[Hockey News]

OTTAWA (CP) - The Ottawa Senators were still shaking off the sting of a five-game loss to the Anaheim Ducks in the Stanley Cup final as they gathered Saturday to clean out their lockers. Looking at the big picture, they could feel good about...

Senators gather at rink to clean out lockers, start looking to next year

[Lefty Noob]

So what does the future hold for these Senators? What changes need to be made for them to take the next step and win the Cup?

[blueandwhite]

My big question is: what happens to Alfredsson?
Murray may go, but I doubt it. Emery was solid in goal. I'm not saying Alfredsson didn't have a great year - but will someone be the one to take the blame? Or will they just shrug and say Maybe next year?

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by blueandwhite

My big question is: what happens to Alfredsson?
Murray may go, but I doubt it. Emery was solid in goal. I'm not saying Alfredsson didn't have a great year - but will someone be the one to take the blame? Or will they just shrug and say Maybe next year?

Good question. I haven't heard, although you're a little closer to the situation than I am.

Is there anything in the papers up there about it? Anyone getting fingered publicly for under performing?

[blueandwhite]

Still busy rubbing sore wounds from loss.
Give them another week.

[blueandwhite]

This from an nhl.com article today:

Among the issues the Senators must deal with is the status of head coach Bryan Murray, whose contract has expired. General manager John Muckler, who has one year left on his contract, removed one question mark by saying he has no intention of retiring.
"I'm having too much fun," he said.
And he hopes to keep having it with Murray. The two have started contract talks and expect the picture to become clearer by the time teams gather for the June 22-23 draft in Columbus.
"He wants to be here, we want him to be here," said Muckler, "and when two people want the same thing it usually works out."
Said Murray: "I'm a coach and being the coach is what I expect I'll be if I'm anything."
Both sides head into the negotiations knowing the players offered Murray their full support and were hoping he would be back behind the bench next season.
"He had a lot to do with (our success)," said captain Daniel Alfredsson. "I hope he stays around."
Muckler has plenty of player decisions to make, too.
At the top of the list is goaltender Ray Emery, solid for most of the playoffs, who is a restricted free agent with the right for arbitration.
He made US$925,000 last season and will be seeking a raise but with two years remaining on Martin Gerber's contract, the Senators may have difficulty keeping both.
Emery will also require surgery on the left wrist he injured in November, which led him to play through pain all season.
Centres Mike Comrie and Dean McAmmond plus defenceman Tom Preissing are unrestricted free agents while Christoph Schubert and Chris Kelly are restricted free agents.
"I don't believe there will be too many changes," said Muckler. "I think we have the ability to get better from within and everyone just needs to play a little better."
Defenceman Wade Redden prepared himself for any coming changes as a fact of life in the NHL.

[bran2win]

There's several that could take the blame for their loss. I was shocked at how easily they seemed to come unglued even after the Game 3 they had. Their fans were a force to be reckoned with that night. It was a rowdy Scotia Bank Place, no doubt!! Heatly takes some blame, Alfie some, even Emery wasn't in top form every game. But Emery couldn't be expected to carry every game.