Ottawa's Bryan Murray 'not absolute' in decision to relinquish GM role
Senators general manager Bryan Murray may not be done stewarding the team after this season after all.
Murray, who is battling Stage 4 colon cancer, told the Ottawa Sun that he’s feeling somewhat re-energized as he heads into the 2015-16 season.
Earlier in the summer, the 72-year-old Murray said the upcoming year would likely be his last.
His contract says he will move into a consultant role for 2016-17.
From Sunday’s Ottawa Sun.
"I feel pretty good," Murray said.
"I'm not sure where I am at the moment. I'm at the end of my general manager's contract and I'm not pushing to do anything there. I'm just going to, in all likelihood I'll step back, but that's not absolute. I haven't talked to (owner) Eugene (Melnyk) about it at all really.
"I've talked to my wife (Geri) about it and there's no question that we better give some time to our family and do a little bit. But it's kind of energizing to come here, be around the young players and getting it going again."
Murray said even just a taste of being in the rink at the rookie tourney gets the juices flowing again.
"This is the fun part of our lives," he said.
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Last season the Senators went on a big run at the end of the year. They were 14 points out of the playoffs on Feb. 10, but snuck in at the end thanks to the inspired play of goaltender Andrew Hammond, who went 20-1-2 down the stretch.
Said Murray in late May when he indicated next year would likely be his last as Sens GM:
"I'm not as energized as I once was, but age has a little to do with that as well as the sickness."
In mid-November, Murray revealed he had Stage 4 colon cancer in a stirring interview on TSN.
The general manager of the Senators since 2007, Bryan is the older brother of former NHL coach Terry Murray. He’s also the uncle of Sabres general manager Tim Murray.
In July, 2014 he revealed he had cancer, but didn’t divulge the severity of the disease at that time.
Murray has also coached 1,239 games with the Washington Capitals, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and Senators.
He was the coach for Ottawa’s 2007 team that went to the Stanley Cup Final and lost to the Anaheim Ducks.
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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper
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