Brian Murray has received some criticism lately for being (what some call) too cautious. There is an outcry in Ottawa from Senators fans saying he's unwilling to roll the dice with the same core of players they have had for the past two or three seasons.

It's not that Brian hasn't been on the phone with just about everyone, trying to land the perfect trade, it's just that there is a general consensus from other GMs that his asking prices for his "star" players are too high.

Recently, I have learned that a blockbuster deal was discussed with the Minnesota Wild. After numerous discussions, the proposed deal was for the Senators to send Jason Spezza, Martin Gerber, and a 2009 first-round draft pick to Minnesota in exchange for Marian Gaborik, Niklas Backstrom, and a third-rounder in 2009.

The hard sell for Murray was that Gaborik and Backstrom are both set to become unrestricted free agents very soon, and he feared what it would take to lock them up long-term. Gaborik is expected to sign for Malkin-type money, and with a recurring groin problem that may be too much. He is an elite player that just might push Ottawa over the hump, but is giving up Spezza (who is signed to a reasonable contract, long-term) worth Gaborik's glass groin?

I understand Murray's cautiousness, but at some point you have to stop worrying about taking a gamble, and make bold moves that will improve your hockey club.

I, for one, would have done the deal, even if it meant making Minnesota sign both players to long-term contracts before the deal was done.

It should be a win-win deal for both clubs.