Bryan Murray on future with Senators: 'I don’t know whether I can just put my feet up'

Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray still isn't sure about his future with the team, and the decision likely won't be made until at least the end of the season.

"I think I’ve got to take a look at it at the end of this year,” Murray told Wayne Scanlan of the Ottawa Citizen. “My wife would like me to take off. Geri’s been good, though. She says, ‘I know you have to have something to do.'"

Murray was diagnosed with colon cancer last July and revealed in November there's no cure.

After more than 10 years with the organization, though, he's not sure he can step away.

"I don’t know whether I can just put my feet up," Murray said. 

Senators owner Eugene Melnyk told Murray the general manager will be given the opportunity to name a successor.

"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 will consult with Melnyk and continue to fulfill his duties for the rest of the season.

"What am I going to do?” Murray said. "Play through the year. Wait and see. I have to have a talk with Eugene. He has something to say here, too."

"Maybe it’s time to move on. That’s OK, too," he added.

Murray was named Senators head coach in 2004 and led the team to a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2007.

At the very least, he hopes to serve as an adviser to the club in future campaigns.

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

The 72-year-old will certainly be welcomed back in whatever capacity he chooses, and the team is clearly willing to be patient as he makes that decision.