Matt Murray Becomes a Key Trade Asset for the Leafs as Three NHL Teams Search for Goaltenders
As teams search for potential insurance options when it comes to their goalies, three teams needing help have veteran Matt Murray able to assist.
With several teams looking to shore up their goaltending, there are many options. They could see if there are any hot goalies in their AHL system and give them a shot, or go the free agent route, or perhaps they'd be interested in a veteran who is on the outside looking in; Matt Murray.
Murray, currently signed to the Maple Leafs and playing with the Toronto Marlies is currently dealing with a logjam when it comes to getting ice time.
Both Dennis Hildeby and Artur Ahktyamov have come in and stole the show, and Murray has been good but his job is being lost to the Leafs two goalie prospects.
For his career, Murray has a 146-86-24 record over his 8-year NHL career.
Drafted by Pittsburgh (83rd overall, 2012) he came into the league and dominated, helping Pittsburgh win the Stanley Cup in 2016 and 2017. He's since played with Ottawa before making his way to Toronto.
With the Maple Leafs, he played 26 games, going 14-8-2 and being a solid option for the Maple Leafs during a time when they had some pretty shaky goaltending.
But if Murray were to head out, there are a few teams who could use his help.
Carolina Hurricanes
It was unfortunate for Carolina as they had their star goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov injured, and will also be without Frederik Andersen for a couple of months.
Carolina sits 2nd in the Metropolitan Division, and can't afford to lose one of their greatest strengths. Kochetkov was 10-2-0 with a 2.42 GAA and .904 SV%. Andersen was great too, going 3-1-0 with a 1.48 GAA and .941 SV% before his injury.
Murray would be a replacement for a struggling Spencer Murray and would be able to provide Carolina with a cheap backstop to stop the bleeding while their goaltenders heal up.
Matt Murray played the same role in Toronto and could do so with the Hurricanes as well.
Detroit Red Wings
Detroit has been fairly average this season, being 9-10-2 and sitting only 5 points out of 2nd, but their consistency is an issue. The goaltending has been solid so far for the Red Wings, which leads to the question:
Why are they trading for Murray?
It's if they lose one of their own. Other contenders are going to want to target Cam Talbot and Alex Lyon as they are cheap solid options; so if one of them goes, they need a definitive netminder to hold the fort.
Ville Husso isn't a great option and has struggled so far, going 0-2-0 with a ghastly 4.94 GAA and .811 SV%. He's given up 7 goals on 37 shots and is only used in emergencies.
Murray would come in and help Detroit while they figure out how to best put Sebastian Cossa in a spot to succeed.
Colorado Avalanche
Things aren't great with the Avalanche right now. Not only are they underwhelming and sitting with a 12-10-0 record, but they ended up nearly taking out their head coach albeit indirectly.
What's worse has been their goaltending. Alexandar Georgiev has been bad, Justus Annunen hasn't fared much better, and only rookie Trent Miner has looked okay but it's only one game.
The team has a combined 3.36 GAA and .870 SV% on the season which is a terrible roadblock to have when you're trying to make one last push before they potentially lose out on Mikko Rantanen.
Murray would come in and immediately help the team, not only by being a veteran but by being successful. It would at least give Colorado more stability than they have, and their current tandem is not working.
If the Avalanche want to salvage their season, they need to add a veteran who can handle high-pressure situations, and who better than a 2-time Stanley Cup Champion?
FAQ: Matt Murray Is A Key Trade Target For Goaltending Option
Q1: Why is Matt Murray a good trade target for teams?
A1: Murray is a great trade target due to his consistency on the ice, his ability to perform in high-pressure situations, and provide a team stability if they are dealing with goaltender injuries or struggles.
Q2: What are the 3 teams who can benefit most from Matt Murray?
A2: Three teams who could benefit from Murray's services are Carolina, Detroit, and Colorado. Carolina could use him to help with injuries, Detroit could use him in case they lose one of their goaltenders to a trade, and Colorado is struggling with consistent goaltending.
In closing, Matt Murray has been fantastic in his NHL career, evidenced by his two Stanley Cups and the consistent value he brings to teams regardless if he starts or is a third-stringer.
A lot of teams owe their success to Murray, and he's often been a solid foundation when things get shaky.
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