Murray has dealt with the same pairings as of late and had better results. Sometimes a goalie just has stretches of off play. Because we don't know what we have in Jarry there are more questions than assumptions.

And yes, $8M combined for those two guys would be amazing, but if Jarry looks like the real deal by the end of the season there's no way that contract happens. He'll take the Pens to the cleaners in arb, not to mention at the $3.5M he's likely to get it wouldn't cost a team that much in picks to offer-sheet him.
- Rinosaur

I know, I know...its wishful thinking on my behalf...

I think both going to the A next year would be ideal. Addison too. They would be better off learning to play in a bigger faster league and bide their time until the injury big hits.

I don’t think De-smith is as easy to replace as ppl think. He was a solid 1b and fill in for mm last year for $1m. If those goalies were that readily available Toronto, Edmonton, sj, wouldn’t be hard pressed for a backup. It’s like missing out on kovy. Prob a few teams wish they claimed him.

Also I would love Josh Anderson as I mentioned a couple blogs ago. I like horny but I’d get rid of him asap (draft maybe) so I could replace him with someone like Anderson, maybe Légaré in the 2022 season. Free up some money and space on the ltir bench.
- 10inchTerror

Yup...but that pesky CHL/NHL rule is in the way

DeSmith's stats from last year through 36 games:

Regular Stats:
SV% .916
GAA 2.75

Fancies:

HDSV% .844 - 13th overall

To put that in perspective I chose goalies who played at least 1000 minutes and probably could have increased to better the argument, but I think goalies playing at least 20ish games was fair.

DeSmith is a steal and while he's a late bloomer he could probably be a decent starter for a few seasons on some teams.

DeSmith's stats from last year through 36 games:

Regular Stats:
SV% .916
GAA 2.75

Fancies:

HDSV% .844 - 13th overall

To put that in perspective I chose goalies who played at least 1000 minutes and probably could have increased to better the argument, but I think goalies playing at least 20ish games was fair.

DeSmith is a steal and while he's a late bloomer he could probably be a decent starter for a few seasons on some teams.
- Rinosaur

DeSmith's numbers are worse than that in the AHL this year, though Pittsburgh has a much better defense. Sample is too small for me to trust, DeSmith did start to fade last year if I remember correctly, once shooters got more used to him.

DeSmith's stats from last year through 36 games:

Regular Stats:
SV% .916
GAA 2.75

Fancies:

HDSV% .844 - 13th overall

To put that in perspective I chose goalies who played at least 1000 minutes and probably could have increased to better the argument, but I think goalies playing at least 20ish games was fair.

DeSmith is a steal and while he's a late bloomer he could probably be a decent starter for a few seasons on some teams.
- Rinosaur

Also with regards to his stats season we have to keep in mind how much worse the overall team D was that impacts goalies stats overall. Still not totally sold on him though.

DeSmith's numbers are worse than that in the AHL this year, though Pittsburgh has a much better defense. Sample is too small for me to trust, DeSmith did start to fade last year if I remember correctly, once shooters got more used to him.
- Tojo.

Exactly. Im not totally sold on DeSmith to the point I really want to keep him.

I didn't think Poulin or Legare looked over-matched in the preseason. Yeah, I know the competition isn't great, but they physically looked like they belonged. Skating might be an issue, but both looked like men capable of handling the physicality. I thought Legare looked great. Went to the tough spots and got shots on net. Trying to remember... I think Poulin's skating looked a little more "ready" than Legare's. I'm intrigued by both because I think they both have NHL qualities even if they have flaws that might limit their production. Legare's hands looked legit from what I remember.

Addisson was the guy that I thought looked like he was further away. The speed and physicality seemed to overwhelm him.

Just my impressions. I watched every available preseason game.
- madmike71

I agree with pretty much everything you wrote. I see Pouliot and POJ more likely for next year. Don't think Legare pushes in since he'd pretty much have to play with Sid with Rust, Tanev, and Hornqvist on the other 3 RWs. Addison sure looks like he'll need some AHL time. All could realistically arrive by the following season though, so given a choice, I'd trade a 1st before any of them.

DeSmith's numbers are worse than that in the AHL this year, though Pittsburgh has a much better defense. Sample is too small for me to trust, DeSmith did start to fade last year if I remember correctly, once shooters got more used to him.
- Tojo.

Just eyeballing quickly, he finished January with a .900 sv% and Feburary (2 games) with .974%. He really only had three rough games in December.

You're going to be hard-pressed to find a better back-up for the money than this guy. It would only really happen if you stumbled upon a young goalie still on the hook for his ELC for a few years.

I agree with pretty much everything you wrote. I see Pouliot and POJ more likely for next year. Don't think Legare pushes in since he'd pretty much have to play with Sid with Rust, Tanev, and Hornqvist on the other 3 RWs. Addison sure looks like he'll need some AHL time. All could realistically arrive by the following season though, so given a choice, I'd trade a 1st before any of them.
- Tojo.

Outside of injuries I don't see Poulin or POJ really sniffing NHL ice for one more season. There's still going to be a log-jam at LD unless they let Riikola walk and/or move JJ.

The wing situation is a bit harder to prognosticate because we don't know how/if they will replace Galchenyuk. Any winger they get with term to replace Jake this year, will ultimately replace Galchenyuk next year. I don't see them letting Kahun and McCann walk.

Also, I always forget this, Poulin can't hit the AHL until what age?

I honestly can’t see Murray taking less than $6.5 and can probably get $7 elsewhere. I still want to see how Jarry finishes the season. His numbers have dipped a little his last few games, so it’s hard to tell if it’s just a couple mediocre games or him regressing to what he is.

I’m curious to see how things shake out in February; it isn’t an easy month.
- Rinosaur

I don't think Murray gets that right now. I think he aimed high thinking the Pens were committed to him long-term and it didn't work out. Maybe 6M if he was a UFA, but the goalie market might be flooded this off-season.

I could see Jarry on a 3.5M bridge and Murray around 4.5 to 5M in arbitration so keeping them together around 8M like you mentioned is possible for another year if they want.

I just figured with our forward depth he would be best suited playing his final season in the Q. Captaining again and working on his scoring ability. Right now though he is 6th in PPG and just a beast as a two way player.
- burgh4life87

We definitely have the depth not to need him. But let's say we get Zucker, then McCann and Hornqvist are on a 3rs scoring line so if Pouliot can outplay Simon, who doesn't do much when he's not with Crosby, that's a pretty amazing 3rd line. He'd have to earn it, but:

Zucker-Crosby-Kahun
Guentzel-Malkin-Rust
Pouliot-McCann-Hornqvist
ZAR-Blueger-Tanev
Simon, Lafferty

You could run that and have Simon in reserve to plug any injury.

I don't think Murray gets that right now. I think he aimed high thinking the Pens were committed to him long-term and it didn't work out. Maybe 6M if he was a UFA, but the goalie market might be flooded this off-season.

I could see Jarry on a 3.5M bridge and Murray around 4.5 to 5M in arbitration so keeping them together around 8M like you mentioned is possible for another year if they want.
- Tojo.

Now we're talking!

Its actually been me clamoring for them to be a combined 8ish cap hit.

Just eyeballing quickly, he finished January with a .900 sv% and Feburary (2 games) with .974%. He really only had three rough games in December.

You're going to be hard-pressed to find a better back-up for the money than this guy. It would only really happen if you stumbled upon a young goalie still on the hook for his ELC for a few years.
- Rinosaur

They'll go with DeSmith assuming Murray is moved I'm sure, and he did enough for that chance. I'm just not sold he'll be as good as he was the first half of last year.

I agree with pretty much everything you wrote. I see Pouliot and POJ more likely for next year. Don't think Legare pushes in since he'd pretty much have to play with Sid with Rust, Tanev, and Hornqvist on the other 3 RWs. Addison sure looks like he'll need some AHL time. All could realistically arrive by the following season though, so given a choice, I'd trade a 1st before any of them.
- Tojo.

I was listening to Madden last week and it was either DK or Yohe who said JR hates to trade top prospects because he already has a good idea what he has. He would much rather deal picks because they're more nebulous in nature.

Personally, I think the 1st is good as gone this season and I'm fine with that. I don't want to trade our best prospects 'cause we have so few, and as you say, a couple aren't that far off. Obviously when names like Rakell come up, you're not getting him for just picks so....

Outside of injuries I don't see Poulin or POJ really sniffing NHL ice for one more season. There's still going to be a log-jam at LD unless they let Riikola walk and/or move JJ.

The wing situation is a bit harder to prognosticate because we don't know how/if they will replace Galchenyuk. Any winger they get with term to replace Jake this year, will ultimately replace Galchenyuk next year. I don't see them letting Kahun and McCann walk.

Also, I always forget this, Poulin can't hit the AHL until what age?
- Rinosaur

POJ would have to force his way in similar to Marino over Gudbranson who they were happy with, but they've shown they're willing.

Similar for Pouliot, but he has a much higher upside than say Simon and similar to Guentzel the way he scores translates well to 5v5 production. If he has a good camp after the year he's had, I'd make room.

It's age 20 or 2 years after being drafted so Addison will be in the AHL but Pouliot and Legare can't be.

I think both going to the A next year would be ideal. Addison too. They would be better off learning to play in a bigger faster league and bide their time until the injury big hits.

I don’t think De-smith is as easy to replace as ppl think. He was a solid 1b and fill in for mm last year for $1m. If those goalies were that readily available Toronto, Edmonton, sj, wouldn’t be hard pressed for a backup. It’s like missing out on kovy. Prob a few teams wish they claimed him.

Also I would love Josh Anderson as I mentioned a couple blogs ago. I like horny but I’d get rid of him asap (draft maybe) so I could replace him with someone like Anderson, maybe Légaré in the 2022 season. Free up some money and space on the ltir bench.
- 10inchTerror

Poulin is not allowed to go the AHL next season though. If you are 20 by December 31 of that season or have completed 4 full CHL seasons you may go to the ECHL or AHL

I don't think Murray gets that right now. I think he aimed high thinking the Pens were committed to him long-term and it didn't work out. Maybe 6M if he was a UFA, but the goalie market might be flooded this off-season.

I could see Jarry on a 3.5M bridge and Murray around 4.5 to 5M in arbitration so keeping them together around 8M like you mentioned is possible for another year if they want.
- Tojo.

Never underestimate the willingness of teams to overpay. There's always at least a couple.

The UFA goalie pool is pretty thin.

Top RFA goalies: MM, Jarry, Ulmark, Korpisalo, Melzerkins, Blackwood and Georgiev.

Not a very deep pool. MM will/wold be a commodity.

Yup...but that pesky CHL/NHL rule is in the way
- MattStrat

Ahh I thought they were a year older than they were then.

Edit - actually I thought it was 19 yrs old or 1 year after draft you were ahl eligible. Stupid rule.