BY IAN MENDES
sportsnet.ca

Bryan Murray has agreed to a three-year contract extension that will see him remain as general manager of the Ottawa Senators through the 2013-14 season.

"We're looking forward to implementing his vision for the team, which is to bring it back to elite status," club owner Eugene Melnyk said on Friday.

Melnyk hastily arranged for a second news conference on Friday afternoon -- less than two hours after he initially told Ottawa reporters he did not have any new information to give about the job security of his general manager. But after Melnyk and Murray met for about an hour late Friday morning, the two agreed to terms on a three-year extension.

The negotiations between the two parties were well-hidden and the indications are they have been going on for the past several weeks. Murray admitted that he and Melnyk had some discussions in the middle of December about how to re-build the organization going forward.

"This was not a decision that was made on the fly," Melnyk insisted.

For his part, the 68-year-old Murray is pleased to continue his position with some long-term security. He is in the fourth year as general manager, after signing a one-year contract extension last February. If Murray's deal was not extended, it would have run out on June 30.

"I'm very happy and excited. I'd like to thank Eugene for having the confidence and faith that what we're doing now is the right path. We will try to continue the growth of this hockey team," said Murray. "We've got a little ways to go, but the start has been a good one."

The Senators will miss the post-season for the second time in three seasons and this could have been characterized as their most disappointing season ever. The club had high expectations, but stumbled out of the gate and never recovered.

But Melnyk decided that Murray was the right man to lead his team going forward, after he was able to successfully unload a number of high-end contracts. In exchange for the likes of Mike Fisher, Chris Kelly, Chris Campoli, Alex Kovalev and Jarkko Ruutu, Murray was able to stockpile a number of high draft picks for the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. And given Murray's successful record at the draft table, Melnyk felt he was the perfect candidate to serve as general manager for the next three seasons.

"Going into this coming draft, it's probably going to be a game-changer for this team. We've got five picks in the first two rounds. I can't think of anybody better to have in that spot than Bryan that can make the decisions," Melnyk explained.

While Murray's long-term future in Ottawa is secure, the same cannot be said for head coach Cory Clouston, whose contract expires at the end of June. The Senators play their final regular season game on Saturday in Boston and Murray said a decision on Clouston's fate would be made at some point after that season finale.

"The year hasn't ended yet. We will have discussions at that time. At some point in the near future, I'll talk to Eugene and we'll make the final decision what we're doing going forward," said Murray.