Quote:
Originally Posted by bax
If Murray could have been had for that cheap a couple of months ago then we would have him already. Rumors were that Calgary was after him, but Pittsburgh declined, probably because that they knew Murray was a stud.
I understand your logic, but just look five years ahead. Say Murray doesn't develop into the next Price or Holtby, but still a top 10 goaltender. Are we really going to be upset that we missed out on a 50-60 point forward from the draft?
Why give up assets for an average goaltender like Andersen? I understand the cost of acquisition is lower, but in my opinion so is the asset. Sure he's more proven, but he's been playing behind a stacked Ducks team. I'd rather go for the slam dunk, then settle for average. I believe that it's these kinds of risks that a GM must make to create a championship team.
Regardless, I don't think the pens move Murray at all now as he's looking like a Conn Smyth favorite.
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You're right that it's most likely a mute point. The Pens goalie that is most likely to be available is Fleury anyway. I happen to really like the prospect range at 6 and think the ceiling is higher than a 50-60 pt player, so that seems to be the crux of the disagreement of value here.
Having that elite goaltender is a very nice luxury but it's also clearly not the only recipe to have a cup contending team. Only need to look at the Blackhawks as evidence of this. Heck, even in the WCF right now, Brian Elliot is a very unheralded starting goaltender and has been a big part of the Blues' run.
Part of what's made Tampa Bay/LA and even the Flames team of a decade ago so successful was that they didn't need to gut their team to acquire that elite starting goaltender; the acquisition cost was either a below market trade or a late draft pick selection. Being able to hit that kind of home run without opening holes elsewhere in their rosters allowed the development of these teams to become elite (Flames were on the fringe of this, but you get my point).
I think paying a premium value for a goaltender, at this juncture in the Flames development, would inhibit the growth trajectory of this team.
For me, the team is in a better position if they acquire merely a good starting goaltender for the interim (Andersen/Fleury/Reimer/Howard) + the potential of a very good starting goaltender in Gillies (still unproven) + top 6 selection that is likely to be a core piece of the team's future. To me, that team is deeper and better set up for the future than the team that trades 6th OA for an elite goaltender.