Why is Matt Murray the Answer?

From the moment Matt Murray was traded from the Ottawa Senators to the Toronto Maple Leafs, there has been chatter about whether he is the answer or not. Not every day do you get the opportunity to sign a two-time Stanley Cup champion. A man who arguably took the job from one of the best goaltenders on the planet, Marc-André Fleury, won back-back Stanley cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Why is this a risk for the Maple Leafs?

If you were to consider the past season, Matt Murray played for the Ottawa Senators, who struggled all season long to keep most of their players in the lineup. When you have different people playing positions every night, it's tough to maintain continuity between the players. His performances sometimes were subpar; however, Goaltending intelligence is one thing you can't take away from Matt Murray.

Matt is an exceptional hockey player; he has Drive and a work ethic where he wants to be his best every time he goes out onto the ice. That in itself does not make the fears of the fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs any easier. The fans expect the Maple Leafs to play incredibly, they expect them to be their opponents every night, and they expect their goaltender to make the key saves in critical moments. Right now, the only risk for the Maple Leafs is learning to play within the Maple Leaf system consistently, night in and night out.

What is the advantage for the Leafs?

Murray is an Ontario-born goaltender who storms onto the scene as a rookie goaltender, making save after save in the Stanley Cup playoffs. His deep experience early on in his career has provided him with the calm, internal voice needed to navigate one of the most challenging positions in all sports. He played in front of Marquis players such as Sidney Crosby, tremendous Coaches, and electric fans in an organization in Pittsburgh. Matt is a quiet veteran voice that brings tremendously deep experience to the organization. He's brilliant and shows it as a very cerebral goalie.

The Maple Leafs know Jack!

When Jack Campbell came to the Toronto Maple Leafs, he went as a GOALTENDER that worked through much hardship at a personal level and played exceptional hockey the entire time he was with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The sad note was that he got injured, which kept him out of the game for quite some time. He came back with a vengeance in the playoffs. It was arguably one of the difference makers for some games against the defending Stanley Cup champions. Let's not forget the road to the Stanley Cup for the Maple Leafs have them facing off against the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning, the Florida Panthers, which were the Presidents Trophy winners and the Edmonton Oilers, who are on a hot streak with one of the best players ever to play the game, and finally, the Colorado Avalanche who was one of the most talented and well-coached teams in the world. Before this, Jack Campbell did not win the Stanley Cup or the Vezina trophy but brought a level of competition and composure combined with a game plan that worked well with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

This time, Matt Murray is coming into Toronto, the hottest market in all hockey besides its neighbour, the Montreal Canadiens. He's not taking interviews; he's working on his game, refining his craft and preparing for the season. No distractions, lousy blood, lots of respect, and a complete and clear understanding of the path needed to bring a Stanley Cup to the fans of the storied franchise.

So Maple leaf fans, and the media, let's take a breath… You have brought in a two-time Stanley Cup champion who is not resting on the past but driving for the future.

Goaltending Coach for the Leafs

Curtis Sanford will have the opportunity to share his experience now as a goaltending coach from the Vancouver Canucks under the tutelage of Ian Clark. Samsonov will join Murray as a solid 1-2 pair and both have something to prove coming in. It is going to be exciting to watch the transition.

This will be the best chance in years for the Leafs to finally convert.