I just don't buy the argument that Murray couldn't have gotten that exact same return (or better) this offseason. I get the argument I guess, but nothing anyone can say can convince me that Murray was right to trade him at the TDL
I think it's a typical move of a budget team. It saves them about 350-400k this year, and gives them more cap space for future years to re-sign more important players.
He didn't have a very good year, mainly being a bottom 6 guy. They tried him out for 60 games and he wasn't the same as in last year's playoffs. With Perron working, and getting Pirri, McGinn, and getting Stewart back soon, I think they felt it's more likely those guys can fill the same spot/role, and do it better. If they work, it wouldn't make sense breaking up the lines come playoff time, hoping Maroon becomes the same player as he was during last year's playoffs. So in all, he was rather expendable. More of a luxury, in case the others wouldn't gel. And that's a luxury a budget team can't really afford.
Plus, not the least important, there's the risk of him getting injured, blocking any sort of trade during the off-season. A risk Anaheim can't afford either, I'd guess.