When forward Scott Walker went down this week with the hand injury, one of the names tossed around as a possible replacement was Matt Murley, who was in the Canes' training camp before being sent to the Albany River Rats.
Murley no longer is an option. General manager Jim Rutherford said Murley left the River Rats today, is headed to Russia to play in the Continental Hockey League (KHL), and has been suspended.
Murley signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Hurricanes last month.
"We talked about it for a few days, he asked if we would release him from his contract and we wouldn't," Rutherford said. "We signed him to a contract and expected him to fullfill that commitment.
"Matt had a good camp for us and we viewed him as a depth guy. We had no second thoughts about playing him if we needed him, so this is a setback.
"We've taken this up with the league."
The NHL and KHL have been at odds over the hockey defection of Nashville Predators forward Alexander Radulov. Under contract to the Predators, Radulov signed a three-year deal with Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the KHL in July.
Radulov has been found in breach of contract by the International Ice Hockey Federation and has been suspended without pay by the Predators. The NHL has sought arbitration by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland, but the KHL has not agreed to it.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
Another river?
Mon, 10/13/2008 - 07:07 — Mermaid (not verified)As far as I know he left for "Amur" - the team named after the river on the Far East.
So, the "river rat" left one river for another. What's the hell up?
Malkin?
Thu, 10/09/2008 - 19:46 — Anonymous (not verified)interesting how the reaction depends on how it affects your favorite team. Evgeni Malkin was under contract in Russia but the NHL had no problem when he skipped out of that to come to the USA. they reportedly even helped him fight the legal maneuvering from the Russian side.
It's a business and if you think any NHL team wouldn't run over their mother for a buck you need to pull your head out of the sand......good luck Matt.
There's a difference
Tue, 10/28/2008 - 08:35 — Anonymous (not verified)Malkin's case is different. In Russia, you can resign from the contract to get out of it which he did. Here, you can't do that.
Can you blame him?
Thu, 10/09/2008 - 15:41 — Anonymous (not verified)I cant say I blame the kid. This team contacted him before he signed with the Canes, and are now desperate with a record of 4-12-1 (actually 3 wins, 1 shootout win, 1 shootout loss, 12 losses). From a desperate russian team, he was probably offered 10-20x what he was slated to make playing for Albany ($125,000). The money he got for going to Russia, he probably would have never made again playing in North America. Especially continuing to play in the AHL. He would probably have to play 5-10 years in the AHL to match what he will make in 1 season with this russian team. He is a borderline NHLer, more likely a career AHLer. Albany isnt the best AHL team. His stats probably would have taken a hit (he lead San Antonio in points last season, career year 63 points). And he probably would not be as appealing to the Russia club next year. It really probably was the best decision for himself. Again, I cant blame him.
My Friends ??
Thu, 10/09/2008 - 08:52 — esteban1949It appears that i do not have any here...and to be honest...I really don't give a flying fig, what yall think of or about me...
as in the world of hockey...no one here has any say...except
Chip...and if it wasn't for Chip and company...No One here would have a place to have a say...And besides...this forum...is covered by the First Amendment...but the people who wrote that weren't popular with alot of folks either...were they ? Enjoy the rest of your week,your families...and making people feel welcome to YOUR Home...
Just for the record...some of you sound as warm and welcoming as Putin is to people who disaagree with him...But like all of you...I too have a back pocket or two on my jeans...along with My blessed assurance" & opinions...
Go Canes !
Common Sense People
Wed, 10/08/2008 - 21:42 — Anonymous (not verified)I'm sure Esteban you would leave your fryolator job at McDonalds if Burger King offered you double the pay eventhough you pledged your allegiance to Ronald.
Fry cooks under contract?
Thu, 10/09/2008 - 10:13 — JRs_FaultNot a great comparison... nobody signs a contract to flip burgers... Murley signed one and should be held do it. The base problem here is there's no formal agreement between the NHL & KHL to honor each other's contracts, much less a transfer agreement.
Also, the IIHL has no jurisdiction... they can't "find Radulov in breach of contract"... they merely issued an opinion.
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2008/10/01/hockey-radulov-iihl-ruling.html
That's why there is still a need for arbitration, which Russia won't agree to. The irony here is that now Radulov is reported to want out of the KHL.... guess the ice isn't always colder on the other side, eh?
Murley
Wed, 10/08/2008 - 20:18 — Anonymous (not verified)It sounds as if the Canes were not exactly giving him a chance. He scored a goal in the Flyers game and is immediately sent down. Not sure what I would have done but the money they offer can support your family for life. Can’t say that about an AHL contract.
They gave him a chance, but
Thu, 10/09/2008 - 06:18 — FuquayCaniacThey gave him a chance, but it became a numbers game (as it always does this time of year). With an extremely limited amount of open spots on the roster, who else would you send down? His contract was for 500K NHL, 100K AHL, 125K guarenteed. Seems quite good for his tallents.
Also, the coaches and staff look at a players entire game. Scoring one goal on a preseason game may get you a second look, but it is only one piece of the much bigger picture.
It was his choice to sign a
Wed, 10/08/2008 - 22:06 — Anonymous (not verified)It was his choice to sign a two-way deal. Once you sign it is your obligation to honor the contract you signed.
Given the Hurricanes willingness to forgive and forget... He'll probably be playing for the 'Canes to start the '09-'10 season...
He is a punk! Good riddance!
He should have spoken to
Wed, 10/08/2008 - 19:25 — FuquayCaniacHe should have spoken to Babchuck before he left. Maybe Babs would have convinced him to stay.
Murley
Wed, 10/08/2008 - 16:59 — Lou (not verified)I remember reading some article when he signed with the Canes that he turned down other offers so that he could be close to his family in Albany and that was more important than money. I guess he was just a big liar. Hopefully that was the last bridge he's burnt and won't be back in the NHL.
matt murley
Sat, 10/11/2008 - 15:23 — Scott Murley (not verified)actualy when he signed with the canes he was told he was to be the first call up from the rats...then canes had injuries and Matt was sent down??? hhhmmmm who didnt hold up their end of the contract???
Albany will miss his points this year no matter what you say about him...
matt murley
Sat, 10/11/2008 - 15:21 — Scott Murley (not verified)actualy when he signed with the canes he was told he was to be the first call up from the rats...then canes had injuries and Matt was sent down??? hhhmmmm who didnt hold up their end of the contract???
Albany will miss his points this year no matter what you say about him...
it's a Good thing
Wed, 10/08/2008 - 15:58 — esteban1949I didn't see or was near him...as I'd make sure he'd eat his Borsche with a straw...glad he's gone...good riddens..we need players that are honest,and reliable...he has shown he's not to be trusted ...I was taught as a child...If your word aint no good...you aint no good...but what do i know about maturity or integrity...
You are dupeable spring
Mon, 10/13/2008 - 06:34 — Old cock (not verified)You are dupeable spring chicken!
Is Malkin "honest and reliable"? And what about Fedorov? Mogilny? Zherdev? etc. etc.
They all are alike. Russians gave him 10 times more then he would made with Rats. This is kind of "offer one cannot refuse"
And ... he gives a rat's ass to his contract with Carolina.
Esteban
Wed, 10/08/2008 - 22:59 — AD (not verified)I am so sick of you!! Sadly, you are inescapable. You post every damned day.