Analysis on the acquisition of Douglas Murray, Bylsma on Bennett’s role & Morrow talks joining a Cup contender
BYLSMA ON THE ADDITION OF DOUGLAS MURRAY & MORE With three straight early playoff exits, a knock on the Penguins is that they are not tough enough to play against. The Penguins feel they addressed some of that upfront yesterday with the addition of Brenden Morrow to the top-9, but the biggest addition might end up being the 6-foot-3, 245-pound defenseman Douglas Murray. One thing scouts have constantly contended dating back to the Tampa Bay playoff series in 2011, is that you can drive to net easily against the Penguins and cause havoc. Some of those issues have been personnel issues, which Murray should address, and system wise the Penguins have made improvements of late, keeping teams to the outside
On Clarkson, Gonchar, Alfredsson, Visnovsky & Murray
NHL RUMOR TUESDAY *One of the most coveted free agents were he to hit the free agent market in July will be New Jersey Devils winger David Clarkson, who some scouts feel has evolved into one of the best power forwards in the National Hockey League. At 28 years old, Clarkson is set to cash in. An NHL insider predicted to me that Clarkson lands a 5 year, $30 million contract this summer. The Devils don’t plan to open contract talks until after the season. *Senators GM Bryan Murray feels obligated to do what he can to keep the Senators competitive despite losing Erik Karlsson for the season and Jason Spezza out until April. There will be no fire sale