Although it came at a cost of Anthony Stolarz being injured for 4-6 weeks, Toronto Maple Leafs fans should be very excited about the Matt Murray comeback.
If you're a music fan, Matt Murray and Oasis have a lot in common. Murray's first few years in the NHL came with accolades that sometimes take decades to achieve, then it was all over before it started. After producing "Definitely Maybe" and ("What's the Story) Morning Glory?" Oasis was the biggest band in the world after their first two albums. After that, they stuck around for years, doing all right but failing to live up to their former glory and unable to write any more hits, before breaking up and never being heard from again, until this year.
Oasis is set for a huge comback tour in 2025 and potentially so is Matt Murray. Simiarily to Murray, Oasis could play their entire tour and be back for good, or they could break up after one show. We just never know, but we should be excited and hopeful that it'll all work out.
After winning two Stanley Cup's early in his career, Murray faced multiple health problems that affected his play. He had a solid stretch during the 2022-23 season with the Leafs, but injuries ultimately kept him out of the line-up and away from the team for the better half of that season.
We were all surprised to see Murray sign a one-year deal with the Leafs last year, and never really expected him to have much playing time, with Joseph Woll, Anthony Stolarz and Dennis Hildeby ahead of him the depth chart, but here we are.
Matt Murray Deserves Another NHL Opportunity
Currently with a 4-2-1 record, .931 SV% and 1.85 GAA, Murray has been exceptional with the Toronto Marlies, but why wouldn't he be? At one point in his career, he was a top-five goalie in the NHL, so dominating a lower level shouldn't be a shock. However, the biggest surprise should be the fact that he is healthy and the Leafs are going to give him another shot at the NHL level.
With Stolarz out until February, the Leafs could really use Murray's services moving forward, however they could also be doing this as a way to showcase a potential asset.
Even if Murray plays well, there seems like a small chance that he will bypass Stolarz and Woll in the depth chart, but he could help his trade stock, or ability to get a contract next year. Murray is only 30-years-old, so he realistically has another 7-10 years left in his career and a solid performance for the next two months could put him back on the radar for another NHL team in need of a goaltender.
Although he's suffered many injuries over the years, GM's will always take a chance on a goalie with two Stanley Cup ring's, so this is a huge opportunity for Murray.
We'll see what happens but I can't wait to see what he brings and hope that he makes it a difficult decision for Craig Berube and Brad Treliving once Anthony Stolarz is healthy, because he deserves another NHL chance.