Brett Murray is one of the more intriguing prospects in the Buffalo Sabres pipeline. Can he earn a full-time spot on the fourth line?
Brett Murray will never be more than a permanent rotational gadget at the NHL level. But that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be a valuable puzzle piece to the Buffalo Sabres fourth line if he can secure a spot on the opening-day roster.
At 6’5, 228lb, Murray is a towering specimen, built in the mold of John Hayden, who has since signed with the Seattle Kraken. Hayden appeared in 55 games for the Sabres last season, and while he scored just four total points (two goals), Hayden’s role as an enforcer stood out. And it is something Murray can emulate as the Sabres seek someone with a physical playing style who is capable of playing an equalizer role.
Murray displayed more offensive productivity than Hayden, with six points (two goals) in 19 games. But the energy he is capable of bringing to the Sabres is what solidifies his value.
What are Brett Murray’s chances of making the Buffalo Sabres opening-day roster?
Right now, I am projecting the lines to look like this on October 13th:
- Skinner – Thompson – Tuch
- Krebs – Cozens – Olofsson
- Okposo – Girgensons – Asplund
- Quinn – Mittelstadt – Peterka
I am further expecting, at some point, the third and fourth lines to flip early in the season once Quinn and Peterka gain experience as permanent fixtures on the team. However early in the season, I can also foresee the duo rotating in and out of the lineup before they eventually bump up to the third line, along with Mittelstadt.
It is also a given that Vinnie Hinostroza will be part of the rotation on either the third or the fourth line. They also have Anders Bjork at the moment, and Murray will likely battle Bjork for a spot in the rotational role.
While Bjork looked as though he were ineffective last season, he has shown rare flashes; if only he can piece it all together. Overall, it will come down to whether the Buffalo Sabres want someone with Bjork’s playing style or a physically-dominant specimen like Murray.
At worst, Murray will return to the AHL, where he scored 32 times (15 goals) in 52 contests with the Americans. If anything, he could sneak his way onto the fourth line, with the Sabres calling for his services against more physical opponents.
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)