The Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators seem to be zeroing in on a trade involving former Soo Greyhound (another one) Matt Murray heading to the Maple Leafs. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that there have been “intensified discussions” about trading Murray to the Maple Leafs.
The 28-year-old Murray, who’s from Thunder Bay, Ontario, has ties to the Maple Leafs management, as noted. He played his junior hockey with the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds under current Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas and head coach Sheldon Keefe.
Related: Maple Leafs and Senators Trade Talks Heat Up Over Matt Murray
Maple Leafs’ Fans Shouldn’t Be too Worried About Murray’s Record in Ottawa
Maple Leafs’ fans might point to Murray’s failure to win in Ottawa with a rebuilding Senators team. But that assessment might not be accurate. The Maple Leafs and the Senators were very different teams.
In fact, I have no reason to believe that, if Jack Campbell and Matt Murray had switched places for the past two seasons, that Murray would have been able to put up a similar won/loss record to Campbell, and vice versa. Campbell’s tenure in the nation’s capital would have been quite similar to Murray’s. The two contexts were that different.
Murray was one of the great young goalies around early in his career. He tended the Pittsburgh Penguins to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017. So he knows how to win the big games. He’s played 51 playoff games and has put up a save percentage of .921 in 51 playoff games. He also posted a .save percentage of 917 during his first four seasons in the NHL. Those marks are better than good enough.
There’s an Upside in Playing Goalie with the Maple Leafs
As noted in the title, the Maple Leafs have enough offense to offer pretty good run support for a goalie. Maple Leafs’ general manager said as much when he alluded to the fact that there was a lot to offer a goalie who wanted to play for the Maple Leafs. Nice to have Auston Matthews bearing down on the other guys late in any close game.
As alluded to in the title of this post, Murray doesn’t have to be great. Like Campbell did, if he indeed becomes the Maple Leafs goalie, he only has to stop the shots that any good NHL goalie should stop.
The issue with Murray is what he’s done lately with the Senators, not what he did when he was with the Penguins. Murray has suffered a number of injuries while he’s been playing in Ottawa. He’s also struggled to win when he’s been healthy. His save percentage has been just under .900 (.899, in fact) in 47 games over two seasons in Ottawa. His record was 15-25-3 in those seasons.
However, compare that with Petr Mrazek’s .888 save percentage last season with the Maple Leafs and his record was 12-6-0. As I say, different team.
Related: Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Knies, Minten & New Draft Strategy?
The Maple Leafs Have Two Youngsters Who Had Good 2021-22 Seasons
The truth is that I would be happy enough to see the Maple Leafs go with two youngsters – Erik Kallgren and Joseph Woll – sharing the goalie duties. I think they’d have some growing pains, but they’d have an entire regular season to work things out. The regular season doesn’t matter anyway for Maple Leafs’ fans.
Kallgren played 14 games (starting 12) and had an 8-4-1 record. His goals-against-average was 3.31 and his save percentage in those games was .888. Woll was a bit better. He played four games, posting a 3-1 record (with a shutout), had a goals-against-averate of 2.76, and a save percentage of .911.
That said, I can see why the Maple Leafs might be going after Murray. He’s experienced, has been there before, and is well-known by the management.
Even If Pierre Dorion Loses a Murray Trade, He’ll Be Happy
In addition, the Senators are probably more than happy to get rid of him. He held firm to his no trade clause so he wouldn’t go to the Buffalo Sabres. The Senators would be ready to retain salary; and, even if they lose this trade they scored big getting Alex DeBrincat from the Chicago Blackhawks.
Pierre Dorion will be smiling no matter what happens with Murray. In fact, knowing that Dorion was willing to retain salary might allow Dubas and his team to do some salary-cap magic to bring Murray to the Maple Leafs.
There’s a good chance that Justin Holl, who played for D.J. Smith when he was an assistant coach with the Maple Leafs, might move the other way.
Related: Five Far Too Bold Predictions for Maple Leafs Free Agency
Afp1961
July 11, 2022 at 8:03 am
Jim – I think Murray or any goalie must be “very” good at the absolute least. Good alone won’t cut it in the playoffs with the leafs style of play.
Need a veteran backup who can be relied upon to play 30+ games. Murray has been on the IR 7 times since he joined the senators that is an alarming trend. No way can they rely upon Kallgren or Woll.
Wish they get double retention and Murray comes in at 2m/AAV. That makes the deal enticing. Add Brown and it’s even better. Give them Kerfoot and Holl for that.
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