Email a copy of 'Expansion Draft Issues At The Trade Deadline: Defense and Goaltending' to a friend
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at CDT | by Zach Leach
Email a copy of 'Expansion Draft Issues At The Trade Deadline: Defense and Goaltending' to a friend
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bucsfan
The Penguins have the biggest issue regarding goaltenders. Murray is the clear goaltender of the future, while Fleury has a no movement clause and a partial no trade clause. Murray has also now supplanted Fleury as the starter.
There are 4 possible resolutions to this problem. 1–Fleury waives his NM clause and is traded at the deadline. 2–Fleury waives his NM clause and is traded in the offseason. 3–Penguins GM Jim Rutherford works out a deal with Las Vegas to not select Matt Murray, at likely astronomical cost. 4–Finally, the Pens could ultimately buy out the remainder of Fleury’s contract. This is a last resort measure, but I’m 100% certain the Pens will find a way to protect Murray.
Zach Leach
Yeah, it’s a big issue, but really it’s a non-issue because there’s no way the Penguins will expose Murray. The goalie market is pretty dead right now and Fleury hasn’t done much this season to improve his stock. If Rutherford can find a deal, either before the Deadline or in the short window after the Cup, in which he doesn’t have to take back an atrocious contract or give up a 1st-rounder or top prospect, he’ll do it. If not, I wouldn’t be surprised if Fleury simply waives his NMC to be exposed in the Expansion Draft. He either ends up the starter in Vegas or stays in Pittsburgh as the backup until he’s traded or bought out at a later date. Regardless, there’s really no reason for Penguins fans to worry. It looks bad, but Murray is completely safe.
bucsfan
Good points. The Pens’ cap situation certainly won’t help them in the trade market, especially in season. I’d be in Fleury’s ear about how being the first goalie for a new franchise is something that will be in the history books and that he could likely be their winningest goalie for some time.
sweetg 2
I don’t think Philadelphia is in that bad of shape. mason or neuvirth should sign in a second. you really think anyone is going to offer either big money starter job . both are looking at backup roles some where next year. either in Philadelphia or elsewhere.
JT19
Is Stolarz ready to play next year? If not, I could see them extending Mason for a year or two and let him start while Stolarz continues to develop. If he is, I could see them still giving a contract to Mason, but Neuvirth would likely represent the cheaper option to extend in that scenario.
Ed Charles
Stolarz is not the Flyers top goalie prospect . Alex Lyon is going to be the flyers goalie of the future and their also high on Carter Hart. I see Lyon playing ahead of Stolarz
Patrick 3
I’d love to read your thoughts on what the Bruins can do here. I’m guessing they may be among those in the next article about teams in some trouble. But they could be in “blow it up” mode, which could help other teams get that Adam McQuaid type to expose. I know you read that it’s tough for teams to take back a player with term, that would need to be exposed, but I wonder if a desperate team, like the Flyers would overpay with a draft pick? Maybe the Bruins can offer up a Khudobin for a draft pick and then themselves expose Subban. Khudobin would normally be worthless to all teams, but if it means the Flyers can keep their prospect goalie, maybe something like that can be discussed.
Zach Leach
You’re right, the Bruins are one of the few teams with the flexibility to trade a backup goalie with term and not put themselves in a difficult situation. Both Khudobin and Subban qualify for exposure, so they could move one or the other and still protect Rask. If the Flyers aren’t enamored with Mason or Neuvirth enough to give out an extension, they may be on the lookout for a team who’s able to move a qualifying goalie and the Bruins fit the bill. Considering the recent play of Rask and McIntyre, the Bruins will need to bring in a goalie this season anyway if they want a chance at making the playoffs, so trading Khudobin wouldn’t hurt them. However, the most I could see them getting from Philly is a 6th or 7th rounder. The Flyers need to protect Stolarz, but that doesn’t change the market value for a washed-up Khudobin nor the fact that the deal helps the Bruins salary cap situation. It would be better than nothing for the B’s though.