Latest Penguins Buzz

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What was most telling from the Penguins 7-0 stomping Monday night of the lowly Arizona Coyotes wasn’t the final score, it was the personnel decisions prior to the game.

If there was an opponent to start Marc Andre Fleury and try to boost his confidence, it was the Arizona Coyotes.

If there was an opponent to get Eric Fehr back in the lineup to try to get his game going, it was the Arizona Coyotes.

Fehr was scratched for a third straight game and Murray made his third straight start and fourth straight appearance.

Tonight it will be status quo against the Boston Bruins.

Murray will be in goal, eyeing his fifth straight win, while Fehr sits for the fourth straight game.

Has Mike Sullivan finally reached the point where he’s going to start rolling with Murray as his No. 1 the rest of the way and not play the game of trying to work each goaltender in by performance or other factors that have impacted who plays on any given night?

We may be seeing it now as prior to the season the coaching staff privately sought to have a situation where by January, things were settled where everyone in the room including the goaltenders knew who was the No. 1 goaltender and who wasn’t.

As for Fehr, he has not demanded a trade, nor have the Penguins told him directly he will be traded, but sources close to the situation say Fehr left a meeting with Mike Sullivan a few days ago [hide] believing he will be traded.

Fehr was informed by the coaches that him being a healthy scratch is more out of his power than anything, in that the coaching staff has decided to go in the direction of wanting more speed on the wings and that his ability to get back in the lineup will be dictated by the opponent, a source says.

“Fehr and I have had a conversation about it,” Mike Sullivan said on Monday. “He’s a pro, he understands how this league works, he understands how our team works and all he can do is control that which is within his power. That’s his attitude when he comes to the rink everyday, his work ethic to make sure he stays sharp, so when the opportunity does come, he’s ready to take advantage of it. The reality is we have a competitive roster. From our standpoint, that’s a good thing. I think it keeps us all at our best. I guess the downside of it is some people have to be told that they can’t play. It’s never an easy decision for the coaching staff. We don’t take it lightly. We have tons of respect for all of our players and what they bring to the table. Fehrsy’s a very good player that’s helped this team win, we certainly appreciate the value, what he brings to our team.”

Fehr’s presence inside the room has been strongly valued by the management team and his play in the Cup Final was one reason Pittsburgh didn’t actively try to move him this summer as Jim Rutherford wanted to keep this group together to start the season and then evaluate after 25-30 games.

Fehr’s play over the last month has Penguin coaches believing his body is just broken down, a concern many clubs had when Fehr was a free agent in summer of 2015 and seeking a three year contract that he eventually got from the Penguins.

The speed has never been an asset and a torn hamstring last winter hasn’t helped things, but the lack of ability to win wall battles has become extremely concerning.

A scout who watched Fehr twice two weeks ago, says the veteran looks “shot” as a player.

The coaching staff now is making the decision for Jim Rutherford and his staff and things are heading down the road for a trade as the Penguins have begun identifying teams where Fehr might be a fit via a trade.

Based off inquires from the summer, there’s likely a team still out there that will take a chance on Fehr as a center.

A year ago today the Penguins traded Rob Scuderi for Trevor Daley.

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WBS Buzz

— Scouts have contended that Jake Guentzel is too good for the AHL and should be in the NHL. He continues to prove that in scoring 3 goals and 3 assists in his first three games back in Wilkes Barre this past weekend. Pittsburgh’s best lineup before its all said and done will include him.

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— Oskar Sundqvist’s 4 goal game vs Hersey gives him 11 goals and 21 points in 22 games.

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— Derrick Pouliot is pointless with a minus-3 rating in six games in Wilkes Barre this season. He has a minus-2 rating with 6 shots on goal in three games since returning to Wilkes Barre. [/hide]