Earlier reports noted this move was impending with an update to his status expected soon. Murray was put on long-term injured reserve at the end of July, with no word on exactly what ailed him. Just before the start of the regular season, he underwent bi-lateral hip surgery and will be on the shelf for six to eight months. Murray joined the Leafs for his first full practice since the surgery recently, after increasing his workload of training at the advice of goaltending coach Curtis Sanford.
Sending Murray to the Marlies allows the Leafs to defer activating him and his $4.68M salary cap hit until after the regular season. This stint also provides a minor window for Murray to possibly rejoin the Leafs in the playoffs, should problems arise with one of the current goalkeepers. He might be gone the rest of the way with the Marlies and bring that experience into their playoff push. Now 29 years of age, with impending free agency approaching, Murray will look for a way to resuscitate his NHL career—likely needing to sign some small "prove it" deal. His future depends on him being able to overcome his injuries and get back to the level of play that he displayed before he was getting injured, which was of Pittsburgh Penguins' caliber that won two Stanley Cups with him in goal.
