Written by Graeme Nichols | 22 June 2009

Senators GM Bryan Murray has thrown down the gauntlet.

He told reporters today that if the Senators are forced to pay a $4 million bonus on July 1 to Dany Heatley then the disgruntled winger won't be going anywhere.

"I've made it very clear that if we pay any more money, then this probably will not happen," said Murray today.

Murray said he has had discussions with several teams regarding Heatley and is closing in on a deal with one team. But, Murray has to have more serious talks when he arrives in Montreal this week for the NHL entry draft, set for Friday at the Bell Centre.

"I continue to talk and there are a number of teams that have called and suggest ideas on their behalf. Nothing has really made me act right away," said Murray. ~ Bruce Garrioch, The Ottawa Sun

Now if Bryan Murray was closing in on a deal with one team, why bother uttering the threat that if the organization has to pay Heatley any more money, the trade will not happen?

The most likely reason is that it's posturing on his part to get Heatley to accept the fact that Murray's working exclusively on one trade and it's his way of telling him, "You're going where I tell you or you'll be playing out your contract here." If you're not familiar with this kind of tactic, odds are you haven't spent much time fraternizing with the members of the female populace.

Expect a lot more posturing leading up to this weekend's Draft.

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