There are typically a lot of folks who come here and say, "he sucks" or "that guy sucks" or "he really sucks"... with JJ I don't know that I've ever seen such opposition to a player who plays not only every night, but mostly a large chunk of it on the first pair. Recognizing JJ's talent level is arguably 3rd line, I think it's obvious HCMS is spreading his talent around with his parings. And I think it's worked out pretty well.
LOL, someone wrote on here the other day about JJ: 'all he does is throw the puck across to Letang to get it up the ice...' which is just ludicrous. I think he's played solid in a role above his head, and I think he and 58 get a little stronger as a pair every game. And it seems they may have to keep doing that... in Sully I trust, certainly over anyone here.
- Cousinskrid

That is what Sullivan is doing, but I’ve always thought that strategy is very bad. The way defensemen are deployed, it’s very easy to hide your third pairing, so it’s always best to load up your top two pairs, and play your bottom pairing <12 minutes in the most sheltered role possible. Basically do what Chicago did on their third cup where they were playing the ghost of Kimo Timonnen like 5 minutes every game.

With the injuries that we have now, though, there’s not really much we can do. I’d personally like to see Riikola get a chance to be the guy filling in at the top of the lineup, but there’s not a lot of good options here. If Dumo is out long term we need to make a trade, plane and simple, because Johnson being deployed along side Letang has noticeably stalled our offense.

I feel like Jarry sticks around regardless. GMJR loves his goalie depth.

Murray is the unknown. He's definitely winning back his job ATM and if he has a strong playoff that can change the conversation. I could see trade, arbitration/QO for a year, or long-term deal. Depends how the season goes and maybe on if they can find a number they both can live with.
- Tojo.

He's "rumored" to want 8x8. Even if it's 7x8 or 6x8, I'm not doing it. Taking the money out of it, I'm not remotely comfortable giving Murray term like he's "rumored" to be asking. I'd feel that way about almost any tender not name Patrick Roy, Martin Brodeur, etc.

He's "rumored" to want 8x8. Even if it's 7x8 or 6x8, I'm not doing it. Taking the money out of it, I'm not remotely comfortable giving Murray term like he's "rumored" to be asking. I'd feel that way about almost any tender not name Patrick Roy, Martin Brodeur, etc.
- madmike71

Oh poop, that's a lot. I would not feel good giving him anything over 7 on a max term deal.

If we're trading Murray I'd much prefer a hockey deal. Though it's hard to gauge goalie trade values... Murray is still young and a proven playoff winner. I would think a team like San Jose would pay a premium ...and also may need to shed some salary. So I'd be looking to try to pry a really good young player like Timo Mieier or Hertl....or like a top 4 youngish left dman.

I dunno exactly but def not just for a draft pick. You need a sure thing when trading someone like Murray

If we're trading Murray I'd much prefer a hockey deal. Though it's hard to gauge goalie trade values... Murray is still young and a proven playoff winner. I would think a team like San Jose would pay a premium ...and also may need to shed some salary. So I'd be looking to try to pry a really good young player like Timo Mieier or Hertl....or like a top 4 youngish left dman.

I dunno exactly but def not just for a draft pick. You need a sure thing when trading someone like Murray
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I agree on sj with this. Poor goaltending is ruining them. I think his Injury history and financials are the reason I’d get rid of mm. Hertl would be awesome, they don’t have any dmen I would want aside from Dillon who prob won’t be there come summer time.

I'm not sure what his ask was. I think he is comparable to Gibson and Hellebuyck in ways and the cup boost puts him right around 7mill AAV. If he is asking for 8 or more I would ask for his preferred trade destination
- burgh4life87

Here's my best guess. The media said maybe Murray gets 8M with the BOB and Vasilevski contracts. I think he asked for 7M based on rumors. I think Gibson and Hellebuyck are better but with the 2 Cups I think 6M was fair.

To madmike's point though, they don't need to pay him even if that's fair and he came down to it due to Jarry's emergence. Right now, I'm not giving him a big deal either but will give Jarry the bridge deal in the 3 year 3-3.5M most goalies in his situation get. I might still bring back Murray for another year because I'd rather have Murray than DeSmith if it makes sense under the cap and it should because the team is largely set.

If we're trading Murray I'd much prefer a hockey deal. Though it's hard to gauge goalie trade values... Murray is still young and a proven playoff winner. I would think a team like San Jose would pay a premium ...and also may need to shed some salary. So I'd be looking to try to pry a really good young player like Timo Mieier or Hertl....or like a top 4 youngish left dman.

I dunno exactly but def not just for a draft pick. You need a sure thing when trading someone like Murray
- YouMeAndDupuis9

My biggest problem with targeting SJ is that they might not want to have 12+ mill on the books in goalies. Jones got a big ass deal.

Here's my best guess. The media said maybe Murray gets 8M with the BOB and Vasilevski contracts. I think he asked for 7M based on rumors. I think Gibson and Hellebuyck are better but with the 2 Cups I think 6M was fair.

To madmike's point though, they don't need to pay him even if that's fair and he came down to it due to Jarry's emergence. Right now, I'm not giving him a big deal either but will give Jarry the bridge deal in the 3 year 3-3.5M most goalies in his situation get. I might still bring back Murray for another year because I'd rather have Murray than DeSmith if it makes sense under the cap and it should because the team is largely set.
- Tojo.

They don't have to pay him, but GMJR is loyal to a fault and absolutely would reward him with a big contract.

I agree on sj with this. Poor goaltending is ruining them. I think his Injury history and financials are the reason I’d get rid of mm. Hertl would be awesome, they don’t have any dmen I would want aside from Dillon who prob won’t be there come summer time.
- 10inchTerror

Didnt Hertl just get injured pretty bad?

He's "rumored" to want 8x8. Even if it's 7x8 or 6x8, I'm not doing it. Taking the money out of it, I'm not remotely comfortable giving Murray term like he's "rumored" to be asking. I'd feel that way about almost any tender not name Patrick Roy, Martin Brodeur, etc.
- madmike71

He can want as much as he feels like, he's still an RFA. If he holds out, then you roll with Jarry and DeSmith.

He can want as much as he feels like, he's still an RFA. If he holds out, then you roll with Jarry and DeSmith.
- jmatchett383

While true, the one thing you don't want to happen is losing him or Jarry for nothing and with the expansion draft next season you will have to hitch your wagon to one of them.

Didnt Hertl just get injured pretty bad?
- nateca44

Knee injury

Knee injury
- Feds91Stammer

Well played.

Didnt Hertl just get injured pretty bad?
- nateca44

So has most of pittsburgh.

What would Chicago want for Erik Gustafsson?

What would Chicago want for Erik Gustafsson?
- jso97

Why would you want a defender that can’t defend?

I'm more curious what SJ wants for Dillon at this point with the NJ getting a 2nd for Greene.

My biggest problem with targeting SJ is that they might not want to have 12+ mill on the books in goalies. Jones got a big ass deal.
- burgh4life87

Aaron Dell has better numbers than Murray this year and if you look at their stat history over the years, they are almost identical. Granted, Dell is a backup so he is playing in about half the games Murray is, but I think SJ would want more of a sure bet and clear upgrade over someone who could be the presumptive starter.

Aaron Dell has better numbers than Murray this year and if you look at their stat history over the years, they are almost identical. Granted, Dell is a backup so he is playing in about half the games Murray is, but I think SJ would want more of a sure bet and clear upgrade over someone who could be the presumptive starter.
- Hockey66

Yeah a .910 and .915 are basically the same thing.

Our best move might be to offer them a high pick and it might take a 1st to take a bad contract, thus clearing up space and preserving depth.
- Tojo.

I don't know that we have any "bad" contracts that would be worth it to pay them to take. JJ will be a cheap buyout this summer and Horny will probably be too valuable still. And if all of this is to keep Murray, we would still have to pay him his big payday if we just do a 1-year deal this summer. No thanks.

I think it would be best to trade Murray, expose Blueger and Simon, keep our 1st and use it to trade for top 6 / top 4.

I don't know that we have any "bad" contracts that would be worth it to pay them to take. JJ will be a cheap buyout this summer and Horny will probably be too valuable still. And if all of this is to keep Murray, we would still have to pay him his big payday if we just do a 1-year deal this summer. No thanks.

I think it would be best to trade Murray, expose Blueger and Simon, keep our 1st and use it to trade for top 6 / top 4.
- Hockey66

Expansion isn't until next summer. By then we may want to move Hornqvist and thia way works around hia NTC. Besides, it would also be to keep them from taking another forward. So it's part cap relief part keeping the rest of the roster together.

Has nothing to do with Murray, I'd expect him to be gone by then.

Expansion isn't until next summer. By then we may want to move Hornqvist and thia way works around hia NTC. Besides, it would also be to keep them from taking another forward. So it's part cap relief part keeping the rest of the roster together.

Has nothing to do with Murray, I'd expect him to be gone by then.
- Tojo.

Good points - I agree with them. It is an unknown how well Horny will be playing by then. He is sort of turning into an expensive specialist, so I could see that. I wouldn't be too upset about losing Blueger or Simon, but yeah, if we can kill two birds with one stone, it might make sense.

So has most of pittsburgh.
- 10inchTerror

Season ending. I don't think they'll be picking him up

He's "rumored" to want 8x8. Even if it's 7x8 or 6x8, I'm not doing it. Taking the money out of it, I'm not remotely comfortable giving Murray term like he's "rumored" to be asking. I'd feel that way about almost any tender not name Patrick Roy, Martin Brodeur, etc.
- madmike71

I don’t think Murray is around next season. He played well for those 2 Stanley cups, but since then he’s been pretty average. JR can’t be paying Murray based on his performance 3 years ago. Thank you Murray for the cups, but Jarry and Desmith will put up similar numbers for a fraction of the price.

I don’t think Murray is around next season. He played well for those 2 Stanley cups, but since then he’s been pretty average. JR can’t be paying Murray based on his performance 3 years ago. Thank you Murray for the cups, but Jarry and Desmith will put up similar numbers for a fraction of the price.
- drummer829

Sully loves Murray, they go way back. He is not leaving, IMHO.