If and when Chris Neil hits the 1,000-game mark with the Ottawa Senators next season, GM Bryan Murray might well offer up 1,000 more compliments for him.
Before Saturday’s wild, wacky, perhaps season-saving 6-4 win over Calgary, Neil was signed to a one-year, $1.5-million contract extension. Once the Mika Zibanejad Show was over, Murray spared few words in describing the impact Neil has had on the organization.
Murray had a ready answer for the many online critics who believe the 36-year-old right winger, who has registered 109 goals, 134 assists and 2,416 penalty minutes in 956 games, is long past his prime and not worth keeping.