Senators general manager John Muckler still believes in his core of players. Photo: T. Anderson/OSHC

by Todd Anderson

Ottawa Senators general manager John Muckler, and president and CEO Roy Mlakar told the media on Tuesday that plenty of research and discussion would come before any roster decisions are made.

"We are all here for one reason and that's to win the Stanley Cup," Muckler said. "That will always be our purpose in Ottawa, and I think it can be accomplished. We're going to have to look at our team. Certainly we have to make some changes. I don't think it will be a great deal of changes.

"I have all kinds of confidence in our personnel. I think some things have to be done internally. We have to change our ways. We have to change our approach. I still believe in this team. It's a very good hockey club."

Mlakar are Muckler are scheduled to meet with owner Eugene Melnyk next week.

"He's a battler, he wants to win," Mlakar said of Melnyk. "I agree with John (Muckler). There's no reason to make knee-jerk decisions here."

Muckler was to meet with his coaching staff after the press conference. He also had two more players to meet with as he analyzes the past season and determines how to proceed into next year.

"It's not the first time a hockey club has stumbled and never accomplished its goal," Muckler said. "There are many, many great teams that stumbled at some time and never accomplished their goal. There are 30 teams in the National Hockey League, and only one team is going to be right every year. The rest of us are going to be wrong.

"The idea is to get better, look forward to next year and to try to accomplish your goal next year. This is not an easy championship to win. This is the most difficult championship to win in any professional sport. We'll have to change some things. Our goal next year is to win the Stanley Cup."