Today was a busy day for most NHL teams as opening night rosters need to be solidified within the next few days with the season kicking off mid-week. The Maple Leafs were among those teams as they placed goaltender Matt Murray and defenseman Marshall Rifai on waivers.
Murray who is working his way back from bilateral hip surgery that forced him out of the 2023-24 season was always expected to be the third netminder in Toronto with the acquisition of Anthony Stolarz this summer. After missing the entire season, it would do Murray wonders to get some much needed game action with the Toronto Marlies, should he clear waivers.
Rifai was the odd-man out of a busy back-end for the Maple Leafs that still includes the like of Simon Benoit, Conor Timmins, and Timothy Liljegren on top of the other regulars. Rifai has appeared in 126 games for the Marlies in the past 2 seasons with 35 points and 189 PIMs to his name.
Most players are expected to clear waivers considering the amount of teams that are still figuring out their roster configurations. However, other notable former Maple Leafs placed on waivers today include James Reimer, Pierre Engvall, Justin Holl, and Zach Aston-Reese.
After assigning 15 players to the Marlies a few days ago and using the waiver wire for Alex Steeves, the Maple Leafs' roster is starting to take form rapidly.
POLL | ||
6 OCTOBRE | 2222 ANSWERS Matt Murray, Marshall Rifai Among Multiple Current and Former Maple Leafs on Waivers Will Matt Murray be claimed off waivers? | ||
Yes, he's cheap and a solid veteran option | 871 | 39.2 % |
No, teams don't have enough room for waiver claims | 1351 | 60.8 % |
List of polls |