Bryan Murray kept his cards close to his chest, and played the rest of them today. We now finally see the plan he'd been working on all along.

The first big move was the signing of Chris Phillips to a $9.25 million 3-year deal with the Sens. I think a lot of folks breathed a sigh of relief, while another bunch, likely remembering the Wade Redden debacle, are likely grinding their teeth. I for one couldn`t be happier. Phillips`knwoledge will be required with all the newbies on the ice.

Also on the blue line, the Senators have sent Chris Campoli to Chicago and obtained Ryan Potulny and a second round pick in exchange. Potulny played most of the season in the AHL, but was pretty good with the Oilers last season.

The blue line moves make room for some of Ottawa`s more recent draft picks like Jared Cowan next season. With Sergei Gonchar expected back tomorrow against the Bruins, the Sens now have a full blue line complement with no extras.

Oft-injured goalie Pascal Leclaire wasnt picked up off waivers. He played in the 3-2 win for Bingo this weekend, but it seems the groin is bothering him again. I think Leclaire`s career is likely over. While everyone expected Robin Lehner to stay and back up Neo Anderson, it seems Murray was serious about more conditioning in Bingo, and acquired Curtis McElhinney off waivers to serve as backup to Neo. McElhinney had been traded to Tampa Bay from Anaheim just last week.

In return for all these moves, Murray winds up with a dozen drarft picks, more importantly, two first rounder and three second rounders. Some of the other are conditional and could wind up being second round picks as well. On top of that, he`s cleared $20 million in cap space for next year, enough to go on a nice shopping spree over the summer. Murray has already recongnized the value of Neo Anderson, and it seems that talks are already underway to sign him as a permanent goalie.

GO SENS GO!!