Toronto Maple Leafs: On Pursuing Goaltender Matt Murray

According to Elliotte Friedman, the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to discuss a trade with the Ottawa Senators for goaltender Matt Murray. After a dismal two seasons in Ottawa, the Senators and Murray are ready to move on.

Once the 2022 NHL entry draft was complete, trade talks between the two teams intensified. There is a chance that this deal gets done before the start of NHL free agency on Wednesday, July 13th. Both teams would want to know exactly how much cap space they have for free-agent signings.

I would not be surprised if a third team gets involved for salary cap purposes. Toronto would want Ottawa to retain some of Murray’s $6.25 million, but that might not be enough. Retention of 50% of Murray’s contract would be $3.125 million. However, if Ottawa only retains 25%, Toronto might get a third team to chip in. We will have to wait and see how this plays out.
(Salary Cap info from capfriendly.com)

A team such as the Arizona Coyotes could be willing to help as it would help them reach the salary cap floor and acquire a draft pick for the future. The cheaper Murray’s cap hit is for the Toronto Maple Leafs, the better. Toronto general manager Kyle Dubas needs all the cap space he can get to upgrade this team.

Toronto Maple Leafs Moving on from Jack Campbell

Jack Campbell is said to have met with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. Darren Dreger is reporting that the meeting was friendly but unproductive. Toronto is unlikely to increase its initial offer, thought to be around $3.5 million. As good as Campbell has been for the  Leafs, he has still yet to play more than 49 games in a season.

For Campbell, this might be his only chance at a big payday. He has every right to do what is best for him. The grass is not always greener on the other side, but he is free to explore his options. With the possibility of Campbell leaving, Dubas is already looking to acquire Campbell’s replacement. Matt Murray has a history with Dubas and Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe. He played for them in the OHL with the Soo Greyhounds.

They hope to see Murray return to form and play as he did in Pittsburgh. Murray helped Pittsburgh win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017. Should the Maple Leafs be able to acquire Murray with a cap hit of around $3 million or less, they might be wise to sign a free agent goaltender as insurance.

I think Matt Murray could use a change of scenery. Dubas will look like a genius or a failure depending on how Murray performs if Toronto acquires him. Signing a goaltender like Eric Comrie in free agency would be a good insurance signing.