INSIDER: Toronto Maple Leafs interested in Ottawa Senators goaltender

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Ryan
June 10, 2022 (6:48 PM)

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We have seen many times over the last few years that the Toronto Maple Leafs believe they have their next true starting goalie, then it just fizzles out. We haven't seen a true starter succeed in Toronto since the days of Ed Belfour or Curtis Joseph.

Leafs thought they had it when James Reimer took over, then fizzled. Jonathan Bernier had the potential, then fizzled. Frederick Andersen started great for the Leafs then fizzled. Then Jack Campbell emerged and fell just as quick.

Now we are hearing that the Toronto Maple Leafs are interested in the two-time back to back Stanley Cup winning goaltender in Matt Murray.

@reporterchris just said on TSN1050 that the Leafs could be interested in Sens goalie Matt Murray. There is a Sault Ste Marie Connection with Kyle Dubas #GoSensGo� James (@PositiveSensFan) June 10, 2022

Murray managed to win 2 stanley cups as a rookie, but after Marc-Andre Fleury left the team and left Murray to handle the official starting role, his numbers fell off a cliff. He rebounded in 2018-19 season with a .919 SV% but fell right back off that cliff in the following season with a .899.

He was dealt in the 2020 offseason to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Jonathan Gruden and round 2 pick in the 2020 draft (Joel Blomqvist).

Since joining the Senators, his fortunes have not been better. He has not played in more than 27 games in a season and even got waived and sent to the AHL at one point.

Murray has 2 years remaining on a contract that has a $6,250,000 cap hit, so if the goal was to save money on a goaltender this offseason for the Leafs, the Senators will definitely need to retain some cap in this transaction.

Murray was the goaltender for the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds during Kyle Dubas' stint as GM, so there is definitely a connection between GM and goalie.