Murray could leave Ottawa GM job after season: report

Bryan Murray likely will step down as general manager of the Ottawa Senators at the end of the 2014-15 season, according to the Ottawa Citizen.

Murray, 72, announced Nov. 13 that he has Stage 4 colon cancer. According to the Citizen the cancer has spread to Murray's liver and lungs. He has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment but said there is no cure for his cancer.

"I think I've got to take a look at it at the end of this year," Murray said, according to the newspaper. "My wife [Geri] would like me to take off. Geri's been good, though. She says, 'I know you have to have something to do.' I don't know whether I can just put my feet up."

Murray joined the Senators as coach in 2004, and was promoted to GM in 2007. This is his 33rd season in the NHL as a coach or general manager; he previously worked for the Washington Capitals (1981-90), Detroit Red Wings (1990-94), Florida Panthers (1994-2000) and Anaheim Ducks (2001-04).

Murray said Senators owner Eugene Melnyk has empowered him to pick his successor; assistant general managers Randy Lee and Pierre Dorion are among the candidates Murray will consider.

"All Eugene said to me was, 'You’re going to pick the next guy, Bryan. Work with me on it, but you come up with when you're going to transfer it over,'" Murray said.

Murray said health-willing, he would like to fulfill the advisory role written into his contract for whenever he stepped down as GM

"My hope is I will still be around to do that," Murray said. "Maybe a phone call once in a while or whatever."

Murray coached the Senators to the 2007 Stanley Cup Final, the only one the Senators have been back to since rejoining the League in 1992. He would like to see the current group of players bring the Cup to Canada's capital.

"I'm very interested in what happens here," Murray said. "I'm real proud of this group and the people we have. I wish we were higher up (10 points out of the second Eastern Conference wild-card spot at the All-Star break), but I see a young team that's going to be pretty good. So I have real interest in doing the right thing for them."