Maybe the league allows one whole contract to be buried or bought out with no cap penalty to assist teams with being cap compliant. "See you later Jack!"
- Aaron_85

I actually did read something about the league wanting to do that. Amazing to think that JJs $3M hit would be such a huge burden. Wouldvpay a lot to see that go away...

I read something about NHL trying to help and it mentioned compliance buyouts, but GMs were not in favor of this
- drummer829

The problem is that a compliance buyout really only helps the big town teams. They can afford to pay cash to a player right now to get him off of their books, but smaller market teams that are having a cash crunch, now and for likely at least the next year, cannot afford to pay a guy to not play for them.

We also lost our goalie coach who Murray really respected and learned a lot from Mike Bales our old goalie coach (currently with Buffalo). I think Murray has some weaknesses in his game. I think his father's illness and Murrays mental game made him second guess his ability. He is still a very clutch performer and showed up big in the playoffs multiple times. I agree with most, that with a better defensive system he will probably do well. We played a more structured game during our cup runs and Murray had some incredible saves. I think he could be a solid player at times. I think he will play well for whoever he plays for.
- 123Kid

That's the answer I go with. Murray when he cane up was a great positional goalie, but his technique keeps getting off-track particularly playing too deep in the crease for long stretches. After the Cup, they switched goalie coaches to the one who coached Murray in WBS. I don't think it's worked out well.

I think a different goalie coach might make an impact with Murray. Bales, the guy we let go, was given a lot if credit in helping Fleury turn his game around so it was surprising we let him walk and hasn't worked out.

The problem is that a compliance buyout really only helps the big town teams. They can afford to pay cash to a player right now to get him off of their books, but smaller market teams that are having a cash crunch, now and for likely at least the next year, cannot afford to pay a guy to not play for them.
- SuperHenderson13

It's still something though. At least the NHL is throwing around ideas so teams can maneuver what's going on.

League needs to do all outdoor games to adhere to COVID guidelines.

Every game will be a winter classic!

So seriously what happened to Matt Murray? I know he struggled this last year but why? Injury?
- Queenie_5_hole

Combination of things IMO. Team defense hasn't been great. Team got a little slower and older. Jack Johnson blows. Injuries. Murray is kind of average and the league has had plenty of time to "figure him out".

There's been rumors that Murray resists coaching and changes. Don't know how accurate that is, but his game can vary wildly. It's funny.... the only assistant coach to survive the coaching purge was the goalie coach. They extended his deal I think.

Combination of things IMO. Team defense hasn't been great. Team got a little slower and older. Jack Johnson blows. Injuries. Murray is kind of average and the league has had plenty of time to "figure him out".

There's been rumors that Murray resists coaching and changes. Don't know how accurate that is, but his game can vary wildly. It's funny.... the only assistant coach to survive the coaching purge was the goalie coach. They extended his deal I think.
- madmike71

His father passing as well. He needs a fresh start and I hope he does well.

That's the answer I go with. Murray when he cane up was a great positional goalie, but his technique keeps getting off-track particularly playing too deep in the crease for long stretches. After the Cup, they switched goalie coaches to the one who coached Murray in WBS. I don't think it's worked out well.

I think a different goalie coach might make an impact with Murray. Bales, the guy we let go, was given a lot if credit in helping Fleury turn his game around so it was surprising we let him walk and hasn't worked out.
- Tojo.

Agreed. Bales is the reason I am picking Murray to be traded to Buffalo. I think Tage Thompson and Casey Mittelstadt would be players to watch coming the other way. Thompson because he is a right handed player who excels on the powerplay. He can one time it and also be a net front crash the net type. Mittelstadt previously was a 1st round pick and could still develop into a special player, but he currently isn't showing it on Buffalo. He is also someone subjected to trade rumors.

That's the answer I go with. Murray when he cane up was a great positional goalie, but his technique keeps getting off-track particularly playing too deep in the crease for long stretches. After the Cup, they switched goalie coaches to the one who coached Murray in WBS. I don't think it's worked out well.

I think a different goalie coach might make an impact with Murray. Bales, the guy we let go, was given a lot if credit in helping Fleury turn his game around so it was surprising we let him walk and hasn't worked out.
- Tojo.

Agreed completely. I reckon coaching is a big part of the mystery of goaltenders. There's a reason Mitch Korn's goaltenders are ALWAYS good.

It's incredible how much hate Murray has gotten in Pittsburgh at times. The guy won two Cups and I think that high bar set made it impossible for him to succeed long term here, cap implications aside.

The Penguins were a really good team in 2016. They could've won the Cup with me in net, but Murray still had to make some big plays. In 2017, we werent as good, but MAF/Murray led a good pairing to win it all. Since then our team has taken a nose dive and Murray has been let down and more exposed than ever before.

People have a weird obsession with MAF in this town. There have been a lot of stories of Murray being called out in public about MAF. MAF cost us some of Malkin/Crosby's best years to potentially win the Cup. He's a first class human and one to be remembered, but it is just weird how many people in the Penguins fan base would take a bullet for him.

Murray will leave because of the salary cap. If Murray was signed to a reasonable contract, I'd be more willing to keep him and trade Jarry. I think we made a big mistake when we kept Murray and traded MAF & a 2nd (2020 2nd). We should have cashed out on Murray' s high value and used MAF until his end, likely backstopped by Jarry being ready.

A Murray for Sam Bennett trade in 2017 likely would've saved us from trading for Brassard and doubling down on the trade by getting McCann/Bjugstad.
- SuperHenderson13

I think MAF has very little to do with it. Murray has been wildly inconsistent for 3 years now. Can anybody actually predict how Murray will play next season.

I think MAF has very little to do with it. Murray has been wildly inconsistent for 3 years now. Can anybody actually predict how Murray will play next season.
- madmike71

Yeah it seems like the people most offended by Murray being on the outs were the same people who would female dog about MAF all the time on here. If anything, they're the ones with the emotional attachment to a a goalie because he pushed out their least favorite Penguin ever.

Absolutely nothing personal against Murray. It was good business to let MAF go and keep Murr for $4 mil, and now its good business to let Murray go and keep Jarry for $4 mil. If Gustavson were still here and viable, it should also have been the plan to let Jarry go when the time came as well. This should have always been the plan and I'm glad that the FO isn't committing to Murray out of Cup nostalgia. Like seriously, goalies win Cups and then become average or bad all the time.

You must be scarred for life after losing $4K watching The JJ Show in the playoffs.
- Hockey66

Made 3k back in the next series on the parlay flyers win Game 1/Series against montreal.

Montreal are dog sht.

Apparently...pittsburgh’s even worse.

The Met will be owned by the flyers for the next decade...get used to it.

Made 3k back in the next series on the parlay flyers win Game 1/Series against montreal.

Montreal are dog sht.

Apparently...pittsburgh’s even worse.

The Met will be owned by the flyers for the next decade...get used to it.
- bruceflyers

Rangers and Hurricanes(If they get a goalie) as well. We know what we are in for haha but we got 3 cups out of it so I'm good. I feel blessed to have lived my 20's and early 30's being able to really enjoy the prime years and party and not have to worry about kids haha. I was 21 when we went to the 08 finals, it was great ride but we'll have to rebuild soon once Sid era is over.

Dreger thinks Murray goes soon now. My hope is Ottawa as they have the most ammo in cap space and draft picks.

I have completely tempered my expectations so I am expecting a weak return but really hoping JR doesn't poop the bed and somehow get convinced he needs to take back a bad contract in the deal.

Now that I'm going down memory lane haha. Those Pens-Red Wings finals were so (frank)ing good. I always wondered what the 08 fancy stats were until we hit the finals. We had 2 losses going into the finals, we ripped the east a new one. I'm sure the shooting percentage was high as hell.

Dreger thinks Murray goes soon now. My hope is Ottawa as they have the most ammo in cap space and draft picks.

I have completely tempered my expectations so I am expecting a weak return but really hoping JR doesn't poop the bed and somehow get convinced he needs to take back a bad contract in the deal.
- MacPatty

Yea Ottawa would be nice to dump JJ too

Yeah it seems like the people most offended by Murray being on the outs were the same people who would female dog about MAF all the time on here. If anything, they're the ones with the emotional attachment to a a goalie because he pushed out their least favorite Penguin ever.

Absolutely nothing personal against Murray. It was good business to let MAF go and keep Murr for $4 mil, and now its good business to let Murray go and keep Jarry for $4 mil. If Gustavson were still here and viable, it should also have been the plan to let Jarry go when the time came as well. This should have always been the plan and I'm glad that the FO isn't committing to Murray out of Cup nostalgia. Like seriously, goalies win Cups and then become average or bad all the time.
- Victoro311

I think the concern is this is the first season that Jarry looked like anything but a backup for this organization. I know my concern is when he was in the AHL he was very inconsistent and injury prone. I am more concerned that he doesn't actually have multiple consistent seasons under his belt. Now we are going to bet on him after his first consistent season to be our starter. It was also the first season he also didn't look like a back up for this organization and actually looked like he could be a starter.

I think Murray looked the same way as well when he first came up. Teams started to watch film on him and he had a few concussions and a coach change which I believe all played a factor in his decline on the ice. I think he could rebound though and be a solid player. I think most Pittsburgh fans use the eye test for goalies since MAF and believe we are better suited for an athletic goalie more so over a positional goalie like Murray. I think that is another reason why he receives such bad press from the fans.

It's still something though. At least the NHL is throwing around ideas so teams can maneuver what's going on.
- Rinosaur

I know you like Duclair a lot. Think theres a possibilty the pens can pawn JJ, player, plus pick for his rights?

I know you like Duclair a lot. Think theres a possibilty the pens can pawn JJ, player, plus pick for his rights?
- nateca444

Unlikely.

I know you like Duclair a lot. Think theres a possibilty the pens can pawn JJ, player, plus pick for his rights?
- nateca444

I'd rather dump JJ their with Murray for a conditional 7th

I know you like Duclair a lot. Think theres a possibilty the pens can pawn JJ, player, plus pick for his rights?
- nateca444

I think the only way the Pens would have a shot at DuClair is a one-for-one with Murray.

Yeah it seems like the people most offended by Murray being on the outs were the same people who would female dog about MAF all the time on here. If anything, they're the ones with the emotional attachment to a a goalie because he pushed out their least favorite Penguin ever.

Absolutely nothing personal against Murray. It was good business to let MAF go and keep Murr for $4 mil, and now its good business to let Murray go and keep Jarry for $4 mil. If Gustavson were still here and viable, it should also have been the plan to let Jarry go when the time came as well. This should have always been the plan and I'm glad that the FO isn't committing to Murray out of Cup nostalgia. Like seriously, goalies win Cups and then become average or bad all the time.
- Victoro311

If Murray were healthy and steady putting up .920's the last 3 years, the fans wouldn't think about Fleury or Jarry. The Pens would probably signing him long term. The reason MAF (with his two rings) isn't in high demand is because he's not been consistent at all.

Totally agree about the "business" aspect. Can't reward a player for long distant performances.

I think the concern is this is the first season that Jarry looked like anything but a backup for this organization. I know my concern is when he was in the AHL he was very inconsistent and injury prone. I am more concerned that he doesn't actually have multiple consistent seasons under his belt. Now we are going to bet on him after his first consistent season to be our starter. It was also the first season he also didn't look like a back up for this organization and actually looked like he could be a starter.

I think Murray looked the same way as well when he first came up. Teams started to watch film on him and he had a few concussions and a coach change which I believe all played a factor in his decline on the ice. I think he could rebound though and be a solid player. I think most Pittsburgh fans use the eye test for goalies since MAF and believe we are better suited for an athletic goalie more so over a positional goalie like Murray. I think that is another reason why he receives such bad press from the fans.
- 123Kid

Not gonna pretend there isn’t risk. I just think we’re in a cap situation where we HAVE to take the gamble. And Murray’s been average these past couple seasons to the point that he’s pretty replaceable anyways if we decide we need to get a vet backup or 1B.

I think the only way the Pens would have a shot at DuClair is a one-for-one with Murray.
- Rinosaur

Sounds like a no brainer to take that deal right?

Sounds like a no brainer to take that deal right?
- nateca444

Not really. I don't think the Pens can afford DuClair.