Ryan Murphy will look to bring his unique offensive skill set to the Hurricane’s blue line for the 2013-2014 season. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

The player who is currently leading the way as far as Canes’ prospects is defenseman Ryan Murphy. Murphy was drafted in the first round, 12th overall, by the Hurricanes in 2011. He shows the ability to be a great puck moving offensive defenseman. What he lacks in size and defensive ability he makes up for in speed and scoring ability. Murphy is a product of the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League who was taken 3rd overall in the 2009 OHL draft. Throughout his junior career he established himself as a scoring threat and a leader as he captained the Rangers during their 2012 campaign.

As a 16 year old rookie in the OHL, Murphy accounted for 6 goals and 33 assists in 62 games. He broke out as an outstanding scoring defenseman in his second season with Kitchener in which he amassed 26 goals and 63 assists for 79 points in 62 games. He made the Hurricane’s NHL roster his first year with the team but was reassigned to Kitchener for another year less than two weeks later. After being reassigned to his junior team for the 2011-2012 season, and after sustaining a severe concussion, Murphy finished the year with 11 goals and 43 assists for 54 points in 49 games.

Going into the 2012-2013 NHL season, Murphy was expected to make a strong push for a roster spot with the Hurricanes. Again, he fell just short. He was reassigned to play out another season with the Kitchener Rangers in which he recorded 6 goals and 33 assists for 39 points in 62 games. During the Hurricane’s 2012-2013 season, the team’s blue line was ravaged by injuries causing the young defenseman to be recalled from Kitchener on an emergency basis. He made his NHL debut while playing in four games for the Canes and had a plus/minus rating of minus 4 with 7 shots before being returned to Kitchener. Murphy was also a member of the Canadian under 18 team at the 2011 World Championships and a member of the Canadian under 20 team at the 2013 World Championships.

After the Kitchener Rangers were eliminated from the 2012-2013 OHL playoffs, Murphy joined the Hurricane’s AHL affiliate the Charlotte Checkers and appeared in three regular season games as well as all five of the Checker’s playoff games. During that span he recorded 4 assists with a plus 2 plus/minus rating. He also showed flashes of the great speed and ability to jump in on the offensive rush during those eight games. Ryan Murphy is expected to once again make a strong push for a NHL roster spot with the Canes in the upcoming campaign; if he can live up to his potential, the Hurricanes will have a scoring threat on the blue line for years to come.

Yesterday’s Playoff Games

• The Boston Bruins were down by one going into the third period, but at the end of regulation they had won the game over the New York Rangers, 2-1. Johnny Boychuk scored his second goal in the same amount of games and Daniel Paille scored the game-winner with less than four minutes left. Paille also had an assist, while Taylor Pyatt scored the lone Ranger goal. The Bruins now lead the series 3-0.
• The San Jose Sharks kept their unbeaten streak at home by beating the Los Angeles Kings, 2-1. Brent Burns and Logan Couture scored the first two goals of the game for the Sharks. Mike Richards scored in the third to cut the deficit to one, but the Sharks held on to win the game. Antti Niemi made 23 saves for the win. The series is tied at two games-a-piece.

Today’s Schedule

Eastern Conference

• #1 Pittsburgh Penguins at #7 Ottawa Senators, 7:30 ET, NBC Sports Network, Penguins lead series 2-1

Last summer, Rutherford made the draft-day trade for Jordan Staal. It’s too early to tell who won the trade, but the Hurricanes have to be happy with Staal on the roster. He helps the defense, winning face-offs and gives the Canes a second-line center. But it was a smaller decision that would end up hurting the Hurricanes more.

Jim Rutherford did not replace the play of Bryan Allen last offseason. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Rutherford let Bryan Allen enter free agency, where he eventually signed with the Anaheim Ducks. Allen did not play such an important role that he needed to be re-signed, but his defensive play needed to be replaced. Instead, Rutherford signed ex-Hurricane Joe Corvo when there was already enough offensive defensemen on the roster. In one small free agency signing Rutherford made a move that would hurt his team.

When Cam Ward was injured, Rutherford said he would not trade for a goalie and Dan Ellis and Justin Peters would take over the net. This may have been the right move, since another goalie would cost assets in a trade, but the Philadelphia Flyers got Steve Mason for a third-round pick, which maybe would have been a better option for the Canes. Mason had a 4-2 record with the Flyers, the same amount of wins as Peters and only two less than Ellis.

Rutherford made a few errors in the past year, that he cannot make again this year. This summer Rutherford needs to add defensive defensemen and bottom six forwards to his team. There is no need for a big addition like Staal or Alexander Semin. The things that need to be changed are minor additions and as long as Rutherford acts accordingly, he can set up his team for a better season next year.