DON’T GET ME STARTED knows that the oft-used phrase “Blood is Thicker than Water” is so true Just look at the Buffalo Sabres moves in the just completed NHL Draft. To me, I say the deal with his uncle’s team, the Ottawa Senators, was a very bad decision.
Art Wander
Sabres GM Tim Murray traded the #21 pick in a rich, talent rich draft and sent it to Ottawa where the GM is Tim’s Uncle. Bryan Murray. What Buffalo get in return? A former 2nd round pick – a goaltender – who in his NHL career has a goals against average over 3 goals a game and barely over a .900 save percentage. Let’s also remember, last season, he had concussion problems. Not only that, but Uncle Bryan insisted that nephew Tim take Legwand, a winger, off his hands and his over $3 million a year contract. Legawand will be 35 when the season starts, He scored only 9 goals and 27 points in 80 games last year The goalie Robin Lehner is big but the numbers certainly wouldn’t warrant a #21 pick.
After all, if Murray wasn’t impatient, he could have had Cam Talbot from the Rangers or Eddie Lack for far less than he gave Uncle Bryan for Lehner.
Now that the draft is over and people have a chance to breathe. Jack Eichel is definitely a Sabre and that pick was a solid one considering Murray didn’t seem overjoyed when he received the #2 slot in the lottery. It was well publicized that Murray was hoping to be the one to draft Connor McDavid, but that pick went to Edmonton. He questioned the system with anger on his face, at least that’s how it looked to me.
Here’s something interesting. It’s a talent rich draft. Buffalo a couple of months ago had 3 first round selections. The only one they kept was the first one to pick Eichel. Murray traded the other two first round picks. So, let’s dip into a little recent history check.
In the past year and a half:
1. The trading of goalie Ryan Miller and Steve Ott to St. Louis finds the Sabres having nothing in return. A #1 pick and everything was traded.
2. A #1 pick obtained from the Islanders was traded
2. Other players having left the building were Tyler Myers, Christian Ehroff, Drew Stafford, goalies Enroth and Neuvirth, Brian Flynn, Torrey Mitchell, Chris Stewart and Hodgson.. There’s some good players there. And let’s not forget three #1 picks, plus the 31st pick in th3e draft.
#31 was sent to Colorado so that Murray could bring in Ryan O’Reilly, who had contract problems with the Avalanchel. To get O’Reilly, Murray gave up #31,
Nikita Zdorov, Mikhail Gregorinko and prospect J. Compher. What did the Sabres receive? A 17 goal scorer last season. Oh yes, there was another thrown-in, Jamie McGinn.
Murray is being praised throughout the NHL for the moves he made at draft time, bringing in quite a few players. But they don’t dwell on the good players lost in moves within the past 18 months.
Yes, fans are excited. If the Sabres make the playoffs – everything will be forgotten; fans will scream for Murray to become GM and Executive of the Year for 2015-2016. He will be a shoo-in if Buffalo makes the playoffs. Yet, with the moves made, fans will be expecting them to be in the post-season.
Also give credit to Murray for one huge achievement – he’s doing an excellent job of spending Pegula’s millions on Don’t Get Me Started.
Filed under: Don't Get Me Started
Tagged with: Art Wander, Buffalo Sabres, Tim Murray
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