Trading for Matt Murray is a solid gamble for the Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators have acquired Matt Murray from the Pittsburgh Penguins, topping off what’s been a spectacular two days for the franchise after a great draft.

The Matt Murray trade rumors are finally over, and he’s on his way to Ottawa with the hopes that change of scenery can bring him back to form.

After day one of the draft with no player trades, the Pittsburgh Penguins have traded goaltender Matt Murray to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for the 52nd-overall pick and forward prospect Jonathan Gruden. Murray is currently a restricted free agent and arbitration eligible, meaning the Senators still have to sign Murray to a new deal.

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For both sides, there’s really nothing to complain about. This a very even deal that fills a need for both sides for a fair price.

The 26-year-old Murray has a career record of 117-53-19, and career goals-against average of 2.67 and a .914 save percentage. Last season was a struggle, posting an 0.899 save percentage and analytically considered one of the worst starting goalies in the league.

Murray was a key part of the Penguins back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017, technically winning both in his rookie season. However the NHL is a “what’ve you done for me lately” league, and Murray’s stock had fallen off since the Stanley Cups, eventually being replaced by Tristan Jarry this previous season.

The Penguins had already made their choice at goalie when they signed Jarry to a three year contract before the draft, and it was only a matter of time before Murray was officially traded.

Heading into the draft, the Penguins had no picks until the third round after trading their 15th-overall pick for Kasperi Kapanen. They now at least get a shot at putting something in their depleted prospect pool at 52nd-overall, which they used to draft goalie Joel Blomqvist

This is solid business from the Senators, using their mass quantity of picks to finally shore up their goaltending for their young core.

Murray may have struggled recently but this change of scenery could do wonders for him, especially with a potential chip on his shoulder after losing his job in Pittsburgh that fast. Not to mention he’s still quite young for a goalie, and if this works out, the Senators won’t have to worry about goaltending for a while. For a team with really nothing to lose at this point in the rebuild, getting Murray with the expectation that he bounce back is a solid gamble for them to take.

“The acquisition of Matt Murray represents an important addition to our lineup,” Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said in a press release. “He’s a proven goaltender who has considerable high-pressure experience and someone who we’re certain will serve as a exceptional mentor to our young group of upcoming goaltenders.”

This draft is supposed to be the culmination of what’s been a brutal rebuild for the Senators, and it’s looking to be going very well. Three first round picks, including potential franchise changer with Tim Stutzle and Jake Sanderson with the third and fifth-overall picks, and three second-round choices even after the trade for Murray. Now they have their high end prospects to build around, a loaded prospect pool, and an experienced goalie to stabilize it all.

The Senators will be heading into next season with no expectations, aWhile next season may be too soon to expect anything from them, the Senators could be closer than we think to ending their run of futility, especially if Murray ends up working out.