What's wrong with this picture ?
Oct 8, 2008
What's wrong with this picture ?
Well, as I sit down tonight, I never thought that I would be writing about this player or his situation. Matt Murley and his playing desires became news for the Hurricanes on Wednesday afternoon. Although he was viewed as a "depth" player and not really on your radar screen as a Canes fan, his situation is troubling for the "big picture" and will become a league wide concern.
Murley, who was signed by the Canes during the summer as an insurance policy, has been a support player at the NHL level and an impact player at the AHL level. He told new head coach Jeff Daniels on Wednesday he has taken his act to the Kontinental Hockey League. Yes the good ole KHL that has tremendous financial backing. The league that is home to Jaromir Jagr, ex Cane John Grahame and many others is now luring NHL "bubble" players. Murley , is the first of and maybe more that could jump ship at the drop of a hat or in this case a rubble or two. According to reports Murley could make up to $700 K (tax free) as opposed to the $100 K guaranteed he was due in his Cane contract. Now, this is not an indictment on Matt Murley and his decision making process, but an assessment of what's going on today in this hockey "cold war"
It all started with Alexander Radulov of the Nashville Predators the past off season. Radulov, who has a year left remaining on his NHL contract elected to leave Music City and join the ranks of the KHL. This player is a first-line guy with tremendous offensive skill and a tough guy to replace. But you might ask, how does this happen, he has a contract right ? Well, wrong . Without a transfer agreement between the two leagues (and trust me I'm not getting into legal ee's) but the bottom line is the KHL is free to poach. Now this player was immediately suspended by Nashville GM David Poille and there's was one report that he wanted to come back. But since this mid summer occurrence, the court arbitration between the NHL, NHLPA and International Hockey bodies has never taken place. It will, but because of red tape it's taking a long time. Because of this stalemate it appears the KHL has guns a blazing again. This was an offer Murley and his representatives could not have refused. But it's the system that is costing the NHL a big headache similar to the one you might get from a long night with Russian Vodka.
Matt Murley has toiled a long time in pro hockey. He has done it all at the AHL level, he played hard in camp and made an impression. He was looked at as a guy the Canes would go to in a pinch. You can't blame him for this. He's not breaking a rule, at least for now. But it's certainly not fair to the organization that signed him or the first year bench boss that may have lost his best player just before opening night. This is the NHL's dilemma. They need to get this ruling done ASAP. Everything about this is morally wrong. Players are not honoring guaranteed contracts, Russian teams feel they have the right to entice players with tempting offers. There is something wrong with this picture and let's hope common sense wins in the end. A transfer agreement is needed, rules need to be applied. It's unfortunate that it's a reactionary move with damaging effects in place. Then again, that's hockey.
Have a good night!
