Report: Penguins sign Murray to PTO; Walcott, Lopina to join Panthers’ camp

According to insider Frank Seravalli, the Pittsburgh Penguins have signed forward Brett Murray to a professional tryout. Forwards Daniel Walcott and Josh Lopina have signed PTOs with the Florida Panthers as well.

Murray has spent the most time in the NHL of the three names. The Bolton, Ont. native was originally taken by the Buffalo Sabres in the fourth round, 99th overall, of the 2016 NHL Draft. He turned pro in 2019 with the Sabres’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Rochester Americans.

While he has spent most of the past six seasons with the Amerks, the 27-year-old has seen some time with the big club. Along with making his NHL debut during the 2021 campaign, Murray played a career-high 19 games with the Sabres during the 2021-22 season. He’s only played a handful of contests with Buffalo over the past few years, appearing in three games with the Sabres last season. He last played with the Sabres on March 23.

In 26 NHL games, Murray has scored two goals and four assists for six points. In 325 AHL appearances, he has notched 100 goals and 106 assists for 206 points.

Walcott was at one point a respectable prospect with the Tampa Bay Lightning. However, since playing one game for the Bolts in 2021, he has spent all of his time with the Syracuse Crunch, Tampa’s top farm team. In 495 AHL games, he has posted 56 goals and 91 assists for 147 points. The 31-year-old has also scored nine points in 41 Calder Cup Playoff games.

Lopina is the only one yet to make his NHL debut. Following a solid career at the University of Massachusetts, including winning an NCAA Championship in 2021, the Illinois native has spent parts of the past four seasons with the San Diego Gulls, the Anaheim Ducks’ primary affiliate. In 205 AHL contests, he has scored 21 goals and 24 assists for 45 points.

Lopina was taken by the Ducks in the fourth round, 98th overall, of the 2021 NHL Draft.