Devils sign defenseman Cory Murphy

The Devils have signed defenseman Cory Murphy to a two-way contract, the team announced this morning.

The 31-year-old native of Kanata, Ontario had five goals and 10 assists in 25 games with Tampa Bay in 2008-09 after going without a point in seven games with Florida.

In 79 career NHL games with Florida and Tampa Bay, the 5-foot-10, 185-pound Murphy has seven goals and 26 assists.

Comments

[modnarm]

THIS IS THE MAN WE'VE NEEDED SINCE STEVENS!!! MY GOSH!! WOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
kidding.

[frankied]

Wow... some rogue poster at HF boards said this yesterday that the Devils were close to signing Cory Murphy.

Anyway, I like the move! He's a possible power-play quarterback with a right-handed shot. He had a terrific quarter of a season with Tampa before he got injured. He was logging around 23 minutes a game for them.

[JJ]

AHL depth move. Maybe Lou really believes Corrente and/or Eckford have a shot.

[JOE D]

Guy reminds me of Rafalski. Good signing. I liked what he does on PP

[Ben]

This guy is nowhere near as good as Rafalski. Bad Comparison. Not the signing I was looking for.

[Jason]

15 points in 25 games...That's better than anyone on this team now!

[frankied]

I'm not so sure JJ. It's 2-way but I think this guy has a legitimate shot at making the team.

"Murphy had become a very valuable asset to the Lightning’s power-play and to their team play for his puck handling, logging major minutes and mostly for his becoming the quarterback on the power-play. In my opinion, Murphy needs to be re-signed, because of what he brings to the team – especially on the power-play, despite his susceptibility to injuries. He has 50 point potential."

this from tampa bay examiner lighting beat writer

[Tom]

Low risk, high reward. Potential PP QB, if he stays healthy.

[Tom]

I would also think this would rule out signing Zubov, although I never really thought they would sign him.

[JJ]

Lasse Oksanen (Best Player) & Pekka Rautakallio (Best Defenseman) Trophy winner in the SM-Liiga in '06-07, pretty impressive 50 pts. in 45 games. There's a reason why he's 31 and only played 79 NHL games though.

[JJ]

The Lightning were terrible last year. I'm not taking anything away from what he did but 25 games is still only 25 games.

[Ben]

could be a good signing. doesn't quite look like he's auto ahl..if I'm corrente or eckford im thinking wtf lou.

[brian s]

big health problems. in the last few years he has had great seasons ruined by a recurring shoulder injury. real soft there. when he is healthy though he is good. kind of a risk and hopefully just there to add a spark or two. wont even see over 50 games

[Merms]

This is a depth move. Lou probably expects Corrente or Eckford to make the team and will need someone to replace them in Lowell. Similar to Sestito replacing Pelley.

[mikeP]

nothing wrong with this signing. At worst he spends the entire season in Lowell. Best case he turns out playing on the 3rd pairing and on the 2nd PP unit. He's kind of weak defensively but Lemaire and Tremblay can work on that. He's had better offensive numbers than Greene, his problem in the NHL has been staying healthy.

[Jason]

A guy that has 15 points in 25 NHL games, better get more than a spot on Lowell. If he stays healthy, he'd outpace Martin and Oduya.

[RickyM2]

Who the heck IS that guy?? hmmm Let me guess the contract..

1 year, 800k, 1 way

I think I'm starting to miss Havelad

[Merms]

I guess you didnt read the article RickyM2 because in the first sentence it says "two-way contract"

[TheUglyTruth]

You can never have too many small, slow, soft defensemen. Better get the barricades ready on Market Street. I smell a Stanley Cup parade!!!

[njhillbilly]

I'm assuming he would be eligible for re-entry waivers meaning that once he is in Lowell, to call him up could expose him and leave the Devils with 1/2 the cap hit.

Not a big deal considering the cap space, but still. I'm guessing the intent is for him to play in the NHL, the two-way is in case he doesn't make it, clears regular waivers, and ends up in Lowell. Once he is there, don't expect to see him back.

[RickyM2]

oops, i read it, but missed that part. Even when I just re-read it, I missed it again.. 3rd time was a charm

[JOE D]

Ben, I find it hard to beleive that you dont think he is like Rafalski. Both are almost identical size, shoot righty, weak slap shots, decent wrister, ok skater, never got drafted, both played in finland, only two foreigners to win the best defenseman award. Seems almost identical to me except for the fat paycheck Rafalski gets. worst case he ends up in Lowell but good thing is he is on a 2 way so he can go back and forth without waivers. Surprising considered his last contract was a one way.

[RickyM2]

I think I heard of this guy.. Wasnt he in the movie Goonies? I didnt know he played hockey too

[Neil S]

I don't think this signing impacts Corrente or Eckford. They're both more likely to go to Lowell and get playing time than sit in NJ as a 7th/8th guy. If he stays healthy and Andy Greene struggles, he could get some more time. His numbers in Finland and Switzerland were pretty good and he actually had some better seasons over there than Rafalski.

[JJ]

He got the one-way based on his '06-07 season in SM-Liiga probably. Now that he's been fragile in the NHL (because of the more physical style of play?) he's settling for a 2-way so he can prove himself in north america. It's a depth move plain and simple. Bring him into camp see what he can do & have options to shuttle him depending on his performance, injuries on the NHL level, trades, etc. It gives Lou some options.