The Toronto Maple Leafs are facing an unexpected situation with veteran goaltender Matt Murray, who is currently recovering from hip surgery he underwent in October. Sheldon Keefe shocked the media today when he provided a massive update in regards to his return from injury.
This development poses a potential dilemma for the Maple Leafs, as Murray's $4.687 million cap hit is currently covered by long-term injured reserve. If Murray returns to play, the team will need to navigate salary cap constraints, which could prove challenging.
While there's no confirmation yet on Murray's return this season, the initial timeline set after his surgery suggested a possible comeback within 6-8 months. If he returns at the earlier end of this range, possibly in March, it could complicate matters for the Maple Leafs during the remainder of the 2023-24 NHL regular season.