Matt Murray's conditioning stint comes to an abrupt end
When Matt Murray was assigned to the American Hockey League, the goal was to get him back into the action and allow him to see some pucks in real game setting. A Stanley Cup champ could have been a huge advantage for the Marlies. Murray's absence has, sadly, had a significant impact on his game.
Murray fell short in two of his three games in the AHL, surrendering an average of four goals against per game during his three-game conditioning stint. The Marlies head coach understood the situation and was surprisingly complimentary of Murray's play, despite the story that the numbers told.
"Going through what he has gone through is a lot for someone. His professionalism was something I loved. He has a demeanour and presence around the room that I love. I thought he kept getting stronger and stronger throughout the three games, and he's a competitor.
We're getting a guy who won the Stanley Cup. We will want that in our locker room. A winner is a winner. He knows how to win, and having him, regardless of what went on... that's a lot what he's been through. The AHL is still a pretty good league, there are still good players here, even after surgery like that. I loved everything about him and what he did in the locker room."
-Matt Murray's conditioning loan in the eyes of Marlies coach John Gruden.
Murray allowed 4 goals against on 24 shots in his final AHL start last night against the Cleveland Monsters. While some were excited by the potential of having Murray come back up to the NHL and help the Leafs win a Cup, I just don't think that's in the cards. Being fourth in the pecking order behind Ilya Samsonov, Joseph Woll and Martin Jones is the right spot for Murray right now, especially after a major surgery.
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Murray suited up in just 26 games last season for the Maple Leafs, posting a 14-8-2 record to go along with a 3.01 GAA and a.903 SV% When you consider how much better the Leafs are as a team, these numbers in Toronto are comparable to his previous season in Ottawa in 2021-22, where he went 5-12-2, with a 3.05 GAA and a.906 SV%
Murray last season as a legitimate starter was in 2018-19, when he was still a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Murray posted a 29-14-6 record with a 2.69 GAA and a.919 SV% after starting 50 games. His best days are long behind him, to say the least.
It would be a nice story to see Murray come back next season, fully healthy, and return to his form from his Stanley Cup days in Pittsburgh, but for a soon-to-be 30-year-old netminder who is coming off of a full-season layoff, it's possible for Murray to land a decent gig as a back-up somewhere.
Previously on MapleLeafsLatest
| POLL |
21 AVRIL | 41 ANSWERS Matt Murray's conditioning stint comes to an abrupt end What's the most likely outcome for Matt Murray in the upcoming season? |
| He'll be a starter on a rebuilding team | 14 | 34.1 % |
| He'll be a backup on a good team | 7 | 17.1 % |
| He'll be a backup on a rebuilding team | 16 | 39 % |
| He'll be a starter on a decent-good team | 4 | 9.8 % |
| LIST OF POLLS |
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