Murray-Fleury call right for long term
parking lot in Game 3, the other to fourth-liner Alex Chiasson in clinching Game 6 — but he hardly was the Penguins’ biggest problem. Underachieving Phil Kessel, Derick Brassard and Kris Letang were bigger issues. Beyond that, Fleury wanted out and wanted a fresh start in a place where he could be the man. He wasn’t happy watching Murray lead the Penguins to the Cup in 2016 and 2017. He was and is eager to prove to the hockey world that he remains a world-class goaltender. Vegas has benefitted big time from that motivation. The circumstances would have been different with the Penguins. I’m not sure Fleury would have been the same driven player. We’ll never know for sure.
• Jim Rutherford spoke Monday to the Post-Gazette’s Jason Mackey about the Murray-Fleury debate, which has picked up in intensity since Sunday when Vegas eliminated Winnipeg in five games in the Western Conference final. Rutherford doesn’t need to be examined by a physician — “I hope he wins,” he said of Fleury — but made it clear he would stay with Murray 100 times out of 100 times.
“We did what we had to do.”
Rutherford explained in greater detail right before the playoffs.
“First of all, there was a big difference in cap space between the two goalies — a couple of million dollars. There also was a big difference in age. I think when we get to a couple of years from now, anybody who [wanted to keep Fleury] probably is going to understand why we did what we did.”
Murray was 23 at the end of the 2016-17 season, Fleury 32. Murray is signed through the 2019-20 season with an annual cap hit of $3.75 million, Fleury through 2018-19 at $5.75 million per year. There also were those two Cup runs which Murray led.
Of course, the Penguins did what they had to do.
Rutherford should have been fired for incompetence if he hadn’t gone with Murray.
That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t appreciate Fleury’s brilliance this season. He’s been spectacular in the playoffs with a 12-3 record, 1.68 goals-against average and .947 save percentage. A Cup win with Vegas — that would be his fourth to go with the three he won with the Penguins — would make him a lock for the Hall of Fame, although he’s already deserving. His 404 regularseason wins rank 11th in NHL history, his 74 postseason wins tied for eighth.
What all this does mean is it is way too soon and way too foolish to give up on Murray and think the Penguins made the wrong decision. He had a tough year personally — a couple of injuries and the death of his father — which led to a difficult year professionally. But he’s convinced he will be better because of the adversity. I’m convinced he will bounce back in a big way next season.
Murray will be winning games and competing for Cups long after Fleury finishes his wonderful career.