Saturday, January 17, 2009

Murphy Update

If you're hoping to see that Cory Murphy's coming back to play for you guys in Rochester, I'm sorry to say, I'm going to disappoint you.

Florida assigned Murphy to the Everblades on Friday and the move is reflected in the day's transaction reports: ECHL Transactions.

To the curious: an NHL club can assign any player on an entry level contract to the ECHL without the player's consent, but if the player has progressed beyond the entry-level system, he has to give his consent to be loaned to the ECHL. Murphy's not in the entry-level system (if you're curious, it's in the CBA, article 9).

Steve Gorten says Murphy won't play with the Everblades and he'll be recalled tomorrow (technically today). Because the Panthers reassigned Murphy, he has to clear re-entry waivers and if he's claimed off of re-entry, the Cats will be responsible for 50% of his contract (which isn't a very big contract).

Since his salary is less than $900k and the Panthers would still get hit for half of what he's yet to earn, I don't see this being a move driven by finances. Instead, this may have something to do with the number of contracts the Panthers have. If they can move Murphy, they give themselves more flexibility in a trade.

Which begs the question: is there a trade on the horizon?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

based on what you've posted I'd be inclined to think the move is foremost for a roster spot and secondarily for finances. however you slice it, it stinks for us in Rochester.

another banner day for the Panthers organization.

oh wait, I forgot they dug up Chris Beckford Tseu for us. now if they could only put him back where they found him. waste of a roster spot for sure.