from Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen,

As the trade speculation heats up, Ottawa Senators winger Chris Neil wants to be wanted.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for (Senators general manger) Bryan Murray and for what he has done here,” said Neil, who is attracting considerable interest among some playoff-bound teams — believed to include the Nashville Predators and Chicago Blackhawks. “I indicated to (Murray) that this is where I want to be. But I want to be a part of it, too. I don’t just want to sit here and collect a paycheque.”

Neil, 35, is in demand because of his physical edge, the ability to agitate and to protect star players. That style is always more valuable in the post-season because the game becomes more of a grind and players wear down during the course of what could be four playoff series.

But since returning from a knee injury Jan. 20, Neil has seen only spot duty for coach Dave Cameron. Neil played only 5:33 in Tuesday’s 2-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils – the ice time was reduced because he needed a couple of stitches to close a gash over his right eye – and he has played fewer than eight minutes in three of his past six games.

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