So if the Pens keep both MAF and Murray for another year they run a high risk of losing one of them due to reasons that's been repeatedly beaten to death.
Murray would obviously be the one that hurts the most if he were to be lost after next season. But if you had the opportunity to win a cup again would you not do it? If MAF + Murray gives them the best chance to repeat as champs is it not worth the gamble?
We know damn well the opportunity to win a cup isn't something to sneeze at and isn't that the ultimate goal of playing this game? And for fans to cheer for their team? Would that not be more valuable than a couple of 2nd rounders this year? Even at a cost of no return at the end of the season or a mild negative return?
By the time the expansion draft is around the corner and they're unable to trade MAF (assuming Murray is the real deal), would they not be able to buy him out? Next year's buyout for him ends up to be ~$1.92M cap per year for 4 years. Not great, but it's not crippling either.
I understand that there's a chance that he could be injured and prevents a buyout, but I think that is still worth the gamble to win the ultimate prize.
Just thinking that Rutherford isn't totally over a barrel because of the situation and that he still can keep both.
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