Why Glen Murray could be a Shark
July 25th, 2008, 7:29 am
In a bizarre turn of events, including the first case of its kind under the current CBA, the Bruins are about to buy out winger Glen Murray after the regular buyout period had expired. Let me try to explain. The Bruins resigned defensemen Dennis Widemen, who filed for salary arbitration. If a player files for arbitration and is resigned, either for the reward assigned by the arbiter or if the team and player come to terms prior to the hearing (as was the case with Widemen), then the team has a 48 hour window to buyout up to three player contracts in order to accommodate the new contract. (DEEP BREATH).
Does that make sense? It was a loop hole that Mike and I had never heard of, but obviously the GM of the Bruins was well aware. Reports speculated that Chiarelli has been trying to get some return for the struggling Murray, but no one wanted to take a flier on him at 4.1M this season, or last…or the year before. He’s been in the rumor mill longer than Patrick Marleau. So – even with the Sharks current salary cap crunch and crammed roster – it would not surprise me if Doug Wilson reached out to Glen Murray and offered him the chance to reunite with Thunder Joe and restore his former glory as a player on a Cup run with the Sharks.
Murray is 35 and on the downside of his career, with only 17 goals last season and has clearly struggled since Doug Wilson bamboozled the Bruins into giving him Joe Thornton. Once his center was taken away, Murray’s production slid.
With Thornton in Boston 236 games 111 goals
Without Thornton in Boston 186 games 69 goals
Right now, there is no room on the Sharks roster for Murray – but should they make room? Should Doug Wilson offer Murray the same opportunity to pick up his career that he gave J.R.? Granted, Murray isn’t in the same spot Roenick was last offseason, but he isn’t that far off. The allure of the opportunity to join the Sharks top line and find the magic with Joe again could be too much to pass up. How about the Sharks offer Murray 1M – that’s it – take it or leave it. A one year deal that could let him have a big year, get back to 30 goals and then command a larger deal on the open market in 2009.
Would it take some creative management to make this happen? Yes. But I wouldn’t put it past Doug Wilson from making it happen. A top line of Murray, Michalek and Thornton would let the Sharks roll out the best 2nd line in hockey with Pavelski, Marleau and Cheech. That’s just not fair.
Now we wait…and see….
We discuss all this and more on our current podcast. Now available.
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Guys –
I’m not sure this makes sense. I simply cannot see Cheechoo on any other line than on Jumbo’s line. I know he was injured and all, but it wasn’t until RW stopped shuffling Cheechoo around and put him back with Joe (plus arrival of Soup helped) that Cheech started scoring regularly.
Plus, with all veterans we already have, I don’t see us needing to pick up another one, especially if we want to continue to develop our young guys. Murray would take a spot away from another young player to get NHL experience.
The only Shark signing I want to see at this point is Clowe. I am still afraid of the other moves that might have to fit Clowe in at this point. I don’t watch alot of Bruins Hockey and although his numbers were great when Joe was there It still has to be a gamble in my mind and being so close to the cap I just don’t know if its one we could afford unless Clowe by some horrific twist of fate is no longer an option and even then I’m at a loss for what then the Sharks would need to do. Going to be interesting to watch though in what is definatly a boring summer at this point.
$1M seems like a lot, especially if he’s getting $1.3 from his buyout. But I could see several teams waiting until they have injury issues to bring in someone like Glen.
As for the “best 2nd line in hockey”, that’d be a stretch. You might get some arguments out of the two Cup-finalist teams.
I agree with Ivan. Seperating Joe and Cheech doesn’t sit right with me. I see it as Murray or Sets. The Giants right now are a good example of why you go with Setoguchi.
I like Glen Murray as much as the next guy, but as I said on the podcast, it jams up the line combos, unless somebody can switch to the left side. Also, I just can’t see the Sharks getting him as cheap as $1M. The Kings are about $50M under the floor right now, they should bring him back for a coupla mil.
I completly agree that Cheech should stay on the same line as Jumbo Joe, but if he was to get moved, then a line with marleau doesnt work – patty is just too quick for him, and their games dont suit. I dont think signing murray is necessary or a good move, and i agree with all the above comments in terms of age and cap space. If he was to join the team, then i think it would have to be on a line of cheech and thornton, leaving michalek to play with pavs and marleau – which i think could work.
Some great comments on this post, where it seems people aren’t sold on adding Glen Murray, or where he would play if he was on the team. We will definitely talk about this on Wednesday’s podcast.
go into the Sharks with a big Joe Thorntpn this team in western Conference you are a New Guy in San Jose Sharks this team are going to be a Champ on San Jose Sharks by corey
go into the Sharks with a big Joe Thornton this team in western Conference you are a New Guy in San Jose Sharks this team are going to be a Champ on San Jose Sharks by corey
Huh?