Murray Gets Some Offers He Can Refuse

In the end, General Manager Bryan Murray was neither a seller nor a buyer. After listening to offers before Tuesday’s trade deadline, he decided against making a deal.

“I felt as I did before the season that this was a good hockey club,” Murray said. “We never got going and you can blame that on a lot of things. I believe with what we have coming in, younger kids, including those developing in the minors, we have the core of a very fine team.”

Murray said he received several calls from teams but did not like the offers being made.

Toronto, which was extremely active at the deadline, made a pitch for backup goaltender Martin Gerber but was not willing to give Murray what he sought.

“Martin Gerber is a very valuable commodity,” Murray said. “We didn’t just want to give him away without a good prospect or high pick for him.”

Murray said that he might deal Gerber this summer to make room for Ilya Bryzgalov, the Ducks’ top goalie prospect.

Knowing that there are six home games left and plenty of tickets still available, Murray is not ready to call it quits on a playoff chase.

The Ducks’ situation appears bleak, eight points out of the final playoff spot and fewer games left than the three teams between them and eighth place.

Said Murray: “As far as not making the playoffs, we haven’t conceded that has happened. We are going to get a couple players back, [defenseman Sandis] Ozolinsh and [forward Mike] Leclerc. It is like getting two additions to the lineup so we can take a run at every game for the balance.”

Ozolinsh seems close to returning from shoulder surgery that has forced him to sit out 38 games.