The Pittsburgh Penguins announced that they have signed goaltender Matt Murray to a three year extension. The deal carries an average annual value of $3.75 million. Murray was also able to return to practice for the Penguins today.
New contract ✓
Back with the team for practice ✓
It's a good day for @mattmurray_30! pic.twitter.com/wQ7b71UDyO— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 20, 2016
Matt Murray Signs Three Year Deal
Murray is coming off a season where he helped lead the Penguins win the Stanley Cup. Murray took over for Marc-Andre Fleury and went 15-6 in 21 playoff games. He posted a 2.08 goals against average and a .923 save percentage en-route to the Cup victory. He also recorded one shutout.
At 22 years old Murray is considered one of the best young goaltenders in the game. The goaltender broke into the league just last December. He finished the regular season at 9-2-1 with a 2.00 goals against average and a .930 save percentage. Having only appeared in 13 games total during the regular season, Murray is still considered to be a rookie by NHL standards and eligible for the Calder Trophy.
Murray was drafted by the Penguins in the third round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. He spent four years with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the OHL before turning pro.
AHL Success
Before officially making the team in February, Murray had seen success at the AHL level with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The 2014-15 season saw Murray compile a record of 25-10-3, while posting a 1.58 goals against average, a .941 save percentage and 12 shutouts. His goals against average and shutout total lead the league, while his save percentage set records for an AHL rookie. He would be named the AHL Goaltender of the Year and Rookie of the Year.
Last season proved there was no fluke either. The goaltender finished with a 20-9-1 record, along with a 2.10 goals against average and a .931 save percentage. This would earn him a berth on the AHL Second-Team All-Star squad. He would officially make the Penguins squad on February 27.
Rutherford on Murray re-signing: "We started talking about it during camp. It's good for Matt and good for the Penguins to get it done."
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 20, 2016
It will still be some time before Murray sees any regular season action. The goaltender is recovering from a broken hand, suffered in September during the World Cup of Hockey.
SAN JOSE, CA – JUNE 12: Matt Murray #30 of the Pittsburgh Penguins makes a save against the San Jose Sharks in Game Six of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center on June 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
