Garrioch rebuffs Williams signing

The internet is aflame with rumours that Jason Williams is already signed by the Ottawa Senators. Many blogs even stated on Friday that there would be a press conference on Saturday to announce the acquisition. (I guess they have egg on their faces now)

Of all people, Bruce Garrioch is dousing the flame with a cool bucket of reality check:

They held one brief conversation with Williams and decided to go in another direction. The Senators simply can't afford to sign anybody to a contract at the moment. They could set themselves up for a Group II offer on Andrej Meszaros. Yes, the Senators still need a top six forward, but unless Ottawa has a change of heart they won't be signing Williams. His agent, Wade Arnott, sent a note late Saturday saying that Williams won't be signing with Ottawa.

As mentioned on Friday, the possible signing of Williams is putting Antoine Vermette, Chris Neil, and Andre Meszaros on the trade front. Rumoured destinations include Chicago. Other possibilities include the deal pending a physical, or pending a trade of one of the above players.

That is all reliant on Williams signing. Which, apparently, is far from finalized.