The Oilers are struggling. It’s something not a lot of fans expected, but it is happening and the team needs to do something about it fast. The weakest link on the back end is Ryan Murray.
No, he is not the reason the team is losing every game. But, he definitely hasn’t been the best player on the ice by any means. He’s with the team on a very cheap deal for a year, but the team has much better options in Bakersfield that would benefit them in the long run. Personally, I think it’s time Philip Broberg got another opportunity to show why he can play in the NHL. Murray knows his role as a 7th D man, but he hasn’t played well when he gets in the lineup.
He doesn’t win a lot of puck battles, makes a majority of bad decisions in the defensive end and overall just hasn’t been a good investment for the Oilers. After being drafted 2nd overall years ago, it’s unfortunately obvious why he has bounced around the league since then. He has played with a number of D partners this season and none of them have benefited whatsoever from playing with him. They constantly have to bail him out, and often find themselves playing two positions when Murray gets caught out of it.
At 750k, I can’t complain too much. But I would send him to the minors at this point. I wouldn’t hate the idea of giving Jason Demers a shot either at the same price. If he doesn’t work, you give Philip Broberg or another prospect an opportunity to play a bottom role in the NHL. Either way, Murray should go. I’ll say it again, he is not the reason the Oilers are losing but he’s not helping them win by any means.