Penguins Should Consider Signing Matt Murray
The Pittsburgh Penguins appear likely to lose goaltender Stuart Skinner in free agency when it hits on July 1st. Skinner was acquired during the season as part of the Tristan Jarry trade and was good for Pittsburgh, but was reportedly very well-liked in the dressing room. The Penguins are poised to go very young in net next season with the returning Arturs Silovs and rookie sensation Sergei Murashov. While those two have shown promise, neither is a sure thing, and the Penguins should be, and likely will be, on the hunt for a competent veteran who could step in if the team’s goaltending goes sideways. Enter former Penguins starting goaltender and two-time Stanley Cup champion Matt Murray, a netminder that Pittsburgh should seriously consider as their third-string option.
Now, Murray is no longer an NHL starter, and it’s fair to wonder whether his body can even hold up as a regular backup. But it’s still clear that he can play when healthy, given his body of work over the last two seasons. This past year in Seattle, Murray dressed for five games with the Kraken, going 0-2-1 with a .922 SV% and a 2.21 GAA before suffering an injury that sidelined him for most of the season. And therein lies the issue with Murray. He’s been hurt a lot.
The 32-year-old Murray has not played more than 30 games in a single season since the 2019-20 campaign, when he was still with the Penguins, and really can’t be expected to take regular starts given how his body has broken down. But Pittsburgh has what is perhaps the perfect role for him as their third stringer, and because Murray spent so much time on the injured reserve last year, he is eligible to sign an incentive-laden contract, which may be something he pursues.
Murray will likely be looking for an opportunity to get significant playing time if his body can hold up, which is why Pittsburgh might be the right fit for him. Pittsburgh could pay Murray NHL money, keep him up with the big club, and give him the occasional spot start to give Murashov and Silovs a rest, or they could bounce him back and forth between the AHL and the NHL and pay him his one-way salary. Either way, Murray collects his NHL paycheck, and the Penguins have their third-string safety net as well as Murray’s mentorship to assist Murashov and Silovs. That last piece, Murray’s ability to provide guidance to the Penguins’ young netminders, is perhaps the most important, as it would give Murashov the type of mentor that Murray had when he was a rookie, with Marc-Andre Fleury backing him up on the way to back-to-back Stanley Cups.
Murray is a very different personality from Fleury, but he’s been through everything a rookie can go through in the NHL (twice), and his disposition would be incredibly valuable to Murashov, while also giving Pittsburgh one of the better third options in the league. Murray could also provide valuable insight into mental and physical preparation, as well as the injuries and issues he’s dealt with since being traded by the Penguins. Murray’s career has gone off the rails, and it was hard to foresee that a decade ago, when he was leading the Penguins to back-to-back Stanley Cups. But with those tough times come tough lessons, and that could be invaluable information for both Murashov and Silovs.
The other part of this equation is that the Penguins realistically have their AHL tandem set for next season in Joel Blomqvist and Taylor Gauthier. Blomqvist will likely get the lion’s share of the AHL starts, and the Penguins might not want to disrupt that continuity if there is an injury at the NHL level. Having Murray available as a potential third goalie in the NHL would allow Pittsburgh to have that in place rather than shuttling a goalie back and forth if injuries come up, which they might.
Now, there are obviously some roster logistics at play if the Penguins were to keep three NHL goalies on the roster, and teams typically don’t like to do this. But if any organization knows how fragile a young goaltender can be, it’s the Penguins. This isn’t to say it’s the Penguins’ fault, but if you look back at the last 20 years, Fleury, Murray, and Tristan Jarry have all been the Penguins’ starters during that time, and all three were effectively broken at some point. Of the three, only Fleury was able to resurrect his career and continue, while Murray and Jarry have floundered despite early success.
Goaltending is perhaps the hardest position in sports to project, and you never really know how things will play out. The Penguins have a very special prospect in Murashov, and he has the talent to be an NHL superstar. Throwing him to the wolves without a safety net next season could be disastrous, especially given how allergic to defensive hockey the Penguins have historically been. Having Murray in the fold isn’t going to take a ton of pressure off Murashov, but it does give him an outlet, a mentor, and a safety net when he will need to navigate stormy waters. It also won’t cost the Penguins much, other than a roster spot and a league-minimum salary.
Martin Frk Expected To Join Shanghai Dragons in KHL
Veteran forward Martin Frk is reportedly heading overseas, with multiple sources indicating he has agreed to a two-year contract with the Shanghai Dragons of the KHL.
According to reports from Czech journalist Vojtěch Tůma and KHL insider accounts, the 32-year-old Czech has terms in place for the next two seasons with the Dragons, though the move has not yet been officially confirmed by the club.
Frk spent the 2025-26 season with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL affiliate of the Flames) on an AHL deal after signing a one-year, $775,000 NHL contract with Calgary the previous summer. He posted another strong minor-league campaign with 30 goals and 60 points in 66 games.
A second-round pick (49th overall) by the Detroit Red Wings in 2012, Frk carved out a 124-game NHL career with stops in Detroit, Carolina, Los Angeles, St. Louis, and Calgary. Known for his heavy shot and elite AHL scoring touch, he has totaled 20 goals and 41 points in the NHL, surpassed 20 goals in the AHL seven times and helped the Grand Rapids Griffins capture the Calder Cup in the 2016-17 season.
At 6-foot-1 and 209 pounds, Frk has been a reliable AHL producer throughout his professional career but struggled to secure a full-time NHL role due to skating limitations. The move to the KHL could offer him a larger role, higher pay, and a return to a European-based league after years of North American shuttling.
This signing continues a trend of veteran North American/European players finding opportunities in the KHL as NHL depth options become more competitive.
Free Agent Focus: New York Islanders
Free agency is now less than a month away, and teams are looking ahead to when it opens. Even with the UFA crop being thinned out in recent months, there will be some quality veterans set to hit the open market in July, while many teams also have key restricted free agents to re-sign. We continue our look around the NHL with an overview of the free agent situation for the New York Islanders.
Key Restricted Free Agents
Other RFAs: F Marc Gatcomb, F Ruslin Iskhakov, F Alex Jefferies, F Daylan Kuefler, F Joey Larson, G Tristan Lennox, F Eetu Liukas, F Matt Maggio, F Maxim Shabanov, F Cam Thiesing, and G Henrik Tikkanen.
The Islanders enter this offseason with a notably light group of restricted free agents compared to many other NHL clubs. With several key young contributors already signed to longer-term deals, the organization faces fewer immediate contract decisions on the RFA side, allowing GM Mathieu Darche more flexibility to focus on veteran UFAs, potential trades, to help surround and support players like Matthew Schaefer in the lineup. This lean RFA class could prove advantageous in a cap-constrained environment, though it also shows the importance of continued strong drafting and development to replenish the pipeline.
Key Unrestricted Free Agents
F Anders Lee — The 35-year-old captain (turns 36 on July 3) wrapped up his seven-year contract with a respectable but down year: 19 goals and 42 points in 82 games. Known for his net-front presence and leadership, Lee remains a fan favorite and consistent performer around the crease despite the dip in production. Darche may look to bring him back on a shorter/lower-value deal if Lee is flexible, but the market could test the Isles’ priorities in a transition phase.
D Carson Soucy — Acquired mid-season from the Rangers, the 31-year-old left-shot defenseman played 30 games with 2 goals and 2 assists for the Isles. He provided some stability on the blueline amid injuries, averaging 15:27 TOI. As a veteran depth option, his next deal will depend on the team’s defensive needs and cap flexibility.
D Tony DeAngelo — The 30-year-old right-shot defenseman had a solid campaign playing in 76 games, contributing five goals and 35 points. As a UFA, he brings puck-moving ability that could draw interest league-wide.
G David Rittich — The 33-year-old backup appeared in 30 games posting a 14-10-3 record along with .894 SV% and two shutouts. His veteran presence could be valuable, but the already aging, thin goaltending market will dictate his future options.
D Adam Boqvist — The former eighth-overall pick in 2018 has bounced around but found a home with the Islanders. After signing a one-year, $850K deal for 2025-26, the 25-year-old Swedish defenseman appeared in 28 games, recording 4 assists while dealing with limited ice time hovering around 13 minutes per game. His underlying numbers were mediocre, but as a former high pick with offensive upside from the back end, the Islanders will need to decide whether to bring him back as he hits unrestricted free agency.
Other UFAs: D Ethan Bear, F Adam Beckman, F Matthew Highmore, D Marcus Hogberg, F Matt Luff, D Cole McWard, D Travis Mitchell
Projected Cap Space
The Islanders enter the offseason with approximately $10.7M in projected cap space, alongside a projected cap hit in the low-to-mid $90M range. While it is on the lower side, this still provides room to re-sign key pieces and select UFAs while filling out the roster conservatively. However, decisions on veterans like Lee and potential moves on the blue line (or elsewhere) could open up more flexibility as the team continues its competitive window alongside young talent.
Hurricanes’ Goaltending Picture Shifts As Bussi Pushes For Game 5 Start
The Carolina Hurricanes’ goaltending situation remains one of the biggest storylines of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, with the crease decision for Game 5 carrying major implications as the series returns to Raleigh tied at 2-2.
As first reported by Emily Kaplan of ESPN, the Hurricanes made a bold move in Game 4, healthy scratching veteran Frederik Andersen in favor of Brandon Bussi. Bussi delivered in his first playoff start, helping Carolina even the series with a road victory.
Andersen, 36, had been rock-solid through the first three rounds, entering the Final with an incredible 12-1 postseason record while leading the Hurricanes past Ottawa, Philadelphia, and Montreal.
However, the Golden Knights’ heavy forecheck, interior pressure, and ability to force him out of position exposed vulnerabilities in the first three games of the series. His performance dipped noticeably, prompting the coaching staff to make a change. Kaplan’s reporting confirmed the scratch was performance-driven, with no injury concerns.
Bussi, 27, emerged as one of the NHL’s feel-good stories in the regular season, posting a 31-6-2 record in 39 appearances. The goaltender had seen limited postseason action until the Final but made a strong impression in relief during Game 3, stopping 18 of 19 shots. His Game 4 start and solid outing have now pushed him firmly into the conversation as the legitimate starting goaltender the rest of the way.
With the series knotted at 2-2, head coach Rod Brind’Amour faces a high-stakes choice between his three goaltenders. With Bussi fresh off a strong relief appearance and a Game 4 win, the younger netminder brings energy, athleticism, and regular-season dominance. Should he turn back to Anderson, the body of work this postseason (despite the series struggles) still commands respect. Then there is Pyotr Kochetkov who served as Bussi’s backup in Game 4 despite his own lengthy absence. His availability adds another layer of fluidity, though he remains the long-shot option.
Brind’Amour has not yet committed to a Game 5 starter, and as reported by Hurricanes beat writer Walt Ruff, all signs are leading toward indicates the call will be made “at some point.”
Morning Notes: Ott, Puustinen, McIlvane, NHLPA Rebrand
The St. Louis Blues have signed Steve Ott to a two-year contract extension, securing the 43-year-old as the Springfield Thunderbirds head coach through the 2027-28 season and keeping him within the St. Louis Blues organization.
Ott took over as head coach on January 19, 2026, after the Thunderbirds were struggling midseason. In the club’s final 34 regular-season games, he guided the team to an 18-14-2 record, clinching a sixth-seed playoff berth in the Atlantic Division. Ott then led Springfield to the Division Finals, with a first-round series win over the third-seeded Charlotte Checkers and a historic upset victory over the Providence Bruins in the Division Semifinals. The win over Providence marked the single-biggest upset in AHL history, with the teams separated by 38 points in the regular season.
“It’s a great opportunity for myself, but not only that, I get to stay in an organization that I truly love,” Ott said of the extension. “To help develop our young guys with the development side of coaching, it’s really exciting for myself. … When you get asked to take that opportunity, I look at it as a big honor.”
Additional Notes
- The NHLPA has restructured and rebranded its commercial business unit as the NHLPA Player Collective. The move aims to expand global business opportunities and partnerships for NHL players, building on recent staff additions like Chief Commercial Officer Steve Scebelo (formerly of NFL Players Inc.) to enhance player-driven commercial initiatives worldwide.
- Forward Valtteri Puustinen has signed with Luleå HF of the SHL. The 27-year-old Finnish winger split time last season between the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Colorado Eagles in the AHL after being traded from Pittsburgh to Colorado in January 2026. The 27-year-old recorded 77 goals and 189 points across 276 AHL games, seven goals and 24 points 66 NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
- The Boston Bruins are said to be hiring Matt McIlvane as an assistant coach. The 39-year-old spent the last three seasons as head coach of the San Diego Gulls, Anaheim’s AHL affiliate, where he earned a multi-year extension in April 2026 after previous success coaching in Europe.
Senators To Be Active In Trade And Free Agency Front During Offseason
The Ottawa Senators are wasting little time addressing areas of need following their first-round playoff sweep at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes. With the NHL Draft approaching on June 26-27, president of hockey operations and GM Steve Staios was active at last week’s Combine in Buffalo. According to Bruce Garrioch of The Ottawa Sun, Staios met with league executives and player agents amid a thin free-agent market that is pushing more clubs toward trades. The push includes additions at all areas of the roster.
A league executive indicated Ottawa is in the market for a top-six winger capable of lining up with Tim Stützle and captain Brady Tkachuk. While the Senators lack significant assets for a major splash, Garrioch’s sources noted Anaheim’s Mason McTavish as a realistic target given existing organizational ties. Jordan Kyrou was previously mentioned in early deadline chatter, though Garrioch noted that scenario “doesn’t make sense” for Ottawa at this stage.
On the blue line, adding a top-four right-shot defenseman remains a priority with veteran Nick Jensen expected to test unrestricted free agency following knee surgery. RFA Jordan Spence averaged 25 minutes of ice time during his four postseason games and holds arbitration rights, which could set up potentially tricky negotiations.
In an effort to boost the blue line and offer any veteran help, the Senators also checked in on St. Louis veterans Colton Parayko and Justin Faulk at the March trade deadline. However, neither was willing to waive their new move clauses to come to Ottawa. Faulk was ultimately dealt to Detroit, while Parayko declined to waive his no-move clause despite a strong offer from Buffalo that included a high-end prospect and first-round pick.
In net, the Senators are expected to focus on backup goaltending, and should qualify Leevi Meriläinen, while monitoring UFAs options like Connor Ingram and Stuart Skinner, among others.
Veteran UFA forwards Claude Giroux and Nick Cousins have noted strong desires to stay in Ottawa. Staios is reportedly high on retaining both, with Giroux likely returning on another bonus-heavy structure.
Trade talks will be a little more challenging without the draft capital of their No. 32 overall draft selection. Expect trade discussions to intensify in the coming weeks as clubs position themselves ahead of July 1 free agency.
Blues Linked To Sign Dillon Dubé As Depth Forward
As the Alexander Steen era officially begins on July 1, the St. Louis Blues appear poised to bolster their bottom-six forward group with a familiar face from their AHL affiliate.
According to a recent mailbag in The Athletic, a league source indicates there is a strong chance that 27-year-old forward Dillon Dubé signs a free-agent contract with St. Louis and plays in the middle for the Blues, likely as a fourth-line center option.
Dubé, originally a second-round pick (56th overall) of the Calgary Flames in 2016, brings 325 games of NHL experience to the table. He recorded 57 goals and 127 points during his time with Calgary, enjoying his most productive season in 2021-22 with 18 goals and 32 points in 79 games. After becoming a UFA and navigating the legal proceedings stemming from the 2018 Hockey Canada case where he was acquitted of all charges in 2025, Dubé spent the 2024-25 season in the KHL with Dinamo Minsk, posting 11 points in 42 games.
He joined the Springfield Thunderbirds on a professional tryout in December 2025 and made an immediate impact. In 46 regular-season games with the Blues’ AHL affiliate this past season, Dubé finished the regular season tied for second on the team in goals (20) and fourth with 37 points. He also contributed five goals and eight points in 12 games during the Thunderbirds’ playoff run.
The Blues are looking to rebuild a more aggressive and competitive bottom-six, with the potential of moving on from pending UFA Oskar Sundqvist and demand more consistency from players like Alexey Toropchenko and Nathan Walker. Dubé’s two-way capabilities, center versatility, and recent scoring touch at the AHL level make him a low-risk, experienced option that fits the emphasis on grit and scoring upside.
For a Blues team in transition, remaining focused on nurturing younger talent like Jimmy Snuggerudand Dalibor Dvorsky while remaining competitive, adding a proven NHL veteran on a likely bargain deal provides valuable depth and flexibility without significant cap commitment.
While nothing is finalized until contracts are signed, Dubé’s strong performance in Springfield has clearly caught the attention of Blues management as they prepare for the Steen-led offseason. More updates are expected in the coming weeks as free agency approaches.
Evening Notes: Smits, Babcock, Cossa
Latvian defenseman Alberts Smits has been named the winner of the 2026 E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence, NHL Central Scouting’s annual honor for the draft prospect who best exemplifies character, competitiveness, and athleticism. The 18-year-old sits second among international skaters on Central Scouting’s final ranking and is expected to go inside the top 10 at the draft in Buffalo later this month, a slot that would make him the highest-selected Latvia-born player in NHL history, surpassing Zemgus Girgensons, whom Buffalo took 14th in 2012.
Smits has built that case against older competition. The 6-foot-3 left shot put up 13 points in 38 games for Jukurit in Finland’s Liiga before a February loan to München of Germany’s DEL, and he was the youngest player at the 2026 Winter Olympics, averaging nearly 19 minutes a night for Latvia. He also led Latvia in ice time at both the World Juniors and the World Championship. “I’m the only one who’s playing in a men’s league right now,” Smits said when asked what separates him from a deep class of draft-eligible defensemen, pointing to the pro experience he believes gives him an edge. He models his game after Miro Heiskanen and Moritz Seider, as reported by Mike G. Morreale at NHL.com.
Additional Notes
- The Babcock situation in Edmonton has escalated. Building on Darren Dreger’s report, Frank Seravalli reports that the NHLPA has asked the NHL to move forward with a formal investigation into the allegations that Mike Babcock invaded players’ privacy during his time in Columbus, and, per sources, has specifically requested that the league delay Babcock’s hiring by the Oilers until that investigation can be completed.
- Kevin Weekes with ESPN reported that Red Wings goaltending prospect Sebastian Cossa could be on the move, with the Utah Mammoth among the interested clubs. Cossa, the 15th pick in the 2021 draft, would give Utah a younger option behind starter Karel Vejmelka, with backup Vitek Vanecek headed to free agency. In 2025-26 with AHL Grand Rapids, Cossa finished 26-8-4 with a 2.33 GAA and a .915 save percentage across 39 games.
Avalanche Captain Gabriel Landeskog Wins Bill Masterton Trophy And Mark Messier Leadership Award
Gabriel Landeskog‘s comeback now has some hardware to show for it, twice over. The NHL announced Tuesday that the Colorado Avalanche captain is the 2025-26 recipient of both the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy and the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award. The Masterton, awarded annually by the Professional Hockey Writers Association, goes to the player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.” Landeskog beat out fellow finalists Rasmus Dahlin of the Sabres and Jonathan Toews of the Jets for the honor.
In keeping with recent tradition, the league surprised Landeskog with the trophy off the ice, and used his other award as the cover story. As detailed by NHL.com’s David Satriano, Landeskog sat down at his home for what he believed was simply an interview about winning the Messier Award. He was then handed an iPad containing video messages from his surgeon, Dr. Matthew Jordan, teammates Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, his wife, Melissa, and his father, Tony. When Landeskog turned around afterward, Melissa and the couple’s three children were waiting alongside a Hockey Hall of Fame representative holding the Masterton Trophy. “I’ve been very sneaky,” Melissa told NHL.com of keeping the secret.
The Messier Award, meanwhile, recognizes “the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice, during the regular season and who plays a leading role in his community growing the game of hockey.” Unlike the PHWA-voted Masterton, the Messier Award’s winner is selected solely by its Hall of Fame namesake. Landeskog, Colorado’s captain since September 2012, deflected the individual recognition toward his locker room, describing the Avalanche’s approach as “leadership by committee” in comments to NHL.com. His leadership résumé extended beyond Denver this season, he also captained Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics, recording four points in five games. He succeeds Alex Ovechkin as the award’s recipient.
The win closes the book on one of the more improbable returns in recent NHL history. Landeskog last played a full, healthy season in 2021-22, when he captained Colorado to the Stanley Cup while managing a deteriorating knee. He didn’t appear in another NHL game for nearly three years, undergoing four major procedures, including a cartilage replacement surgery in May 2023 that no NHL player had ever come back from. He ended that distinction himself in April 2025, rejoining the Avalanche lineup midway through their first-round series against the Stars after a brief AHL conditioning stint.
That return made him a Masterton finalist a year ago, though the award went to Sean Monahan. The difference this time: a full season of evidence. Landeskog posted 14 goals and 35 points in 60 games in 2025-26, and the production accelerated as the year went on. Per Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now, Landeskog managed just four assists through his first 16 games before putting up 31 points over his final 44, a 58-point pace over a full schedule.
The 22 games he missed had nothing to do with the knee. Rawal notes Landeskog broke a rib crashing into the Panthers’ goalpost in January, then later lost additional time after taking a Cale Makar slap shot to the groin. Through it all, the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Avalanche were a staggering 45-7-8 with their captain in the lineup, compared to 10-9-3 without him.
Landeskog, 33, added 11 points (six goals, five assists) in 13 playoff games before the Avalanche were swept out of the Western Conference Final by the Golden Knights. The hardware wasn’t entirely off his radar; he admitted to NHL.com that the Masterton had crossed his mind at some point, though he had been led to believe the winner wouldn’t be revealed for a few more weeks. Characteristically, he treated the recognition as a shared one, crediting the long list of doctors, teammates, and family members behind his comeback, starting with Melissa and their three children.
Brandon Bussi Gets The Start In Game Four
Brandon Bussi will make his first career playoff start tonight in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, per Renaud Lavoie with TVASports, as the Carolina Hurricanes turn to their rookie netminder with the series hanging in the balance. The Vegas Golden Knights lead the series two games to one, with puck drop for Game 4 set for 7 p.m. CT at T-Mobile Arena.
It’s a remarkable spot for a 27-year-old who began the season as insurance. Undrafted and a career AHLer until this year, Bussi signed with Florida on July 1 before Carolina claimed him off waivers on October 5. When Pyotr Kochetkov‘s lower-body injury limited him to nine games, Bussi seized the net, going 31-6-2 with a 2.47 GAA and .895 save percentage across a team-high 39 starts.
Still, he hadn’t seen a second of playoff action until Saturday, and he made it count. Entering Game 3 down 4-0, Bussi stopped the first 18 shots he faced, including a Mitch Marner penalty shot, while Carolina ripped off four straight third-period goals (three in a Cup Final-record 39 seconds) to force overtime. Shea Theodore‘s double-OT winner, a bank off the end boards and Bussi’s pad, was the only blemish.
The decision says as much about Frederik Andersen as it does about Bussi. After a dominant 12-1 run through three rounds with a 1.41 GAA, the 36-year-old has been tagged for 12 goals on 65 shots in this series, a 4.44 GAA and .815 save percentage. Andersen also took a hit to the head in Game 3 and didn’t skate Monday in what the team called a maintenance day.
Rod Brind’Amour kept his decision quiet until the last possible moment. Now the suspense shifts to whether Bussi can help the Canes tie the series at two.