Toronto Maple Leafs
Why Maple Leafs Sent Matt Murray to the AHL After a Big Win
For waiver eligibility reasons, the Toronto Maple Leafs sent Matt Murray back to the AHL after his first NHL win in over a year.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have reassigned veteran goaltender Matt Murray to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies while recalling Dennis Hildeby in a roster management move on Saturday. This decision comes less than 24 hours after Murray earned his first NHL victory since March 2023, making 24 saves in a 6-3 win against the Buffalo Sabres.
Murray’s return to NHL action followed a long recovery from bilateral hip surgery that sidelined him for most of the 2023-24 season. He played well against the Sabres and certainly doesn’t deserve to be demoted. But this move isn’t about demoting Murray.
Despite his strong performance, the Leafs opted to temporarily move him back to the AHL to preserve roster flexibility and avoid exposing him to waivers. Sportsnet’s Luke Fox writes, “Paper move to delay Murray’s need for waivers as long as possible.” According to David Alter of The Hockey News, Murray’s exemption from waivers remains intact as long as he plays fewer than 10 NHL games or spends less than 30 days on the active roster.
Maple Leafs Intend to Bring Murray Back Up
With backup goaltender Anthony Stolarz sidelined for four-to-six weeks following knee surgery, the Leafs are carefully managing their goaltending depth. Hildeby’s recall provides additional coverage, but Murray’s impressive .931 save percentage in the AHL signals that he could see more NHL action soon. Hildeby is waiver-exempt, so he can be called up and down without issue.
The NHL roster freeze doesn’t impact a team’s ability to send players up and down from the AHL to the NHL.
Next: The Good, Bad & Ugly in Maple Leafs’ 6-3 Win vs. the Sabres
