It’s time once again for another round of NHL rumours. We’re nearing the end of the season and some teams are already looking ahead to next season. This may be true for Stanley Cup contenders and also-ran alike. Teams are likely going to be hamstrung if the salary cap only goes up by $1 million like it has the last couple of seasons. This could force some hard decisions for clubs. The Toronto Maple Leafs goaltending could undergo a forced makeover. This edition of NHL rumours covers that.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Toronto Maple Leafs Goaltending May Face Changes
Rumour: Sportsnet’s Luke Fox hosted a recent edition of his mailbag. The question of the Leafs goaltending was broached with one of the questions. Fox mentioned that Matt Murray could be the odd man out when Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas has to make some hard cap-related decisions.
Maple Leafs Mailbag: Will Joseph Woll force another goalie trade? | Where should Ryan O'Reilly play? | Is Keefe tinkering too much? | Playoff prediction? + more https://t.co/4pfgLtZnbv pic.twitter.com/gsla7ozoVv
— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) April 4, 2023
Fox said that Murray could be traded to a team needing to reach the salary cap floor next season. Toronto will likely have to throw in a sweetener to get rid of the injury-prone netminder. This is a situation much like what happened to Petr Mrazek, who was traded in the last off-season.
One reason that Murray could be moved is the solid backup play of Joseph Woll. He is making $766,667 through 2024-25. Ilya Samsonov is a restricted free agent and should get a raise in the coming off-season.
What This Means to Toronto Maple Leafs Goaltending
Murray could also get bought out and it wouldn’t be such a hard hit next season. The Ottawa Senators are paying for most of Murray’s salary and the hit would only be $687,500 next season. Murray’s cap penalty would only be $2 million the next year and the cap could shoot up and cushion the blow.
Samsonov’s next contract could hinge on if the Leafs get past the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round. Toronto may have to pay up if it can finally get out of the first round for the first time since 2004. The Leafs have to maximize every dollar they can, but still need to keep their crease questions solved.
Main photo by: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
