Rumours are rife in the news media that GM Bryan Murray has received instructions from owner Eugene Melnyk to dump salary. Interpretation: get rid of the expensive players, let's give up on the season.



What kind of a message is this sending to the players and the fans? Melnyk is basically saying that he has lost confidence in this team. This is not something to make the Senators perk up. As much as they are professional athletes, having, say, Chris Phillips worry about whether he's going to have to move from his lovely Stonebridge home is bound to have an impact on how well he plays. Worrying about your future does not make for a comfortable feeling on or off the ice.

Melnyk's instruction to Murray are basically marching orders to start the rebuilding of the Senators, and bring up the draft picks and minor league trades that have been waiting in the wings. Whatever happens, Melnyk seems to have decided to bite the bullet early. Let's hope the Ottawa fans are on board.

GO SENS GO!!