Michael Stuart: Thoughts on the Matt Murray Rumor

From the last blog

Abromov loaned out, supposed to be back for training camp.

He often seems to get lost in the shuffle below other prosepcts, even though he's older.

I like that he's a player outside the mold that the Sens scouting staff seem to typically go for, but He's already being passed on the depth chart by guys, so this season should be big opportunity for him to make a name for himself.

You can get a serviceable starter for cheap.

I would definitely make a trade for matt murray but not for a 1st rounder. We have a ton of picks PD can offer or roster players, but 1st rounders are untouchable for this particular trade.

I don t think it s for a first, I think it s for Tierney and maube a cap dump like JJ


And yes I do it yesterday

From a Pittsburgh perspective....
Murray isn't as bad as those numbers might make you think. Pens blogger Ryan Wilson had a list a few weeks ago with some eye-opening stats..One of them was this:
Murray Save % with Jack Johnson on ice : .750
Murray Save % WITHOUT Jack Johnson on ice: .926

These were number for all situations.... I think whoever gets Murray is getting a steal. This guy is good but has been crucified in Pittsburgh by fans and media alike simply because they view him as the one who pushed beloved Marc Andre Fleury out the door. Give him a fresh start/clean slate somewhere and look out...

I cant see the Pens getting more than a 2nd or 3rd pick for him... The media has torpedoed much of the value he used to have. Maybe it is better for Ottawa to wait on one of their own, but someone is going to get a damn good goaltender...

If the Sens took Jj with him I'd settle for a 6th round pick. And by settle, I mean I'd be popping champagne bottles.

A 2nd would be fair value straight up. I dont think anyone expects a 1st rounder back, but then again I didn't see Kapanen costing a top 15 pick and a good prospect.

I think brining in a Matt Murray would be a plan to insulate the goalie prospects coming up. Hogberg should be a serviceable back up but the rest of the goalie prospect group is years away.

I do think Dorion and the Sens have to decide whether they are going to ride the year out like last year and get a high pick or try to be more of a poop disturber team that may land a pick in the 8-15 range? If it is the latter, I'd grab Murray. If it is the former, I'd get a cheaper option (asset wise) or go with Hogberg.

All this said, Sens paying a high price for Murray would be a mistake of epic proportions. Murray has had consistency and injury issues. But who knows, may be a very solid goalie well into his 30s which would work well with the rebuild timeline...

Nice to hear about rumours of who could come to town rather than who could leave.

Jj torpedoed Murray’s value. Not the media. Notice that MM’s numbers tanked since jj joined the team, while Columbus has some better and better.

Hey, remember that one time we sent you Gustavsson for Brassard?

There are 10 UFA/RFA goalies that played more than 22 games that had save percentages of .910 or higher.

I would say Murray is 2nd tier. Probably a #1 on most teams, but not one of the 10 15 goalies in the NHL.

I would sign Murray for short term at a reasonable amount and reasonable term. Then trade the Islanders 1st round pick that Ottawa owns to a team looking to dump salary for their #1 pick in the teens and select Askarov.

To: Florida - Ottawa's 3rd selection in the first round
To: Ottawa - Florida's 1st round pick and Stralman or Yandle (Maybe Florida retaining some salary)

Just ride it out with Nilsson and Hogberg
We are still years from competing play the young kids too don’t worry about getting Vets let them get their feet wet 🥴

There are 10 UFA/RFA goalies that played more than 22 games that had save percentages of .910 or higher.

I would say Murray is 2nd tier. Probably a #1 on most teams, but not one of the 10 15 goalies in the NHL.

I would sign Murray for short term at a reasonable amount and reasonable term. Then trade the Islanders 1st round pick that Ottawa owns to a team looking to dump salary for their #1 pick in the teens and select Askarov.

To: Florida - Ottawa's 3rd selection in the first round
To: Ottawa - Florida's 1st round pick and Stralman or Yandle (Maybe Florida retaining some salary)
- -Doh-

Lol yeah ok 🥴🥴 😂🤦‍♂️

Just ride it out with Nilsson and Hogberg
We are still years from competing play the young kids too don’t worry about getting Vets let them get their feet wet 🥴
- Rpm1971

My thoughts exactly.

I think brining in a Matt Murray would be a plan to insulate the goalie prospects coming up. Hogberg should be a serviceable back up but the rest of the goalie prospect group is years away.

I do think Dorion and the Sens have to decide whether they are going to ride the year out like last year and get a high pick or try to be more of a poop disturber team that may land a pick in the 8-15 range? If it is the latter, I'd grab Murray. If it is the former, I'd get a cheaper option (asset wise) or go with Hogberg.

All this said, Sens paying a high price for Murray would be a mistake of epic proportions. Murray has had consistency and injury issues. But who knows, may be a very solid goalie well into his 30s which would work well with the rebuild timeline...

Nice to hear about rumours of who could come to town rather than who could leave.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

It is kind of refreshing, hey?

To Ottawa
Johnson
Murray
Legare
2021 2nd
2020 3rd


To Penguins
Tierney
Abramov/Duclair (dealers choice? Personal preference on Abby)
Reilly (50% retained)

Reading the blog and some of the comments out in the internet-land, I am surprised by the views. Devils advocate:

"Giving up assets to bring in a new name without an elite pedigree..."

To be fair Matt Murray has won 2 cups and probably saved the Pens ass against Ottawa in the conference final during the 2nd cup run. When he is on, he is one of the best out there. Consistency and health are issues, not pedigree in my mind.

People are throwing Marcus Hogberg and Anders Nilsson as almost equivalent options to a Matt Murray. This is laughable. Hogberg and Nilsson are fine options if the goal is to continue to rebuild and get a high pick in 2021. They won't normally allow blowout losses. Matt Murray has the ability to steal wins thus getting a lower pick in 2021.

I know everyone is Sens-land loves the goalie prospect pool that is Kevin Mandolese, Mads Sogaard, Filip Gustavsson, and Joey Daccord. Right now, these guys are just names to most people in hockey. Will one of them turn into a solidified goalie? It sure can happen but odds are against that happening. While I think the goalie position can kind of work itself out over the long run, banking on one of these guys to fill the void in 2-3 years is a big gamble. The playoffs demonstrate you can run on a hot goalie but in the regular season, you need an everyday guy.

Bottom line, I'd be shocked to see the Sens trade for an RFA and sign them to legit money at this point in time. Just doesn't seem to be in the cards. I do see the Sens possibly getting a more veteran goalie to insulate what they have currently. That may be the move with Murry if he can be had for cheap.

In my opinion, pass on Murray, bomb another year and have a shot at Aatu Räty or one of the many blue liners that could be a top pick.

Rumors sens interested in max domi? Reunite with duclair? With boedker spot available would he be a good fit in ottawa?

Just ride it out with Nilsson and Hogberg
We are still years from competing play the young kids too don’t worry about getting Vets let them get their feet wet 🥴
- Rpm1971

I think being internally pesky and competitive showcases a healthy environment for young prospects to grow in. For instance, the Leafs management team preached rebuilding and growing pains and all these excuses for their young up and coming players. Look at how they play now. Nothing for two periods and then they turn it on and think they can win a game, make the playoffs and have success in the playoffs with that line of thinking. Clearly that does not work for young players and does not create a winning environment.
The only saving grace they do have (should I say had?) is that Andersen is a top-5 goalie in the league and can single handedly win games.
There’s a difference between a hockey team and a team full of independent contractors, I believe Dorion knows as much.

Rumors sens interested in max domi? Reunite with duclair? With boedker spot available would he be a good fit in ottawa?
- SENS-sational

Where you heard that ?

Reading the blog and some of the comments out in the internet-land, I am surprised by the views. Devils advocate:

"Giving up assets to bring in a new name without an elite pedigree..."

To be fair Matt Murray has won 2 cups and probably saved the Pens ass against Ottawa in the conference final during the 2nd cup run. When he is on, he is one of the best out there. Consistency and health are issues, not pedigree in my mind.

People are throwing Marcus Hogberg and Anders Nilsson as almost equivalent options to a Matt Murray. This is laughable. Hogberg and Nilsson are fine options if the goal is to continue to rebuild and get a high pick in 2021. They won't normally allow blowout losses. Matt Murray has the ability to steal wins thus getting a lower pick in 2021.

I know everyone is Sens-land loves the goalie prospect pool that is Kevin Mandolese, Mads Sogaard, Filip Gustavsson, and Joey Daccord. Right now, these guys are just names to most people in hockey. Will one of them turn into a solidified goalie? It sure can happen but odds are against that happening. While I think the goalie position can kind of work itself out over the long run, banking on one of these guys to fill the void in 2-3 years is a big gamble. The playoffs demonstrate you can run on a hot goalie but in the regular season, you need an everyday guy.

Bottom line, I'd be shocked to see the Sens trade for an RFA and sign them to legit money at this point in time. Just doesn't seem to be in the cards. I do see the Sens possibly getting a more veteran goalie to insulate what they have currently. That may be the move with Murry if he can be had for cheap.

In my opinion, pass on Murray, bomb another year and have a shot at Aatu Räty or one of the many blue liners that could be a top pick.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Completely a fair position to take. I'll share a bit more on my take here:

I'm of the view that consistency is one of the key pieces in building pedigree as a goaltender, simply because random goalies get hot for short stretches all the time. When I think of the best goalies in the league, I don't necessarily think of guys who get extremely hot and then cold. I think of guys who are consistently good. Murray had two excellent postseasons in Pittsburgh, but has been very average since then. I can give him credit for those runs, but I can't get to the point where I'd be comfortable calling him one of the best. He got hot at the right time.

Where you heard that ?
- Crosside

Don brennan

Sens have 13 picks this year including four 2nd round picks this year and three 2nd round picks next year. How about murray for a 2nd and a 5th this year? or a 2nd this year and a 2nd next year? I'd ask for gustavsson back too but thats just being super greedy.

I wouldn't bother. Stick with what they have. It's not like if the Sens had Price they'd be a contender. There'd be no point unless it was to get to the cap floor or something.

I wouldn't bother. Stick with what they have. It's not like if the Sens had Price they'd be a contender. There'd be no point unless it was to get to the cap floor or something.
- PogBoi

Agreed.