The massive experiment by Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas paid off in the sense that the franchise was able to advance past Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2004.
However, both goaltenders that the Leafs brought in during the offseason in Ilya Samsonov and Matt Murray were unavailable at various points during the postseason, and it was 3rd stringer Joseph Woll getting the final two starts of Toronto's season as they would bow out in Round 2 against the upstart Florida Panthers.
Samsonov, who was Toronto's starter during their Round 1 series win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, was hurt in Game 3 against Florida and did not return. Meanwhile, Murray was injured at various points during the regular season before suffering a concussion in April.
“It’s like any season, really," Murray said. "There are going to be ups and downs. My whole thing is to play the best I can with the cards I’m dealt and focus on what I can control.”
Does Murray have a future in Toronto? Right now, that's up in the air. However, he did state the obvious - that he plans on doing what it takes to stay healthy next year regardless of where he is.
“My goal is to maintain the kind of level that I was playing in November and December and maintain that all season,” Murray said. “If I can do that, we’ll be in good shape.”
During the regular season, Murray posted a record of 14-8-2 record with a 3.01 goals against average and .903 save percentage. He is under contract for one more season with a cap hit of $6,250,000.
Leafs fans, should the organization bring him back for another go around?
