Finally, after endless chatter, rumours, and innuendo, the Ottawa Senators dealt goalie Matt Murray to the Toronto Maple Leafs Monday evening for future considerations.
The Senators traded the 28-year-old to Toronto along with a 2023 third-round pick, and a 2024 seventh, in addition to retaining 25% of his remaining salary.
- Ep 82: NHL Trade Deadline Extravaganzaby Full Press Coverage on March 8, 2024 at 8:28 pm
Jim and Chris are back with guest Ricky Otazu break down every move on NHL […]
Murray is slated to earn $15 million in actual salary over the next two seasons. The Senators are on the hook for $3.75M and will carry a cap hit of $1,562,500 for each of 2022-23 and 2023-24. Dealing Murray while tossing in a pair of draft picks that can be recouped over time, rather than buying him out a $9M-plus is a solid move for Senators general manager Pierre Dorion.
Dorion is on a roll of late; first by cashing out on Colin White‘s contract at one-third the remaining value – correcting what’s now deemed as an overpay; next acquiring an elite goal-scorer in Alex DeBrincat without shipping a high-end prospect or roster player to Chicago; and now alleviating the team of Murray’s remaining contract, for the most part, and doing so once again without attaching a roster player.
Roster update: The #Sens have traded G Matt Murray (while retaining 25% of his remaining salary), a 3rd-round pick in ‘23 and a 7th-round pick in ‘24 to @MapleLeafs in exchange for future considerations.
GM Dorion: “We’re thankful for Matt’s contributions and wish him well.” pic.twitter.com/qOhZmeZcIw
— Sens Communications (@Media_Sens) July 12, 2022
When the Ottawa Senators acquired Matt Murray from the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 7, 2020, general manager Pierre Dorion stated in a team release, “The acquisition of Matt Murray represents an important addition to our lineup. He’s a proven goaltender who has considerable high-pressure experience and someone who we’re certain will serve as an exceptional mentor to our young group of upcoming goaltenders.”
Less than two years later, Dorion’s initial statement on sending Murray to the Toronto Maple Leafs was nine words in length, “We’re thankful for Matt’s contributions and wish him well.”
Around Full Press Hockey
NHL: Colorado Avalanche Long Journey Back To The Stanley Cup
NHL Rumors: NHL Rumors: Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers
NHL: 2022 NHL Draft: Player Rankings, Risers, and Fallers V 3.0
NFL: Best Bets For 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie Of The Year
Full Press Bets: Odds Favor The Avalanche To Repeat As Stanley Cup Champions
PODCAST: Full Press Hockey Weekly: Ep 33: Stanley Cup Final Preview
A mere 48 hours after his initial trade to Ottawa, the Senators’ GM inked the restricted free agent at the time to a four-year, $25M contract.
Murray wasn’t being asked to be a saviour in goal, but it was his job to provide enough adequate netminding to keep the young Senators competitive in as many games as possible.
But for the majority, it wasn’t meant to be. Though all blame couldn’t be placed on Murray, the team started poorly out of the gate in 2021. The Penguins’ 2018 83rd overall selection earned his first win in his Senators’ debut versus the Maple Leafs. However, Murray didn’t earn his second victory for another 13 games.
To his credit, he righted the ship, finishing the campaign winning eight of 13 decisions and recording two shutouts in the process.
But it was this inconsistency that led to frustration within the Senators’ organization and its fan base.
Last season was much of the same for Murray. The goaltender lost his first seven decisions, won five of seven, then dropped his final six games.
That same inconsistency led the goalie to be placed on waivers on November 27 and subsequently assigned to Belleville. From that moment on Murray’s relationship with the club was fractured.
Murray didn’t think he deserved to be demoted, while the Senators needed him to find his game, but not at the expense of losing games at the NHL level.
There were also three stints on injured reserve last season of which two were head-related injuries plus a bout with a flu virus and Covid. None of these were Murray’s fault, but it led to his season being drastically disjointed.
Murray appeared in only 47 of a possible 134 games during his tenure for Ottawa, posting a 15-25-3 record, 3.23 goals against average, .899 save percentage.
Now, the former Ontario League Soo Greyhound is reunited with his junior team’s GM, Kyle Dubas in Toronto. Dubas is confident Murray can return to his form that won two Stanley Cups for the Penguins.
As for the Senators, Dorion re-iterated on several occasions that they would head into next season with three goalies on the roster if need be.
Anton Forsberg and Filip Gustavsson remain. However, Dorion’s work may not be done. There’s speculation about adding another veteran netminder to challenge Forsberg for the top spot. Where that leaves “Gus” is anyone’s guess in what is already a jaw-dropping off-season.