Goalie Matt Murray of the Maple Leafs is out due to a head injury.
Clipperton, Joshua, The Canadian Press
The product of Thunder Bay, Ontario, had a lengthy history of injuries, including concussions and neck problems, after having a successful first season that saw him win the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017.
Regarding Murray’s status, Keefe stated on Tuesday morning, “It would be difficult to put a timeline on it before we give him more time to settle.” “He’s got a head injury … he’s got some other stuff as well.”
TORONTO — Matt Murray will not be playing this season.
The Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe announced on Tuesday that the often injured Toronto goalkeeper is out day-to-day with a head injury.
Red Wings player Lucas Raymond lost his edge and slid into the unsuspecting goalie’s knees during the first period of Sunday’s 5-2 home loss to Detroit, hurting the 28-year-old.
After examining Murray, who collapsed onto the ice in a heap, a trainer delivered the crease to Ilya Samsonov.
Murray, who suffered groyne and ankle problems early in the season and missed a lot of play, is 14-8-2 this season with one shutout, a.903 save percentage, and a 3.01 goals-against average in 26 games.
Before leaving Sunday’s match against Detroit, he had let up four goals in seven of his previous eight games.
Samsonov is 25-10-4 with four shutouts, a.915 save percentage, and a 2.41 goals against average. He was already leaning towards being selected as Toronto’s opening starting for the playoffs in Game 1.
The Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League sent Joseph Woll back to the Leafs on an emergency basis when Murray was sidelined.
During his four games with the Leafs this season, the 24-year-old rookie went 3-1-0 with a 2.03 GAA and a.934 save percentage.
On Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Woll—who is 16-4-1 with a.927 save percentage and a 2.37 GAA in 2022–2023 with the Marlies—is anticipated to make his ninth NHL start of the season.
Toronto defenceman Morgan Rielly said of him, “He’s been great.” “He’s been having a great hockey season. He is a guy who enjoys visiting the rink. He puts in a lot of work.
“He’s played outstanding.”
Additionally, the Leafs sent forward Radim Zohorna, who participated in his first two team games over the weekend, back to the AHL on loan.
In July, Toronto acquired Murray from Ottawa in exchange for two draught picks that would be used later. The Senators will pay him a quarter of his US$6.25 million salary cap hit in 2023–24 as well as this season.
In October 2020, Ottawa acquired Murray from Pittsburgh in a trade, and the two parties later came to an agreement on a $25 million, four-year contract, with the goal of having Murray guide a youthful team while the team attempted to salvage a lengthy reconstruction.
However, Murray’s fit with the Senators was never quite right, since his numbers had begun to deteriorate prior to his departure from the Penguins.
Due to various injuries, he only played in 85 games during his final season with Pittsburgh and two with Ottawa. He finished 35-36-8 with four shutouts, a.899 save percentage, and a 3.06 GAA.
In October 2020, Ottawa acquired Murray from Pittsburgh in a trade, and the two parties later came to an agreement on a $25 million, four-year contract, with the goal of having Murray guide a youthful team while the team attempted to salvage a lengthy reconstruction.
A low point occurred in November 2021 when he was sent to the Senators’ AHL club after clearing NHL waivers.
Murray’s 2021–22 campaign was cut short by a neck injury prior to the summer trade, but he was later summoned back by the Senators.
Leave a Reply