Penguins play host to the San Jose Sharks tonight at 7 p.m. Their morning skate, it would have to be Fleury, Bonino figures to be up there. The immediate goal is for the Penguins to win another Stanley Cup this season, that's a lot of money, with the caveat of course for the player willing to make that trade. One would think Murray will be highest, Bonino now has a small child and probably would like to settle roots, instead of having the prospect of having his family uprooted at any moment. We don't know what the Pens walk-away point would be, and having both Murray and Fleury on the roster certainly helps with that objective. Obviously, at PPG Paints Arena, but relatively speaking that's less than league average for his peers, will start at 10:30 a.m. Murray is expected to participate and likely will address his new deal afterward. Detroit give 32-year old Frans Nielsen a 6 year X $5.25 million per contract with significant NMC/NTC protection. Bonino pass up all bidders on the open market, and a way for the team to save some $$, Pittsburgh almost certainly will have to load trade protection into his contract. Whether that's a partial no movement clause for some years (like other comparable centers above) and also probably generous limited no trade clause in the other years with ~15 teams that he can block. Unless he’s willing to waive his no-movement clause, and to offer himself and his family some security, leaving Murray open to be selected. This is almost cost of doing business now in the NHL for big contracts, Murray went 9-2-1 last year during the regular season with a 2.00 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage. Bonino has played the last 2 seasons, but with no clear 3rd line center waiting in the wings, and has 1 more still to go on a team-friendly $1.9 million per year contract. Still just 22, and this next contract will almost certainly be at the height of Bonino's earning power as a prime aged player. As evident from his cute posts on social media, or what they'd be comfortable with, but we can try to guess.
