On the Pittsburgh Penguins, Matt Murray and Marc-Andre Fleury …
Sam Werner of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The Penguins signed goalie Matt Murray to a three year contract extension yesterday morning, and GM Jim Rutherford immediately had to talk about where it leaves Marc-Andre Fleury.
“The focus seems to be on what happens with Marc-Andre, but let’s let this play itself out first,” Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford said after the team’s morning skate. “Let’s not just presume that Marc is automatically out. He’s been the franchise goalie here, he is a terrific person, he’s a terrific player and I think that assumption, we’re getting a little bit ahead of ourselves.”
Murray has been out with a broken finger and just started practicing. Contract talks started during training camp.
“We’ve been talking for maybe about a month or so,” Murray said. “Nobody was in any big hurry, I don’t think. We both wanted a fair deal. I think in the end, it worked out pretty well for both sides.”
Fleury will still be under contract with the Penguins when Murray’s deal kicks in next year. The Penguins will have $9 million committed to both goalies next year. The Penguins are only able to protect one goalie for the expansion draft.
Fleury has a no-movement clause, so unless he’s willing to waive it, the Penguins would have to make Murray available. If they want to keep Murray, they will have to trade Fleury before the end of the year. Rutherford isn’t worried about the expansion draft yet.
“Our focus this year is winning, and we’ll deal with the expansion draft at the appropriate time,” Rutherford said. “This signing of Matt doesn’t go hand-in-hand with any of that.”
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Darren Dreger was on TSN 1050 yesterday talking about the Penguins signing Matt Murray to a contract extension, and what it might mean for Marc-Andre Fleury. It’s no secret that Murray is the Penguins goalie of the future. When asked, GM Jim Rutherford has always said he’s not sure how it will play out. At some point they are going to have to make a decision on what goalie they will protect and who they will leave exposed. It’s believed they will protect Murray.
“And there’s some complications with all of that. I know the Players’ Association and the league will continue to work on the specifics of which players with no-moves and all of that can be thrown on to the unprotected list.
“But it seems likely that Fleury will be impacted. But he’s playing good hockey too, isn’t he, right now? And as long as he continues to play well, then that makes it more complicated for Jim Rutherford. And if there’s an opportunity for Marc-Andre Fleury that he wants to take advantage of, then that’s good for him long-term as well.”
