Veteran defenceman Filip Kuba likely won’t be back in the Ottawa Senators’ lineup next season.
Senators’ general manager Bryan Murray told the Ottawa Citizen Wednesday that his future plans for the team do not include having Kuba on the roster.
"I think we’re moving on. I haven’t heard from him," Murray said. "I talked to his agent (Rich Evans) before the year ended and told him sort of the thoughts I had, about what we might consider and I haven’t heard back."
Murray is alluding to the significant pay cut Kuba will likely have to take if he wants to return next season. The 36-year-old, whose current contract is worth $3.7 million a year, will become an unrestricted free-agent this summer.
"He’s going to get his money," Murray said. "I think he’s going to get similar money to what he was earning with us. And I’m not going to go there I don’t think."
Murray is hoping the team won’t have to look far in the event Kuba needs to be replaced.
"I’m hoping one of our young defencemen can make it out of camp," Murray said, “but we do need to sign another quality defenceman without a doubt."
Murray told the Citizen he hopes either Patrick Wiercioch or Mark Borowiecki, who played in AHL Binghamton last season, "might be able to step and play at least a chunk of games for us."
Despite already giving thought to potential replacements, Murray said he isn’t going to rush the issue.
"I’m not even going to call him about it," Murray said. "I think he deserves the time he wants to take for this. And we’ll see."
