Toronto Maple Leafs assign Matt Murray to AHL on conditioning stint 

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Saturday that they assigned goaltender Matt Murray to the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League on a conditioning assignment.

Murray has not played since April 2, 2023 against the Detroit Red Wings when he left the game at 16:16 of the first period. The 29-year-old goaltender underwent bilateral hip surgery in October and was placed on long-term injured reserve to start the season. 

The two-time Stanley Cup champion has dealt with injuries throughout his career and missed time last season.

“I just wake up every day and try to have a plan for what I want to do,” Murray told the Athletic Friday. “You’re gonna retain ups and downs. You’re gonna have adversity. Injuries especially are part of the game. Sometimes, it can be hard to avoid.”

After being given a 6-8 month recovery window, Murray began skating in the spring and took part in a full practice for the first time on March 26. 

“He has been out there a little bit with guys here and there,” Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe said after morning skate on March 26. “But today was probably the biggest step he’s taken in terms of our guys being out there and taking part in some of our skill drills. 

“So yeah, a great sign he’s moving well. He’s a long ways away from being an option for games or anything like that. But it seems like the work that he’s put in and the recovery that he’s had has served him well.”

The move likely means that Toronto believes Murray could be an option in the crease for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Ontario native is 29-21 with a .921 save percentage and 2.18 goals-against average in 50 career playoff games and won back-to-back cups with Pittsburgh in 2016 and 2017.

Murray’s last playoff game came with the Penguins in the bubble of 2020. 

The Marlies play the second night of a back-to-back at the Syracuse Crunch (Tampa Bay Lightning) on Saturday.