on the staff. Was he surprised at all with the number of defections? "Not at all," Milanovich told TSN.ca. "I knew a week after the season who was going." The coach says that at some point after the season Eskies GM Ed Hervey called Jim Barker, his Toronto counterpart, and asked for permission. Its an expected part of life on the coaching carousel. "All of the contracts would have been up at the end of the month. I spoke with Chris (Jones) about it. I told him who was and wasnt availabble. Russ Grimm Redskins Jersey. There were no surprises." Perhaps the least shocking move is that McAdoo is heading west. He and Jones coached for three seasons together at Tennessee Tech, four years together with the Montreal Alouettes and the last two campaigns together in Toronto. When Jones left, Burke was hired almost immediately to replace him. It was an easy fit. They had coached together in Montreal, Burke had a ton of experience and had great success as a DC in the league. The OShea replacement hasnt been as easy. "I think (special teams coordinator) is a very difficult position to fill in the CFL" Milanovich explained to TSN.ca "It doesnt get the respect it deserves. I dont think you can go and get an NCAA D-1 or NFL coach and get a successful transition in one year. The return game, the halo, the number of snaps you take on special teams makes it more of a position that needs CFL or CIS experience." The search continues and Milanovich says the club has focsed on several candidates. "I have spoken to maybe four or five" continued the coach. "Ive dug around and asked about six or seven others and have asked other guys for their opinions." Historically the CIS has been snubbed as a breeding ground for CFL coaches, though Mike OShea named long-time Queens DC Pat Tracey as the Bombers special teams coach. Would Milanovich have a problem going that route? "Not for the right guy." Milanovich hopes to have that guy, and the rest of his new staff assembled in the next two to three weeks. He hopes to announce the entire staff at the same time. cheap jerseys from china cheap jerseys ' ' ' |
