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Sabres hire Tim Murray as new GM

Chris Caya/WBFO News

The Buffalo Sabres have hired former Ottawa Senators assistant GM Tim Murray to be the team's new general manager.

Murray emerged as one of the finalists for the job in Sabres President of Hockey Operations Pat LaFontaine's two-month search process to replace Darcy Regier, who was fired in November.

Sabres.Murray.announcementWEB.MP3
Listen to Thursday's news conference from First Niagara Center

Murray spent the past seven seasons working for the Senators, and has 20 years of NHL experience after breaking in as a scout with Detroit in 1993.

"He's paid his dues. He's done everything in the game. He's done a great job developing hockey players," said LaFontaine.

Murray is the nephew of Senators general manager Bryan Murray, who has mentored him throughout his career. Along with Ottawa, Murray has served various roles in the Anaheim Ducks, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings and Florida Panthers organizations.

"It's a real serious job and the right situation and the right time for me," Murray said at an introductory news conference Thursday morning at First Niagara Center. "I'm extremely happy that I've been given this opportunity."

Murray, 50, was born in Shawville, Quebec. He brings a wife and three children to Buffalo. The veteran talent evaluator talked about his philosophy coming into the job.

"You build a team through the draft. Good drafting allows you to trade well, and then you use free agency to put you over the top. That's my philosophy," Murray said.

Asked about the future of pending free agent goaltender Ryan Miller and others, Murray said there are decisions to be made and he expects the phones to "ring off the hooks."

"The market dictates that," Murray said. "If there's a market and it makes sense... This team's in last place right now. Everybody can be traded."

Regarding the status of interim head coach Ted Nolan, Murray said he will work to establish a relationship with Nolan and his staff and go from there.

"He's the coach right now. Whatever happens going forward will determine everything else. There's no preconceived notions. He's the coach of the hockey team and I'm looking forward to getting to know him," Murray said.

Hockey Hall of Famer Craig Patrick, a longtime general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins, has also been hired as a special assistant and advisor to the hockey department. He was named Sporting News NHL Executive of the Year three times in the 1990s as he helped guide the Penguins to two Stanley Cup championships.

"It's great to be part of this family," Patrick said. "This is going to be fun and I'm really anxious to get started."

Patrick has spent the last two years serving as senior advisor to the Columbus Blue Jackets' front office.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report

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