Shaun Majumder's alter-ego, host Raj Binder of CBC's This Hour has 22 Minutes, worked out in the gym room under the guidance of Senators strength and conditioning coach Randy Lee on Tuesday.

by Todd Anderson

In the wake of a frustrating 5-0 loss to the Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators general manager John Muckler was approached by the media Tuesday morning.

"So who are you going to add," he was asked right off the hop.

Muckler admitted he had held discussions with several teams about the possibility of trades, but he's waiting for the right deal. The NHL trade deadline comes on March 9 (3 p.m. ET).

"You have to have a fit for a team. You can't say I'll give you my centreman for your centreman. We may want a vet and the other team may want one of our young guys. We only want to make a deal if it makes the club better. Not by subtraction, but by addition. We'll wait and see what is available and what teams are out of the playoffs. We'll take a rental player, but for the right compensation."

Monday night's loss hasn't caused a panic in Ottawa, either.

"Last night was unexpected and unacceptable, but you have to get over that," Muckler says. "With injuries and personal things happening to some players, it hasn't been clear sailing for us this season. We don't want to use that as an excuse, but it's a fact. I can't remember a team clear sailing throughout the year."

The Senators will play three road games this week. The trip includes stops on Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils, Thursday against the Pittsburgh Penguins and Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres. Next week the Senators play four more games in seven nights before the Olympic break, which will last two weeks.

Looking ahead to New Jersey

Coach Bryan Murray expects a tough match against the surging New Jersey Devils on Wednesday.

"They are playing very well now and have a great goaltender (Martin Brodeur). After we lose, we seem to have more attention to detail. We'll be real good tomorrow night."

The Senators won their only meeting this season against New Jersey 5-4 on Nov. 19 but they trail the all-time series 15-25-5-3.

This practice has 22 minutes

A crew from CBC's This Hour Has 22 Minutes attended the Senators' practice on Tuesday. The players had some fun with the television crew as they mingled around.

Shaun Majumder's alter-ego, host Raj Binder, had a brief scuffle with Senators rookie Brian McGrattan, worked out in the gym room under the guidance of Senators strength and conditioning coach Randy Lee and also spoke with several players and staff members, including Muckler.

"So what is most important," Binder asked Mike Fisher. "The Stanley Cup or the protective cup?"

It was that kind of visit.