Well it looks like Wade Redden's days as an Ottawa Senator are officially over.
The Ottawa Sun is reporting that Redden and his agent have rejected the idea of re-signing for "Chris Phillips money" (a.k.a. about $3.5 million a season).
Redden publicly suggested earlier in the season that he would be will to take a pay cut to stay.
Of course I don't think he meant 50 percent.
Putting aside the fact that Redden screwed over the Sens by not accepting to waive his NTC for the two potential trades Murray tried to organize (one to Edmonton last summer and one to San Jose at this year's trade deadline), it is hard to see this as a bad thing for the Senators.
For two years now, Redden has been overpaid and has underperformed. He called out his teammates and the organization in 2006 as not having the will to win and then proceeded to mail in the next two seasons while taking $13 million from the team.
He tricked good ol' John Muckler (who must have been off his meds that day) into keeping him and letting Chara go for a total of $1 million more in average salary.
Chara is now a Norris trophy candidate (again), and Redden is likely on his way out west.
But even though the Sens are losing him for nothing, today's news is good news.
Keeping Redden, even at a discount, would not have helped to remove the lethargic country club atmosphere from the Sens dressing room.
As much as the puck bunnies and charitable organizations of the city may cry, Redden has been a drain on this team for two years now, and the best thing to do was to move on.
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2 months ago
Redden will be courted by Chicago I believe, among others.
He isn't a bad defeseman, but Chara would have obviously been the better choice.
and just quickly, Redden didn't screw you by not waiving his NTC (trust me I know, I'm a Leafs fan, we've had our share or NTC troubles.) Whoever gave him the NTC screwed the team.
2 months ago
That would be everyone's favourite senior citizen, John Muckler.
Why you would give an NTC on a 2-year deal is beyond me.
2 months ago
I always laugh when i hear about athletes not signing because of money issues. Let's see, make $3.5 mil playing a GAME, or get a real job, bust your ass and make $40,000?? Tough choice.
As for Redden, he is washed up, was nonexistent in the first round of the playoffs, and will most likely be extrememly overpaid for disappointing performances next season.
29 days ago
Murray should have signed Redden, he is not finished his career as of yet. Most of the Sens last year didn't play up to par, and everybody puts the blame on Redden. Yes, he struggled as well, but still is an asset to the team, but murray seemingly does not like him!
from 29 days ago
It's not that he doesn't like him, it's that he's not very good and overpaid.
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