Player evaluation: Murray

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BRADY MURRAY

This season: 4 games, 1 goal, 0 assists, minus-2 rating.

Positives: Murray made his biggest strides during the summer and during training camp, when he impressed with his strong skating and work ethic and earned the No. 4 center role. Murray appeared in only four games with the Kings and, typical of a coach’s son, he played an intelligent game and was a bright figure in the dressing room.

Negatives: Size — Murray is listed at 5-foot-9, 180 pounds — will always be an issue for him to overcome, as will injuries, it seems. Beyond that, does Murray have enough offensive upside to justify giving him a roster spot compared to other prospects. If he makes it in the NHL, it will be because of his grit, not his scoring touch.

Looking ahead: Murray will probably enter training camp in roughly the same position as last year. He will have a chance to earn an energy-line role, but the competition will probably be even more fierce this time.

Contract situation: Signed through 2008-09 (cap number of $942,400 next season).

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