Pettersson will get a nice bump. Kahun and Simon could too. McCann's could be significant if he gets close to 30 goals. That space will be gone quick, though they can open up more.

And even if Marino is playing 2nd pair, they may want to upgrade the JJ, Ruhwedel, Riikola, Trotman bottom end.

It's all super complicated with so many free agents, many of whom can earn a nice pay raise with good years.
- Tojo.

Between Schultz, Galch, Bjug and the $1.5M they have now, that's $16M! I think raises will only take up about half of that, provided they don't overpay Murray.

Murray - $8M -$3.75 = $4.25M raise
Petts - $4M -$875K = $3.125M
McCann - $4M -$1.25M = $2.75M
Kahun - $3M -$925K = $2.075M
Simon - $2.5M -$750K = $1.75M

Edit: My calculations come to $14M, so you're right. My estimates are on the high end, though. They really need to dump both Bjug and JJ ASAP.

Between Schultz, Galch, Bjug and the $1.5M they have now, that's $16M! I think raises will only take up about half of that, provided they don't overpay Murray.
- Hockey66

Your numbers are probably optimistic. Pettersson is establishing himself as a top 4, Kahun is on pace for a 20/40 season, McCann 30/60, Simon 40, and they'll probably pay Murray.

You're probably looking at 7M for Murray, 3-4 for Pettersson, and 10-12 for the 3 forwards. Jarry should get more than DeSmith did if he continues to play well.

That's not leaving much to fill out the roster let alone make a big add, unless they cut more than just Bjugstad.

Your numbers are probably optimistic. Pettersson is establishing himself as a top 4, Kahun is on pace for a 20/40 season, McCann 30/60, Simon 40, and they'll probably pay Murray.

You're probably looking at 7M for Murray, 3-4 for Pettersson, and 10-12 for the 3 forwards. Jarry should get more than DeSmith did if he continues to play well.
- Tojo.

Yes, I did the math and my calculations come to $14M, so you're right. My estimates are on the high end, though. They really need to dump both Bjug and JJ ASAP.

I like watching good scoring chances materialize only to be stopped by a blocked shot, hard back check a d man sliding across the ice just as much.
- Grinder47

ok boomer.

but seriously, think about what you just said in an effort to make some point about toughness, physicality, etc. You just described scoring chances getting stopped...which stills falls into the category of...here it comes...….scoring chances.

Yes, I did the math and my calculations come to $14M, so you're right. My estimates are on the high end, though. They really need to dump both Bjug and JJ ASAP.
- Hockey66

I don't think your estimates are high, maybe Murray. You're probably low on the forwards.

ok boomer.

but seriously, think about what you just said in an effort to make some point about toughness, physicality, etc. You just described scoring chances getting stopped...which stills falls into the category of...here it comes...….scoring chances.
- Blackstrom2

But 3-on-3 totally changes the dynamic and it usually ends up being a breakaway or a 2-on-1. I agree that it's too gimmicky meant to entice the casual hockey fan. Scoring shouldn't be easy and it shouldn't be aided by a standard carom off the boards at the other end of the ice.

I don't think your estimates are high, maybe Murray. You're probably low on the forwards.
- Tojo.

In that case, I'm probably looking to trade Murray, too.

This got me thinking, if the origin of this contract and cap talk was regarding Hall, why not just trade Murray for Hall straight up right now. NJ gets their goalie, and we get Malkin a sniper at LW. Throw in ZAR and Riikola to make the cap work (or JJ )

ok boomer.

but seriously, think about what you just said in an effort to make some point about toughness, physicality, etc. You just described scoring chances getting stopped...which stills falls into the category of...here it comes...….scoring chances.
- Blackstrom2

Only in 3 on 3 they don’t get stopped. It’s simply a coin toss of which nhl teams best few players can capitalize on trading chance after chance. It’s stupid and goofy. Boomer? I’m 31.

In that case, I'm probably looking to trade Murray, too.

This got me thinking, if the origin of this contract and cap talk was regarding Hall, why not just trade Murray for Hall straight up right now. NJ gets their goalie, and we get Malkin a sniper at LW. Throw in ZAR and Riikola to make the cap work (or JJ )
- Hockey66

Even if the Pens would do that, Hall is getting more than Murray and now you need another goalie, or you're paying Jarry a bigger raise than expected if he doesn't turn into a pumpkin when he plays more (and if he does you have bigger problems), so that makes the cap worse, not better.

Trading guys like ZAR and Riikola, two of the cheaper guys next year, doesn't help the cap as you then need to replace them with guys from the minors making almost as much who are probably worse.

In that case, I'm probably looking to trade Murray, too.

This got me thinking, if the origin of this contract and cap talk was regarding Hall, why not just trade Murray for Hall straight up right now. NJ gets their goalie, and we get Malkin a sniper at LW. Throw in ZAR and Riikola to make the cap work (or JJ )
- Hockey66

If you're doing that, you'd better hope that Jarry's small sample size can translate to a full season...and if it does, his raise is going to be a lot bigger than it would currently. I don't see this helping the cap. Now, if you were able to do Hall for Murray, JJ, and a non-1st round pick, you may have something. But still, Jarry is an unproven (long-term) goalie, so you'd better be damn sure he's ready. Right now, through a whopping 36 games, his numbers are slightly worse than the great Jim Carey's rookie year.

If you're doing that, you'd better hope that Jarry's small sample size can translate to a full season...and if it does, his raise is going to be a lot bigger than it would currently. I don't see this helping the cap. Now, if you were able to do Hall for Murray, JJ, and a non-1st round pick, you may have something. But still, Jarry is an unproven (long-term) goalie, so you'd better be damn sure he's ready. Right now, through a whopping 36 games, his numbers are slightly worse than the great Jim Carey's rookie year.
- jmatchett383

Yeah, goalies are voodoo. I probably won't be convinced to hand the job to Jarry this year and I only think they save around 3M getting a decent 1B option instead of Murray. Only 11 goalies have made 6M, but 25 at 4M so you're really bargain shopping if you hope to save a lot from Murray.

I don't think Murray gets the big number people fear. Only six goalies have broke 7M barrier and 2, Fleury and Rask, are right on it and considered better. 7th is Gibson at 6.4, 8th is Hellebuck at 6.17, that seems more Murray's range. Similar age, they're better but he has those Cups. 6.5M sounds right, 7 at most.

Yeah, goalies are voodoo. I probably won't be convinced to hand the job to Jarry this year and I only think they save around 3M getting a decent 1B option instead of Murray. Only 11 goalies have made 6M, but 25 at 4M so you're really bargain shopping if you hope to save a lot from Murray.

I don't think Murray gets the big number people fear. Only six goalies have broke 7M barrier and 2, Fleury and Rask, are right on it and considered better. 7th is Gibson at 6.4, 8th is Hellebuck at 6.17, that seems more Murray's range. Similar age, they're better but he has those Cups. 6.5M sounds right, 7 at most.
- Tojo.

No revelation here, but goalies are the biggest rollercoaster players in the NHL and maybe most sports. Could Murray be playing better? Sure, but the Pens could also be getting a lot worse out of many other other goalies. Murray a worse start to last year's season then played great in the second half, and wasn't even close to the reason they lost in the playoffs. I truly believe he's a player who takes a little time to settle in and we'll see another strong late-season performance.

Many here, just this past off-season, were convinced Jarry was a nothing; not even a back-up and now, after seven games, they want him to be the starter over Murray. I think Murray gets right around what you said and I could even see the Pens throwing a ton of term at him to get him closer to $6M.

I like Jarry and always viewed him as an NHL goalie, maybe not a starter, but I always believed he was capable of being an above average back-up. Is he an NHL starter? I'm not sure, but do the Pens want to take the gamble that many other teams have in the past? There have been more than a few times a team trades for a back-up who had a stellar BACK-UP season, only to realize, "oh, he's not as good as a starter." Bernier and Talbot immediately come to mind.

Let's see what kind of season both goalies have and if the Pens want to move Murray they can still get a good return for him this off-season.

No revelation here, but goalies are the biggest rollercoaster players in the NHL and maybe most sports. Could Murray be playing better? Sure, but the Pens could also be getting a lot worse out of many other other goalies. Murray a worse start to last year's season then played great in the second half, and wasn't even close to the reason they lost in the playoffs. I truly believe he's a player who takes a little time to settle in and we'll see another strong late-season performance.

Many here, just this past off-season, were convinced Jarry was a nothing; not even a back-up and now, after seven games, they want him to be the starter over Murray. I think Murray gets right around what you said and I could even see the Pens throwing a ton of term at him to get him closer to $6M.

I like Jarry and always viewed him as an NHL goalie, maybe not a starter, but I always believed he was capable of being an above average back-up. Is he an NHL starter? I'm not sure, but do the Pens want to take the gamble that many other teams have in the past? There have been more than a few times a team trades for a back-up who had a stellar BACK-UP season, only to realize, "oh, he's not as good as a starter." Bernier and Talbot immediately come to mind.

Let's see what kind of season both goalies have and if the Pens want to move Murray they can still get a good return for him this off-season.
- Rinosaur

Gotta give you credit there, you have always been on his side as far as I can remember. I've always kind of been impartial to him, didnt really care much about him. If he stayed he stayed, if he didn't he didn't....that was until this season. He's showing me things that make me want him to stay.

Gotta give you credit there, you have always been on his side as far as I can remember. I've always kind of been impartial to him, didnt really care much about him. If he stayed he stayed, if he didn't he didn't....that was until this season. He's showing me things that make me want him to stay.
- MattStrat

Thanks. The Pens are in a win-win situation right now without having to move Murray now. Let's say Murray's play starts to slide and Jarry continues to get stronger. Well, Sullivan is not afraid to go with the hot hand and worst-case-scenario Matt Murray is the back-up, and you trade his RFA rights next season. There's zero reason to take an unnecessary gamble when having both goalies keeps you in a situation to win. If Murray is your back-up you're doing something right.

DeSmith is signed to a great contract, so the Pens really have no reason to jump the gun. They have enough quality to rotate and keep them as a true contender IMO which I firmly believe they are this year if they can stay healthy.

Thanks. The Pens are in a win-win situation right now without having to move Murray now. Let's say Murray's play starts to slide and Jarry continues to get stronger. Well, Sullivan is not afraid to go with the hot hand and worst-case-scenario Matt Murray is the back-up, and you trade his RFA rights next season. There's zero reason to take an unnecessary gamble when having both goalies keeps you in a situation to win. If Murray is your back-up you're doing something right.

DeSmith is signed to a great contract, so the Pens really have no reason to jump the gun. They have enough quality to rotate and keep them as a true contender IMO which I firmly believe they are this year if they can stay healthy.
- Rinosaur

Yeah to all of that... I see no rush to move a net-minder at all and its a position of strength for the organization.

DeSmith is 8-4-0 with a .920 sv% and a 2.48 GAA so far this season for Wilkes. Not bad, not bad.

Best GAA in the AHL now is 2.02 and the best SV% is .932 shared by the same guy for Norfolk, Troy Grosenick.

DeSmith is 8-4-0 with a .920 sv% and a 2.48 GAA so far this season for Wilkes. Not bad, not bad.

Best GAA in the AHL now is 2.02 and the best SV% is .932 shared by the same guy for Norfolk, Troy Grosenick.
- MattStrat

DeSmith had a very rough start, so his numbers being that good should show that he's been outstanding once he settled in. I think his poor play came from being disgruntled which I think has been made pretty public.

He's a late bloomer, but I think he has the ability to be a starter for two or three years.

Funny how RW mentioned Guentzel's numbers and never actually gave Geno any accolades for being his C while Crosby is out.

Just happened to notice Galch has more points per game played than Kessel. Probably should pass on resigning Galchenyuk IMO.
- madmike71

I wouldn't want to judge Galch so early. I'm hoping for a 55pts season and perhaps a pay cut from his $4.9M salary IF we can't land a bigger fish like Hall or Gaudreau.

In that case, I'm probably looking to trade Murray, too.

This got me thinking, if the origin of this contract and cap talk was regarding Hall, why not just trade Murray for Hall straight up right now. NJ gets their goalie, and we get Malkin a sniper at LW. Throw in ZAR and Riikola to make the cap work (or JJ )
- Hockey66

Let's pump the brakes on the trade Murray talk. Jarry has only seen extended playing time once in his career at this level and he put up a .908 save% in that span. He has had a good start, but are we really so quick to forget what Murray has already shown us?

But 3-on-3 totally changes the dynamic and it usually ends up being a breakaway or a 2-on-1. I agree that it's too gimmicky meant to entice the casual hockey fan. Scoring shouldn't be easy and it shouldn't be aided by a standard carom off the boards at the other end of the ice.
- Hockey66

It's not real hockey, but it is high event, and fun to watch. Fun to play too.

Like I said, it probably shouldn't be deciding games, but it's fun as hell to watch, and a little better than the shootout.

I wouldn't want to judge Galch so early. I'm hoping for a 55pts season and perhaps a pay cut from his $4.9M salary IF we can't land a bigger fish like Hall or Gaudreau.
- Barnaby36

Galchenyuk has been working with different coaches and players before and after practices for some time now. The guy and the team are really invested in him working out here. There is a lot of premature talk about him already being a failed investment.

We've been discussing shootouts a fair bit around here lately so it was only fitting that this story popped up in my FB news feed today....Lehner's interview is awesome.


https://www.bardown.com/r...6gwl43-yeQ5GpgI9yOn8QCR8g

Yeah to all of that... I see no rush to move a net-minder at all and its a position of strength for the organization.
- MattStrat

Agree, I feel no need to move any of our goalies right now barring some massive overpayment.

I wouldn't want to judge Galch so early. I'm hoping for a 55pts season and perhaps a pay cut from his $4.9M salary IF we can't land a bigger fish like Hall or Gaudreau.
- Barnaby36

55 points? Da (frank) are you smoking. There’s 58 games left and he has 9 points. You think he’s gonna score 46 points in 58 games? Lol I think 40ish points is more likely.