12:15pm: Darren Dreger of TSN reports that the deal would have included the Senators retaining some of the salary, and Buffalo moving up from No. 16 to No. 7 in today’s first round.
11:10am: With the shallow free agent goaltending market this year, teams are trying to get a bit more creative. One name that has popped up a few times is Matt Murray, the Ottawa Senators netminder who fell out of favor with the team and spent a good chunk of last season in the minor leagues. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports that the Senators and Buffalo Sabres were “deep into conversations” about Murray.
Unfortunately for both teams, Murray has Buffalo on his 10-team no-trade list and, as Friedman puts it, “stuck to his list.” That would suggest the talks got far enough along to ask him about whether he would waive, as the Senators try to rid themselves of his contract. Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia notes that Ottawa wouldn’t face the same issue with the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are also “in the mix”, as Murray would agree to a move there.
It’s easy to understand why the Senators want to move on. Not only does Murray have a $6.25MM cap hit, but the actual salary owed is higher in the last two years of his deal, with a $7MM salary in 2022-23 and $8MM in 2023-24. Combine those escalating costs with inconsistent play and a handful of exciting goaltending prospects, and you have a player that needs to be shipped out of town.
The Sabres are looking for a veteran goaltender to help Craig Anderson carry the NHL load while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen continues to develop in the minor leagues, and given Murray’s experience–two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins–he certainly fits that bill, despite being just 28. For Buffalo, taking on a cap hit like that wouldn’t be an issue (the same can’t be said for Toronto), meaning they could likely have landed another asset along with Murray from the Senators.
This looks like a much better deal for BUF than the Bishop one.
Kevyn Adam’s Is now In the same business as Tom Fitzgerald, Collecting a bunch of bad goaltenders.
GMKA has stated the future crease belongs to UPL & Levi
Stopgap. He is under 30yo & has a few cups on his resume.
Maple Leafs huh?
So Matt must like getting booed a lot.
Matt Murray’s journey has been a weird one. Two Stanley Cups in his first two years, some more success with Pittsburgh, then injuries, then the Pens fans eventually turned on him, traded as an impending RFA, then terrible playing behind a terrible Sens team who eventually waived him down to the AHL. Now tumbled all the way down to invoking a NTC to Buffalo. Wild ride.
It’s his right. But choosing between a team that has experienced 5 straight 1st round playoff exits or a team that had a winning record against playoff teams down the stretch including 2 against the team that you want to play for?
Nice not knowing you Matt!
Thank you Matt Murray for saying no to Bflo. Sabres fans rejoice, the last thing we wanted was another Carter Hutton
Even Holtby has been up & down since leaving Washington. Outside of Kuemper any FA goalie has a potential to have a off season (or 2) in them.
why would any goalie want to come to Buffalo, he’s hurt and it’s another move for the sabres to get to the CAP FLOOR just like Bishop who will never se the ice again, sabres are brutal
Dorion is a doofus
No the Sabres are not brutal. They actually had a winning record against the Playoff teams (last 25 games) & finished above many teams that was expected to finish above them. Bishop is strictly a cap hit while Murray would be both a cap hit & player. Sabres have many key RFAs up for renewal in the next few off seasons.
What is Matt’s logic in turning down a team that wants him to stay on a team that wants to get rid of him?
Toronto Maple Leafs.
It’s where I always wanted to play as a kid!