James Guillory-Imagn Images
Veteran NHL goaltender Matt Murray has been fighting for his playing career for a long time.
A combination of injuries and subpar play pushed Murray to the AHL with the Toronto Marlies. But look, look, 30 years old preparing to return to the Toronto Maple Leafsaccording to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.
If he is recalled, he will likely get immediate action at point guard between Friday’s game against the Buffalo Sabers and Saturday’s game against the New York Islanders.
This is his chance to prove that he deserves to be an NHL goaltender again. He may not find another one.
Murray has thrived at the AHL level this season, posting a 1.85 goals-against average and .931 save percentage in eight appearances this year. His last game on Wednesday was a 27-game shutout against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The game before that, he replaced 23-year-old Artur Akhtyamov, who allowed five goals in 22 minutes against the Bakersfield Condors, and stopped all 13 shots he faced as the Marlies pulled off a huge comeback.
Murray has overcome many injuries, including long recovery from hip surgery last season. He also last played for the Maple Leafs in 2022-23, posting only a 3.01 GAA and .903 SP. His last NHL game was on April 2, 2023, when he allowed two goals on seven shots before leaving with an injury.
If Murray does well with the Leafs, he could simultaneously write his way out of Toronto.
Once veteran Anthony Stolarz returns to action in the next six weeks or soStolarz and Joseph Woll will be two that the Leafs lean on. But if Murray is sent back down to the AHL, another NHL team could take him out of retirement and give him a big stage in hockey’s top league. you have $875,000 cap hit this season.
If Murray plays better at this level of the NHL, it will be difficult for the Leafs to keep him. He also represents Toronto’s impressive scoring insurance. The Leafs have rookies Dennis Hildeby and Artur Akhtyamov in the lineup, and of course, they have Woll and Stlarz as their go-to options. That’s a luxury many teams have, including some with playoff and Cup aspirations.
The goaltending business is dynamic and unpredictable. One day, he is thrown away like trash, and the next day, he is seen again. That’s the case with Murray right now.
Murray’s critical health condition is also a factor. Until Murray proves his body can withstand the rigors of the NHL grind, there will be doubters about his ability to return to the form he had when the Pittsburgh Penguins won the Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017.
But give him credit – Murray has scratched the surface and is back in the NHL. And even if he ends up playing a few NHL games, he could be the Maple Leafs’ nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to an NHL player who “exemplifies the qualities of endurance, sportsmanship, and dedication.” ” in the game.
He should be applauded for that tenacity and determination, but Murray’s future still has a few chapters left to write. His return will be complete if he succeeds in the Leafs, but that is not guaranteed. And if he falters under the weight of high expectations, he will quickly become a footnote in Toronto’s season.
He has shown that he has a fight left. Murray should turn this new opportunity into a successful run with Toronto and another NHL stint, either with the Leafs or with another team.
Related: Tavares Is Thriving In Contract Year With Leafs, But What Will His Next Deal Look Like?
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