Vegas Golden Knights give AHL franchise another gift for 2020-21

The Vegas Golden Knights have given the Henderson Silver Knights a veteran presence for the 2020-21 season.

Vegas Golden Knights General Manager Kelly McCrimmon announced on Friday that free agent defenseman Ryan Murphy has been signed to an AHL contract for next year.

Murphy joins defensemen Zack Hayes and Jake McLaughlin in being signed to AHL contracts for the 2020-21 season.

It is the first big move since the Henderson Silver Knights were born, with the Golden Knights set to benefit from having their own AHL franchise right on their front door.

Murphy will bring a wealth of experience to Henderson with him having racked up 195 games in parts of seven seasons in the American Hockey League, putting up 199 points (17 G, 102 A) to go with 90 PIM.

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He has also featured in 175 NHL games for the Carolina Hurricanes, the Minnesota Wild and the New Jersey Devils.

Murphy, who was drafted 12th overall by the Hurricanes in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, recorded eight goals and 35 assists for 43 points in the National Hockey League.

Most recently, the blueliner was plying his trade in the KHL for HC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk, where he was an Alternate Captain.

Murphy put up 22 PIM and 23 points (8 G, 15 A) in his lone season in Russia and will now return to North America ready for the 2020-21 AHL season.

Coming in at 5-11 and 181 lbs, Murphy will be a veteran presence on the blueline for the Silver Knights and could be a mentor for the orginzation’s glut of prospect D.

Murphy, who last played in the NHL in 2018-19 for the Devils, is only 27 so should be a good asset in the AHL and could take on a leadership role for Henderson.

Blessed with strong skating ability and impressive vision, Murphy reads the game well and can be a weapon on the power play with a quick release.

He could be an ideal partner for the likes of Dylan Coghlan or Nic Hague, who could begin the year in the AHL if they don’t crack the NHL roster out of Training Camp.

As far the Golden Knights go, they probably won’t see much of Murphy but they now have an established veteran in the building of their AHL franchise while they know he has the ability to play in the NHL should they need a last-minute call-up due to injuries.

Overall, while this transaction won’t grab the headlines, it is a solid signing for the Henderson Silver Knights who are preparing for their inaugural year in the American Hockey League.