Senators Exec VP, GM & President of Hockey Operations Bryan Murray yesterday confirmed during a presser that he has "decided to move into a role of senior adviser" as Assistant GM Pierre Dorion was "promoted to become the eighth GM in club history," according to Bruce Garrioch of the OTTAWA CITIZEN. Murray, who is "battling Stage 4 colon cancer, determined it was best he step aside to let the 43-year-old Dorion guide the Senators." Murray: "Every day in the NHL has been a challenge and it has been great. It has taken some time to come to the decision, but it’s time for my family." Garrioch writes Murray is "leaving behind a team that needs to be re-tooled, not completely rebuilt." Dorion, who has "spent more than 20 years working in the league," is "excited about the challenge that lays ahead with owner Eugene Melnyk determined to get back to the playoffs" (OTTAWA CITIZEN, 4/11). Garrioch writes Murray's move was a "tough decision," but with Dorion "ready to take on the job the move was easier." Murray: "I’ve been struggling with it for the last month in particular. I thought about it, I met with Eugene. We had a long discussion about where we’re going, what we’re doing and I just felt at the time and I suggested ahead of time in all likelihood it would be the right time" (OTTAWACITIZEN.com, 4/10). The CP's Lisa Wallace noted Dorion is an Ottawa native and has "spent the past three seasons" as Assistant GM and has been with the Senators since '07. Murray admitted that "leaving following a losing season was probably the hardest part of his decision." Murray: "You always want to try and leave on the up and that wasn’t to be this year. ... It’s a very bright future. I think we will be competitive for years to come" (CP, 4/10).
MEASURING MURRAY: The GLOBE & MAIL's Roy MacGregor writes whether Murray's departure "was by choice or by suggestion hardly matters, as the still-popular GM was acutely aware that the team he assembled had disappointed a city with high expectations." Fans had "expected much better, considering that the young team reached the playoffs a year ago in what was considered a rebuilding year." Like any GM, Murray is "measured in good trades and bad, but his conceded failure was in picking coaches from the organization that didn’t work out at the top level" (GLOBE & MAIL, 4/11).
DORION'S DESTINY: In Ottawa, Ken Warren writes Dorion was "born to eventually become" an NHL GM. Dorion during yesterday's presser "came close to breaking down as he talked about the influence of his late father, Pierre Dorion, Sr.," who had stints as head of the NHL Central Scouting Bureau and as Maple Leafs Dir of Amateur Scouting. But the younger Dorion has "paid his dues." He has "assumed additional behind the scenes responsibilities in all areas of the operation -- including contract negotiations and signings -- ever since Murray was diagnosed with colon cancer" in June '14. He also was "full of praise for everything he has learned while working alongside Murray." Dorion: "Bryan has been the biggest influence in my professional and private life. Having to learn from someone who will and should be in the Hall of Fame is something I can only be thankful for. Bryan has been a tremendous mentor. He has taught me what it takes to be an excellent GM." Warren writes Dorion in some corners is "perceived as part of the same old regime, that the new boss isn’t all that much different from the old boss, that Sunday’s move amounted to little more than Murray simply handing off the franchise to someone who shares the same approach and attitudes." But Dorion said, "Bryan and I are two different people" (OTTAWA CITIZEN, 4/11).
WORK TO BE DONE: TSN.ca's Ian Mendes wrote under the header, "Dorion Will Need To Prove He Was The Right Choice For GM." While Murray has not "left Dorion a complete mess to clean up," the picture in Ottawa is "murky at best." Dorion yesterday "merely spoke in generalities" instead of "laying out a clear blueprint." He "didn’t offer up his clear vision and mandate for the team, because it would be disrespectful to Murray." Yesterday was "about allowing Murray to say goodbye and Dorion to thank him for his influence." Mendes: "Now comes the hard part." Dorion will "need to fight the perception that he’s merely a cheap, internal replacement" as GM (TSN.ca, 4/10).
