Veteran free-agent forward Glen Murray will have additional ankle surgery on November 11th. It's the same ankle that was surgically repaired in Boston in April.
This follow up surgery, according to Murray's agent Anton Thun is to repair a secondary injury that Murray did not become fully aware of until September when he started to feel pain.
Following initial surgery at the end of last season, the Boston Bruins opted to buy the 35-year old Murray out of the final year of his contract, paying two-thirds, or $2.76 million of the $4.1 million owing.
Murray is physically unable to play and because the secondary injury was discovered after the buyout he and Thun are conducting an investigation to prove this injury is pre-existing and should have prohibited the Bruins from buying him out.
Thun stated at the time of the buyout that Murray did not know the nature of his injury which is why it wasn't raised. Murray continued to receive treatment in Boston, but this treatment did not solve the problem, leading to further investigation in to why he was feeling pain and the subsequent decision additional surgery is required to address a separate issue in the ankle.
Murray is expected to file a grievance with the National Hockey League Players Association and according to Thun it is possible an arbitrator could challenge the buyout and award the former Bruin full payment rather than the two-thirds he will receive over a two year period.
Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli discussed the issue with the Boston Herald, but stated that the Bruins handled the buyout in accordance of NHL rules.
"Yes, there's an issue there," Chiarelli told the BOSTON HERALD. "I haven't seen all the facts on what they're claiming, but they are claiming we bought him out improperly. Outside of one letter from his agent, that's all I've heard. We've done everything according to the CBA and the standard players contract, so I don't think there's going to be an issue."
A two-time NHL All-Star, Murray scored 17 goals and added 13 assists in 63 games with the Bruins last season. He missed 19 games with a hip flexor injury. In 1009 career games, Murray has 337 and 314 assists.
