Jeremy Laura: Potential trade partners part 1 - Pittsburgh

Matt Murray and 15th pick in round 1 for Svechnikov.

Matt Murray and 15th pick in round 1 for Svechnikov.
- j.boyd919

Whoa. Twice on Sunday

Matt Murray and 15th pick in round 1 for Svechnikov.
- j.boyd919

Thanks for dropping by! I’d do that trade any day of the week man

Matt Murray and 15th pick in round 1 for Svechnikov.
- j.boyd919

Yeah that's an easy yes.

What was up with Murray this year, though? His numbers were straight awful. Playing hurt? Unlucky? Just plain bad?

I'm generally not one to overreact to small-sample badness, and Murray has enough other things going for him (age, experience, career numbers) that I still think he'd still be very much worth the risk. But also, I see a sub-.900 mark over 38 starts and think "man I hope this is a fluke and not a guy about to go full Martin Jones."

Yeah that's an easy yes.

What was up with Murray this year, though? His numbers were straight awful. Playing hurt? Unlucky? Just plain bad?

I'm generally not one to overreact to small-sample badness, and Murray has enough other things going for him (age, experience, career numbers) that I still think he'd still be very much worth the risk. But also, I see a sub-.900 mark over 38 starts and think "man I hope this is a fluke and not a guy about to go full Martin Jones."
- Sven22

It’s a good question. It may be an “in his own head” type thing. When Fleury was there, that’s such an ideal and positive situation. Sky high expectations after you win two cups! I agree, I’d take this kid. Still an improvement

It’s a good question. It may be an “in his own head” type thing. When Fleury was there, that’s such an ideal and positive situation. Sky high expectations after you win two cups! I agree, I’d take this kid. Still an improvement
- Jeremy Laura

Plus Murray wouldn't have to have all the pressure on him in Detroit. Weekend at Bernier is still here so they could split the games.

Plus Murray wouldn't have to have all the pressure on him in Detroit. Weekend at Bernier is still here so they could split the games.


- gergeswillems

Are you sure Murray doesn't just want to be The Man? You know, like Malkin?

Plus Murray wouldn't have to have all the pressure on him in Detroit. Weekend at Bernier is still here so they could split the games.


- gergeswillems

Honestly, I agree. Guys can get a mental reset

Thanks for dropping by! I’d do that trade any day of the week man
- Jeremy Laura

Pens need a RW and Svechnikov could hop into the lineup next year and challenge for top 6. That 15th overall ain’t gonna be ready for a few years anyhow.

Yeah that's an easy yes.

What was up with Murray this year, though? His numbers were straight awful. Playing hurt? Unlucky? Just plain bad?

I'm generally not one to overreact to small-sample badness, and Murray has enough other things going for him (age, experience, career numbers) that I still think he'd still be very much worth the risk. But also, I see a sub-.900 mark over 38 starts and think "man I hope this is a fluke and not a guy about to go full Martin Jones."
- Sven22

Honestly it’s not just this year.. he’s been pretty inconsistent since the second cup. He hasn’t been able to hack it for an entire season and has been floundering in the playoffs. He honestly hasn’t been right since his pops passed away. With the amount of pressure the Pens have to win it every year, he could probably benefit from a change of scenery to be honest. If he stays in PIT I don’t think he’ll regain his game and be consistent but he might elsewhere.

Are you sure Murray doesn't just want to be The Man? You know, like Malkin?
- Sven22

I'm sure Ek will have the "Malkin wants to be The Man" rumours all fired up shortly. I'm expecting Detroit to be on his radar.

I'm thinking Murray comes here and eases himself into this cluster (frank) lineup. He can't play any worse than Jimmy Howard did. Maybe he plays well and wins the #1 role. Murray intrigues me but I'm not willing to overpay to acquire him.

Pens need a RW and Svechnikov could hop into the lineup next year and challenge for top 6. That 15th overall ain’t gonna be ready for a few years anyhow.
- j.boyd919

Maybe Murray just needs a change of scenery more than anything.

Pens need a RW and Svechnikov could hop into the lineup next year and challenge for top 6. That 15th overall ain’t gonna be ready for a few years anyhow.
- j.boyd919

I can appreciate that logic. Pitt’s situation (like Chicago) is very special. Two all world centers and Letang are pieces you can still build around. It’s a high pressure scenario. You do need “ready now” players for sure. Well put

I'm sure Ek will have the "Malkin wants to be The Man" rumours all fired up shortly. I'm expecting Detroit to be on his radar.

I'm thinking Murray comes here and eases himself into this cluster (frank) lineup. He can't play any worse than Jimmy Howard did. Maybe he plays well and wins the #1 role. Murray intrigues me but I'm not willing to overpay to acquire him.
- gergeswillems

I like where your head’s at on this. Malkin, what a stud. The guy looks like he can carry two players on his back and score one handed sometimes. For Murray, he won the cup as a new goalie. Twice! The tandem with Fleury was such an enviable position to be in. Shy of replicating that each year, nowhere to go but “down”. I agree. Don’t overpay, but an intriguing possibility.

I'm sure Ek will have the "Malkin wants to be The Man" rumours all fired up shortly. I'm expecting Detroit to be on his radar.

I'm thinking Murray comes here and eases himself into this cluster (frank) lineup. He can't play any worse than Jimmy Howard did. Maybe he plays well and wins the #1 role. Murray intrigues me but I'm not willing to overpay to acquire him.
- gergeswillems

Yeah I think this pretty much sums it up perfectly for me as well.

I don't think Murray is especially good, but at 26 he's probably got at least 3-4 years of "dependably middle of the road" left in the tank, and maybe more. I'm totally fine with that if the price is right. Obviously everybody wants an elite goalie but those are in very short supply.

Murray probably isn't really any better than the usual bargain bin UFA goalies available every year (Talbot, Khudobin, etc.), but he has the advantage of not being, like, 34 years old. There's something to be said for just bringing in a guy you can count on to be unspectacularly average for the foreseeable future. Chris Osgood got 400 wins as that guy.

Murray and Schultz for Detroits 3rd actually sounds like a good deal.

If I were the Pens though I'd try to do Murray, Schultz and the Pens 3rd rounder for Detroits 2nd rounder.

G, I think Murray needs a change of scenery, just like was said. Funny, when I read J's post just now, the VERY 1st thought I had was Murray & Pens 1st for Svech, maybe throw in Ehn or Perlini for him. Seems like a good deal; we get rid of some positional players that open up slots for some youngsters to come in and light up the sky.

I think this is a great deal for both Murray AND Svech (both would fare very well with a change). Murray is under immense pressure in light of 2 drinks from Lord Stanley's chalice ("With a tin cup, for a chalice, fill it up with good red wine....") and sky-high expectations. Coming to DET, there's no place to go but up, has time to find himself and his game, and let's face it; Larks is a damn good leader and the guys run a very tight ship in the lockerroom....methinks. They'd know he'd need some time to adjust, the coaching staff would be able to work with him, and it's only for a couple of years until we either draft a stud, a prospect develops and blows us away, or we get a hot trade for a long-term solution. Or Murray develops and The Captain looks like a hockey savant and we get back to the play-offs sooner.

Something has to give, honestly. We all know that this is going to take time, but we also know that one must strike when the iron's hot. Pitt's going to have some pretty radical changes, I'd push for Murray; Jarry is just a bridge too far and there's NO way they'd trade him (an Untouchable like Larkin...). I see Pitt as a solid dancing partner, for sure.

Kevin Allen was on the radio today. Said the Pens won't get much for Murray. Said his reputation has fallen pretty dramatically in league circles. He needs a fresh start, but he's not the guy you want backstopping a rebuilding team...JMO.

Murray and Schultz for Detroits 3rd actually sounds like a good deal.

If I were the Pens though I'd try to do Murray, Schultz and the Pens 3rd rounder for Detroits 2nd rounder.
- MacPatty

Nice!

Kevin Allen was on the radio today. Said the Pens won't get much for Murray. Said his reputation has fallen pretty dramatically in league circles. He needs a fresh start, but he's not the guy you want backstopping a rebuilding team...JMO.
- madmike71

During the rebuild I’m fine with it. Howard had a GA of over 4 and went 2-25 or so. We need to develop a solid tender, Murray would be a good stop gap

Murray and Schultz for Detroits 3rd actually sounds like a good deal.

If I were the Pens though I'd try to do Murray, Schultz and the Pens 3rd rounder for Detroits 2nd rounder.
- MacPatty

Schultz is an UFA. If Detorits plan is to tank hard, they should go this route.

I agree with gergeswillems. Murray will cost and asset plus a good chunk of salary when there are cheaper options who are just as good, if not better, and can be acquired for free. He will also unnecessarily tie up a roster spot and salary for years.

I don't understand the reasoning behind paying for an average-at-best placeholder. Murray is too slow to ever be a top 10 goalie unless he is on a world-beater team and doesn't have to do much. Other parts of his game need work, too (positioning, rebound control, glove side, etc.). He's never been a good puck handler.

I'll be shocked if JR gets more than a 3rd for Murray.

As for Schultz, again, why? He's also a FA, btw. It's like signing Trevor Daley. If you're looking for a vet placeholder until the kids are ready, ok. But you don't need to pay for a guy like that and he's certainly not going to show the kids how to play hockey. He's pretty terrible at this point, even on the 3rd pairing.

I agree with gergeswillems. Murray will cost and asset plus a good chunk of salary when there are cheaper options who are just as good, if not better, and can be acquired for free. He will also unnecessarily tie up a roster spot and salary for years.

I don't understand the reasoning behind paying for an average-at-best placeholder. Murray is too slow to ever be a top 10 goalie unless he is on a world-beater team and doesn't have to do much. Other parts of his game need work, too (positioning, rebound control, glove side, etc.). He's never been a good puck handler.

I'll be shocked if JR gets more than a 3rd for Murray.

As for Schultz, again, why? He's also a FA, btw. It's like signing Trevor Daley. If you're looking for a vet placeholder until the kids are ready, ok. But you don't need to pay for a guy like that and he's certainly not going to show the kids how to play hockey. He's pretty terrible at this point, even on the 3rd pairing.
- Hockey66

I honestly believe the league has figure him out. Obviously his slow glove is a problem, but his rebound control the last couple of years was equally tragic. He'll get smoked behind a poor defense. Murray stood on his head a couple of times to win the 16 cup. MAF did the heavy lifting in the 17 cup....although I remember Murray having a spectacular game against Nashville. Both teams were tremendous defensively....that was the real key to those cups.

I honestly believe the league has figure him out. Obviously his slow glove is a problem, but his rebound control the last couple of years was equally tragic. He'll get smoked behind a poor defense. Murray stood on his head a couple of times to win the 16 cup. MAF did the heavy lifting in the 17 cup....although I remember Murray having a spectacular game against Nashville. Both teams were tremendous defensively....that was the real key to those cups.
- madmike71

This. People talk about a change-of-scenery, but if he gets shelled on a nightly basis, he could easily turn into a basket case.

I would just go with an old vet who will be happy just to have a job until a young prospect is ready.