Murray reportedly could be medically cleared to play games beginning in early April.
Murray reportedly could be medically cleared to play games beginning in early April.
Matt Murray took another step in his recovery from bilateral hip surgery on Tuesday morning.
The two-time Stanley Cup goaltender participated in the Maple Leafs' full morning skate ahead of their game against the New Jersey Devils. It's the first time Murray has taken part in a practice with the team this season.
Although no update was provided by Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe following the skate, it's been reported by Nick Kypreos in the Toronto Star, and by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, that Murray could be medically cleared in early April.
"I think he could get cleared to play sometime in early April. I should say cleared some time in early April," Friedman said on the broadcast ahead of Toronto's game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday.
"And then I would assume he's going to end up on a conditioning stint because they're not going to throw him right into the NHL right away. But I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility that we could see him in the AHL at some point."
Murray was spotted taking shots from teammates on Friday ahead of Toronto's practice. He didn't participate in the full skate that day, but Keefe did say that it was a big step in Murray's recovery.
"He has been out there a little bit with guys here and there. 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," Keefe said on Friday.
"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 Maple Leafs announced on July 26 that the netminder would be out indefinitely and that his $4.6875 million cap hit would be placed on long-term injured reserve at the beginning of the season.
Murray is in the final year of a four-year, $25 million deal he signed with the Ottawa Senators on Oct. 9, 2020. After struggling with injuries in Ottawa, the Senators traded him and a seventh-round pick in 2024 to Toronto while retaining 25% ($1.5625 million) of his salary in exchange for future considerations.
He appeared in 26 games for the Maple Leafs last season and finished with 14 wins and a .903 save percentage.
Related
VIDEO: Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner Continues to Skate Through Ankle Injury
News from THN.com
Archive: Former Toronto Forward David Clarkson Earned Reputation As Sandpaper NHL Force
NHL Sour Rankings: How Celebrini Could Fit In Among the NHL Draft Lottery Hopefuls
Will the Sabres' Record-Setting Jeff Skinner Ever Play in an NHL Playoff Game?