Pucks of a Feather
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Anaheim Ducks: What Happened to the real Bob Murray?

By Chris Bushell

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 24: General Manager Bob Murray of the Anaheim Ducks speaks onstage after winning the award for General Manager of the Year during the 2014 NHL Awards at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas on June 24, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 24: General Manager Bob Murray of the Anaheim Ducks speaks onstage after winning the award for General Manager of the Year during the 2014 NHL Awards at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas on June 24, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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SAN JOSE, CA – APRIL 18: Ryan Kesler #17 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against the San Jose Sharks in Game Four of the 2018 Western Conference First Round on April 18, 2018. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA – APRIL 18: Ryan Kesler #17 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against the San Jose Sharks in Game Four of the 2018 Western Conference First Round on April 18, 2018. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images) /

The Good

Murray’s successes can’t be overlooked. Murray brought in pieces such as Nick Bonino, Lubomir Visnovsky, Andrew Cogliano, Stephane Robidas, Nate Thompson, Simon Despres, David Perron, and Patrick Eaves to name a few. In virtually all of these trades, Murray gave up little to nothing. All of these players contributed notably in the playoffs and in the cases of Cogliano and Eaves continue to.

Murray also had the guts to ship Bobby Ryan (a budding all-star at the time) to Ottawa for Jakob Silfverberg and a first rounder that turned into Nick Ritchie. Silfverberg has been a great addition for the Ducks on both ends of the ice and could be in line for a big extension. Ryan never really found his game in Ottawa making the Ducks appear to be geniuses.

Due to shrewd lower-profile moves, Murray had the pieces in Nick Bonino and Luca Sbisa to send Vancouver’s way and bring Ryan Kesler to Anaheim. Kelser has his own set of medical issues at this point, but he’s scored 172 points in 286 games in Anaheim. Its hard to argue the Ducks didn’t win this trade.

Silfverberg and Kesler have also found great chemistry together and have proven vital in both the regular season and playoffs. The Ducks are a far better team with them than without them.

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