I am not sure of all the specifics regarding RFA rules but I wonder if the Pens could offer Murray a one year deal for what he is making now, after which he would become an UFA? That would be mutually beneficial. If he does good then it helps the Pens next season and he has a good case for a high paying follow-up contract (for whomever). If he does bad (again) then he will be free to test the UFA market and get as much as he can.

I thought Murray would play better this past season, considering it was a contract year. This would give him another chance, and would help the Pens avoid a bad trade.
- PghPens668771

Would rather trade him for anything than let him walk for nothing.

ill take a FRP over Pool party at this point. hes a bust. cant skate

Yes he would be 27 by June 30 of next year making him eligible for UFA. The question is does Murray want to bet on himself with a one year deal?
- Feds91Stammer

After the year he had, that might not be the worst idea. Have to think whatever team trades for him wants to sign him for longer though.

Maybe Kapanen is the new JT Miller? A top line, definitely top six, guy.... Then that 1st is gonna look like peanuts....

After the year he had, that might not be the worst idea. Have to think whatever team trades for him wants to sign him for longer though.
- Tojo.

He'd be in a time share with Jarry. Not a good situation to try to prove yourself in.

He'd be in a time share with Jarry. Not a good situation to try to prove yourself in.
- Victoro311

I said on his next team, not here.

After the year he had, that might not be the worst idea. Have to think whatever team trades for him wants to sign him for longer though.
- Tojo.

Honestly though with the NHL talking about starting in January and still trying to play 82 games, every goalie should expect a time share.

After the year he had, that might not be the worst idea. Have to think whatever team trades for him wants to sign him for longer though.
- Tojo.

I just think he needs a change of scenery though. I would move on from him. I know you don't have faith in Jarry/Desmith, but I think there will be some vets left to pickup if need be. I really don't know what to think of Desmith this coming year but I'm less worried about Jarry, I don't care about years past. Some guys are late bloomers. He just has a solid combination of positioning, athleticism and puck handling.

I said on his next team, not here.



Honestly though with the NHL talking about starting in January and still trying to play 82 games, every goalie should expect a time share.
- Tojo.

poop I did the same thing haha, I assumed you meant here.

He'd be in a time share with Jarry. Not a good situation to try to prove yourself in.
- Victoro311

He'd be in a time share anywhere he goes. He is not in a great spot negotiation wise.

I just think he needs a change of scenery though. I would move on from him. I know you don't have faith in Jarry/Desmith, but I think there will be some vets left to pickup if need be. I really don't know what to think of Desmith this coming year but I'm less worried about Jarry, I don't care about years past. Some guys are late bloomers. He just has a solid combination of positioning, athleticism and puck handling.
- 668710

I'm not sure I have confidence in Desmith if Jarry gets hurt.

I'm not sure I have confidence in Desmith if Jarry gets hurt.
- madmike71

Honestly, if the rumors about Toronto not wanting Murray until they do something with Andersen, I would welcome Andersen here. Mario & Burkle have to like that he is only due $1M in actual salary. I don't think salary cap should be an issue since we solved the 1/2RW on the cheap. Still should get rid of $7.35M with Bjug and JJ (obviously).

I'm not sure I have confidence in Desmith if Jarry gets hurt.
- madmike71

At one point DeSmith was higher on the depth chart than Jarry. In fact, a likely reason Jarry played in the NHL this past season instead of DeSmith was that DeSmith had a bigger cap hit. The Pens had to send DeSmith through waivers early in the season to clear cap space.

You had bluegers hockeydb page opened on a tab for over 3 years?
- Feds91Stammer

If you look at the WBS roster from 2017/2018 it will show his age as 22

Maybe Kapanen is the new JT Miller? A top line, definitely top six, guy.... Then that 1st is gonna look like peanuts....
- MisterBrown

After watching him the last couple years, I think he's the next Grabner. Good for a breakaway a game, a shot into the goalies chest, and maybe a 20 goal season every 3-4 years.

I'm not sure I have confidence in Desmith if Jarry gets hurt.
- madmike71

Like long term? If that happened I'm sure we would be going the route to find a cheap vet to sign or trade for a goalie. Craig Anderson for one.

If you look at the WBS roster from 2017/2018 it will show his age as 22
- TheGame316

Ahh so you can’t read. Fair enough.

Funny how when a GM is presented with an offer right now for his first round pick, he opts to be patient and wait for the market to develop... someone should've told GMJR that.

If you can get the 14th pick for Murray, all of the power to you. i dont see it, but that'd be great. I think Murray for Kapanen would've been a good trade for both sides.

Yohe said on Madden today:
-Guerin has no interest in Murray, wanted Jarry in the Zucker trade
-CGY, EDM, & COL are the three teams talking the most to the Pens about Murray.
-He doubts Letang gets traded
-He was as confused by the Rikkola signing as we were. Doesnt see Rutherford trading Pettersson.

At one point DeSmith was higher on the depth chart than Jarry. In fact, a likely reason Jarry played in the NHL this past season instead of DeSmith was that DeSmith had a bigger cap hit. The Pens had to send DeSmith through waivers early in the season to clear cap space.
- PghPens668771

DeSmith was never higher on the depth chart. Jarry was developing and waiver exempt. They kept Jarry last season because they knew he wouldn't clear waivers and they didn't want to give a talented but unproven player away. DeSmith cleared because of his limited upside. Not saying he's terrible. I think he's completely fine in that role, but I don't believe he's capable of a big workload. If Jarry struggles or misses significant time, they'll need to make a move.

I just think he needs a change of scenery though. I would move on from him. I know you don't have faith in Jarry/Desmith, but I think there will be some vets left to pickup if need be. I really don't know what to think of Desmith this coming year but I'm less worried about Jarry, I don't care about years past. Some guys are late bloomers. He just has a solid combination of positioning, athleticism and puck handling.
- 668710

I think he needs better D in front of him. Look at his save percentage with jj/schultz on and off the ice. I bet MM goes anywhere decent and his numbers go up as a result of less anchors in front of him. Jarry plays with the same top 5 of 6 and his numbers are poor and everyone freaks out about us should of kept MM

DeSmith was never higher on the depth chart. Jarry was developing and waiver exempt. They kept Jarry last season because they knew he wouldn't clear waivers and they didn't want to give a talented but unproven player away. DeSmith cleared because of his limited upside. Not saying he's terrible. I think he's completely fine in that role, but I don't believe he's capable of a big workload. If Jarry struggles or misses significant time, they'll need to make a move.
- madmike71

This is false. Actually if you go back a season Desmith was actually the preferred goalie over Jarry. Desmith was sent to WBS because we needed to get under the cap. They tried to trade Jarry, but a trade never happened so Desmith was sent down only because he had a higher salary which saved us more money. Desmith looked great down in WBS this season and showed greater consistency and durability from what we had seen from Jarry one year prior in WBS. If Jarry didn't play in the big league this season between the 2 years watching WBS, I would have easily choose Desmith over Jarry and it would not have been close.

I have said it in the past. I hope Jarry has turned the corner, because he usually did look as consistent or as good as he did with the big club. Which is my worry with all the Murray trade talk. Then again I have confidence that DeSmith can do well if needed as our goalie.

Do you want Granlund or Haula for 3C assuming both get the same contracts?

Do you want Granlund or Haula for 3C assuming both get the same contracts?
- Hockey66

Apparently Granlund doesn't play center much at all and Haula is Bjugstad 2.0 hasn't even played 82 games over the last 2 seasons, and has never played a full season, so I guess neither. But if you had to take one I'd take Granlund.

Apparently Granlund doesn't play center much at all and Haula is Bjugstad 2.0 hasn't even played 82 games over the last 2 seasons, and has never played a full season, so I guess neither. But if you had to take one I'd take Granlund.
- 668710

I agree with you. I wouldn't take either. If we had to take one, I would take Granlund (even though he doesn't play center)

I agree with you. I wouldn't take either. If we had to take one, I would take Granlund (even though he doesn't play center)
- 123Kid

Yea he would just be a third line winger, maybe emergency center.

Apparently Granlund doesn't play center much at all and Haula is Bjugstad 2.0 hasn't even played 82 games over the last 2 seasons, and has never played a full season, so I guess neither. But if you had to take one I'd take Granlund.
- 668710

Same. I wouldn't sign either. They probably wouldn't be at the same price because Granlund is more valuable, so at same price I take Granlund.

I don't mind getting a wing and keeping McCann, in fact that's my preference, but Granlund probably costs too much to play 3rd line after seeing how he struggled with Nashville.