Before the NHL suspended operations March 12 because of the coronavirus pandemic, it seemed unlikely the Penguins would be able to retain both of their goalies, Matt Murray and Tristan Jarry, beyond this season.
After all, both are scheduled to become restricted free agents this summer, and both figured to be in line for substantial raises. Murray's salary cap hit is $3.75 million, Jarry's $675,000.
And the significant drop in the cap ceiling that's anticipated for next season can only complicate Jim Rutherford's efforts to fit both on his payroll beyond the 2019-20 season, regardless of whether that season is completed over the next few months.
Limited cap space is the primary hurdle that would have to be cleared for Murray and Jarry both to remain with the Penguins next season, but it isn't necessarily the only one.
Whether either would be willing to accept being a backup, or even splitting the workload, is far from certain. After all, Murray established himself as the Penguins' go-to goalie several years ago, and Jarry laid out his qualifications as a starter over most of the current season.
Both are capable of being the No. 1 guy, and it's safe to assume that's a role both would like to fill in coming seasons. Rutherford, though, said he believes Murray and Jarry can continue to co-exist, in part because of their strong personal relationship.
"There are years and teams where two (quality) goalies have worked well together," he said. "I know that Matt and Tristan get along really well, so I believe it could work."
Casey DeSmith, who figures to move back into the No. 2 job if Murray or Jarry is traded after this season, presumably will be among the players summoned from the Penguins' American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre to serve as "Black Aces" if the NHL gets clearance from medical and political authorities to resume operations.
Precisely how many of DeSmith's teammates also will make the trip across the commonwealth has not been determined. Mike Sullivan and his staff have been assessing how many players, in addition to those already on the major-league roster, will be needed to conduct an effective training camp if the 2019-20 season is restarted.
• It's been a week since Gov. Tom Wolf moved a number of counties, including Allegheny and Butler, from the "Red" to the "Yellow" phase in the state's plan for a return to pre-pandemic conditions. That change might not have had an immediate impact on the Penguins, whose Cranberry training venue is in Butler County, but it will prove to a critical step toward getting ready for any resumption of play. "It means that our practice facility can be used," Rutherford said. "The next step is for the league to set a date for when we can use the practice facility for casual skates." That permission could come within the next few days, although there obviously are no certainties when dealing with this virus. -- Molinari
• Alex Galchenyuk, acquired from Arizona in the Phil Kessel trade last summer, was an abject bust during his time with the Penguins. His adjustment to a new team took a major hit after he was injured early in training camp and he never caught up, ultimately finishing with five goals and 12 assists in 45 games before being sent to Minnesota in the package that acquired Jason Zucker. (Galchenyuk's inclusion was critical to the trade, because getting his $4.9 million salary-cap hit off the books opened the space needed to accommodate Zucker's $5.5 million cap hit.) Galchenyuk's stats with the Wild have been better -- three goals and four assists in 14 games -- and GM Bill Guerin gives his work a favorable, albeit early, review. "He's been really good for us," Guerin said. "He's gotten another fresh start that he's needed. The one thing he's done with us is really to just simplify his game, and he works hard. He's got the skill that will come out, and when you get a young kid like that who has instant success in the league and scores 30 goals ... it's a good league. And then you get traded and you have an off-year, then it piles up and you have another off-year. You take a big hit, and it takes a little time to come back from that. Maybe getting traded a couple of times, sometimes you look inward and just say, 'Hey, I have to get back to working hard and having fun,' and he's done that with us." -- Molinari
• Kevin Kramer's hip surgery will likely keep him out for the 2020 season, but it will also save him an option year. The Pirates now have the option to place him in the injured list once the season begins, which means Kramer will accrue service time rather than potentially burning his second of three minor-league options. While 2019 was a down year for him, he has been one of the Pirates' best hitting prospects since he joined the organization in 2015. Considering the lack of depth the Pirates have in the outfield and Kramer's versatility in the infield, he is going to get more chances in the majors. -- Alex Stumpf on the North Shore
