The NHL Draft is just days away and teams are trying to make moves. Draft spots are highly coveted, but can also be used as trade bait. Players might also be used to sweeten the deal. Ottawa Sun reporter Bruce Garrioch said an Ottawa Senators goalie might be tossed in with the No. 7 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. Matt Murray is the goalie the might be part of a trade package.
As I reported today, led to believe the #GoHabsGo have called every team in the top 10 because they want to make a splash with a second pick in that area.
— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) June 30, 2022
Ottawa Senators Goalie Might Be On The Move
Murray had been looking for a new start in Ottawa, but it hasn’t worked out for him. The former Stanley Cup winner with the Pittsburgh Penguins was the odd man out when the Pens went with Tristan Jarry in net. The Thunder Bay, Ontario native went 5-12-2 with a 3.05 goals-against-average.
Things got so bad that Murray was even sent down to AHL Belleville for a spell. He did get called up to the big club and played a little bit better. However, it seems like he was the third wheel with the Senators netminders.
Ottawa indicated that they’d roll with three goalies in Murray, Anton Forsberg and Filip Gustavsson. However, Murray carries a cap hit of $6.25 million for the next two seasons. His cap hit would likely need a sweetener thrown in and that seventh pick could be just the ticket.
What it Means
General Manager Pierre Dorion is likely feeling the heat after declaring the rebuild over a little too prematurely. The seventh pick going to another team could be the key to getting a star player to come to the Canadian capital.
Montreal is a team that wants to make a big splash with its second selection of the draft. The Habs will pick first, but they’d like to get another young pick sooner rather than later. Trading with Ottawa could be an idea. However, there’s the matter of Carey Price‘s status. Is the $10 million dollar goalie ready to go or is he still injured?
Murray could be a stopgap and backup Jake Allen or challenge him for the starting job. However, is Montreal willing to have that much money locked into the crease? It’s possible Murray could be flipped to someone else, but the Canadiens might want to talk to the Senators if they want to make a splash.
Matt Murray starts tonight against Montreal! #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/8SsweJgDUm
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) February 26, 2022
