PITTSBURGH – Two-time Stanley Cup-champion goaltender Matt Murray of Thunder Bay is on his way to Ottawa.
The veteran netminder, who led the Penguins to Cup wins in 2016 and 2017, was traded for the No. 52 pick in the 2020 National Hockey League entry draft and centre Jonathan Gruden, a fourth-round pick of the Senators in 2018.
Murray spent five seasons with the Penguins, compiling a 118-54-20 record with a 2.66 goals against average and .914 save percentage.
However, the emergence of Tristan Jarry in 2019-20 made the 26-year-old expendable. The Senators who went with the trio of Marcus Hogberg, Anders Nilsson and Craig Anderson this past season, were happy to take him off the Penguins hands.
"The acquisition of Matt Murray represents an important addition to our lineup," said Ottawa general manager Pierre Dorion in a release issued on Wednesday by the team.
"He's a proven goaltender who has considerable high-pressure experience and someone who we're certain will serve as a exceptional mentor to our young group of upcoming goaltenders."
Pittsburgh general manager Jim Rutherford praised Murray for helping the team win its fourth and fifth titles.
"We would like to thank Matt for everything he's done in his five seasons with the Penguins," said Rutherford. "He was instrumental to our back-to-back Stanley Cup championships, and we wish him the best."
Murray, a restricted free agent this off-season, was the 83rd overall choice of the Penguins in 2012. His arrival led to the eventual departure of future hall-of-famer Marc-Andre Fleury, but his play dipped this past season. In 38 games he had a 2,87 goals against average and a career low .899 save percentage.
The Penguins were knocked out of the playoffs in the play-in round in three games by the Montreal Canadiens.
