Murray signs three-year deal to remain Ottawa GM

The Ottawa Senators have signed general manager Bryan Murray to a new three-year contract.

Murray has been with the Senators since being hired as coach in June 2004. After guiding the Senators to their first Stanley Cup Final in 2007, he was promoted to GM.

Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk said earlier Friday he wanted to retain Murray in some capacity heading into next season; Murray's contract was set to expire after the season.

The Senators enter the season's final weekend 13th in the Eastern Conference after finishing fifth last season. It's the second time in the last three seasons the Senators have missed the playoffs.

Murray began rebuilding the team in February, dealing away veterans Mike Fisher, Chris Kelly, Jarkko Ruutu, Chris Campoli, Alex Kovalev and Brian Elliott, and in the process acquiring a first-round pick and a pair of second-round selections in the 2011 Entry Draft, as well as goaltender Craig Anderson, who Murray signed to a three-year contract extension.

"I can say only good things about Bryan Murray," Melnyk said prior to the announcement. "He's worked very hard for the organization in the last two months. A lot of guys would say, 'I don't have a contract (beyond this season), why should I bust myself for this group until I have a contract?' No, he did the exact opposite. He went out and showed what he could do, and I think he did a great job."

Contact Adam Kimelman at akimelman@nhl.com. Follow him on Twitter: @NHLAdamK