Pittsburgh Penguins (Marc-Andre Fleury/Matt Murray)
Similar to Montreal, Pittsburgh already possesses their all-star goaltender in Marc-Andre Fleury. The Penguins may feel pressure to move Matt Murray before the trade deadline in attempt to add depth down the stretch.
Locked in at $5.75 million dollars/year through 2018-19, carrying a no-movement clause, Fleury shows no signs of slowing at 31 years of age. In 2015-16, he’s accumulated 20 wins in 36 starts, with a 2.36GAA and .922 save percentage. Aside from recent shaky playoff performances in past years, Fleury is arguably the most dependable and consistent Penguins player of the last half decade.
Matt Murray, 21, was taken 83rd overall in the 3rd round at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft from OHL’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. He put up fantastic numbers in his final season of junior in 2013-14 before joining AHL Wilkes-Barre full-time in 2014-15. Arguably the AHL’s best overall performer last season, Murray went 25-10-3 with a 1.58GAA and .941 save percentage. That includes an outstanding 12 shutouts. In 2015-16 with Wilkes-Barre, Murray is 16-8-0 with a 1.97GAA and .933 save percentage, including four shutouts. He saw a short stint with the big club, going 2-1-0 in four games with a 1.72GAA and .938 save percentage.
Jeff Zatkoff is proving an excellent second option for Pittsburgh. He’s only got three wins in nine starts in 2015-16, with a 2.77GAA and .918 save percentage. His high goals against can be blamed on Pittsburgh’s defensive woes. The pair of Fleury/Zatkoff help solidify the Penguins in the blue paint for many years to come.
Solution: Trade Matt Murray
There are holes both up front, and on the back-end in Pittsburgh which could make earning a playoff spot difficult. They’re playing hot as-of-late, but things can change in a hurry. Don’t be surprised if GM Jim Rutherford explores trade options to find players that can help this team right now. Adding to the blueline should be priority given how thin the group is, and Kris Letang‘s injury history.
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