The Pittsburgh Penguins announced that they’ve signed goaltender Matt Murray to a three-year deal worth $3.75 million per season.
Murray, who injured his hand at the World Cup, has yet to play in a game in 2016-17. But on Wednesday, he practiced for the first time. He’s a few weeks away from a return.
Last year, the 22-year-old posted a 9-2-1 record with a 2.00 goals-against-average and a .930 save percentage during the regular season.
He was instrumental in Pittsburgh’s run to the Stanley Cup, as he went 15-6 with a 2.08 goals-against-average and a .923 save percentage in the post-season.
This isn’t the last we’ll be hearing of the Pens goalie situation. With the expansion draft around the corner, they’ll have to make some interesting decisions in the coming months.
The most logical choice would be to trade Marc-Andre Fleury because he’s older and more expensive. Last year, the Pens proved they could win a cup with Murray in goal.
Getting full value for Fleury might not be so easy.
First, he has two years remaining on his current deal that pays him $5.75 million per season and he has a no-movement clause, which means they’d have to protect him if he’s still on the roster.
Second, other teams know the Penguins will have to part ways with one of their goaltenders because there’s a good chance they’d get claimed by the Vegas NHL.
Interesting times ahead in Pittsburgh.