Maple Leafs Lose Backup Goalie to Kraken in Free Agency
One of the Toronto Maple Leafs' free agents has found a new NHL home after two years of setbacks in Canada.
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Veteran goaltender Matt Murray, 31, signed a one-year, $1 million deal with the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday.
Murray spent most of the 2024-25 season in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies, where he put together an impressive rebound campaign, albeit in the minors. In 21 appearances, he posted a 10-5-4 record, a 1.72 goals-against average, a .934 save percentage and three shutouts.
Murray, however, appeared in just two regular-season games for the Leafs, going 1-1-0 with a 3.54 GAA and an .879 save percentage.
Murray underwent bilateral hip surgery in October 2023 and missed the entire 2023-24 NHL season while rehabbing.
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'Matt's a veteran goalie with a proven track record of winning,' Kraken general manager Jason Botterill said. 'He's a two-time Cup champion who gives us depth in goal. We're excited to have him join our team.'
Murray won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017. Botterill was Pittsburgh's associate GM during that stretch and brings Murray into a Seattle crease that needs depth.
Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Matt Murray celebrates a win over the Buffalo Sabres.Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Starter Joey Daccord is entering the first year of a five-year, $25 million contract. Backup Philipp Grubauer is coming off a poor season, but he is under contract. Botterill said he will remain with the team.
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Ales Stezka, who played one game for Seattle this past season, signed with a Czech Republic team last month.
'Matt has dealt with injuries. We feel he's healthy. We feel he's hungry to compete for a position,' Botterill said. 'He obviously has the pedigree of knowing what it takes to win a Stanley Cup.'
Related: Matthew Knies Makes 'Sad' Admission About Mitch Marner's Exit
Related: Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner Farewell Post Backfires
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
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