Update on Murray
Maple Leafs Have Plan A and Plan B to Move On from Matt Murray
Chris Johnston of NorthStar Bets says that trade discussions involving Murray are ongoing. That said, it seems unlikely with all of the goaltenders available that Murray would be more attractive of an option than someone like
John Gibson or Connor Hellebuyck. Even at a highly-discounted rate (essentially free with a sweetener) there won’t be many, if any, takers for Murray’s contract.
Johnston notes the Maple Leafs’ backup plan if they fail to find a suitable deal is the second buyout window.
He writes:
“They’re on the hunt for trade options, but they have a Plan B in their back pocket if something palatable fails to materialize. Teams that have a player go to salary arbitration gain a second buyout window following the hearing, and it appears likely that goaltender Ilya Samsonov will be taking Toronto to arb later this summer.”
When Could the Leafs Buy Out Murray?
According to PuckPedia, teams may receive an additional buyout window.
They write,” If a team has a player go to arbitration and it is either settled or awarded, the team receives a new 48-hour buyout window beginning 3 days after the arbitration settlement or award.” It continues, “The only contracts that are eligible to be bought out in this window are for player with Cap Hits greater than $4M AND they were on the team’s roster at the last trade deadline.” Murray meets all the requirements necessary to be eligible within this window, as his $4.6 million cap hit and injury status during the trade deadline factor into the criteria.
Speculation has arisen regarding the potential placement of Murray on long-term injured reserve (LTIR), offering the Toronto Maple Leafs $4,687,500 of cap relief.
However, it appears unlikely as Murray has been medically cleared. Not only that, but Murray’s particular contract allows the Leafs to take advantage of a reasonably manageable buyout scenario where the biggest savings come this season when the cap ceiling is the lowest.
With capologist Brandon Pridham on the case and working to find Treliving the best options,
it sounds like a buyout is a direction the Leafs are leaning. As the offseason progresses, the Maple Leafs will continue exploring trade options but they remain prepared to benefit from the salary arbitration process with Samsonov. Ultimately, the team’s goal is to find the most effective and efficient solution while maintaining a competitive roster for the upcoming season.
It’s not ideal and it comes with a cost, but navigating the salary cap landscape is a delicate task for NHL teams, and for the Maple Leafs, who just added a few key pieces in free agency, the trouble might be worth the reward.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a Plan A and Plan B to move goaltender Matt Murray. Expect the goaltender to be gone one way or another.
thehockeywriters.com