Penguins/NHL
The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired San Jose Sharks defenseman Douglas Murray, Pierre Lebrun of ESPN first reported. The Penguins are said to have given up two second round picks (2013 an 2013) for Murray. (updated) It’s been confirmed that the Sharks will receive two second round picks from the Penguins but the 2014 draft pick is “conditional” on the Penguins winning two rounds or resigning Murray. If they don’t, the Sharks receive a 2014 3rd round pick.
Murray, a pending free agent, is a big left handed stay at home defenseman at 6-foot-3, 245 lbs. Scouts we’ve heard from over the last four to six weeks have pegged him as a great fit for the Penguins.
Murray has three assists and a minus-8 rating on the season. Murray has 56 hits and led the Sharks with 64 blocked shots in 29 games.
Murray is averaging 17:09 of ice time per game and was second on the Sharks averaging 2:53 of ice time per game shorthanded.
The Penguins identified a need for a left handed big bodied defenseman who will make them tougher to play against and upgrade the penalty kill. Murray certainly fits the bill.
Murray, though, lacks foot speed and has struggled this season, being dropped from a top-2 pairing role.
The Penguins now have nine active defenseman and have been shopping Robert Bortuzzo in the past week. Simon Despres and Beau Bennett are the only players on the roster who don’t have to clear waivers.
More details to come
