Yesterday, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced that they put goaltender Matt Murray on Long Term Injured Reserved citing health & recurring injury concerns. This move has been criticized heavily by hockey fans, most claim that this is cap circumvention because Murray was healthy in the playoffs. However, Murray was only dressed as the emergency backup goaltender during the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Claiming this cap circumvention is absurd, especially with a player who has a lengthy injury history.
Murray, 29, was selected 83rd overall in the third round by the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. The Thunder Bay, Ontario native wouldn’t make his NHL debut until the 2015-16 season where he played 13 games posting a 2.00 goals-against average and a 0.930 save percentage. However, Matt Murray would backstop the Pittsburgh Penguins to two consecutive Stanley Cup Finals in the 2016 and 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Related: Matt Murray Stats
Matt Murray would then be traded to the Ottawa Senators on October 7th, 2020 where Pittsburgh would give up a 2020 second-round pick (52nd overall – Joel Blomqvist) and Jonathan Gruden. Murray would then sign a four-year contract with the Senators worth $6.25 million annually. After two less-than-optimal seasons for the Senators, the Toronto Maple Leafs would acquire Matt Murray (25% cap retention), a 2023 third-round pick, and a 2024 seventh-round pick for future considerations.
Murray played in 26 games for the Maple Leafs posting a 3.01 goals-against average and a 0.903 save percentage. Matt Murray is in the final year of his four-year contract worth $6.25 million annually. The Maple Leafs placed Murray on long-term injured reserve with an undisclosed injury with an indefinite duration.
