Music: {allcanada} SENATORS GM MURRAY TALKS ABOUT CONTRACT STATUS OF RYAN, METHOT

Thursday, September 11, 2014

{allcanada} SENATORS GM MURRAY TALKS ABOUT CONTRACT STATUS OF RYAN, METHOT

Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray is confident he'll be able to sign two of his top players, but nothing seems to be imminent.

Murray spoke to CTV Ottawa regarding the contract status of forward Bobby Ryan and defenceman Marc Methot, two players entering the final year of their deals.

"In both cases, I think they want to be in Ottawa, they certainly want to get paid according to the marketplace in their minds," said Murray who is entering his eighth season as GM in the nation's capital.

Murray noted that they will not speak to Ryan regarding a new deal until the season gets underway. Last year, Ryan tallied 48 points during his first season in Ottawa.

"I think he [Ryan] wants to see how important of a role he can play in Ottawa and he tells me he likes it and will do a deal, but he wants to figure out where he's going as far as his career and his opportunity in Ottawa," explained Murray.

Ryan has one year left on his contract worth $5.1 million while Methot has one year remaining on his deal worth $3 million. The 29-year-old Methot scored six goals and added 17 assists over 75 games last season, his second with the Senators.

"Our version for Marc [Methot] is a little different than his, but that's normal I guess when we start negotiating," said Murray.

The 71-year-old also spoke about the team's captain vacancy after Jason Spezza was traded to the Dallas Stars in the off-season.

"It's nice to have a captain. It's good to have a good leader. I think we have a number of them in the room. We certainly have a few alternate captains from the previous year that are very strong and good people," said Murray. "Do we need a 'C' to make them a captain? I'm not sure. I think that's part of the discussion right now."

Ottawa begins the season Oct. 9 on the road against the Nashville Predators.

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