Rutherford Sets Penguins Asking Price in Matt Murray Trade

According to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford has got his asking price set if he’s going to trade goaltender Matt Murray (which most people believe he’ll do). That asking price is, apparently, a first-round draft selection.

Rutherford did admit that the Penguins have talked about what possible returns they might be looking for when he spoke to media Tuesday. And Dave Molinari of DK Pittsburgh Sports writes that Rutherford admitted, “We can do it either way. In a deal like this, based on where we sit (relative to the cap ceiling), it’s hard to take much money back, so it’s probably more apt to be futures.”

That make sense. But a first-round pick?

Murray Is A Quality Goalie

Murray has two Stanley Cup wins on his resume. He’s only 26 years old and he’s proven he can likely be a regular starter for a franchise. He may be among the better goaltenders available to a team looking to improve at that position.

But, this is no ordinary year.

The NHL and all 32 of its teams will be dealing with some pretty significant salary cap restrictions. It will be imperative organizations avoid handcuffing themselves when trying to sign a player like Murray after you trade for him. Murray is a capable starter, but this season, more goalies are going to be available on the market that potentially ever before. They’ll be available for lower than market value and they won’t require big money or long-term commitments.

In fact, Pierre LeBrun reports the Edmonton Oilers were a team that was in talks with the Penguins and likely balked when the idea of a first-rounder was suggested. As of Thursday, they’re no longer in the running.

The Oilers and Penguins have talked about Matt Murray, I'm told, but as far as I can tell, asking price too rich for Edmonton at this point (first-round pick?). I think Edmonton will be patient in its goalie search. And the Oil hasn't ruled out bringing back Mike Smith, either

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) September 10, 2020

Is Rutherford Trying to Get His Pick Back?

It wasn’t just a couple of weeks ago that the Penguins GM gave up their 2020 first-round draft selection to acquire Kasperi Kapanen from the Toronto Maple Leafs. If Rutherford is stuck on getting a first-rounder back, one has to wonder if he’s regretting giving up that pick or realizing just how valuable it was.

There certainly could be a team out there willing to give him what he wants. That said, few GM’s have shown a willingness to part with first-rounders like Rutherford has over the years.

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