Five Best Trades Of The Bryan Murray Era
5. Acquired the 15th overall pick (Erik Karlsson) from Nashville for the 18th (Chet Pickard) and 70th (Taylor Beck) overall picks
Apr 5, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman
Erik Karlsson(65) carries the puck during the shootout against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Ottawa 3-2 in an overtime shootout. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
This has to be his best trade yet. Murray and his scouts specifically targeted Karlsson as their guy, and they moved up three spots to make sure they got him. At the time it didn’t seem like the sexy pick, but of course as we know now it was one of the best if not the best draft pick in Senators history. So while some of the other trades he made were for simply draft spots, this trade was different.
He was trading for a spot in the draft yes, but he knew exactly who he wanted. Apparently the Anaheim Ducks also wanted Karlsson, but they had to settle for Jake Gardiner just two picks later. Murray wanted a certain player in the draft, and he got him. The fact that he turned into the best player in franchise history has to easily make this the best trade that Murray has ever made as GM of the Senators.