Subj : Why Oilers Have More Interest In Darcy Kuemper Than Matt Murray
To : All
From : The Hockey Writers - Main
Date : Sun Sep 13 2020 04:40 am
According to a number of reports, the Edmonton Oilers have shifted focus away
from Matt Murray of the Pittsburgh Penguins and towards goaltender Darcy
Kuemper of the Arizona Coyotes.
As the Oilers continue to gather information, trying to make the best possible
decision for next season';s goaltending tandem as possible, Elliotte Friedman
noted on a recent episode of�The Instigators podcast,�the Oilers and Kuemper
might make sense. Friedman acknowledged that he';d heard Oilers GM Ken Holland
had been kicking tires on Murray. But, as the asking price of a first-round
pick made its way back to Edmonton, the Oilers determined that was too rich for
their blood.
So, if this report is accurate, what exactly does that mean?Oilers Value
Keumper Higher Than Murray?
One would have to assume the Coyotes are going to ask for a first-round pick if
a team is going to shake Kuemper loose. As they should. He had a fantastic
season and an incredible playoff run before, as Friedman notes, "he ran out of
gas" against Colorado. Arizona Coyotes Darcy Kuemper gives up a goal as Sharks
center Joe Pavelski and Coyotes defensemen Jordan Oesterle and Niklas
Hjalmarsson watch. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
If the Oilers balked at a two-time Stanley Cup winner in Murray, there must be
something they see in Kuemper that they really like. He';s four years older,
which at first glance might not be a positive. But, if you factor in the idea
that Holland likes "pros" and isn';t shy about adding veterans to his roster,
30 is by no means too old. He';s also played well on some not-so-great teams.
Unlike Murray, who has been the backstop of a consistent contender, Kuemper has
put up some good numbers on teams that have struggled. He spent some time with
the Minnesota Wild, then a couple years removed from their Stanley Cup win, he
was a backup in Los Angeles. He then moved over to the Coyotes. All the while,
he put up a consistent save percentage well above. 900. He seemed to play ever
better the more he got starts. Related: Prospects News & Rumors: AHL, Moody,
Broberg & MoreOilers Have a Few More "Knowns" in this Equation
Unlike Murray, there are few extra things Edmonton knows in talking to the
Coyotes when it comes to Kuemper.
First, the Oilers know what the value of Kuemper will be for the next couple of
years. He';ll be making $4.5 million this coming season and next, then he';ll
be up for unrestricted free agency. If it';s a deal that doesn';t pan out as
hoped, Edmonton isn';t committed long term. If he plays great, the Oilers can
try to extend him as their starter and get a back-up to play behind him as
their 1B. Matt Murray, Pittsburgh Penguins (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)
Conversely, the Oilers would have had to trade for Murray and then sign him
which could have posed financial challenges.
Second, the Oilers know that Arizona needs picks and may take salary back. The
Penguins weren';t looking at money coming back in any Murray deal. That much
was obvious after the team essentially gave Nick Bjugstad away to the Minnesota
Wild on Friday. But, the Coyotes have cap space.
There is value in Edmonton being able to grab a goalie and move out salary
versus grab a goalie and have to make multiple separate deals with other teams.
A perfect example that comes to mind is Kris Russell who is an ideal fit for
Arizona. He makes more on his cap than he';s actually paid. If the two sides
get creative, there';s likely a way to work him into what could be part of a
bigger, more complex deal. The Oilers Will Still Have Challenges
There are a lot of reasons to argue Keumper makes a lot more sense than Murray
for the Oilers but that doesn';t mean either deal comes without challenges.
Adding either player means the Oilers have $9 million or more tied up in the
goaltending. That';s not ideal.
Adding Kuemper could require the team moving out Mikko Koskinen and then the
overall set of moves becomes a situation where the Oilers need to come out net
positive when everything is done.
For example, if adding Kuemper then moving Koskinen means the Oilers have to
buy out someone or take a crappy salary back, it';s probably not worth it. Or,
if the Oilers can only trade Koskinen by retaining salary like Pittsburgh did
in the Bjugstad trade, again, it';s probably not a wise plans of action.
Remember, adding Kuemper would be nice, but Koskinen is not a bad goaltender.
He';s just not necessarily proven he can be a regular starter.
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