Bob Murray Out as GM of Ducks, Jeff Solomon Named as Interim Replacement.

Following reports yesterday that Anaheim Ducks GM Bob Murray was being placed on administrative leave pending results of an investigation into allegations of abuse, it was announced today that he would be resigning his position and entering an alcohol-related substance abuse program (reported by Elliotte Friedman of SportsNet). The resignation comes as no surprise as many accounts of Murray’s countenance have begun to surface on social media after the original report of an investigation. Greg Wyshynski, a senior writer for ESPN tweeted,

Texts from long-time NHL team exec about Ducks GM Bob Murray: His managerial style has always been "negativity" and adds, colorfully, "he’s an asshole and got caught."
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) November 10, 2021

Darren Dreger also spoke about the situation today on Insider Trading, per @NHL_Watcher,

Dreger on Insider Trading: "It sounds like, according to source, that the allegations are based on how Bob Murray, GM of the Anaheim Ducks, dealt with coaches, staff members, the threatening of job security, allegations of aberration, that type of behaviour"
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) November 9, 2021

The investigation and resignation come on the heels of the Blackhawks sexual abuse scandal. Many around the league believe that was what forced the hands of Anaheim Ducks ownership to act. Many allegations have been around for quite some time; Murray even weathered a 2012 lawsuit alleging he assaulted an employee with a chair. The feeling among former players, executives, and reporters is that they are unsurprised Murray’s reputation has caught up with him.

Moving forward, the Ducks have named longtime executive Jeff Solomon as Murray’s replacement on an interim basis per @PuckReportNHL on Twitter,

Jeff Solomon will be the #NHLDucks interim GM. “We will now begin a methodical, extensive search for a permanent General Manager to lead us forward. We expect to complete this process no later than next summer.” #FlyTogether
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) November 11, 2021

There is no word yet on potential candidates. However, the job will undoubtedly be an attractive one with many suitors as the Ducks are in the tail-end of a rebuild that has seen them build one of the more exciting prospect pools in the NHL.

More to come on the Murray situation.