Maple Leafs Training Camp 2024-25 Thread
- Thread starter herman
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Highlander
Active member
Why are we even concerned about Murray? We have Woll, Stoli & Hildebeast.herman said:
And a couple of Russian who want in
Highlander said:
Woll & Stolarz have long injury histories. Hildebeast has never played in the NHL
The Russians are pretty green.
4 or 5 teams carried 3 goalies last year.
There is a blessing to the Swayman signing: Boston waived Brandon Bussi in the same batch who some (I don't recall who) regarded as the best goalie not in the NHL not long ago - something like that. Goalie talent assessment is insane to rationalize so I'll leave that right there. He's 6'5" with some good numbers. If I were a GM looking for a goalie, I'd certainly take a look at him.
Boston also waived Patera. Reimer also just got waived and still has some pretty good performances recently. I don't know Patera beyond Boston just picked him up during Swayman contract problems. Maybe one of those goalies will give Murray some cover.
Bender said:
Long story. Short version is the prognosis by his top surgeon for this surgery to address what had ailed him for years was quite good. It was substantiated by a very good recovery that has tracked well from January to the present - a number of people weighed in/witnessed it. There are a number of cases where NHL goalies have come back substantially improved after this surgery. Demko in Vancouver was one example.
Bender said:
I'm not really sure I agree with this. He had a 0.906 Sv% in 20 games in 21/22 and a 0.903 Sv% in 26 games in 22/23. Those were both 1 point away from being average in their years. The issue in those seasons was largely more health than ability.
Not to say he's some bonafide #1 goalie but if his injury/health issues are genuinely behind him (big if) I could see him playing his way back to the NHL in at least a back-up role at some point. Will be a tough road though for sure.
CarltonTheBear said:
My overall point is I'm skeptical he gets picked up. At this point he sounds like just a good story with a ton to still prove. I don't see why he would be claimed vs. anybody else even just based on last year's AHL stats and this years pre-season stats. If I were another GM I'd also still be weary of Murrays injury history and probably wouldn't want to be the guinea pig there.
bustaheims
Well-known member
Arn said:
They already have three goalies, if you include Askarov. Also, you're not going to bring in someone as a mentor without discussing that role with them first.
No team is going to opt for a goalie who has barely played in a year trying to come back from major hip surgery when there are other options out there. Especially one that has been barely average for a few years. Murray clears no problem.
Bender said:
No argument there. You'd have to be very desperate for a veteran, experienced goalie to consider Murray right now before he can prove himself at the AHL level for an extended period. I thought Boston might have been the only team to be that desperate but obviously that's no longer an issue. Looking around every team right now is fairly set in goal. Anaheim might grab someone today because IIRC Gibson is hurt for awhile but they'll likely be fine with a younger/less experienced option. Or maybe Reimer takes his talents down there.
Zee
Well-known member
CarltonTheBear said:
Yeah I'd be REALLY surprised if anyone claimed Murray. I get that all the reports were "he looks FANTASTIC in training camp, healthiest he's been in YEARS!", but until he proves he can still play in the NHL, nobody is grabbing him now. Would be a nice story if he thrives in the AHL and then can play some NHL games for the Leafs when required.
CarltonTheBear said:
He put up average NHL numbers on two bad hips for two plus years (he said he'd had the trouble for years before that).
The surgeon (apparently best in the that specialty) liked that he was younger (29) when he got it done - not as much damage done and better chance to recover.
His recovery and practice went very well - according to reports and his interview.
Many success stories from this type of surgery for goalies - they come back much better but like the best law case - no guarantees.
It is also the most unpredictable position in hockey.
But if I were betting, based on what I've seen about his practice and from his lengthy interview, I'd bet that he plays well again in the NHL.
I hope it is for the Leafs - he seems to like it here.
3rd goalies in the NHL averaged 13-14 games played last season.
With Woll and Stolerz injury history, they might need Hildeby too.
Deebo said:
Both cleared.
herman said:
GM wants to see Nylander at centre. Coach who is trying to not get fired/get hired by the GM says "yeah, yeah, I'll try". Everyone swears up and down that a legitimate attempt will be made, saying that it would be stupid to give up the experiment after 2 games. Experiment ends after 2 (preseason) games.
herman said:
London has basically all their top players returning and a year older from their OHL championship winning team last season. Cowan, Barkey, Dickinson, and Bonk are going to go nuts there this season. Wouldn't shock me if they did something crazy like scooping up Quentin Musty too.
bustaheims
Well-known member
herman said:
He had a bit of a lackluster pre-season, so, not a surprise.
I'm sure the coaching staff gave him a list of things to work on.