The official D Murray thread

Robertsson 4-ever · 08-31-2004, 11:10 AM

I've finally found someone who have seen Douglas Murray play on regular basis in SabresIn05.

All I've read about Murray have been positive (except his skating), but reading isn't the same as watching players!

I got some questions:

What role does Murray play in Cleveland?

What potential do you think he has NHL-wise?

How is his skating?

Thanks in advance!

Mr Brownstone · 08-31-2004, 12:53 PM

Murray's role on the team is basically that of a #1 defenseman. He plays both on the powerplay, and the penalty kill and I would venture to say that he regularly plays between 24-27 minutes per game. He's a physical presence, and had several outstanding open ice hits last season.

I've been blasted for my top two potential prediction on the Sharks board, but I think Murray will bottom out at nothing less than a #4 on most NHL teams. He's more or less a stay at home guy with offensive abilities. Big physical presence both below the circles and anywhere on the rink. I think he could potentially be a #2 on some teams in the future, but undoubtedly a #4 on most.

His skating is mediocre and needs work, but his compensation with intelligent play makes it almost a non-factor. Murray's agility and acceleration are not fully there, but he does have solid balance. His stride did improve over the season and he did become a much more fluent skater as the season progressed.

If anyone else has questions, feel free to post them here.

Swedelicious · 08-31-2004, 02:10 PM

I have some questions since I want to add Murray to NHL:EHM (for some reason he is not in the data base):

Is he aggressive?
Does he take stupid penalties?
Does he drop his gloves?
Is he in any way a leader and/or a team player?

Mr Brownstone · 08-31-2004, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nazgullah

I have some questions since I want to add Murray to NHL:EHM (he for some reason is not in the data base):

Is he aggressive?
Does he take stupid penalties?
Does he drop his gloves?
Is he in any way a leader and/or a team player?

Yes, very aggressive, but he is smart when he does so.

He does not take stupid penalties.

He will fight sparingly. Usually it is to stick up for teammates, but if he gets pissed off enough, he will fight.

He had an "A" for the Barons and I expect him to get one this year. He leads more by example than by words I would say.

Swedelicious · 08-31-2004, 02:52 PM

Excellent. Thanks a lot.

Robertsson 4-ever · 08-31-2004, 03:13 PM

Nice to hear you got great expectations of Murray, all I've heard before tells that he is a 6th d-man at best, although it's hard to predict.

Nice to hear about his offensive potential as well, most people (I think) think's he is a big stay-at-home defenseman who can not pass, shoot or skate. Will be interesting to follow him the upcoming season, and it would be nice if you could update us now and then!

Mr Brownstone · 08-31-2004, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robertsson 4-ever

Nice to hear you got great expectations of Murray, all I've heard before tells that he is a 6th d-man at best, although it's hard to predict.

Nice to hear about his offensive potential as well, most people (I think) think's he is a big stay-at-home defenseman who can not pass, shoot or skate. Will be interesting to follow him the upcoming season, and it would be nice if you could update us now and then!

It won't be a problem to update you on Murray and his status.

Pepper · 09-04-2004, 04:33 AM

So he's swedish? What's his background?

Robertsson 4-ever · 09-04-2004, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pepper

So he's swedish? What's his background?

I'm not quite sure. He's related to Lasse Björn though, and his family have lived in Sweden for some generations if I remember correctly. There were a text about him on AHL.com but I can't seem to find it right now. I thought I saved it somewhere, but just can't find it, either here or on AHL.com. Maybe someone else can?

Swedelicious · 09-04-2004, 09:06 AM

Is it true he´s American/Swedish? I thought his nationallity was Swedish only.

Robertsson 4-ever · 09-04-2004, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nazgullah

Is it true he´s American/Swedish? I thought his nationallity was Swedish only.

It's swedish only. But I think his family moved to Sweden many generations ago, that's way he has a american name. But I'm not 100% sure, if I only could find that article.