Confirmed with Link: [TOR/OTT] Matt Murray (25% retention), a 3rd in 2023 and a 7th in 2024 for Future Considerations.

[LeafEgo]

How were all other available goalies secured by other teams?
Campbell and Kuemper were still available. IIRC most of the UFA goalies were still available when the trigger was pulled.
Then there is also other trades available.
If this move was done close to October, then I would say it was a scramble but it was done as soon as the market opened

You can nickel and dime the second part but most of the the goalies being talked about were scooped up shortly after the Mrazek trade, and the insiders seem to have been correct that Campbell and Kuemper were spoken for.

I'm skeptical is all.

 

[Punch Drunk Loov]

I'm definitely bothered that the Sens attempted to buyout Murray and weren't able to. I feel like they were over a barrel and we should've made them sweat an attempted buyout, or to overpay us to take the deal.

What's done is done, I'm not very down on the trade but I'm feeling a C-

 

[saltming]

You can nickel and dime the second part but most of the the goalies being talked about were scooped up shortly after the Mrazek trade, and the insiders seem to have been correct that Campbell and Kuemper were spoken for.

I'm skeptical is all.

Skepticism is fine, but I think if we offered soup the same money and term he would have stayed.
I'm just not feeling it was a desperation move

 

[Gary Nylund]

Skepticism is fine, but I think if we offered soup the same money and term he would have stayed.
I'm just not feeling it was a desperation move

From what I've heard Campbell say here and there, that's 100% true - he wanted to stay. Had we offered him what EDM did, he'd have stayed and maybe he'd even have stayed for a bit less than he got.

Our brass obviously felt that he wasn't worth the money someone else would pay him (presumably a substantial gap too) and/or we could do better in terms of finding a goalie who we could win with. And possibly the term was a factor also, either we have an aversion to long term deals for goalies in principle, or we just weren't comfortable offering term to Campbell.

I prefer what we did to a 5x5 deal for Campbell. Whether that was the right call or not, time will tell.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Long time posters here know that when HF is confident in something, usually the opposite happens. As Leaf fans, we've dealt with this a lot. Wasn't long ago the narrative was Kessel was a cancer and you couldn't win with him. Or Kadri was a liability. Andersen sucked, but when he went to the Canes suddenly he was good.

Why can't we benefit from a change of scenery for once? Between Murray and Sam, one of these players is going to rebound. Our team is good enough to keep us in the playoff race even if there is an adjustment period. All that matter is the following.

1. Murray has won 2 cups as a starting goalie and being on a tanking Ottawa team doesn't change that.
2. Samsonov had an inconsistent year, but played his best hockey of the year in the playoffs.

End of the day, this roster can get us there. What we need is someone, ANYONE, with ice in their veins between the pipes to give us a few saves we need to just win when it counts. It seems regardless of who is in net the past 6 years, we know come game 6/7 they will let in the first breakdown we have.

 

[saltming]

From what I've heard Campbell say here and there, that's 100% true - he wanted to stay. Had we offered him what EDM did, he'd have stayed and maybe he'd even have stayed for a bit less than he got.

Our brass obviously felt that he wasn't worth the money someone else would pay him (presumably a substantial gap too) and/or we could do better in terms of finding a goalie who we could win with. And possibly the term was a factor also, either we have an aversion to long term deals for goalies in principle, or we just weren't comfortable offering term to Campbell.

I prefer what we did to a 5x5 deal for Campbell. Whether that was the right call or not, time will tell.

Exactly my thoughts.

I actually feel more confident that Murray can regain form since he was trending that way and has already played at the highest level of hockey with success.
Also a good feeling about Samsonov as he's young and finally acknowledged that he needs to tweak his style.
Will both or either pan out the way I'm hoping? Time will tell, but I'm more confident than rolling Campbell out again and expecting his spots to change

 

[29Potvin]

Exactly my thoughts.

I actually feel more confident that Murray can regain form since he was trending that way and has already played at the highest level of hockey with success.
Also a good feeling about Samsonov as he's young and finally acknowledged that he needs to tweak his style.
Will both or either pan out the way I'm hoping? Time will tell, but I'm more confident than rolling Campbell out again and expecting his spots to change

People thinking that a 30 year old Jack Campbell can change but a 25yr old and 28yr old cant/wont is odd to me. Still not 100% sold on it but it carries the same amount maybe less than the other options and we actually received compensation for this risk( Picks for Murray and Samsonov is still an RFA)

 

[Gary Nylund]

Exactly my thoughts.

I actually feel more confident that Murray can regain form since he was trending that way and has already played at the highest level of hockey with success.
Also a good feeling about Samsonov as he's young and finally acknowledged that he needs to tweak his style.
Will both or either pan out the way I'm hoping? Time will tell, but I'm more confident than rolling Campbell out again and expecting his spots to change

I'm actually feeling pretty good our prospects too. The podcast someone shared last week helped, don't now who that "expert" was that was talking but he apparently has some pretty decent credentials and he sure sounded like knew what he was talking about. Now granted he didn't say that our tandem was going kill it or anything and there were some question marks with both of them, but there were many positives as well, more than enough to think that there's a very good chance that by the time the playoffs roll around, we will be able to feel confident in at least one of our guys.

 

[saltming]

I'm actually feeling pretty good our prospects too. The podcast someone shared last week helped, don't now who that "expert" was that was talking but he apparently has some pretty decent credentials and he sure sounded like knew what he was talking about. Now granted he didn't say that our tandem was going kill it or anything and there were some question marks with both of them, but there were many positives as well, more than enough to think that there's a very good chance that by the time the playoffs roll around, we will be able to feel confident in at least one of our guys.

Ya Kevin Woodley has been around for ages. Writes for in goal magazine and in general gives good break downs on goalies.
Absolutely question marks, but I like that they were both trading the right way.
Samsonov taking the one year let me show you contract is awesome. We need a goalie with those cojones

People thinking that a 30 year old Jack Campbell can change but a 25yr old and 28yr old cant/wont is odd to me. Still not 100% sold on it but it carries the same amount maybe less than the other options and we actually received compensation for this risk( Picks for Murray and Samsonov is still an RFA)

Yup. Especially when all your asking is that one returns to form, Murray, and the other continues development, Samsonov vs expecting Campbell to suddenly become something he has yet to be,not impossible but I think we chose the higher odds of success

 

[Gary Nylund]

Ya Kevin Woodley has been around for ages. Writes for in goal magazine and in general gives good break downs on goalies.
Absolutely question marks, but I like that they were both trading the right way.
Samsonov taking the one year let me show you contract is awesome. We need a goalie with those cojones

Yup. Especially when all your asking is that one returns to form, Murray, and the other continues development, Samsonov vs expecting Campbell to suddenly become something he has yet to be,not impossible but I think we chose the higher odds of success

Yeah attitude and confidence is so important (especially for goalies) so I was very pleased to hear about that as well. And Murray also sounded like it didn't bother him at all to walk into the pressure cooker that this hockey town is, so that's another reason to be at least a little bit optimistic.

 

[saltming]

Yeah attitude and confidence is so important (especially for goalies) so I was very pleased to hear about that as well. And Murray also sounded like it didn't bother him at all to walk into the pressure cooker that this hockey town is, so that's another reason to be at least a little bit optimistic.

Penguin fans can be pretty brutal too. Maybe not Toronto brutal, but they expect a certain level from their team and are vocal about it

 

[al secord]

Ottawa fans still can’t believe it.

Low bar

 

[Its not your fault]

Nylander Sandin - Muzzin or Kerfoot takes Tkachuk home, a first if you're feeling frisky. You might get a Jack in the box.

With a Kling in a burg if he Holls off.

 

[deprw]

Yeah attitude and confidence is so important (especially for goalies) so I was very pleased to hear about that as well. And Murray also sounded like it didn't bother him at all to walk into the pressure cooker that this hockey town is, so that's another reason to be at least a little bit optimistic.

He was a fan and his father was a fan. I think he knows where his coming to and still wants to be here. I hope that it gives him that extra push to find his game here. Off course his body can fail and this isn't movie where everything just clicks, it may end up being bad miscalculation. He seems to have good head on his shoulders.

I remember that rambling from Cherry, that we should draft more players from here and we need more players from Ontario. Now it seems that we have quite many in key and support roles. I'm from Finland and I'm looking from outside and get even more outside perspective from other Finnish hockey fans. There is quite a lot hope there about Toronto. That we should be able to make it. At the same time, there is lots of ramblings about Canadian media and fans creating lots of turmoil, that is one of the key reasons there is this 30 year and over 50 year drought going on. This Tkachuk leaving meaning Matthews might be leaving as one example.

Now we have a netminder who should know where he is coming to.

I'm optimistic and hopeful. I would be terrified if we'd had given that 5x5m contract to Campbell. If that goes south, it might being killing blow towards Oilers cup hopes and it would have been to us too. Tons of pressure towards Campbell if it doesn't click there and it would have been tons of pressure here. Murray is underdog which is easier starting point, if he doesn't come out guns blazing but rather as reliable goalie, it's good enough starting point to build on and progress. If Campbell is reliable but mixed bag, there is constant pressure to be that Vezina Campbell that we actually paid for.

Stuart Skinner should be licking his chops, but at the same time if Campbell fails that contract is immovable. In worst case Murray can be buried on LTIR or can be bought out next summer and we can reset, retool or what ever.

 

[DueDiligence]

Great podcast. It's intriguing to hear Murray's fallout with the coaching staff and his injury last season was caused by Ottawa's medical staff. Also gives a more in-depth breakdown of Murray's/Samsonov's technique changes and reinforces why I was so excited to finally be able to replace Steve Briere with someone like Curtis Sanford.

Definitely have a listen if you haven't already.

Murray had 3 injuries last year plus 2 illnesses all causing time off. In the shortened 20-21 season he had 2 different injuries and he missed games. If the Leafs' medical staff can give him a magic elixir to keep him healthy many people will be amazed.

 

[DraftSchmaft]

Long time posters here know that when HF is confident in something, usually the opposite happens. As Leaf fans, we've dealt with this a lot. Wasn't long ago the narrative was Kessel was a cancer and you couldn't win with him. Or Kadri was a liability. Andersen sucked, but when he went to the Canes suddenly he was good.

Why can't we benefit from a change of scenery for once? Between Murray and Sam, one of these players is going to rebound. Our team is good enough to keep us in the playoff race even if there is an adjustment period. All that matter is the following.

1. Murray has won 2 cups as a starting goalie and being on a tanking Ottawa team doesn't change that.
2. Samsonov had an inconsistent year, but played his best hockey of the year in the playoffs.

End of the day, this roster can get us there. What we need is someone, ANYONE, with ice in their veins between the pipes to give us a few saves we need to just win when it counts. It seems regardless of who is in net the past 6 years, we know come game 6/7 they will let in the first breakdown we have.

Problem with Murray isn't that he went and stunk it up for a bottom feeder which tanked his value and reputation as a reliable no.1.

It's the injury risk people are concerned about most. When it comes to betting on concussions you're usually on the losing side. It's not the same as betting on a lost player finding their way. Even Crosby went from generational to just elite due to concussions.

I'm more excited for Samsonov. Really love that signing. Hoping Toronto is where that first round package figures it all out. Our goaltending will be set for the next 5+ years.

 

[deprw]

Problem with Murray isn't that he went and stunk it up for a bottom feeder which tanked his value and reputation as a reliable no.1.

It's the injury risk people are concerned about most. When it comes to betting on concussions you're usually on the losing side. It's not the same as betting on a lost player finding their way. Even Crosby went from generational to just elite due to concussions.

I'm more excited for Samsonov. Really love that signing. Hoping Toronto is where that first round package figures it all out. Our goaltending will be set for the next 5+ years.

One thing we as fans don't know about is how organizations take care of their players. If Ottawa is penny pinching does that also affect medical department, is there something that top of the notch experts can do with Murray. Something that Ottawa couldn't or didn't know how to do.

I think Raptors did terrific job with Kawhi Leonard and made sure that he could play and load managed him very well. Factoring all his previous injuries and individual characteristics of his body at that point. We have all the resources in the world.

Though our staff couldn't figure it out why Andersen wasn't well enough to play.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Though our staff couldn't figure it out why Andersen wasn't well enough to play.

Even Andersen couldn't figure out why Andersen wasn't well enough to play.

 

[DraftSchmaft]

One thing we as fans don't know about is how organizations take care of their players.

True. If Ottawa did mess up Murray the damage is already done though. Our medical staff being better can't reverse theirs being bad.

 

[crump]

Remember when concussions were a major concern for Reimer. Many would love him back as a backup right now, if not a 1b option. Concussions can be managed if done properly, which is what Dubas is banking on. I'm not sold on Murray, as he had other injury issues, but his last one was a concussion. His game needs to be refined, as the podcast eluded to, and he already had started that process back to his last Penguin's season. Samsonov does make me breathe easier that we have 2 options with some upside, in both rejuvenating careers, and realizing untapped potential in Samsonov's case. I think we saw Campbell at his best in the first half of last season. It was excellent, but he had yet to prove it could maintain that for a full season, and more importantly into the playoffs. He was a big question mark going into the playoffs with really only 3 games down the stretch where he looked like any semblance of his early season form. If Mrazek had shown to be anything better than he was, he probably would have started in the playoffs. Both goalies failed down the stretch when we needed them the most. I don't think you can invest 5 years of that cap hit into Campbell's performance as a Leaf. So I am glad we moved on, slim pickings for goalies this year though, so you bet on upside and short term I suppose

 

[Zybalto]

Problem with Murray isn't that he went and stunk it up for a bottom feeder which tanked his value and reputation as a reliable no.1.

It's the injury risk people are concerned about most. When it comes to betting on concussions you're usually on the losing side. It's not the same as betting on a lost player finding their way. Even Crosby went from generational to just elite due to concussions.

I'm more excited for Samsonov. Really love that signing. Hoping Toronto is where that first round package figures it all out. Our goaltending will be set for the next 5+ years.

Yea, injuries are what sure scares me the most as well.

I really don't care if Murray goes Vezina level for most of the regular season if he just ends up on the DL for the playoffs (like Andersen last year in what could turn out to be a disaster contract for the Canes and no one is even talking about it). Campbell was actually in 2nd place ahead of Andersen for Vezina favorites in mid-January before he got hurt (as it came out) and fell off a cliff.

....and, yea, Samsonov is intriguing after having a decent playoff showing. I hope he figures things out here and takes the net long-term.

 

[Racer88]

Murray had 3 injuries last year plus 2 illnesses all causing time off. In the shortened 20-21 season he had 2 different injuries and he missed games. If the Leafs' medical staff can give him a magic elixir to keep him healthy many people will be amazed.

This is the real concern…..not if he can regain his original form.

 

[BondraTime]

Still in shock we were able to ditch Murray without giving up a shitload

 

[ACC1224]

Still in shock we were able to ditch Murray without giving up a shitload

You aren't voted the easiest GM to deal without a little effort.

 

[zeke]

Still in shock we were able to ditch Murray without giving up a shitload

Speaking of the Sens, it's kinda cute that everyone sees the Sens as some super young upcoming team whose window is just opening while the Leafs are some over the hill team with their window closing.

When realistically, the Sens are only about 2yrs younger than the Leafs - the Leafs had already been elite for a number of years at the Sens' current age (where they've been a bottom feeder).

Ages

Norris 23 ----- Matthews 25
Tkachuk 23 --- Marner 25
Debrincat 25 -- Nylander 26

Giroux 34 ----- Tavares 32
Batherson 24 - Bunting 27
Stutzle 20 ----- Kerfoot 28 (Robertson 21/Knies 20?)

Gambrell 26 --- Kampf 27
Joseph 25 ----- Jarnkrok 31
Formenton 23 - Engvall 26

Pinto 22? ------ Steeves/Holmberg/Abruzzese 23?
Watson 30 ----- Kubel 26
?????????? ------ ?????????


Chabot 25 ------ Rielly 28
Zub 28 ---------- Brodie 32

Hamonic 32 ----- Muzzin 33
Holden 35 ------- Giordano 39

Sanderson 20 ---- Sandin 22
Brannstrom 23 --- Liljegren 23
Zaitsev 31 -------- Holl 30


Forsberg 30 ------ Murray 28
Talbot 35 --------- Samsonov 25