Beleskey leaves Anaheim to become a Free Agent

Photo Credit - CSN Phily

Anaheim Ducks fans will be without forward Matt Beleskey as of July 1. The 27 year old immediately rejected the Ducks latest contract offer. The offer is being reported as a 4 year deal at a total of $16 million (avg. $4M)

After scoring a career best 22 goals, Beleskey has become a hot topic around the NHL. He's fresh off a career season and a solid playoff performance that'll give him a upgrade in salary. But $4M per season is almost pushing it for a player that's only scored 57 goals in 329 NHL Games.

Murray talked to reports after receiving the rejection from Beleskey. "I don't think there's anything else happening there," Murray said. "I'm very comfortable with the offer we made, we made a really good offer, and it’s just a part of hockey now.”

Murray said he had a deal in place to at the deadline, but felt he needed to keep him on the roster. Murray thought the trade would send the wrong message to the locker room and didn't want to do that. He wasn't ever sure Beleskey would resign in Anaheim, "I doubted it was going to work." Murray stated he feels that the Ducks "made a really fair offer and God bless him if he gets more." The Ducks organization and fans know that it's time to move forward. Murray did hint that if he couldn't sign Beleskey, he was open to trading his rights away.

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