Pierre Dorion had already received calls about the 33rd pick in the NHL draft moments after the first round ended Tuesday night.
The Ottawa Senators general manager didn’t end up parting with that selection, but still made a big splash to kick off what should be an interesting period across the league with a flat salary cap and the financial unknowns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dorion shored up his team’s crease by acquiring goalie Matt Murray from the Pittsburgh Penguins for forward prospect Jonathan Gruden and this year’s 52nd pick prior to the start of Wednesday’s second round.
A two-time Stanley Cup champion with Pittsburgh, the 26-year-old Murray ranks third all-time on the Penguins in victories (117) and shutouts (11). The rebuilding Senators desperately needed to address position after announcing last month they wouldn’t be offering a contract to 39-year-old Craig Anderson, while the health of backup netminder Anders Nilsson remains a big question mark.
Murray is set to become a restricted free agent Friday after completing a three-year, US$11.25-million contract.
“The acquisition of Matt Murray represents an important addition to our lineup,” Dorion said in a statement. “He’s a proven goaltender who has considerable high-pressure experience and someone who we’re certain will serve as an exceptional mentor to our young group of upcoming goaltenders. ”
There are plenty of big names available this year when free agency officially opens, but Rob Pizzo says plenty of teams may have new goalies when next season starts.
Unlike a number of teams pressed tight to the $81.5-million cap expected to stay put for some time because of the pandemic’s financial realities, Ottawa has both room and assets to manoeuvre if it sees fit.
The Senators entered Wednesday with nine picks remaining in the draft, including four second-round selections and two third-rounders after grabbing forward Tim Stuetzle at No. 3, defenceman Jake Sanderson at No. 5 and centre Ridly Greig at No. 28 on Tuesday.
After dealing for Murray, Ottawa selected Finnish winger Roby Jarventie at No. 33 before acquiring the 44th pick from the Toronto Maple Leafs for Nos. 59 and 64. The Senators used that slot to snag defenceman Tyler Kleven from the U.S. under-18 program and the University of North Dakota. Sanderson, fellow blue-liner Jacob Bernard-Docker, who Ottawa took at No. 26 in 2018, and centre Shane Pinto — the 32nd pick by the Senators in 2019 — are all members of the Fighting Hawks in U.S. college hockey.
“I honestly had no idea where I was going to go in the draft and I’m so thankful to be picked by Ottawa,” Kleven said on a video conference call with reporters. “I think that they really like the style of play here at North Dakota.”
Predators ship Bonino
After just two trades involving draft picks during Tuesday’s first round, Wednesday’s second deal involving established NHLers came down when the Nashville Predators shipped centre Nick Bonino and two 2020 picks (Nos. 37 and 70) to the Minnesota Wild for forward Luke Kunin and the 101st selection.
The Winnipeg Jets got some business of their own done earlier in the day by inking defenceman and pending unrestricted free agent Dylan DeMelo to a four-year, $12-million contract extension. The Jets acquired DeMelo from Ottawa prior to February’s trade deadline for a third-round pick (77th overall) this year.
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A native of Thunder Bay, Ont., Murray was selected 83rd overall by Pittsburgh in 2012. Over 199 career games, he has a record of 117-53-19 to go along with a .914 save percentage and a 2.67 goals-against average.
But he had a sub-par 2019-20, with a 20-11-5 mark, an .899 save percentage and a 2.87 GAA.
The writing was on the wall in Pittsburgh for Murray, who has also appeared in 51 career post-season contests, when the club signed fellow pending restricted free agent Tristan Jarry to a three-year, $10.5-million extension over the weekend.
“We would like to thank Matt for everything he’s done in his five seasons with the Penguins,” Pittsburgh GM Jim Rutherford said in a statement. “He was instrumental to our back-to-back Stanley Cup championships, and we wish him the best.”
Gruden, 20, played spent last season with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, where he recorded 30 goals and 66 points in 59 games. Selected 95th overall by Ottawa in 2018, Gruden played one season of U.S. college hockey with Miami University (Ohio), putting up three goals at 15 points in 38 games.
The past weekend of football was all about the favourites.
The favoured teams went 13-1 straight up and 10-4 against the spread in the NFL. In college football, the three most teams bet at the BetMGM Sportsbook in terms of number of bets and money all won and covered. All three were favourites.
Trends of the Week
The three most bet college teams that won and covered on Saturday were Ohio State (-3.5) vs. Penn State, Indiana (-7.5) at Michigan State and Oregon (-14.5) at Michigan. Penn State has now lost seven straight home games as underdogs. The Nittany Lions were up 10-0 in the first quarter and were 3.5-point favourites at the time. The Buckeyes won 17-10.
In the NFL, the three most bet teams in terms of number of bets and money were the Washington Commanders (-4) at the New York Giants, the Detroit Lions (-2.5) at the Green Bay Packers and the Buffalo Bills (-6) vs. the Miami Dolphins. All three teams won, but only two of the three covered the spread as Buffalo beat Miami 30-27.
When it came to the players with the most bets to score a touchdown on Sunday, only two of the five reached the end zone — Chase Brown (-125) and Taysom Hill (+185). David Montgomery (-140), Brian Robinson Jr. (+110) and AJ Barner (+500) did not score.
Upsets of the Week
The biggest upset in the NFL was the Carolina Panthers coming from behind to beat the New Orleans Saints 23-22. New Orleans closed as a 7-point favourite and took in 76% of the bets and 79% of the money in against-the-spread betting. The Saints fired head coach Dennis Allen following the loss. They have now lost seven straight games after starting the year 2-0.
Arguably the biggest upset in college football was South Carolina beating No. 10 Texas A&M 44-20 at home. Texas A&M closed as a 2.5-point favourite and took in 59% of the bets and 58% of the money.
NEW YORK – Washington Capitals left-wing Alex Ovechkin, Carolina Hurricanes centre Martin Necas and Pittsburgh Penguins centre Sidney Crosby have been named the NHL’s three stars of the week.
Ovechkin had a league-leading five goals and nine points in four games.
The 39-year-old Capitals captain has 14 points in 11 games this season, and his 860 career goals are just 34 shy of Wayne Gretzky’s record.
Necas shared the league lead with nine points (three goals, six assists) in three games.
Crosby factored on seven of the Penguins’ eight total goals scoring four goals and adding three assists in three appearances. The 37-year-old Penguins captain leads his team with 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 13 games this season.
Crosby and Ovechkin, longtime rivals since entering the league together in 2005-06, will meet for the 70th time in the regular season and 95th time overall when Pittsburgh visits Washington on Friday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 4, 2024.
TORONTO – Running back Brady Oliveira of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell are the finalists for the CFL’s outstanding player award.
Oliveira led the CFL in rushing this season with 1,353 yards while Mitchell was the league leader in passing yards (5,451) and touchdowns (32).
Oliveira is also the West Division finalist for the CFL’s top Canadian award, the second straight year he’s been nominated for both.
Oliveira was the CFL’s outstanding Canadian in 2023 and the runner-up to Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for outstanding player.
Defensive lineman Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund of the Montreal Alouettes is the East Division’s top Canadian nominee.
Voting for the awards is conducted by the Football Reporters of Canada and the nine CFL head coaches.
The other award finalists include: defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal linebacker Tyrice Beverette (outstanding defensive player); Saskatchewan’s Logan Ferland and Toronto’s Ryan Hunter (outstanding lineman); B.C. Lions kicker Sean Whyte and Toronto returner Janarion Grant (special teams); and Edmonton Elks linebacker Nick Anderson and Hamilton receiver Shemar Bridges (outstanding rookie).
The coach of the year finalists are Saskatchewan’s Corey Mace and Montreal’s Jason Maas.
The CFL will honour its top individual performers Nov. 14 in Vancouver.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 31.
