Having recently embarked on a new chapter in his NHL career with the Seattle Kraken, veteran goaltender Matt Murray took time to reflect on his preceding tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs and share some candid insights into the state of modern goaltending. Signing a one-year, $1-million deal with Seattle as free agency commenced, Murray joins a Kraken crease currently featuring Philipp Grubauer and Joey Daccord, adding championship pedigree to the group.
Murray`s decision to join the Kraken was notably influenced by familiar faces within the organization, a factor he indicated has often guided his career transitions. He cited existing relationships with individuals like Jason Botterill, with whom he shared Stanley Cup success in Pittsburgh when Botterill was assistant general manager, along with Lane Lambert, who was with the Leafs last year, and the team`s new goaltending coach, Colin Zulianello, as key attractions to Seattle.
A Deep Connection to Toronto
Beyond strategic career considerations, Murray holds a particularly personal connection to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He described his time wearing the blue and white as “the honour of a lifetime,” explaining the team held a “special place in my heart.” This sentiment stems from his family history, specifically his father`s lifelong support for the team and the fact that his first ever NHL game attended was a Leafs game. Despite the often intense scrutiny associated with playing in Toronto, Murray maintained that he “enjoyed every second” of the experience.
Diagnosing the Goaltending Pipeline
Shifting focus from personal reflections to a broader view of the sport, Murray offered a thought-provoking perspective on what he perceives as a decline in the development of truly standout goaltenders today. In his view, the reason is surprisingly simple: “I don`t think it`s as cool to be a goalie as it once was.”
He elaborated on this, suggesting that while goalies historically possessed a certain “cool factor” that attracted youngsters, the position has evolved into a highly technical discipline, potentially at the expense of athleticism and individual flair. “Goalies do look a little bit cookie-cutter to me nowadays,” Murray observed, feeling that the emphasis on standardized technique leads many netminders to resemble each other. He also pointed to the inherent pressure and propensity for goalies to shoulder blame as potential deterrents for young players choosing the position. Ultimately, he suggested that watching goalies play simply “just seems like it`s… not as much fun as it once was,” perhaps lamenting the visible expression of athleticism and personality that characterized earlier eras.
Praise for a Former Mate
Despite his general critique of the modern goaltending landscape, Murray singled out former Maple Leafs teammate Joseph Woll for particular praise. Expressing genuine fondness (“I love Joe; I loved all the time that I spent with him”), Murray highlighted Woll`s mental fortitude as a key attribute.
Murray attributed Woll`s resilience to having a “very wide perspective on life,” noting that a broader worldview better equips a player to handle the immense pressure inherent in critical game situations. Offering a strong endorsement as he departs, Murray stated, “in Toronto, they got a real keeper there in my opinion.”
After three seasons within the Maple Leafs organization, culminating in limited action last season (two games, 3.54 GAA, .879 SV%), Matt Murray now transitions to Seattle. His reflections provide a window into the personal significance of his time in Toronto and offer a veteran`s thoughtful, if slightly melancholic, take on the evolving nature of the goaltending position itself.
