Today the Nashville Predators announced the signing of defenseman Trevor Murphy to a three-year entry level contract.

Press Release via Nashville Predators:

Nashville, Tenn. (September 17, 2015) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced Thursday that the team has signed defenseman Trevor Murphy to a three-year entry-level contract.

Murphy, 20 (7/17/95), has spent the past four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League split between the Peterborough Petes (2011-12) and the Windsor Spitfires (2012-15), amassing 140 points (42g-98a) and 296 penalty minutes in 235 games. Serving as an alternate captain for his hometown Spitfires in 2014-15, the Windsor, Ont., native ranked third among OHL defensemen in goals (24), tied for fourth in points (63) and ranked fifth in assists (39). The 5-10, 175 pounder was also one of just two OHL blueliners to post at least 40 points and 100 penalty minutes during the campaign.

A teammate of Predators forward Austin Watson with Peterborough in 2011-12, Murphy attended Predators Development Camp in July, Rookie Camp last week, and is currently in attendance at Training Camp.

This is a solid signing for the Predators organization. And one that appears to be his former general manager’s worst nightmare. Murphy has put up great offensive numbers throughout his time in the Ontario Hockey League with both the Peterborough Petes and Windsor Spitfires but really exploded in the 2014-15 season: 63 points (24 goals, 39 assists) in 59 games. Grain of salt with last season is a plus/minus of -15 and 105 penalty minutes.

The addition of Murphy it creates a situation that should have fans in Cincinnati very excited. Last season was a slight defensive log jam. This season more than trumps it. Without naming Murphy the Admirals are already slated to have the likes of Anthony Bitetto, Conor Allen, Taylor Aronson, Johan Alm, Jonathan Diaby, Jimmy Oligny, Garrett Noonan, Jaynen Rissling, Mikko Vainonen, and Kristian Näkyvä as options on defense. To put it bluntly, our losses in Milwaukee are Cincinnati’s gain this season – and the gain should be pretty solid.

Thinking about this as a long term project, as this is a three-year entry level contract, it is also a smart move. Defensemen whose contracts are set to expire after this season include all but Diaby, Rissling, and Vainonen. The bulk on the out are RFA’s while Allen, Aronson, Bitetto, and Oligny will become UFA’s. No matter who stays and who goes the Predators just brought in one solid project that will be in the organization. It’s been awhile since the Admirals in particular have had a defenseman who could really load up on offense. Murphy could be that guy before a potential leap up into the NHL.

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