Maple Leafs Goaltending Becoming Question Mark
The Toronto Maple Leafs added two new goaltenders before this season as Ilya Samsonov signed as a free agent and general manager Kyle Dubas traded for Matt Murray. After being one of the top performing tandems early on this season, it turns out the struggles have begun for the Maple Leafs duo.
Murray has been very mediocre of late, recording a save % well below .900 in his last six games. This coming after Murray was among the league leaders in this category in his first 14 appearances.
Murray's running mate Samsonov was also lights out early on this season but has faltered in his last four starts. Toronto now sits 13th in the league in team save % and some are starting to question if Dubas and company should consider other options this season.
As it stands now, Murray has won nine games and has collected an overall GAA of 2.61 and a .913 SV.%. Meanwhile Samsonov is 11-3 and numbers are slightly better with a 2.38 and .914 Sv.%. Should the duo continue to struggle heading into the trade deadline, some big decisions will need to be made by Leafs management.
There aren't a ton of goaltenders available on the trade market. The minimal targets include Ottawa Senators Cam Talbot, LA Kings Cal Petersen and Columbus Blue Jackets Joonas Korpisalo.
Sheldon Keefe says he thought about pulling Murray toward the end of the 2nd or the start of the 3rd but felt Matt Murray has been playing well this season and deserved to finish things out.
— David Alter (@dalter) January 6, 2023
Photo credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
Should the #LeafsForever ride with Matt Murray or look elsewhere for an everyday option in goal? 🤔@jccuthbert & @ailishforfar revisit an old take on The FAN Morning Show.
— Sportsnet 590 The FAN (@FAN590) January 6, 2023
🎧 https://t.co/YclEUgD2u4 pic.twitter.com/zIz7RySSn2
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