Leafs finalize roster by placing two players on waivers including Stanley Cup champion

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports that Murray is still recovering from bilateral hip surgery & aims to make a comeback. If unclaimed, he is expected to start with the AHL's Toronto Marlies before rejoining the Leafs. This leaves Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz as the Maple Leafs' goalie tandem to begin the season. The Marlies also have a competitive goalie situation with young prospects Denis Hildeby and Artur Akhtyamov pushing for more playing time.

Murray re-signed with the Leafs this offseason on a one-year, $875,000 deal after coming off a four-year contract worth $6.25 million per season, originally signed with the Ottawa Senators. Last season, he posted a 14-8-2 record with a 3.01 GAA and .903 save percentage in 26 games for Toronto. Murray, a two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Pittsburgh Penguins, is an eight-year NHL veteran.

Marshall Rifai, 26, spent most of last season with the Marlies, recording 19 points (2 goals, 17 assists) in 57 games. He appeared in two games for the Leafs last year. Rifai, a defensive defenseman, signed a two-year contract extension with Toronto in September.

Several former Leafs players were also placed on waivers today by other teams, including Pierre Engvall (Islanders), James Reimer (Sabres), Justin Holl and William Lagesson (Red Wings), and Zach Aston-Reese (Golden Knights).