Syracuse Orangemen

by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Mar 5, 2011 10:37 PM PST in Chirping The Bench

ARTHUR:
It's a quiet and civil war of words brewing between Ducks GM Bob Murray and Syracuse Crunch owner Howard Dolgon, but it's hard not to read a growing enmity between the franchises in the dueling statements to the press.

Bob Murray's decision to put soon healthy forward Jason Jaffray and leave now healthy and recently acquired forward Joel Perrault with the Manitoba Moose-- and, of course, the statement, regarding Perrault, "why move him?" --seem insensitive, at best, to the cellar-dwelling Crunch.

So, is Bob Murray legitimately worried about the career of the 27 year old Perrault, the former 2001 5th round pick of the Mighty Ducks, who has made only one NHL assignment stick in 96 games played and eight years as a pro?

No, not likely. But does this subterfuge serve to hide some sinister intent to prolong the suffering or embarrassment of the Ducks' AHL franchise? No, also not likely.

Is it then possible that Murray has a gentleman's agreement with his former friends in the Canucks organization, the same friends who helped him place his prospects when he was without an affiliate last year?

Well, yeah, that kind of makes the most sense.

I'm not saying for sure that's what happened, and judging from the reaction of Crunch owner Howard Dolgon, if that is what happened, Murray isn't telling, but that motivation makes the most logical sense.

I can't believe that the development of Joel Perrault is more important to Murray than that of first rounder Kyle Palmieri, NHL part-timer Nick Bonino or second rounder Mat Clark. But the addition to the Vancouver lineup of Maxim Lapierre, and bolstering the Moose lineup with MacGregor Sharp, Jason Jaffray AND a returning Joel Perrault seems absolutely important to the development of Canucks first rounders Jordan Schroeder and Cody Hodgson.

Would it be a crime for Murray to repay old debts? No. And is a one-sided deal equivalent payment to the old boys network that helped him place Dan Sexton, Mat Clark and other key Ducks players last year? Maybe. Maybe that and more. Maybe they owe him one, now.

And yet, the anger from Crunch fans is palpable and understandable. Murray's comments, should you take them at face value, are troubling. But you can't really take Murray at face value.

He can't really be saying that the development of a single player is more important to him than the success, even short term, of the Crunch. Were he to say such a thing, were he to believe such a thing, he should be talking about first rounder Kyle Palmieri, NHL part-timer Nick Bonino or second rounder Mat Clark.

So I prefer to believe that Murray is thinking of the development of first rounders Jordan Schroeder and Cody Hodgson, repaying a favor to some old friends and perhaps looking to future trade deadlines, when a solid will need to be paid the other way.

But is it vital that he tell SOMEONE or put forth a viable and less inflammatory position before the press and for the sake of the affiliation?

Well, yeah, that kind of makes the most sense.

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Very good post

This really helps shed light on what’s probably really going on. Of course, we can’t be certain, but as you said, “it makes the most sense.”

I got a fever and the only prescription is more cowbell

by Natesaduck on Mar 5, 2011 11:38 PM PST reply actions

Crunch fans would greatly appreciate a comment from either the Ducks organization as a whole, or from Murray himself, that they/he hears Howard, hears us, and at least understands why we’re unhappy. Howard has reassured us several times that next year he knows the Ducks will do things different, but the Ducks have yet to say anything like that themselves. Given the recent war of words, I’m not exactly convinced the Ducks have actually said anything of the sort to Howard. Howard, I’m sure, realizes that he can’t come out and say that the Ducks haven’t guaranteed anything to him and that next season may be more of the same. His bottom line can’t take that, so he said what he needed to in order to reassure the fans: “Of course the Ducks will change things next year!”

However, I also believe that his most recent statement isn’t just to pacify the fans. Howard actually is, rightfully so, angry about this whole thing and is doing what he needs to do. Although I never believed Murray was intentionally screwing over Syracuse, I do believe that not placing those two players here has shown, whether he meant to or not, a lack of faith in a system that he himself helped to create. That is what frightens me the most.

It’s kind of like that old saying, only dine at a restaurant if the employees are willing to eat there, too. If the people behind the scenes show their faith in an establishment, then the customers are more willing to take a chance. Murray’s statements seem to indicate that he doesn’t believe in the Syracuse system’s ability to develop all of Anaheim’s players. If that’s true, logic would follow that the fans shouldn’t continue to spend money on the Crunch.

Now, granted, I hear Arthur’s argument that if that was so, Murray would have taken other players out of the system and put them elsewhere, too. So, yes, it probably is just a buddy-buddy system coming into play here. However, tell that to the Syracuse fan who has only watched 21 wins this year. Those two players could have absolutely helped Syracuse fans see some real hockey, could have absolutely been a guidance to the younger fellows who clearly need some help, and, most importantly, could have absolutely been a confidence builder for Crunch fans that we’re not forgotten about over here. That last was incredibly vital the relationship between the Crunch and the Ducks, and Murray blew it.

by Allokago on Mar 6, 2011 10:20 AM PST reply actions

In terms of it maybe being a buddy-buddy thing, I’d consider this your crash course in Bob Murray. He has refused to spend money at the NHL level, and has resorted to carrying two nickels hoping they can split time to cover the value of a dime.

At the AHL level, he’s also refused to spend money, specifically on AHL veterans, but it looks like his answer to that problem may be gaining favor with other franchises that might be able to send some AHL talent back his way in the future. In that sense, the rebuilding sense, an AHL talent dump isn’t too different from an NHL salary dump. In the NHL, a bad team is probably going to end the season without one of its star players in hopes of creating more maneuvering room for the rebuild. If this talent dump yields a similar response, then I don’t know why an AHL fan should be of a different mind than an NHL fan in that sense.

Don’t get me wrong. There are a thousand better ways to do things, and Murray is probably the only idiot that thinks this is effective and his comments are valid. But, as far as crash courses in Bob Murray, welcome to our pain.

Anaheim Calling

by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Mar 6, 2011 10:58 AM PST up reply actions

To clarify, I’m not defending Bob Murray; he’s mentally disabled. I’m saying, don’t look at what he’s saying, which is mean spirited and smacks of being mentally disabled, but look at what he’s doing, which also smacks of being mentally disabled, but is less mean spirited.

Anaheim Calling

by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Mar 6, 2011 11:06 AM PST up reply actions

That’s awesome.

by Allokago on Mar 6, 2011 4:15 PM PST up reply actions

Did Murray say that Perrault would be staying indefinitely? Could this just be a way to get the guy some playoff experience, then bring him over next year? Please forgive my ignorance of the situation.

by DavidBL on Mar 6, 2011 1:29 PM PST reply actions

As far as we know, he will be there until the end of the season. I would assume, and someone can correct me if I’m wrong, that Murray is planning on having him be NHL-ready next year. If he isn’t, I’d guess he would come to Syracuse for a bit.

But that does nothing for us now, which is what a lot of fans are looking at. We realize we’re not a playoff team, but we still have hockey to watch and fans coming to see games. Perrault’s presence would have given the fans something to see for their money. Murray’s words, at best, made it clear the Ducks have mostly called it quits on the Crunch season this year, while at worst made it sound as though it was the Crunch’s choice to be bound for an early summer. We can only work with what the Ducks give us, which obviously wasn’t a playoff contender.

by Allokago on Mar 6, 2011 4:19 PM PST up reply actions

Murray claims that some time on an AHL playoff team will “keep [Perrault’s] interest” going and be good for him. I guess that implies that Perrault is thinking about retiring? That would make sense. After five years as a pro, he finally played more than 15 games for an NHL squad, then they kept him an AHL player for the next season, so he went to Europe hoping to get more visibility, and now the Canucks have kept him an AHL player as well. If it’s NHL or bust, calling it quits at this point probably makes a lot of sense for Perrault.

Honestly, I’m not really sure what Murray is even trying to say regarding this situation.

Anaheim Calling

by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Mar 6, 2011 7:02 PM PST up reply actions

Good post Arthur, I agree. and am wearing my Palmieri (SYR) jersey to the game in their honor!!!!

Go Ducks

by Buick22 on Mar 6, 2011 2:32 PM PST reply actions

Thanks Buick! I’m trying to decide if I want one of the third jerseys. I love the look of the orange and the old-feel SYR on the front with the numbers. I’d go for a Laliberte, even though he isn’t in the system anymore. I really think Murray gave up a diamond in the rough there. It’s too bad…he was exciting to watch.

Heck, none of my game-worns are in any system now. One’s over in Germany playing and the other two are retired. It doesn’t matter to me :p.

by Allokago on Mar 6, 2011 4:21 PM PST up reply actions