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Ducks General Manager Bob Murray Finalist For NHL’s GM of The Year Award

By Griffin Foster

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Anaheim Ducks general manager Bob Murray has once again been named a finalist for the NHL’s general manager of the year award. Murray was the winner of this award last year and he continues to be recognized for his outstanding work.

Murray’s Ducks claimed the top seed in the western conference for the second year in a row and much of that success can be attributed to the brilliant moves that Murray made. After acquiring Ryan Kesler in the offseason, Murray backed up the blockbuster deal with the signing of veteran defensemen Clayton Stoner.

Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim Ducks /

Anaheim Ducks

Stoner played a huge role on the Ducks blue line this season and has played in every playoff game. Murray also went out and executed arguably the biggest steal at the trade deadline when he acquired Simon Despres from the Pittsburgh Penguins. The deal shocked many as Murray acquired the 23 year old big bodied Despres in exchange for Ben Lovejoy. Despres has far more upside than Lovejoy and the deal has given the Ducks a huge boost on defense. It is moves like this which come out of nowhere that makes Murray one of the best in the business.

It is no surprise that Murray is a finalist for this award once again as his Ducks are back in the western conference finals for the first time since 2007. Other finalist include New York Rangers general manager Glen Sather, and Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman. Murray could become the first GM to win the award two years in a row. The NHL awards will be held in Las Vegas on June 24th.

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