This is certainly an interesting move. The injuries to the Devils have offered us a chance to see the organization to experiment with youth in a big way for the first time in a long time. That continues with the Devils calling 24-year old defenseman Tyler Eckford up from Lowell (AHL).
Tom Gulitti has thoughts from GM Lou Lamoriello:
"He's playing extremely well, so we're going to take a look at him," Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said. "He'll come in and practice with us today and then it will be a coach's decision (whether he plays Thursday)."
Eckford has 5 goals and 10 assists on the season, pretty solid numbers for a defenseman. I always liked watching him in pre-season games and scrimmages I've checked out at The Rock. This will be a chance for the 2nd round pick from 2004 to play his first NHL game, as Murphy's being sent down means that either he or Matt Corrente will play their first NHL game this Thursday in Nashville.