Ex-NHL Goalie Blown Away by Leafs Goaltender Matt Murray's Progress
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
Former NHL goalie Carter Hutton has revealed this week that Maple Leafs netminder Matt Murray looks better than he ever has.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have undergone a goalie change this offseason, now featuring a tandem of returnee Joseph Woll and newly signed Stanley Cup winner Anthony Stolarz. While Stolarz is the major acquisition in net, the third-string goalie position remains crucial, as evidenced last season when Ilya Samsonov and Woll were sidelined, and Martin Jones stepped in to play really well.
The Maple Leafs have not re-signed Martin Jones, which many believe is due to the recovery and rejuvenation of Matt Murray following bilateral hip surgery.
Former NHL goalie Carter Hutton praised Murray on TSN 1050's 'First Up' radio show this week, noting that the two trained together at a goalie camp this offseason. Hutton is impressed with Murray's progress.
''I'm telling you, he got both his hips done. He had double hip surgery and I've skated with Matt a bunch. I've watched him throughout the years, played against him, and this is the best summer I've seen him in a long, long time. So I'm very optimistic.
Obviously, fingers crossed, he's got to stay healthy. But I'm a big fan of Matt's game, and I think for him, he had options in free agency and he wanted to be in Toronto. He wanted to stay in Toronto. And I think because, you know, he's a guy that - he's been through these pressure situations - I don't think the market's going to affect him.
It's just a matter of staying healthy. And I think that goes for pretty much their whole net right now because health is going to be the issue for the Toronto Maple Leafs.''
Obviously, fingers crossed, he's got to stay healthy. But I'm a big fan of Matt's game, and I think for him, he had options in free agency and he wanted to be in Toronto. He wanted to stay in Toronto. And I think because, you know, he's a guy that - he's been through these pressure situations - I don't think the market's going to affect him.
It's just a matter of staying healthy. And I think that goes for pretty much their whole net right now because health is going to be the issue for the Toronto Maple Leafs.''
Murray chose to remain in Toronto, believing he still has plenty left in the tank. Before injuries hindered his career, Murray was a key player for the Pittsburgh Penguins, winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017.
The Maple Leafs acquired Murray from the Senators in the 2022 offseason, hoping he would compete for the starting role. However, the Murray experiment appeared to fail as he struggled with injuries during the 2022-23 season, playing only 26 games with a 3.01 GAA and .903 SV%. Murray has not played a game for the Leafs since then.
Given that both Stolarz and Woll have experienced injuries in the past, Murray's rejuvenation would be a welcome development for the Maple Leafs. His experience in high-pressure situations could be invaluable to a team that has struggled with playoff success in recent years.
Source: HockeyDB
Matt Murray Statistics
Matt Murray Statistics
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 11 | 321 ANSWERS Ex-NHL Goalie Blown Away by Leafs Goaltender Matt Murray's Progress Do you have faith in a fully healthy Matt Murray? | ||
| Yes | 192 | 59.8 % |
| No | 129 | 40.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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