Former Bruins How good was Glen Murray?

[Ladyfan]

I saw this somewhere...

All in all, Glen Murray, in my opinion, is a guy that doesn’t get nearly enough respect from current Bruin fans. He was a great player for the Bruins in the early 2000s in a retooling era that eventually led to Boston’s first Cup since 1972. Is he a Bruins legend with the likes of Bourque, Neely, Orr, or Esposito? Probably not, but he was an excellent player, and I don’t think people of my generation appreciate him for what he was.

 

[Ladyfan]

ByLA Kings
LAKings.com
October 13, 2022

The LA Kings have promoted Nelson Emerson (Assistant General Manager), Glen Murray (Senior Director of Player Personnel) and Derik Johnson (Skills Coach), along with the addition of Andy Johnson (U.S. Scout) to the amateur scouting staff, Shane Bennett (Data Engineer) to the research and development group, and Sara Hickmann as Director of Mental Performance and Clinical Services. In addition, Aaron Cooney has been named Manager of Hockey Communications and Justin Cummings is the Hockey Communications Specialist.

Glen Murray
Murray has held multiple roles in the Player Development department dating back to 2016, most recently serving as Director of Player Development since 2018. The former Kings forward joined the front office on a part-time basis in 2011-12 during the club's first Stanley Cup championship season. After four-plus seasons as a consultant, he formally joined the Player Development department in 2016. A native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Murray played 16 seasons in the NHL including his time with the Kings from 1996-02. He played in 1,009 regular-season games and recorded 651 points (337-314=651) with Los Angeles, Boston and Pittsburgh. A two-time All-Star, Murray recorded a career-high in 2002-03 with 44 goals, 48 assists and 92 points in 82 games. He scored as many as 28 goals in a season five different times including a team-high 29 goals with the Kings during the 1997-98 season. His 41 goals in 2001-02 were second-most in the NHL.

 

[CharasLazyWrister]

I've been a Bruins fan since the early 90's, but I can't honestly say I was doing any sort of "evaluating" of players probably until high school (early to mid 2000's). So I really only saw Murray during his "second" tour.

Quite frankly, I don't think he had much at all in the way of assets other than his quick release shot. He benefited hugely from Thornton in putting up decent stats (especially the 92 point year). But it should be mentioned that (much like the reputation Joe got), playoff runs became next to impossible when Glen Murray was relied on as your top goal scorer. Among other issues, of course.

By his last year, it seemed like everything was down the drain. Yes, he was basically immobile by that point (after being a below average skater his entire career), but I remember going to a game at the Garden against the Sens in the 2007-2008 season where Muzz's sole contribution to the game was standing still at the offensive blue line and missing every single pass that came his way. Killed plays better than anyone I've ever seen. It was truly incredible to watch how bad he had become. What's also amazing is that he played in all seven games of the (memorable) first round in the playoffs that year. I went to game 6 and religiously watched every single second of that series and have zero memories of his existence for any of the series.

In short, I was never a "fan" of him beyond the inherent fandom that came from being a Bruins fan. As much as people complain about coaches trying to force "skill" players into more rounded roles, ultra one-dimensional players like Murray just don't do it for me. As soon as the scoring dries up, they're a liability.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

I believe he was the only Bruin to play with the Neely and Bourque Bruins and Bergeron Lucic Bruins.

 

[Ladyfan]

Maybe someday his son will be in the NHL. He looks like his Dad

 

[Ladyfan]

Not in the locker room, but even the least bit of research would tell you that @Ladyfan has season tickets right next to the Bruins bench. As such, she probably has more insight into the players personalities and relationships to each other than anyone not affiliated with the team. Ignore her knowledge at your peril.

Thanks.

 

[DKH]

I liked him, but his second tour here will forever remind me that the Bruins refused to pay Jason Allison and traded him.

Where I’m at 100 % ~ basically the Bruins sent up the white flag

most perfect rod hockey player ever - up and down wing, not physical, big body, big shot, nice guy super upbeat

 

[DaaaaB's]

I liked him, but his second tour here will forever remind me that the Bruins refused to pay Jason Allison and traded him.

Where I’m at 100 % ~ basically the Bruins sent up the white flag

most perfect rod hockey player ever - up and down wing, not physical, big body, big shot, nice guy super upbeat

I hated the trade when it was made but it was a win for Boston in the long run. Besides Allison running into injury problems, we also traded Stumpel back to LA two years later for draft picks including one used to select Martin Karsums who we all know was traded with Matt Lashoff for Mark Recchi and a 2nd Rd pick that was then traded to Florida for Dennis Seidenberg.

 

[TheReal13Linseman]

40 goals twice and 30 even strength goals twice in that era is very underrated. He was a big part of Thornton breaking out, Savard's 96 point season, and he had a big hand in bringing the team together in 07/08. Shots like his were rare before composite sticks took over, he could score from anywhere.

Absolutely loved Glen as a player. Terrific hands, silky and buttery. Could really shoot the puck. Often looked like he was moving in slow motion but before you knew it, the puck was off his blade and in the net. Wish we had a few guys like him now, that’s for sure.

 

[Ladyfan]

Absolutely loved Glen as a player. Terrific hands, silky and buttery. Could really shoot the puck. Often looked like he was moving in slow motion but before you knew it, the puck was off his blade and in the net. Wish we had a few guys like him now, that’s for sure.

I was waiting for your reply.

His son Parker is playing college hockey. See post #55...big kid

 

[SPV]

I was looking at the current NHL and trying to find a guy that I thought was a good comparison, and I think it’s Tyler Toffoli.
Looking at their career stats, both guys average 27 goals, 26 assists per 82 games, so pretty spot on.

 

[TheReal13Linseman]

I was waiting for your reply.

His son Parker is playing college hockey. See post #55...big kid

You and I are Glen’s biggest fans here, I think, Susan . Loved him.

Wish his son were in BU red rather than Cornell red, but I wish him well, ofc.

Watching these playoffs makes me sad at how far we are away

But, like a lot of us I suppose, rooting for Brad, another guy we both love, to get another Cup.

Hope you and yours are well. See you in Boston next season.

 

[rfournier103]

One of the better goal-scorers the bruins ever drafted. Maybe the best one besides Pastranak. I remember Murray being called up from the Sudbury Wolves and scoring in his first game as a pro. It was a mistake to ever trade him since goal-scoring has been a problem for the bruins for most of the last 40 years.

I loved the guy.

 

[Ladyfan]

You and I are Glen’s biggest fans here, I think, Susan . Loved him.

Wish his son were in BU red rather than Cornell red, but I wish him well, ofc.

Watching these playoffs makes me sad at how far we are away

But, like a lot of us I suppose, rooting for Brad, another guy we both love, to get another Cup.

Hope you and yours are well. See you in Boston next season.

There were a few others as well. Folks at the Garden liked Muzz. I believe @smithformeragent was a fan too.

I hope all is well with you and your family! Kids must be growing up fast.