Marc-Andre Fleury is signed to a cap hit of $5.75m for the next three seasons, his contract will expire when he is 34 years old and is holds a No-Movement Clause. Matt Murray is a much cheaper and younger option at $620k for this season and only 22. As soon as the Stanley Cup was hoisted there were news reports that Fleury had indicated a desire to be traded, which indicates he is willing to waive his NMC if he feels the trade is appreciable for his career.
The Penguins have pressing cap concerns with the team currently being around $2.4m over the cap. They do have the luxury of LTIR'ing Pascal Dupuis before the season starts for $3.75m of cap relief. This would give the Penguins around $1.35m in cap space at the start of the season. This makes trading Fleury a priority, as otherwise, we would struggle to fill out a roster and would have to keep it the same as it is mostly.
The Penguins need to be smart when trading Fleury though, they need to do it and get a back-up in for Murray if possible. I think that as good as Murray has been, he isn't ready to be a starter yet and should be slowly phased in over this season. Splitting the season with a competent back-up this season makes the most sense. The ideal player would have a 1 year contract, so that next year, depending on progress, Jarry could take the back-up spot. If the Penguins can't get a trade with a back-up coming the other way, then there are targets available in free agency who could share the load this season.
In terms of trade targets there are two teams that I think are the only realistic destinations. The Calgary Flames and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Flames are in a more demanding need for goaltending but there are fewer pieces that the Penguins would be interested in. The Leafs are a much more viable target and a deal around Jonathan Bernier is much more realistic I think than some I have seen. Any deal involving Bernier would the Leafs to retain some salary as well I think, around 15-20% would be enough. His contract is only for one year so his salary at around $3.5m after retention would be something the Penguins could cope with.
Away from trade targets there are a few veteran targets the Pens could go for in the free agency market should they choose to trade Fleury and not receive a goaltender in return. There are two goaltenders, who would be available for a low cost, that I think the Penguins should look at. Al Montoya and Carter Hutton.
Al Montoya is currently with the Panthers and on the end of a 2 year deal worth $1.05m a year. Montoya has been with the Panthers for two seasons now since being signed in free agency after leaving the Winnipeg Jets. He struggled in his first season posting a 3.01 GAA and a .892 SV% but rebounded alongside the improved Panthers last season with a 2.18 GAA and a .919SV%.
Carter Hutton is looking to leave the Nashville Predators after they extended Mazanec and is looking for an open spot. Hutton has been a good back-up to Pekka Rinne over the last four seasons with his most impressive season being the year just gone where he posted a 2.33GAA and a .918SV%.
Out of the two above I would be more comfortable with Hutton. He is likely going to be cheaper than Montoya and has played on a team with a better quality defence than the Panthers have. The Pens defence is one of the best in league and I think he could do well behind it. I think either would be okay for their veteran presence and any help they give Murray but Hutton's experience with the Predators tips him over Montoya's with the Panthers.
In all, there are a few options for the Penguins future in goal. Whether it is either by a trade or by a free agency signing after trading Fleury, it will likely happen in the next fortnight as the longer the Penguins wait the harder to move Fleury and get that cap space it will be. The highest bet is that he is traded as the draft next weekend.
In all, there are a few options for the Penguins future in goal. Whether it is either by a trade or by a free agency signing after trading Fleury, it will likely happen in the next fortnight as the longer the Penguins wait the harder to move Fleury and get that cap space it will be. The highest bet is that he is traded as the draft next weekend.
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