image courtesy of BuffaloHockeyBeat

Fantasy Summary

Large winger with below-average speed. Needs to improve his skating, as he is not often in position to use his physical attributes. Improving puck skills.


Observations

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May 2023 – After spending 19 games with the Buffalo Sabres in 2021-2022, Murray did not receive a call-up from the Rochester Americans in 2022-2023. He played 71 games in the AHL, scoring 23 goals and 49 points in that span. He was third in team scoring behind only Lukas Rousek and Brandon Biro. At 6-5, he remains Rochester’s most productive power forward, utilizing his size, strength and physicality in the lower half of the offensive zone to amplify his team’s pressure. He has improved his mobility this season. As a result of greater quickness and better positioning, Murray has received an expanded role with the team, including additional penalty-killing duties. He currently has two goals and six points in six 2023 AHL postseason games thus far. He made a noteworthy impact in Rochester’s best-of-five series comeback against Syracuse after being down 2-0. His forechecking and physical contributions, including multiple fights, helped set the tempo for his team to rebound from their difficult start and ultimately advance to the North Division Final against Toronto. Kevin Wong

 

May 2022 – Murray spent the majority of the 2021-2022 season in the AHL, interrupted only by three stints in the NHL, the lengthiest of which occurred between late November and January 2021. He made his NHL debut on October 31, 2021 against the Los Angeles Kings but was held off the scoresheet. He then spent the next three weeks with the Rochester Americans, scoring in six out of the seven games played in that stretch and amassing six goals along with one assist. His return to the NHL in late November was met with immediate success, as he tallied points in back-to-back games against Detroit and Seattle on November 27 and 29, respectively. Between November 26, 2021 and January 22, 2022, Murray spent the majority of his time with the Buffalo Sabres, playing in 18 NHL games, scoring six points, and averaging 13:05 of ice time per game. He returned to the AHL for the remainder of the season beginning on January 28 against Syracuse. In 41 AHL matches upon his return, Murray scored nine goals and 24 regular season points with an average ice time hovering between 16 and 18 minutes per game. The Americans are currently in the second round of the 2022 Calder Cup Playoffs, having advanced past Belleville in the first round. Murray has three points in three consecutive playoff games thus far to begin his postseason campaign. Kevin Wong

July 2020 – The Sabres did indeed end up signing Murray on July 31. Jokke Nevalainen

June 2020 – Murray didn’t get signed by the June first deadline, making him a free agent.  Jokke Nevalainen

 

April 2020 – Murray is still a young prospect, but he possesses quite a few deficiencies that will make his road to the NHL difficult. His skating and puck skills are currently insufficient for the NHL. His size is his allure. He plays a slow, plodding game. Lately, he has spent some time alongside winger Remi Elie in a checking role. As an AHL rookie this season, he scored nine goals and 24 points in 55 games with the Rochester Americans. After a hot start to the season with three goals and 14 points in the first 15 games, he scored just 10 points in his next 40 matches. Kevin Wong

November 2019 – Brett Murray has been lighting up the lamp this season for the Rochester Americans. In 13 appearances, Murray has managed to tally two goals and nine assists. Murray has been spending the majority of his time with Porter and Oglevie. His presence on their line has been a good one. In fact, Oglevie has a four-game goal streak. With Murray excelling in the AHL, perhaps the Sabres will award Murray with an NHL contract at the season’s end. Josh Tessler

 

May 2019 –  After a few initial slow years playing for Penn State in the NCAA, Brett Murray decided to switch it up back to the USHL with the Youngstown Phantoms where he dominated league play in the 2018-2019 season, putting up 76 points in 62 games this year. He led the entire USHL with 41 goals this year and proved he has more to do in hockey. At 6-4, his dominance in a lower-lever league is more or less expected. Still, seeing him showcase some legitimate offensive upside is a promising sign. His frame should give him a slight advantage as he translates to pro, but expect a healthy dose of seasoning in the AHL or ECHL before pushing for a Sabres spot. Marcus Griep

Attributes
Fantasy Upside 5.5
NHL Certainty 7.0
Country CAN
Position LW
Roster Type Minors
Shoot/Glove Left
Date of Birth July 20, 1998
Height 6‘5”
Weight 227 lbs
Drafted 2016 Round 4; Overall: 99

Stats

 Season Team League GP G A TP PIM      Playoffs GP G A TP PIM 
 2012-2013 Toronto Nationals U15 AAAGTHL U15- - -- -|        
  Toronto Nationals U15 AAABig Nickel U145 0 11 0|        
 2013-2014 Brampton 45's U16 AAASCTA U1640 12 1527 18|Playoffs5 0 11
 2014-2015 The Hill Academy U16 PrepU16 AAA66 40 4787 -|        
 2015-2016 Carleton Place CanadiansCCHL48 14 3246 16|Playoffs16 5 813
  Carleton Place CanadiansFred Page Cup4 1 34 0|        
  Carleton Place CanadiansRBC Cup4 1 12 2|        
  Canada East U19WJAC-195 2 02 4|        
 2016-2017 Youngstown PhantomsUSHL27 7 1320 22|        
  Penn State Univ.NCAA12 0 11 4|        
 2017-2018 Penn State Univ.NCAA21 1 56 23|        
 2018-2019 Youngstown PhantomsUSHL62 41 3576 35|Playoffs2 1 01
 2019-2020 Rochester AmericansAHL55 9 1524 10|        
 2020-2021 Buffalo SabresNHL2 0 00 0|        
  Rochester AmericansAHL27 9 1120 23|        
 2021-2022 Buffalo SabresNHL19 2 46 23|        
  Rochester AmericansAHL52 15 1732 35|Playoffs10 3 36
 2022-2023 Rochester AmericansAHL71 23 2649 46|Playoffs14 4 610 13 
 2023-2024 Buffalo SabresNHL2 0 00 2|        
  Rochester AmericansAHL52 17 1532 29|        

Highlights