Ryan Wilson: Winger targets, Matt Murray's next contract, and future line combos Winger targets, Matt Murray's next contract, and future line combos

Any interest in Chris Stewart? He was really good like 80 years ago.

Murray is definitely the big question mark moving forward, contract and performance-wise... he hasn't done himself any favors this season, whatever the reason(s) may be.

Maybe a one-year bridge deal, and then he heads west to Seattle, like Flower did?

Not sure I can make it until Friday with no Penguins hockey. The Allstar tournament kept me awake for all of about 45 minutes. The skills comp was fun.

why is this "®" part of the write-up? do you work for the 'intellectual property' division of the NHL®? i bet they have one of those ... oy

It's not really a bridge deal for Murray, he has one year left until UFA. They could keep him for a year as a high priced insurance policy then let him walk or trade him in the off-season, but assuming they aren't signing him to a long-term deal those are the options.

I don't fully trust DeSmith. He's struggled though WBS's D has been decimated. Went about a month without a win.

why is this "®" part of the write-up? do you work for the 'intellectual property' division of the NHL®? i bet they have one of those ... oy
- farooge

Maybe it was just a play/joke on that being Murray's trademark...2 cups in his first rookie season, only goalie to ever do it I believe...

Any interest in Chris Stewart? He was really good like 80 years ago.
- jmatchett383

Konecny on the other hand would be nice to have on the Penguins

It's not really a bridge deal for Murray, he has one year left until UFA. They could keep him for a year as a high priced insurance policy then let him walk or trade him in the off-season, but assuming they aren't signing him to a long-term deal those are the options.

I don't fully trust DeSmith. He's struggled though WBS's D has been decimated. Went about a month without a win.
- Tojo.

Yes... this... sign him for one year as an RFA, and hope he has a better year next season. I don't agree often with RW, but in regards to a big goalie contract for Murray, I just don't see it either. That said, he still has plenty of time THIS season to change that, and I hope he does.

Murray is definitely the big question mark moving forward, contract and performance-wise... he hasn't done himself any favors this season, whatever the reason(s) may be.

Maybe a one-year bridge deal, and then he heads west to Seattle, like Flower did?

Not sure I can make it until Friday with no Penguins hockey. The Allstar tournament kept me awake for all of about 45 minutes. The skills comp was fun.
- Cousinskrid

I doubt Murray will do a bridge deal. Teams love to overcommit on goalies and in spite of a wonky season there are definitely teams that see him as a very good goalie. He'll want the big deal now, not later.

I'm a fan of Murray, but IMO if Jarry can put up similar numbers to MM when all is said and done, the Pens should chance Jarry and move Murray out.

It's not really a bridge deal for Murray, he has one year left until UFA. They could keep him for a year as a high priced insurance policy then let him walk or trade him in the off-season, but assuming they aren't signing him to a long-term deal those are the options.

I don't fully trust DeSmith. He's struggled though WBS's D has been decimated. Went about a month without a win.
- Tojo.

Goalies are a roller coaster ride no matter where they are. DeSmith was a huge reason the Pens made the playoffs last year, so him as a backup next year is IMO an affordable luxury.

To me we know what we have in Murray. He's just not an early season performer for whatever reason. He was great down the stretch last year and was far from the reason the Pens lost in the playoffs. I still move him if Jarry can put up similar numbers.

With Jarry coming back to down to Earth, I think by the end of next month we'll know where we stand, injury-permitting.

Goalies are a roller coaster ride no matter where they are. DeSmith was a huge reason the Pens made the playoffs last year, so him as a backup next year is IMO an affordable luxury.

To me we know what we have in Murray. He's just not an early season performer for whatever reason. He was great down the stretch last year and was far from the reason the Pens lost in the playoffs. I still move him if Jarry can put up similar numbers.

With Jarry coming back to down to Earth, I think by the end of next month we'll know where we stand, injury-permitting.
- Rinosaur

If the rumors are true, MM is looking for a long term deal in the 7-8m range. I'm not giving him that money even if Jarry has a little bit of a setback. Murray isn't elite...and that's the only reason I'd give a goalie that much. I've seen enough from Jarry to believe he'll be at least an average tender. Keep MM for the rest of season, and trade him after it's over.

I have a couple of thoughts in regards to Murray's:

1. I hope that GMJR has learned from his mistake with Fleury's last contract with the Pens, it crippled the Pens into costing us a 2nd for Vegas to take that contract. I would hate to make the same mistake.

2. Murray has injury history and his strongest performances were his two cup years.... I hope he doesn't expect to get paid on potential.

3. Don't forget, Rutherford was a goalie, so I hope his value of them doesn't exceed the real/market value.

That all being said, if Murrary is going to be our started for the foreseeable future, $5-6 MM for 4 years is probably going to be what he gets

Yohe talked to Rutherford. Not really a surprise, but he wants a wing to help replace Guentzel. Isn't particular if it's a rental or term. Also not likely to pursue a defenseman.

Yohe talked to Rutherford. Not really a surprise, but he wants a wing to help replace Guentzel. Isn't particular if it's a rental or term. Also not likely to pursue a defenseman.
- Tojo.

Nor is this a surprise.

If the rumors are true, MM is looking for a long term deal in the 7-8m range. I'm not giving him that money even if Jarry has a little bit of a setback. Murray isn't elite...and that's the only reason I'd give a goalie that much. I've seen enough from Jarry to believe he'll be at least an average tender. Keep MM for the rest of season, and trade him after it's over.
- madmike71

Personally, I anticipated $6.5M-$7M which I think is fair market value for a good starting goalie. $8M? No effing way. I'm not hoping MM flounders, but I am hoping Jarry can show he's ready. Both goalies being strong works out well for the Pens for a cup run and value-wise for moving MM in the off-season.

Konecny on the other hand would be nice to have on the Penguins
- Barnaby36

You take your David Perron and you like it!

How about Schultz and a 1st for Kapanen. Leafs get their RH dman with ability to extend him plus a 1st round pick and the Pens get a guy who can play LW or RW and signed for a few more years at good price.

Would Pens have to add?...maybe...probably...

How about Schultz and a 1st for Kapanen. Leafs get their RH dman with ability to extend him plus a 1st round pick and the Pens get a guy who can play LW or RW and signed for a few more years at good price.

Would Pens have to add?...maybe...probably...
- MattStrat

From what I've read they want a dman who has term left on his contract, so Schultz wouldn't be on their radar, but if he was then yes, they'd have to add a lot more.

I found this on Jet City Ice.

The exposed goaltender must be either under contract, or an RFA who has received his qualifying offer. There is no minimum number of games requirement for goaltenders.

Therefore Murray needs to be signed thru the 20-21 season. If he isn't then the Pens could conceivably lose two players in the draft.

Yohe talked to Rutherford. Not really a surprise, but he wants a wing to help replace Guentzel. Isn't particular if it's a rental or term. Also not likely to pursue a defenseman.
- Tojo.

It would be a waste of assets to do so. I thought it was a good article. Pretty clear Jim is looking at every option.

"Mikael Granlund is another rental option, but that is pending on Nashville dropping out of the playoff race."

I don't think Nashville has to drop out of the playoff race to move him. They have a lot of REALLY undersized forwards for playing in the west. I could see them moving Granlund for prospect/picks just to free up cap for another trade.

I doubt Murray will do a bridge deal. Teams love to overcommit on goalies and in spite of a wonky season there are definitely teams that see him as a very good goalie. He'll want the big deal now, not later.

I'm a fan of Murray, but IMO if Jarry can put up similar numbers to MM when all is said and done, the Pens should chance Jarry and move Murray out.
- Rinosaur

I think that what we're seeing with Jarry is legit. I do like the fact that Murray is so good positionally, and I think that the things going on with his family have been REALLY hard on him...so, he'll bounce back. But, for the cost, it's almost like keeping Murray over Fleury. Jarry has the athleticism, seems much more coachable this season, and he seems to be pretty unflappable mentally. I'm completely cool with a Jarry/DeSmith combo.

**Side thought about Murray** He will never be a fan favorite. Some people hated Fleury's game, but there was never a doubt that he, as a PERSON, was "one of ours". You couldn't help but root for the guy. I think that any player from the mid to late 2000's is looked at that way honestly. And, many (incorrectly) blame Murray for Flower's departure. Also, Jarry has more flash and a more likeable personality. Pittsburgh hockey fans love to see that athleticism. We're spoiled. Basically Murray is stuck between our nostalgia and our hopes.

I think that what we're seeing with Jarry is legit. I do like the fact that Murray is so good positionally, and I think that the things going on with his family have been REALLY hard on him...so, he'll bounce back. But, for the cost, it's almost like keeping Murray over Fleury. Jarry has the athleticism, seems much more coachable this season, and he seems to be pretty unflappable mentally. I'm completely cool with a Jarry/DeSmith combo.

**Side thought about Murray** He will never be a fan favorite. Some people hated Fleury's game, but there was never a doubt that he, as a PERSON, was "one of ours". You couldn't help but root for the guy. I think that any player from the mid to late 2000's is looked at that way honestly. And, many (incorrectly) blame Murray for Flower's departure. Also, Jarry has more flash and a more likeable personality. Pittsburgh hockey fans love to see that athleticism. We're spoiled. Basically Murray is stuck between our nostalgia and our hopes.
- cranktheradio

hahaha thats pretty good.

I think that what we're seeing with Jarry is legit. I do like the fact that Murray is so good positionally, and I think that the things going on with his family have been REALLY hard on him...so, he'll bounce back. But, for the cost, it's almost like keeping Murray over Fleury. Jarry has the athleticism, seems much more coachable this season, and he seems to be pretty unflappable mentally. I'm completely cool with a Jarry/DeSmith combo.

**Side thought about Murray** He will never be a fan favorite. Some people hated Fleury's game, but there was never a doubt that he, as a PERSON, was "one of ours". You couldn't help but root for the guy. I think that any player from the mid to late 2000's is looked at that way honestly. And, many (incorrectly) blame Murray for Flower's departure. Also, Jarry has more flash and a more likeable personality. Pittsburgh hockey fans love to see that athleticism. We're spoiled. Basically Murray is stuck between our nostalgia and our hopes.
- cranktheradio

A lot of people on these boards hated Fleury and since he left they act like it was the biggest mistake ever to give him up. Sometimes there's just no winning on here.

I'm not buying in to any rumored attitude training or training issues with Murray. Few have the personality Fleury does which is why he was such a fan favorite. Murray seems like a reserved person which can get mistaken for all sorts of attitude issues.

Jarry certainly has all the tools and for any young or new goalie making his way in the NHL a big part of development is dealing with the long season as well as how to mentally handle the ups and downs. Murray's first entry in the NHL was in the latter part of the 2nd half of the season and had a lot of momentum riding into the playoffs.

Jarry was bound to cool off. Now it's just seeing how he handles trying to even out his game.

RW...this is the first blog that you've written in a while that I've enjoyed. I somewhat disagree about the post Malkin/Sid Pens. We are spoiled, but the team has done a good job of finding possible stars in later rounds that should continue to carry them. Letang's replacement is fairely obvious in Marino. Guentzel has shown that he's a legit star in the league and is underrated. Rust may also be turning that corner. Also this team should be able to bring in star free agents who want to be part of the legacy is the most successful hockey organization since 1990.

If managed correctly, I don't see a drop off like the Wings (the second most successful franchise in that time frame). Sid and Geno are still 2-3 years away from a major drop off, although Sid is a different beast...he's conditioned like Jagr and may still be a top line center for another 10+ years. And, as you mentioned, Pittsburgh hockey in general has become HUGE! I think I counted almost 30 different clubs in the PAHL? Allegheny alone has 31 teams ranging from mites to 18u. So, this fan base won't die off like the early 2000's. The Pens, like the Steelers, will always be a cap strapped team.

That's two long posts back to back...I HATE being off of work lol.