June 17, 2007
Sunday, 9 a.m. Team statement says decisions to be made by 'end of the weekend'

John Muckler may not finish his tenure as Senators GM. (Sun Media File Photo)

Senators president Roy Mlakar has confirmed that GM John Muckler’s future will be decided by “the end of the weekend.”

Earlier Saturday, when contacted by the Sun, owner Eugene Melnyk’s spokesman Ken Villazor didn’t deny talk Muckler has been shown the door, but late last night Mlakar broke his silence in an e-mail to the Sun.

“No decision on John’s (future) has yet to be decided .... by any of the parties,” said Mlakar. “And, decisions on multiple fronts, WON’T (his emphasis) be decided until the end of the weekend.”

Mlakar’s e-mail went on to confirm that roles are changing: “The organization continues, and intends to continue, to work through exciting new plans and objectives for all senior management. This is not unusual.”

That means Muckler will likely get moved into another role with the club and coach Bryan Murray could be installed as the GM as early as tomorrow.

Melnyk has three options with Muckler’s future:

l) He can fire Muckler and pay out the one year remaining on his contract, plus a two-year consulting deal.

2) Ask him to step aside as GM and be the team’s consultant for the next three years.

3) Or allow Muckler to finish out the final year of his deal before stepping into the consulting role.