Bryan Murray still intends to trade Dany Heatley by the end of this weekend’s NHL Entry Draft.
And on Monday, the Senators general manager hinted that at least one team could be close to offering a package that would interest him.
“I’m doing a lot of the asking. Nobody has really agreed at the moment. But one team is getting close to where I want to be,” Murray told reporters. “I guess I can take an offer that’s been made, but it’s not one that I want right now.”
But Murray was also quick to point out that he is putting a deadline on making this deal happen. Heatley is owed a $4 million roster bonus on July 1st. And if the Senators are on the hook for that cheque, Murray says it makes it unlikely that Heatley will be playing for a new team in the fall.
“I’ve made it very clear that if we pay any more money, this (trade) probably isn’t going to happen,” stated Murray, who added that he’s spoken with one of Heatley’s agents in the past few days.
Since Heatley’s trade request became public two weeks ago, a number of general managers have stated they would not be interested in the sniper because of the way he’s handled the situation. Leafs general manager Brian Burke and Predators general manager David Poile have both gone on the record to voice their displeasure with Heatley’s camp. On Monday, Murray says he doesn’t mind that rival general managers are making their feelings known and he says it’s not hurting his attempts to trade the disgruntled superstar.
“It basically just tells me that particular team doesn’t want the player,” Murray explained. ‘I think everybody is fairly independent and we all have our own opinions. Managers in this league know this is a good hockey player. Someone is going to have to make up their mind that they want to make a trade and they want this player. I will get an offer that I’ll really have to consider.”
Chris Neil Update: Murray added that he spoke to the agent for Chris Neil on the weekend, in the attempt to sign the winger before he hits the free agency market on July 1st. Murray said there will be one more phone conversation this week to see if something can be hammered out.
