The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired goaltender Matt Murray, a 2023 third-round pick, and a 2024 seventh-round pick from the Ottawa Senators. The Senators retain 25 percent of Murray’s salary, giving him a $4,687,500 cap hit for the next two seasons for the Leafs.
This trade was rumoured for several days going back to the 2022 NHL Draft, as the goaltender market continues to shrink. The other deciding factor was the parting of ways with goaltender Jack Campbell, who was the team’s starter in 2021-22. There was an interest to reach an agreement with both parties, but the Leafs didn’t want to commit to the five-year or more term that Campbell desired.
Meanwhile, the Senators wanted to get rid of salary they didn’t need, and with Anton Forsberg playing well since joining the Senators, and the team looking to give prospect goalie Filip Gustavsson more playing time, Murray seemed like a strong candidate to move on from.
“We’re thankful for Matt’s contributions and wish him well.” said Pierre Dorion through the Senators communications Twitter account.
Murray played in 20 games last season, with a 5-12-2 record, a .906 save percentage and one shutout. He also had a 3.67 goals saved above expected, which ranked 19th in the league among goalies with at least 20 games, and well above Campbell and Petr Mrazek, Toronto’s goalies in 2021-22.
Murray comes with an interesting resume, as before his time with the Senators, he was a solid starting goalie for the Pittsburgh Penguins, particularly in his first two seasons when he backstopped the Pens to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017, so he certainly brings playoff experience with him.
The Senators find themselves with $24,656,786 in salary cap space heading into free agency, with only Alex Formenton and Josh Norris as top priority re-signings, although with both being restricted free agents, it gives them some more time to get that done. They also have to work on an extension with recent addition Alex DeBrincat, who is a restricted free agent at the end of the 2022-23 season.
The Leafs now find themselves with $6,360,217 after the trade, and will be looking for another goalie in free agency. They will also need to continue their annual bargain hunt for depth players, as Ilya Mikheyev and Ilya Lyubushkin are unrestricted free agents, and Ondrej Kase was not qualified earlier today, although the Leafs may still bring him back as a UFA.
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