Insider Nick Kypreos Reports Matt Murray Rejected Multiple NHL Offers to Stay With the Maple Leafs
Matt Murray made 24 saves for his first win in 638 days, it could have been a lot different had the veteran netminder made a different choice this offseason.
It was a heartwarming return for Matt Murray on Friday night against the Buffalo Sabres. Backstopping the Maple Leafs to a 6-3 win, he looked a bit shaky at times but managed to do enough to get the win.
He got a ton of praise from his teammates, coaches, and fans alike, but it could have been much different according to NHL Insider Nick Kypreos.
The outspoken analyst mentioned that Murray had been approached by several teams in the offseason but he decided to stay with Toronto.
Matt Murray's Decision Paid Off For The Maple Leafs
It was a great decision for the Maple Leafs to not only acquire Murray but to extend him this season. A lot of praise has been given to the Toronto medical staff for helping players get back to full health.
Undergoing a bilateral hip surgery is a tough road to recovery for anyone, but a goaltender who relies so heavily on hip flexor movement and dexterity, it could be a career-threatening procedure.
But Murray persevered and while he doesn't look like the two-time Stanley Cup winner, the fact is he's healthy again and can help Toronto in the long run as a depth veteran who can lead by example.
It's almost foreign to think that Murray would be on another team, as both he and the Maple Leafs enjoy their partnership.
It's also a big 'What If?' in regards to how this season would play out, and it could have been detrimental to Murray's recovery and Toronto's success, especially given how their injury situation has played out.
With the Maple Leafs, he has compiled a 15-8-2 record with a 3.01 GAA and .902 SV% in mostly an emergency role, but there are few goaltenders around the league with the pedigree of Murray who can slot into that third-string role that's often times an overlooked piece of a team.
Toronto made the right call by re-signing Murray in the summer and giving him every opportunity to get healthy and be impactful for the team. It's been a long road to get back to the NHL but it's paid off for Murray and the Maple Leafs.
| POLL | ||
Do you think Toronto made the right move re-signing Matt Murray? | ||
| Yes | 858 | 68.6 % |
| No | 392 | 31.4 % |
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