Dan’s Daily: Dreger Says Penguins Ask for Murray ‘Not Exorbitant’

Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Matt Murray has gone from the first goalie on the NHL trade market to one of eight or maybe nine starters who are available. It’s a tricky situation with financial implications to both the Penguins and to Murray, as the goalie is a restricted free agent. Also in the daily reading, the Boston Bruins are going after big names, even after they walked away from Torey Krug, and Henrik Lundqvist speculation has begun.

Could Penguins GM Jim Rutherford succumb to the flooded market and rework the Penguins trade ask for Murray? Could packaging defenseman Jack Johnson with Murray, and receiving little to nothing in return benefit the Penguins more than getting an asset for Murray? (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

I wish I could share the TSN segment last night in which Darren Dreger discussed the Murray situation. It was full of good insights, but TSN video is not available in the U.S. So, I’ll transcribe most of it. Dreger doesn’t believe the Penguins trade ask is high:

“…there is interest and has been interest in Matt Murray, but obviously the asking price hasn’t been met. It doesn’t sound like Jim Rutherford and the Pittsburgh Penguins are asking for an exorbitant return here,” Dreger said. “He is on the cusp of becoming a restricted free agent. It’s no secret the Penguins have cap issues, but there’s a rumor, perhaps created by interested general managers that Jim Rutherford and the Penguins aren’t going to be able to afford to qualify Murray, that they would just walk away and he would become an unrestricted free agent.

The Penguins WILL qualify Matt Murray. They’ll take their chances, they’ll make it work after that.

You look at this guy. He’s 26-years-old. (Two) Stanley Cups. Highly, highly motivated for a change of scenery. I think there’s going to be a team that steps up between now and next Friday, and they’re going to get a goaltender with a real, solid winning history.”

It’s going to be an interesting week…

The Boston Bruins are going to say goodbye to Torey Krug, but they are chasing Oliver Ekman-Larsson in Arizona (Boston Hockey Now)

Boston is also shopping a goalie. Oh good, another one. Looks like teams are calling about Tuuka Rask (Boston Hockey Now)

One writer listed the Penguins as a possible landing spot for Henrik Lundqvist (NBC Sports)

Respectfully, no chance. The Penguins aren’t going to spend money to replace Casey DeSmith.

Larry Brooks of the NY Post and Lundqvist had a good relationship. Brooks lays out possible landing spots, and it probably has some inside help (NY Post)

Wisely, Brooks didn’t include the Penguins.

Former Penguins forward Mark Letestu chatted with San Jose Hockey Now about coach John Madden (SJ Hockey Now)

Could Vegas look at Bobby Ryan? (Vegas Hockey Now)