Leafs' Matt Murray Makes Interesting Prediction for His 2024-25 Season
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Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski - USA Today Sports
Matt Murray is healthy for the first time in years and revealed Tuesday that he expects himself to steal starts with the Leafs from Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz.
Last season, in a very surprising announcement from the Maple Leafs, Murray underwent bi-lateral hip surgery at the end of training camp. He missed the entire season before returning for a conditioning stint with the Toronto Marlies in April. Many expected the Leafs to re-sign Martin Jones this off-season to provide some support for Woll and Stolarz, however, the Leafs shocked everyone when they announced Murray's new deal instead. Similar to Ilya Samsonov's 'prove it' deal, Murray's is also one year, but comes in at a significantly lower $875K cap hit.
In speaking with reporters Tuesday, Murray was asked if he contemplated retirement, but quickly denied that was even an option and revealed his intensions for this season.
"I just feel like I still have a lot to give," Murray said. "It's competition, I just have to bring everything I have every day, leave it all out there and let the rest take care of itself."
In early August, as he was preparing for training camp, Murray made an appearance on the 'Slangin' the Bizkit' podcast and noted that he had been dealing with hip issues since he turned pro, but assured fans that he felt the best he had in a long time during the appearance. On Tuesday, Murray explained further that he would not have been able to return when he did, or at all, if it wasn't for the Leafs' medical staff.
"All the guys who put in time and effort with me in my rehab process, I felt like I had to make something out of it. I want to do right by them...The biggest thing that I learned (during his rehab) is having the right team around you can make all the difference. Here in Toronto, it's a special group. Not just the guys in the room, but in the training room and the gym guys, everybody that creates an unbelievable environment. That's invaluable."
With Stolarz and Woll having started no more than 30 games each in their careers, the door is wide open for a healthy Murray to steal starts from both goaltenders. Given the health concerns surrounding Woll, Murray may play a larger role than many expect him to for the Leafs this season and having a good training camp will just be the beginning of that.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 26 | 1046 ANSWERS Leafs' Matt Murray Makes Interesting Prediction for His 2024-25 Season When will Murray make his season debut for the Leafs? | ||
| October/November | 385 | 36.8 % |
| December-February | 337 | 32.2 % |
| March-April | 42 | 4 % |
| He won't | 282 | 27 % |
| List of polls | ||
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