Terry Murray takes job in Buffalo; Flyers still searching for assistants
Terry Murray was hoping to be named an assistant with the Flyers, but instead took a similar post Thursday with Buffalo, joining new coach Dan Bylsma's staff.
The classy Murray has been a head coach with the Flyers, Washington, Florida and Los Angeles. He was a candidate to be a Flyers assistant, and would have been a good choice to help new coach Dave Hakstol make the transition from the NCAA to the NHL.
Murray, 64, will step down as the Lehigh Valley Phantoms head coach. Lehigh Valley assistant Riley Cote and perhaps Ian Laperriere are among the candidates to become the Phantoms head coach. Laperriere is currently a Flyers assistant.
Contacted at his home in Maine, Murray said he met recently with Hakstol and spent five hours talking hockey with him."He's a great guy and I was excited to meet him," Murray said. "We had lunch and did a lot of talking. I was hoping something good happened from it."
Murray said he was excited to join up-and-coming Buffalo, but admitted he would have stayed with the Flyers if they had offered him a job as an assistant.
"I've always considered the Flyers my team," said Murray, who played with the Flyers in the 1970s and 1980s. "I have a lot of gratitude for the Flyers."
Flyers general manager Ron Hextall thanked Murray for his years of service and wished him "nothing but the best in Buffalo."
Sabres GM Tim Murray is Terry's nephew.
Hextall said he would take his time in deciding what is best for the Phantoms, adding that he will address it further on Friday. Hextall will have a news conference Friday that centers around the June 26-27 NHL draft.
The Flyers have the seventh and 29th picks in the first round, and seven selections in the first four rounds.
Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.