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The deed has been done.
A source none other than the Ottawa Senators website has confirmed the rampant rumours of Father’s Day weekend, Papa John Muckler has been invited to take his leave. After five years as General Manager and more than a few years of frustrations, the last most bitter loss of all in the Stanley Cup finals proved to be one loss too many.
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In short the Muckler era proved to provide much in the way of promise, but alas, little in the way of delivery. A situation that led to the drawn out dramatics of the weekend and today's final announcement.
Moving up to the big office will be former head coach Bryan Murray, who will reprise his past NHL role as GM with the Senators. Murray now becomes the seventh GM in the current era of the Senators.
What remains to be seen is what will happen to team President Roy Mlakar, who was a strong Muckler booster and like Muckler is winding down his contract with Senators owner Eugene Melnyk.
The Sens owner provided a brief statement about Muckler’s contributions to the team and a hint that his plans will involve interests away from the Senators, an apparent reference to the consultant’s role that Muckler was supposed to take on next year and now will apparently no longer be offered to him.
Former general manager John Muckler will be pursuing other opportunities outside the Senators organization. Melnyk says he is thankful for what Muckler has done for the team.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank John Muckler for his substantial contributions to this organization,” Melnyk says.
Moving up to the big office will be former head coach Bryan Murray, who will reprise his past NHL role as GM with the Senators. Murray now becomes the seventh GM in the current era of the Senators.
What remains to be seen is what will happen to team President Roy Mlakar, who was a strong Muckler booster and like Muckler is winding down his contract with Senators owner Eugene Melnyk.
The Sens owner provided a brief statement about Muckler’s contributions to the team and a hint that his plans will involve interests away from the Senators, an apparent reference to the consultant’s role that Muckler was supposed to take on next year and now will apparently no longer be offered to him.
Former general manager John Muckler will be pursuing other opportunities outside the Senators organization. Melnyk says he is thankful for what Muckler has done for the team.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank John Muckler for his substantial contributions to this organization,” Melnyk says.
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“In his five years in Ottawa, John proved to all of us that he is one of the most aggressive and accomplished general managers in the history of the National Hockey League.”
The move comes amid reports of a rift between Muckler and Murray, as well as a small disagreement with owner Melnyk that dates back to the trade deadline, when the Sens failed to land Gary Roberts. A move that the owner apparently wanted to have take place and one which Muckler refused to make at the time due to the high cost being asked by Florida in trade.
The move comes amid reports of a rift between Muckler and Murray, as well as a small disagreement with owner Melnyk that dates back to the trade deadline, when the Sens failed to land Gary Roberts. A move that the owner apparently wanted to have take place and one which Muckler refused to make at the time due to the high cost being asked by Florida in trade.
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As things turned out Roberts joined the Penguins, had moderate success but certainly didn’t stand in the way of the Sens march to the finals like he had in past efforts against the Leafs. Though many suggest that perhaps Robert's grit might have helped turn the tied against the Ducks in the final.
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While Muckler could point to the success of the first three rounds without Roberts, the owner who seemed to want the guy might have suggested that in the end it couldn't have hurt having him on the team. It would seem that the lesson here is that if you disagree with your boss, you had best win the entire thing, especially when you were an inherited manager, otherwise Realtors will be at your door in short order.
The decision to make Murray the GM also takes his name out of the running for the Boston Bruins head coach job, which came up this weekend and one which it was rumoured Murray would have the inside track on. Now Murray must head off the Bruins at the pass again, as John Paddock his assistant in Ottawa is thought to be a front runner for the position with the B’s, unless of course Murray names him as his replacement in Ottawa.
The reassuring thing for Sens fans at least is the continuity now as the draft comes along this week, with Murray firmly in place as the new head of hockey operations they will at least have a plan going into the draft Friday night. Had the Muckler situation dragged on much longer, there’s a good chance Murray would have exited, leaving Muckler as a lame duck GM without a coach and without the confidence of his boss.
If nothing else, we at least know who the boss of the Ottawa Sens is today, his name is Melnyk. Cross him at your peril. It’s a bit of information that Roy Mlakar might find useful for the next few days.
The decision to make Murray the GM also takes his name out of the running for the Boston Bruins head coach job, which came up this weekend and one which it was rumoured Murray would have the inside track on. Now Murray must head off the Bruins at the pass again, as John Paddock his assistant in Ottawa is thought to be a front runner for the position with the B’s, unless of course Murray names him as his replacement in Ottawa.
The reassuring thing for Sens fans at least is the continuity now as the draft comes along this week, with Murray firmly in place as the new head of hockey operations they will at least have a plan going into the draft Friday night. Had the Muckler situation dragged on much longer, there’s a good chance Murray would have exited, leaving Muckler as a lame duck GM without a coach and without the confidence of his boss.
If nothing else, we at least know who the boss of the Ottawa Sens is today, his name is Melnyk. Cross him at your peril. It’s a bit of information that Roy Mlakar might find useful for the next few days.
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