Hayden had just three goals and one assist in 43 games as a fringe player for the Devils last season. Hayden has just nine points (6G / 3A) in his last 97 NHL games, so he offers almost no offence but will be a big, physical presence on the Coyotes' fourth line.
Murray was acquired from the Penguins on Wednesday and signed a four-year extension this afternoon. The signing makes Murray the seventh-highest paid goalie in the NHL for the 2021 season. Last year, Murray was tied for 34th in GAA (2.87) and tied for 45th in SV% (.899 SV%), so he has a lot of work to do to earn this contract.
The RFA got a $2.0M raise after posting a career-high 22 points (8G / 14A) while appearing in just 41 games. The 26-year-old forward was a Swiss Army Knife for the Golden Knights in 2020, playing up and down the lineup, on the wing or at centre, depending on what Vegas needed. Stephenson is best suited in a bottom-6 role and if he's their fourth line centre, they're in great shape.
The Penguins made their decision in net when they locked up Tristan Jarry last week. With so many free agent goalies becoming available on Friday it was a priority to get this trade done before then to maximize Murray's value. He is coming off of a down year, having posted a 2.87 GAA and .899 SV% in 38 starts but Murray is a huge upgrade in net for the Senators, who have improved drastically over the last 24 hours.
Stephens was a second-round pick (No.33 overall) in 2015 and graduated to the NHL in 2020. The 23-year-old centre had 10 points (5G / 5A) in 24 AHL games before getting promoted and picking up six points (3G / 3A) in 38 games in Tampa. He appeared in seven playoff games, scoring one goal en route to getting his name on the Stanley Cup.
Murray allowed three goals on 35 shots in the Penguins' 3-2 overtime loss to the Canadiens in Game 1. Despite the loss, the Penguins will go right back to their more experienced netminder in Game 2. Dating back to the 2018 playoffs, Murray has lost seven straight playoff games, while posting a 2.89 GAA and .905 SV%.
