The Ottawa Senators and general manager Bryan Murray made a pretty monumental change yesterday when they announced that coach Paul MacLean had been relieved of his duties and would be replaced by assistant Dave Cameron on a permanent basis.
But some, including Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, think that MacLean's firing may have just been the beginning for Murray and the middling Senators.
The changes may not stop with coaching. The Senators have been shopping forwards Erik Condra and Colin Greening along with defenseman Patrick Wiercioch. They are also listening on centre Zack Smith, who has seen his role slipped and struggled mightily.
It seems to have become something of an "all hands on deck, no conversation is closed" type of situation for Ottawa.
"I have talked to other teams about trades," Murray said. "I'm talking to some teams about trying to make a move or two."
Greening's name has appeared in trade rumors before, as has Wiercioch's.
Smith, just 26 years old, has only two goals and one assist in 25 games this season.
There is also speculation the club may try to use its strength in net to get an impact player. Goaltenders Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner are both under contract long-term. Both could be valuable commodities in a deal.
Anderson is in his 14th year in the league. In 17 games this season, he's got a .927 SV% and a 2.50 GAA.
Lehner has seen just 10 games of action and has a .914 SV% and a 2.86 GAA.
Both could net a hefty return if dealt.
It remains to be seen what, if any, moves Murray eventually makes, but from the sounds of it, something could be happening sometime soon that, coupled with MacLean's dismissal, will potentially shift the landscape of the entire organization.
