"I can save my job by trading our first-round pick, probably, and making the team a little more competitive. I would never do that to this franchise."

— Sens GM Bryan Murray

Boy, I certainly hope he's not talking about making the playoffs here. Murray could pull of another Luongo-esque trade, couple it with a Thornton deal, and this team still wouldn't creep into the playoffs.

Ottawa's done like dinner, folks, and I don't know if there is a way Murray can save his job. His last two choices as coach have been disastrous, and some of his moves on the blueline have been head scratchers. Wade Redden, Andrej Meszaros, Mike Commodore and Joe Corvo all moved on after last season, leaving a blueline that's relying on Alexandre Picard, Jason Smith and a few spare parts to fill in.

Chris Phillips and Anton Volchenkov have been solid shutdown guys in the past, but they've got some ugly numbers this season. They've been over played and misused, cast in a role where they had to provide some offence.

And then there's Martin Gerber, who's given a career-killing performance in goal. You wonder why Murray didn't make a move to call up AHL all-star Brian Elliott earlier.

In short, this team is a mess. With Gerber's contract expiring, the franchise has $44-million committed for nexrt season, needs a new starting netminder and someone to replace Filip Kuba's minutes on defence if he, too, leaves as a UFA. Given the cap's likely to stay right where it is, they've got a chance to bring in maybe two new pieces, one on defence and one up front, but you really wonder how much of a difference that'll make.

If I'm the owner, I tell Murray the best way to save his job is to get right in the Tavares/Hedman sweepstakes tout de suite.

There's not far to go.