NHL Trade Grade: Penguins trade Matt Murray to Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators have traded for Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Matt Murray.
Two things were inevitable this NHL offseason. First of all, the Pittsburgh Penguins were going to trade goaltender Matt Murray. The extension given to Tristan Jarry made Murray’s departure necessary. Secondly, the Ottawa Senators had to add a goaltender.
Those two inevitable things crossed paths, as the Pens have traded Murray to the Sens for a second-round pick (52nd overall) and prospect Jon Gruden.
Let’s take a look at this trade from both sides.
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
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This is about as good of a return as I expected Pittsburgh to get. Murray’s a gifted goaltender, but his 2019-20 season was the worst of his career. The Pens are clearly moving forward with Jarry and Casey DeSmith.
It’s tough to see the Pens part ways with Murray, who won them two Stanley Cups, but this was necessary. While Pittsburgh does not clear any cap space since Murray is an RFA, this trade gives them a little bit of flexibility.
In a loaded 2020 draft, getting a second-round pick is key. This post will be updated once we know who the Penguins pick with the 52nd overall pick.
Grade: B+
OTTAWA SENATORS
The Senators are gambling on Murray bouncing back. I’m optimistic he can. His high-danger save percentage is excellent, and that tends to be an important stat for goaltenders. Of course, Murray’s low-danger and medium-danger save percentages have slumped. But if those bounce back to even average, he’s one of the better goalies in the league.
This also gives Ottawa a goaltender to keep the net warm until they find their franchise goaltender. They don’t have one in the pipeline yet, but with their salary cap situation, they could find one next offseason. There will be teams needing to move goalies ahead of the Seattle Expansion Draft.
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The Senators still have work to do, as they have to sign Murray to his next contract and re-sign some key RFAs. But so far, they’ve done a solid job.
Grade: B