Maple Leafs Quick Hits: The Rock?, Amirov & Which Murray?

In this edition of Toronto Maple Leafs’ Quick Hits, I’ll look at a surprise visitor to Scotiabank Arena – the Rock. I’ll also take a look at some of the feedback from different Maple Leafs’ players about his visit. Second, I’ll look at a bit of excellent news. That’s the introduction of Ridion Amirov to the home crowd on Thursday.

Finally, I’ll look at Matt Murray and wonder first if he’ll start tonight against his old team the Ottawa Senators. I’ll then wonder which Murray will show up for the game.

Related: Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Tavares, Marner, Sammy & Minten

Quick Hit One: The Rock Shows Up: Samsonov Asks, “Who’s He?”

Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews was surprised when Dwayne Johnson – the Rock – showed up to spur on the crowd. Although he got the chant wrong, his visit had a positive effect on the crowd and at least some members of the Maple Leafs’ team.

Specifically, Matthews was greatly surprised and had a good laugh about The Rock “flying out of nowhere” to pump up the Scotiabank Arena crowd.

Matthews thought it was “pretty sweet.” However, and good for him, the enormity of the visit was completely lost on young Russian goalie Ilya Samsonov. The reason? Samsonov had no idea who “The
Rock” was.

Black Adam premiered in New York last night and IGN is here to warn you that spoilers are currently spreading across the internet. What's unusual about these leaks, however, is that it's Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson himself sharing the sensitive information. https://t.co/mr87aFmWk4 pic.twitter.com/InbSocFvLu

— IGN (@IGN) October 13, 2022

Perhaps one of Samsonov’s new teammates on the Maple Leafs will invite him to a movie to see The Rock’s new film – Black Adam. But don’t tell Samsonov that, as Black Adam says, “the time of heroes is over.” It would be good if Samsonov were heroic in the net.

Quick Hit Two: Great to See Rodion Amirov

One of the Maple Leafs’ feel-good stories is that Rodion Amirov, the Maple Leafs’ young prospect who has been treated for a brain tumor, is improving. He’s now in Toronto working out with the team’s development people.

Before the team’s first home game of the season on Thursday night, Amirov was introduced to the crowd. What a nice touch by the Maple Leafs’ organization to make space for the young player. Even better is the news that Amirov could be in attendance.

Rodion Amirov, the @MapleLeafs' 2020 first-round pick who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in February was just introduced at Scotiabank Arena before their home opener. ? #HockeyFightsCancer

Amirov has been with the team since finishing his fourth round of chemotherapy. pic.twitter.com/kbMTBmnWjb

— NHL (@NHL) October 13, 2022

Forgetting about hockey and just thinking about life for a minute, the young Russian prospect has been through a lot over the past few months since his diagnosis. That he’s recovering is great news. That there’s a chance he might play hockey this season is even better news.

Related: Three Takeaways from Maple Leafs 3-2 Win Over Capitals

Quick Hit Three: Which Matt Murray Will Show Up Tonight?

When the Maple Leafs play their second game of a four-game homestand tonight, they’ll take on Matt Murray’s old Ottawa Senators team. Murray is expected to get the start. No doubt, the young Senators will work hard to beat the new Maple Leafs’ goalie.

Maple Leafs’ head coach Sheldon Keefe noted that he had not yet decided who would start the game tonight. It’s tough to believe it won’t be Murray.

If it is, the question is “Which Matt Murray will show up?” Will it be the preseason Murray or the first-game Murray who lost to the Montreal Canadiens?

We will soon see.

Related: AUSTON MATTHEWS, THE BEST MAPLE LEAFS’ PLAYER EVER