Hockey`s annual free agency period often brings significant change, and this year was no different. Among the notable moves was goaltender Matt Murray signing a one-year, $1-million contract with the Seattle Kraken, adding a two-time Stanley Cup winner to their crease competition.
Fresh off his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Murray recently shared insights on his time in the hockey spotlight, reflecting on his experiences in Toronto, the factors that led him to Seattle, and offering a rather pointed assessment of modern goaltender development.
For Murray, the decision to join the Kraken was significantly influenced by familiar faces. Reuniting with individuals like Jason Botterill, who was part of the Pittsburgh Penguins` management during Murray`s championship years, and connecting with Lane Lambert, whom he knew from his time in Toronto, provided a comforting level of familiarity. This reliance on known quantities, he noted, has been a consistent factor throughout his career transitions.
Speaking of Toronto, Murray holds his time with the Maple Leafs in high regard, describing it as having a “special place in my heart.” This connection runs deep, stemming from childhood; the Leafs were his father’s favourite team, and attending a Leafs game marked his first-ever NHL experience. Donning the iconic blue and white felt like “the honour of a lifetime,” an experience he “absolutely loved,” despite the team`s perennial high-pressure environment.
Beyond his personal journey, Murray offered a broader perspective on the state of goaltending itself. He posits that a key reason for a perceived decline in the development of top-tier netminders is surprisingly simple: it`s just “not as cool to be a goalie as it once was.” In an era where individual highlight reels often focus on spectacular goals, perhaps the solitary, often punishing job of stopping pucks lacks the same youthful allure it once held.
He also pointed to the inherent pressure and disproportionate blame goalies often face as potential deterrents for aspiring young players. Furthermore, Murray feels the modern game`s emphasis on technical precision has led to goalies looking somewhat “cookie-cutter,” losing some of the athleticism and unique style that characterized netminders of previous generations. This technical rigidity, in his view, makes the position appear less dynamic and, frankly, less “fun” than it used to be.
Despite his broader critique of the position`s evolving identity, Murray had nothing but praise for one specific former teammate: Joseph Woll. He cherishes their time together in Toronto, highlighting Woll`s mental resilience. Murray believes Woll`s ability to handle pressure stems from having a “very wide perspective on life,” a quality he sees as crucial for navigating the demanding world of professional hockey. In Murray’s estimation, the Maple Leafs have indeed found “a real keeper” in Woll.
After playing a limited two games last season for Toronto, Murray now joins a Seattle goaltending tandem featuring Philipp Grubauer and Joey Daccord, adding another experienced presence to their depth chart as he begins his new chapter on the West Coast, carrying with him fond memories from his time wearing the Maple Leaf.
