Maple Leafs Cut Ties With Goalie Matt Murray

The Toronto Maple Leafs have placed a goalie and defenseman on waivers ahead of NHL rosters being due.

Mar 18, 2023; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Matt Murray (30) warms up prior to the start of game against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images / Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

The Toronto Maple Leafs are getting set for the 2024-25 season by placing multiple key names on waivers. With rosters due across the NHL in a little over 24 hours, the Maple Leafs have placed goalie Matt Murray and defenseman Marshall Rifai on waivers.

It was a big day for waiver activity and the Maple Leafs placed arguably two of the biggest names in Murray and Rifai.

Among the boatload of players on NHL waivers today are #leafs Marshall Rifai and Matt Murray, who is still working his way back from bilateral hip surgery that cost him last season.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 6, 2024

Murray recently signed a one-year deal with the Maple Leafs after losing the entire 2023-24 season due to bilateral hip surgery. Ever since winning the Stanley Cup in back-to-back seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Murray has struggled to find smooth waters.

Between 2021 and 2023, Murray has only appeared in 73 games with a 29-33-5 record, .900 save percentage, and 3.15 goals against average.

Despite a troubling run, Murray’s career numbers are still respectable. In 272 career games played, Murray has a 146-86-24 record with a .910 save percentage and 2.79 goals against average.

The Maple Leafs will likely open the 2024-25 season with Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz.

Rifai is a 26-year-old blue liner who played in his first two NHL games during the 2023-24 season. He recorded one shot and was a plus-one while averaging 11:40 in ice time.

In three preseason games this year, Rifai did not score a point but put up seven penalty minutes.

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