Buffalo Sabres GM Tim Murray is abrupt and unpolished, but he is not faint of heart when it comes to wheeling and dealing players. In my circle of friends we would probably nickname Murray “Mister Personality”, but his actions at the NHL Draft were bold and more than a bit risky. Murray is also not about to apologize for making those moves. That’s a trait we never saw under Darcy Regier and I for one find it very refreshing.
The selection of Jack Eichel with the second pick was a no-brainier, but trading away the 21st pick for goalie Robin Lehner and forward David Legwand is definitely a gamble. Lehner has concussion issues and was not able to rise to the position of number one goalie in the Ottawa organization. Still, Murray scouted Lehner when he was in the Senator’s organization and says he is confident he is the Sabres future in net.
The trade for Ryan O’Reilly and Jamie McGinn for center Mikhail Grigorenko, defenseman Nikita Zadorov, prospect J.T. Compher and the 31st pick in the NHL Draft was a thing of beauty. Murray gave away unknown potential for proven results and that is the kind of move that we never saw under Regier.
Regarding Tim Murray’s demeanor and approach to public speaking, well he’s unique and not in a good way. Murray almost always looks pissed off and has a “I can’t believe you’re asking me that question” response to most questions.
I also don’t care for the way he handled the Ted Nolan dismissal. Murray gave the impression that the players on the team were unhappy with Nolan and their feelings weighed in on his decision to let Nolan go. It was clear to Nolan and most insiders that Murray only kept Ted around to baby-sit a “tanker” season and then he was bringing in his own man.
Murray’s own man apparently was Mike Babcock, but he when chose the Maple Leafs Murray grabbed Dan Bylsma. Bylsma is a good coach and well liked, but personally I would have loved to have seen Ted Nolan behind the bench with the talent the team just acquired.
Regardless, Tim Murray has now created a roster in Buffalo that should immediately be better and playoffs are not out of the picture. Murray built a reputation on knowing how to recognize good talent and it appears in two days he brought superior talent to a roster that was starving for some.
Tim Murray may not be someone you’d invite over to meet your Mother, but if his plan works we’ll be raising our glasses to “Mister Personality”.
Filed under: Koshinski's Korner
Tagged with: Buffalo Sabres, Dan Bylsma, NHL Draft. Jack Eichel, Robin Lehner, Ted Nolan, Tim Murray
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