Why not just save the best for last, right? So far, we’ve discussed two different trades that could bring three players to the Penguins, but this one; well, this trade would be the talk of the entire NHL. Matt Murray is a Stanley Cup-winning goaltender with the resume to boot. Currently, Carolina, Colorado, Edmonton, Buffalo, Chicago, and Detroit are interested.
Most likely, you wouldn’t want to trade your top netminder to someone from within the division. That knocks out Carolina and Buffalo. Edmonton and Chicago don’t have enough talent to suffice a return offer worth looking at. So, that leaves Detriot and the Avs. Both need a starting keeper worth starting, and both have the firepower to make it a thriving trade for both parties.
The Penguins will need a left-winger if McCann moves to the center, and the Av’s have an Andre Burakovsky. In his first year with the Avs, he racked up 45 points, his league-best so far. Burakovsky was initially drafted and played for the Pens rivals, Washington, but don’t let that deter you from adding him. The only snag is that this is his first year in Colorado.
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On the other end of the coin, Murray could be courted by the Detriot Red Wings to help sure up their last line of defense. This is the second trade that has brought up the Red Wings; imagine a mega-deal selling Schultz and Murray to Detriot? If that trade were to work itself out, Anthony Mantha would need to be a part of it still, but what else would the Wings need to give up?
How about a starter for a starter? Except, the Penguins don’t need a starter to come in a play night after night (if Jarry plays to his potential). Jonathan Bernier took over as the Red Wings top keeper this year, and if Murray were on the way, he wouldn’t need to stay. Bernier and Mantha and a draft pick would be the perfect and necessary compensation for this mega-deal to work.
From flash to enforcement. Speed, to a homecoming. Annoying to blockbuster, the Penguins have plenty of thoughts and moves to fathom this offseason. Once the dust settles and the offseason is over, let’s hope that Rutherford and Co have made the right calls to progress the Pens. However, these moves and players involved could undoubtedly help as well.